Follistatin in chondrocytes: the link between TRPV4 channelopathies and skeletal malformations

PubMed Central

Leddy, Holly A.; McNulty, Amy L.; Lee, Suk Hee; Rothfusz, Nicole E.; Gloss, Bernd; Kirby, Margaret L.; Hutson, Mary R.; Cohn, Daniel H.; Guilak, Farshid; Liedtke, Wolfgang

2014-01-01

Point mutations in the calcium-permeable TRPV4 ion channel have been identified as the cause of autosomal-dominant human motor neuropathies, arthropathies, and skeletal malformations of varying severity. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism by which TRPV4 channelopathy mutations cause skeletal dysplasia. The human TRPV4V620I channelopathy mutation was transfected into primary porcine chondrocytes and caused significant (2.6-fold) up-regulation of follistatin (FST) expression levels. Pore altering mutations that prevent calcium influx through the channel prevented significant FST up-regulation (1.1-fold). We generated a mouse model of theTRPV4V620I mutation, and found significant skeletal deformities (e.g., shortening of tibiae and digits, similar to the human disease brachyolmia) and increases in Fst/TRPV4 mRNA levels (2.8-fold). FST was significantly up-regulated in primary chondrocytes transfected with 3 different dysplasia-causing TRPV4 mutations (2- to 2.3-fold), but was not affected by an arthropathy mutation (1.1-fold). Furthermore, FST-loaded microbeads decreased bone ossification in developing chick femora (6%) and tibiae (11%). FST gene and protein levels were also increased 4-fold in human chondrocytes from an individual natively expressing the TRPV4T89I mutation. Taken together, these data strongly support that up-regulation of FST in chondrocytes by skeletal dysplasia-inducing TRPV4 mutations contributes to disease pathogenesis.—Leddy, H. A., McNulty, A. L., Lee, S. H., Rothfusz, N. E., Gloss, B., Kirby, M. L., Hutson, M. R., Cohn, D. H., Guilak, F., Liedtke, W. Follistatin in chondrocytes: the link between TRPV4 channelopathies and skeletal malformations. PMID:24577120

Channelopathy pathogenesis in autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Schmunk, Galina; Gargus, J Jay

2013-11-05

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a syndrome that affects normal brain development and is characterized by impaired social interaction as well as verbal and non-verbal communication and by repetitive, stereotypic behavior. ASD is a complex disorder arising from a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors that are independent from racial, ethnic and socioeconomical status. The high heritability of ASD suggests a strong genetic basis for the disorder. Furthermore, a mounting body of evidence implies a role of various ion channel gene defects (channelopathies) in the pathogenesis of autism. Indeed, recent genome-wide association, and whole exome- and whole-genome resequencing studies linked polymorphisms and rare variants in calcium, sodium and potassium channels and their subunits with susceptibility to ASD, much as they do with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, animal models with these genetic variations recapitulate endophenotypes considered to be correlates of autistic behavior seen in patients. An ion flux across the membrane regulates a variety of cell functions, from generation of action potentials to gene expression and cell morphology, thus it is not surprising that channelopathies have profound effects on brain functions. In the present work, we summarize existing evidence for the role of ion channel gene defects in the pathogenesis of autism with a focus on calcium signaling and its downstream effects.

Channelopathy pathogenesis in autism spectrum disorders

PubMed Central

Schmunk, Galina; Gargus, J. Jay

2013-01-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a syndrome that affects normal brain development and is characterized by impaired social interaction as well as verbal and non-verbal communication and by repetitive, stereotypic behavior. ASD is a complex disorder arising from a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors that are independent from racial, ethnic and socioeconomical status. The high heritability of ASD suggests a strong genetic basis for the disorder. Furthermore, a mounting body of evidence implies a role of various ion channel gene defects (channelopathies) in the pathogenesis of autism. Indeed, recent genome-wide association, and whole exome- and whole-genome resequencing studies linked polymorphisms and rare variants in calcium, sodium and potassium channels and their subunits with susceptibility to ASD, much as they do with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, animal models with these genetic variations recapitulate endophenotypes considered to be correlates of autistic behavior seen in patients. An ion flux across the membrane regulates a variety of cell functions, from generation of action potentials to gene expression and cell morphology, thus it is not surprising that channelopathies have profound effects on brain functions. In the present work, we summarize existing evidence for the role of ion channel gene defects in the pathogenesis of autism with a focus on calcium signaling and its downstream effects. PMID:24204377

Resurgent current of voltage-gated Na+ channels

PubMed Central

Lewis, Amanda H; Raman, Indira M

2014-01-01

Resurgent Na+ current results from a distinctive form of Na+ channel gating, originally identified in cerebellar Purkinje neurons. In these neurons, the tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated Na+ channels responsible for action potential firing have specialized mechanisms that reduce the likelihood that they accumulate in fast inactivated states, thereby shortening refractory periods and permitting rapid, repetitive, and/or burst firing. Under voltage clamp, step depolarizations evoke transient Na+ currents that rapidly activate and quickly decay, and step repolarizations elicit slower channel reopening, or a ‘resurgent’ current. The generation of resurgent current depends on a factor in the Na+ channel complex, probably a subunit such as NaVβ4 (Scn4b), which blocks open Na+ channels at positive voltages, competing with the fast inactivation gate, and unblocks at negative voltages, permitting recovery from an open channel block along with a flow of current. Following its initial discovery, resurgent Na+ current has been found in nearly 20 types of neurons. Emerging research suggests that resurgent current is preferentially increased in a variety of clinical conditions associated with altered cellular excitability. Here we review the biophysical, molecular and structural mechanisms of resurgent current and their relation to the normal functions of excitable cells as well as pathophysiology. PMID:25172941

Autoimmune AQP4 channelopathies and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Hinson, Shannon R; Lennon, Vanda A; Pittock, Sean J

2016-01-01

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders (SD) represent an evolving group of central nervous system (CNS)-inflammatory autoimmune demyelinating diseases unified by a pathogenic autoantibody specific for the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel. It was historically misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS), which lacks a distinguishing biomarker. The discovery of AQP4-IgG moved the focus of CNS demyelinating disease research from emphasis on the oligodendrocyte and myelin to the astrocyte. NMO is recognized today as a relapsing disease, extending beyond the optic nerves and spinal cord to include brain (especially in children) and skeletal muscle. Brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, identifiable in 60% of patients at the second attack, are consistent with MS in 10% of cases. NMOSD-typical lesions (another 10%) occur in AQP4-enriched regions: circumventricular organs (causing intractable nausea and vomiting) and the diencephalon (causing sleep disorders, endocrinopathies, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis). Advances in understanding the immunobiology of AQP4 autoimmunity have necessitated continuing revision of NMOSD clinical diagnostic criteria. Assays that selectively detect pathogenic AQP4-IgG targeting extracellular epitopes of AQP4 are promising prognostically. When referring to AQP4 autoimmunity, we suggest substituting the term "autoimmune aquaporin-4 channelopathy" for the term "NMO spectrum disorders." Randomized clinical trials are currently assessing the efficacy and safety of newer immunotherapies. Increasing therapeutic options based on understanding the molecular pathogenesis is anticipated to improve the outcome for patients with AQP4 channelopathy. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Human calcium channelopathies. Voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels in etiology, pathogenesis, and pharmacotherapy of neurologic disorders].

PubMed

Weiergräber, M; Hescheler, J; Schneider, T

2008-04-01

Voltage-gated calcium channels are key components in a variety of physiological processes. Within the last decade an increasing number of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channelopathies in both humans and animal models has been described, most of which are related to the neurologic and muscular system. In humans, mutations were found in L-type Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)1.4 Ca(2+) channels as well as the non-L-type Ca(v)2.1 and T-type Ca(v)3.2 channels, resulting in altered electrophysiologic properties. Based on their widespread distribution within the CNS, voltage-gated calcium channels are of particular importance in the etiology and pathogenesis of various forms of epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review we characterise the different human Ca(2+) channelopathies known so far, further illuminating basic pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical aspects.

Caldera resurgence driven by magma viscosity contrasts.

PubMed

Galetto, Federico; Acocella, Valerio; Caricchi, Luca

2017-11-24

Calderas are impressive volcanic depressions commonly produced by major eruptions. Equally impressive is the uplift of the caldera floor that may follow, dubbed caldera resurgence, resulting from magma accumulation and accompanied by minor eruptions. Why magma accumulates, driving resurgence instead of feeding large eruptions, is one of the least understood processes in volcanology. Here we use thermal and experimental models to define the conditions promoting resurgence. Thermal modelling suggests that a magma reservoir develops a growing transition zone with relatively low viscosity contrast with respect to any newly injected magma. Experiments show that this viscosity contrast provides a rheological barrier, impeding the propagation through dikes of the new injected magma, which stagnates and promotes resurgence. In explaining resurgence and its related features, we provide the theoretical background to account for the transition from magma eruption to accumulation, which is essential not only to develop resurgence, but also large magma reservoirs.

Resurgence with and without an alternative response.

PubMed

Kimball, Ryan T; Kelley, Michael E; Podlesnik, Christopher A; Forton, Alex; Hinkle, Brandy

2018-05-10

Resurgence is the reemergence of a previously reinforced response that occurs after the elimination or reduction of reinforcement for an alternative response. Resurgence is problematic in the context of treatment because the reemergence of a previously reinforced destructive response could be detrimental to treatment gains. In the current translational study, we examined a modified resurgence procedure in which the alternative response was either present or absent during extinction. Four participants were exposed to three phases that consisted of (1) reinforcement of a target response, (2) extinction of the target response and differential reinforcement of an alternative response, and (3) extinction of both responses. Results for four out of five assessments showed greater resurgence when the alternative response was absent during Phase 3. Results suggest that more robust resurgence might occur if the alternative response is not available as opposed to the alternative response contacting extinction. © 2018 Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Action potential broadening in a presynaptic channelopathy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Begum, Rahima; Bakiri, Yamina; Volynski, Kirill E.; Kullmann, Dimitri M.

2016-07-01

Brain development and interictal function are unaffected in many paroxysmal neurological channelopathies, possibly explained by homoeostatic plasticity of synaptic transmission. Episodic ataxia type 1 is caused by missense mutations of the potassium channel Kv1.1, which is abundantly expressed in the terminals of cerebellar basket cells. Presynaptic action potentials of small inhibitory terminals have not been characterized, and it is not known whether developmental plasticity compensates for the effects of Kv1.1 dysfunction. Here we use visually targeted patch-clamp recordings from basket cell terminals of mice harbouring an ataxia-associated mutation and their wild-type littermates. Presynaptic spikes are followed by a pronounced afterdepolarization, and are broadened by pharmacological blockade of Kv1.1 or by a dominant ataxia-associated mutation. Somatic recordings fail to detect such changes. Spike broadening leads to increased Ca2+ influx and GABA release, and decreased spontaneous Purkinje cell firing. We find no evidence for developmental compensation for inherited Kv1.1 dysfunction.

Malaria resurgence: a systematic review and assessment of its causes

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Considerable declines in malaria have accompanied increased funding for control since the year 2000, but historical failures to maintain gains against the disease underscore the fragility of these successes. Although malaria transmission can be suppressed by effective control measures, in the absence of active intervention malaria will return to an intrinsic equilibrium determined by factors related to ecology, efficiency of mosquito vectors, and socioeconomic characteristics. Understanding where and why resurgence has occurred historically can help current and future malaria control programmes avoid the mistakes of the past. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify historical malaria resurgence events. All suggested causes of these events were categorized according to whether they were related to weakened malaria control programmes, increased potential for malaria transmission, or technical obstacles like resistance. Results The review identified 75 resurgence events in 61 countries, occurring from the 1930s through the 2000s. Almost all resurgence events (68/75 = 91%) were attributed at least in part to the weakening of malaria control programmes for a variety of reasons, of which resource constraints were the most common (39/68 = 57%). Over half of the events (44/75 = 59%) were attributed in part to increases in the intrinsic potential for malaria transmission, while only 24/75 (32%) were attributed to vector or drug resistance. Conclusions Given that most malaria resurgences have been linked to weakening of control programmes, there is an urgent need to develop practical solutions to the financial and operational threats to effectively sustaining today’s successful malaria control programmes. PMID:22531245

Renewal, Resurgence, and Alternative Reinforcement Context

PubMed Central

Sweeney, Mary M.; Shahan, Timothy A.

2015-01-01

Resurgence, relapse induced by the removal of alternative reinforcement, and renewal, relapse induced by a change in contextual stimuli, are typically studied separately in operant conditioning paradigms. In analogous treatments of operant problem behavior, aspects of both relapse phenomena can operate simultaneously. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine a novel method for studying resurgence and renewal in the same experimental preparation. An alternative source of reinforcement was available during extinction for one group of rats (a typical resurgence preparation). Another group experienced an operant renewal preparation in which the extinction context was distinguished via olfactory and visual stimuli. A third group experienced alternative reinforcement delivery in the new context, a novel combination of typical resurgence and renewal preparations. Removal of alternative reinforcement and/or a change in context induced relapse, relative to an extinction-only control group. When alternative reinforcement was delivered in a novel context, the alternative response was less persistent relative to when extinction of the alternative response took place in the context in which it was trained. This methodology might be used to illustrate shared (or distinct) mechanisms of resurgence and renewal, and to determine how delivering alternative reinforcement in another context may affect persistence and relapse. PMID:25936876

Resurgence of instrumental behavior after an abstinence contingency.

PubMed

Bouton, Mark E; Schepers, Scott T

2014-06-01

In resurgence, an extinguished instrumental behavior (R1) recovers when a behavior that has replaced it (R2) is also extinguished. The phenomenon may be relevant to understanding relapse that can occur after the termination of "contingency management" treatments, in which an unwanted behavior (e.g., substance abuse) is reduced by reinforcing an alternative behavior. When reinforcement is discontinued, the unwanted behavior might resurge. However, unlike most resurgence experiments, contingency management treatments also introduce a negative contingency, in which reinforcers are not delivered unless the client has abstained from the unwanted behavior. In two experiments with rats, we therefore examined the effects of adding a negative "abstinence" contingency to the resurgence design. During response elimination, R2 was not reinforced unless R1 had not been emitted for a minimum period of time (45, 90, or 135 s). In both experiments, adding such a contingency to simple R1 extinction reduced, but did not eliminate, resurgence. In Experiment 2, we found the same effect in a yoked group that could earn reinforcers for R2 at the same points in time as the negative-contingency group, but without the requirement to abstain from R1. Thus, the negative contingency per se did not contribute to the reduction in resurgence. These results suggest that the contingency reduced resurgence by making reinforcers more difficult to earn and more widely spaced in time. This could have allowed the animal to learn that R1 was extinguished in the "context" of infrequent reinforcement-a context more like that of resurgence testing. The results are thus consistent with a contextual (renewal) account of resurgence. The method might provide a better model of relapse after termination of a contingency management treatment.

Current Indications for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies and Channelopathies.

PubMed

González-Torrecilla, Esteban; Arenal, Angel; Atienza, Felipe; Datino, Tomás; Bravo, Loreto; Ruiz, Pablo; Ávila, Pablo; Fernández-Avilés, Francisco

2015-01-01

Current indications for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with channelopathies and cardiomyopathies of non-ischemic origin are mainly based on non-randomized evidence. In patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM), there is a tendency towards a beneficial effect on total mortality of ICD therapy in patients with significant left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Although an important reduction in sudden cardiac death (SCD) seems to be clearly demonstrated in these patients, a net beneficial effect on total mortality is unclear mostly in cases with good functional status. Risk stratification has been changing over the last two decades in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Its risk profile has been delineated in parallel with the beneficial effect of ICD in high risk patients. Observational results based on "appropriate" ICD interventions do support its usefulness both in primary and secondary SCD prevention in these patients. Novel risk models quantify the rate of sudden cardiac death in these patients on individual basis. Less clear risk stratification is available for cases of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and in other uncommon familiar cardiomyopathies. Main features of risk stratification vary among the different channelopathies (long QT syndrome -LQTS-, Brugada syndrome, etc) with great debate on the management of asymptomatic patients. For most familiar cardiomyopathies, ICD therapy is the only accepted strategy in the prevention of SCD. So far, genetic testing has a limited role in risk evaluation and management of the individual patient. This review aims to summarize these criticisms and to refine the current indications of ICD implantation in patients with cardiomyopathies and major channelopathies.

Introduction to the Special Section on Resurgence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kestner, Kathryn M.; Peterson, Stephanie M.; Wacker, David P.

2017-01-01

In this introduction, the editors provide an overview of resurgence and its importance to practitioners. They also provide an overview of the four articles contained in this special section focusing on the applied implications of resurgence.

Resurgence of instrumental behavior after an abstinence contingency

PubMed Central

Bouton, Mark E.; Schepers, Scott T.

2014-01-01

In resurgence, an extinguished instrumental behavior (R1) recovers when a behavior that replaced it (R2) is also extinguished. The phenomenon may be relevant to understanding relapse that can occur after the termination of “contingency management” treatments, in which unwanted behavior (e.g., substance abuse) is reduced by reinforcing alternative behavior. When reinforcement is discontinued, the unwanted behavior might resurge. However, unlike most resurgence experiments, contingency management treatments also introduce a negative contingency in which reinforcers are not delivered unless the client has abstained from the unwanted behavior. Two experiments with rats therefore examined the effects of adding a negative “abstinence” contingency to the resurgence design. During response elimination, R2 was not reinforced unless R1 had not been emitted for a minimum period of time (45, 90, or 135 s). In both experiments, adding such a contingency to simple R1 extinction reduced, but did not eliminate, resurgence. Experiment 2 found the same effect in a yoked group that could earn reinforcers for R2 at the same points in time, but without the requirement to abstain from R1. Thus, the negative contingency per se did not contribute. Results suggest that the contingency reduced resurgence by making reinforcers more difficult to earn and more widely spaced in time. This could have allowed the animal to learn that R1 was extinguished in the “context” of infrequent reinforcement—a context more like that of resurgence testing. The results are thus consistent with a contextual (renewal) account of resurgence. The method might provide a better model of relapse after termination of a contingency management treatment. PMID:24366673

Impact of Genetics on the Clinical Management of Channelopathies

PubMed Central

Schwartz, Peter J.; Ackerman, Michael J.; George, Alfred L.; Wilde, Arthur A.M.

2013-01-01

There are few areas in cardiology where the impact of genetics and of genetic testing on clinical management has been as great as in cardiac channelopathies, arrhythmic disorders of genetic origin related to the ionic control of the cardiac action potential. Among the growing number of diseases identified as channelopathies, three are sufficiently prevalent to represent significant clinical and societal problems and to warrant adequate understanding by practicing cardiologists: long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and Brugada syndrome. This review will focus selectively on the impact of genetic discoveries on clinical management of these three diseases. For each disorder, we will discuss to what extent genetic knowledge and clinical genetic test results modify the way cardiologists should approach and manage affected patients. We will also address the optimal use of genetic testing including its potential limitations and the potential medico-legal implications when such testing is not performed. We will highlight how important can be to understand the ways by which genotype can impact clinical manifestations, risk stratification, and responses to the therapy. We will also illustrate the close bridge between molecular biology and clinical medicine, and will emphasize that consideration of the genetic basis for these hereditable arrhythmia syndromes, as well as the proper use and interpretation of clinical genetic testing, should remain the standard-of-care. PMID:23684683

Unsteady resurgence flows in karstic media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adler, Pierre; Drygas, Piotr; Mityushev, Vladimir

2017-04-01

Geological porous media are heterogeneous materials which in addition contain discontinuities such as fractures and conduits which facilitate fluid transport. Fractures are relatively plane objects which strongly interact with the surrounding porous medium because of their large contact surface. A different situation occurs in karsts where distant regions of the medium can be connected by relatively thin conduits which have little if any hydrodynamic interaction with the porous medium that they cross, except at their ends. This phenomenon is called resurgence because of the obvious analogy with rivers which suddenly disappear underground and go out at the ground surface again. Similar ideas have already been developed in other fields, such as Physics with random networks and Geophysics with electrical tomography. Media with resurgences are addressed in the following way. They consist of a double structure. The first one is the continuous porous medium described by the classical Darcy law. The second one is composed by the resurgences modeled by conduits with impermeable walls which relate distant points of the continuous medium. When non steady regimes are considered, it appears necessary to confer a capacity to these conduits in addition to their hydrodynamic resistance. Therefore, the conduits are able to store some quantity of fluid. In addition, two kinds of resurgence are addressed, namely punctual and extended; in the second case, the dimensions of the ends of the conduit are not negligible compared to the characteristic length scales of the embedding porous medium. Capacities and extended resurgences are new features which were not taken into account in our previous studies. The punctual resurgence is described by a spatial network with a finite number of conduits embedded in a continuous porous medium. The flow in the network is described by the classical Kirchhoff law (including capacities). The equations for flow in the network and in the continuous

Focus on Kir7.1: physiology and channelopathy

PubMed Central

Kumar, Mohit; Pattnaik, Bikash R

2014-01-01

Genetic studies have linked alterations in Kir7.1 channel to diverse pathologies. We summarize functional relevance of Kir7.1 channel in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), regulation of channel function by various cytoplasmic metabolites, and mutations that cause channelopathies. At the apical membrane of RPE, K+ channels contribute to subretinal K+ homeostasis and support Na+/K+ pump and Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter function by providing a pathway for K+ secretion. Electrophysiological studies have established that barium- and cesium-sensitive inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channels make up a major component of the RPE apical membrane K+ conductance. Native human RPE expresses transcripts for Kir1.1, Kir2.1, Kir2.2, Kir3.1, Kir3.4, Kir4.2, and Kir6.1, albeit at levels at least 50-fold lower than Kir7.1. Kir7.1 is structurally similar to other Kir channels, consisting of 2 trans-membrane domains, a pore-forming loop that contains the selectivity filter, and 2 cytoplasmic polar tails. Within the cytoplasmic structure, clusters of amino acid sequences form regulatory domains that interact with cellular metabolites and control the opening and closing of the channel. Recent evidence indicated that intrinsic sequence motifs present in Kir7.1 control surface expression. Mutant Kir7.1 channels are associated with inherited eye pathologies such as Snowflake Vitreoretinal Degeneration (SVD) and Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA16). Based on the current evidence, mutations implicated in channelopathies have the potential to be used for genetic testing to diagnose blindness due to Kir7.1. PMID:25558901

Avoiding sports-related sudden cardiac death in children with congenital channelopathy : Recommendations for sports activities.

PubMed

Lang, C N; Steinfurt, J; Odening, K E

2017-04-01

For the past few years, children affected by an inherited channelopathy have been counseled to avoid (recreational) sports activities and all competitive sports so as to prevent exercise-induced arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. An increased understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms, better anti-arrhythmic strategies, and, in particular, more epidemiological data on exercise-induced arrhythmia in active athletes with channelopathies have changed the universal recommendation of "no sports," leading to revised, less strict, and more differentiated guidelines (published by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology in 2015). In this review, we outline the disease- and genotype-specific mechanisms of exercise-induced arrhythmia; give an overview of trigger-, symptom-, and genotype-dependent guidance in sports activities for children with long QT syndrome (LQTS), Brugada syndrome (BrS), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), or short QT syndrome (SQTS); and highlight the novelties in the current guidelines compared with previous versions. While it is still recommended for patients with LQT1 and CPVT (even when asymptomatic) and all symptomatic LQTS patients (independent of genotype) to avoid any competitive and high-intensity sports, other LQTS patients successfully treated with anti-arrhythmic therapies and phenotype-negative genotype-positive patients may be allowed to perform sports at different activity levels - provided they undergo regular, sophisticated evaluations to detect any changes in arrhythmogenic risk.

Resurgence in Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens.

PubMed

da Silva, Stephanie P; Cançado, Carlos R X; Lattal, Kennon A

2014-03-01

Resurgence of previously reinforced responding was investigated in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Swimming through a ring produced 15-s mirror presentations according to, with different fish, either a fixed-ratio 1 or a variable-interval 60-s schedule of reinforcement. When responding was stable, a differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior schedule was substituted for the mirror-presentation schedule. Following this, mirror presentations were discontinued (extinction). During this latter phase, there were transient increases in the ring-swim response relative to the frequency of such responding during the differential-reinforcement-of-other behavior schedule. Resurgence was similar for the fish exposed previously to the fixed-ratio or to the variable-interval schedule. These results extend to Siamese fighting fish a well-established behavioral phenomenon previously not observed in this species or with this response topography, and only rarely reported following the removal of a non-consumable reinforcer. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A common co-morbidity modulates disease expression and treatment efficacy in inherited cardiac sodium channelopathy.

PubMed

Rivaud, Mathilde R; Jansen, John A; Postema, Pieter G; Nannenberg, Eline A; Mizusawa, Yuka; van der Nagel, Roel; Wolswinkel, Rianne; van der Made, Ingeborg; Marchal, Gerard A; Rajamani, Sridharan; Belardinelli, Luiz; van Tintelen, J Peter; Tanck, Michael W T; van der Wal, Allard C; de Bakker, Jacques M T; van Rijen, Harold V; Creemers, Esther E; Wilde, Arthur A M; van den Berg, Maarten P; van Veen, Toon A B; Bezzina, Connie R; Remme, Carol Ann

2018-04-27

Management of patients with inherited cardiac ion channelopathy is hindered by variability in disease severity and sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk. Here, we investigated the modulatory role of hypertrophy on arrhythmia and SCD risk in sodium channelopathy. Follow-up data was collected from 164 individuals positive for the SCN5A-1795insD founder mutation and 247 mutation-negative relatives. A total of 38 (obligate) mutation-positive patients died suddenly or suffered life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Of these, 18 were aged >40 years, a high proportion of which had a clinical diagnosis of hypertension and/or cardiac hypertrophy. While pacemaker implantation was highly protective in preventing bradycardia-related SCD in young mutation-positive patients, seven of them aged >40 experienced life-threatening arrhythmic events despite pacemaker treatment. Of these, six had a diagnosis of hypertension/hypertrophy, pointing to a modulatory role of this co-morbidity. Induction of hypertrophy in adult mice carrying the homologous mutation (Scn5a1798insD/+) caused SCD and excessive conduction disturbances, confirming a modulatory effect of hypertrophy in the setting of the mutation. The deleterious effects of the interaction between hypertrophy and the mutation were prevented by genetically impairing the pro-hypertrophic response and by pharmacological inhibition of the enhanced late sodium current associated with the mutation. This study provides the first evidence for a modulatory effect of co-existing cardiac hypertrophy on arrhythmia risk and treatment efficacy in inherited sodium channelopathy. Our findings emphasize the need for continued assessment and rigorous treatment of this co-morbidity in SCN5A mutation-positive individuals.

Comparison of clast frequency and size in the resurge deposits at the Chesapeake Bay impact structure (Eyreville A and Langley cores): Clues to the resurge process

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ormo, J.; Sturkell, E.; Horton, J. Wright; Powars, D.S.; Edwards, L.E.

2009-01-01

Collapse and inward slumping of unconsolidated sedimentary strata expanded the Chesapeake Bay impact structure far beyond its central basement crater. During crater collapse, sediment-loaded water surged back to fill the crater. Here, we analyze clast frequency and granulometry of these resurge deposits in one core hole from the outermost part of the collapsed zone (i.e., Langley) as well as a core hole from the moat of the basement crater (i.e., Eyreville A). Comparisons of clast provenance and flow dynamics show that at both locations, there is a clear change in clast frequency and size between a lower unit, which we interpret to be dominated by slumped material, and an upper, water-transported unit, i.e., resurge deposit. The contribution of material to the resurge deposit was primarily controlled by stripping and erosion. This includes entrainment of fallback ejecta and sediments eroded from the surrounding seafloor, found to be dominant at Langley, and slumped material that covered the annular trough and basement crater, found to be dominant at Eyreville. Eyreville shows a higher content of crystalline clasts than Langley. There is equivocal evidence for an anti-resurge from a collapsing central water plume or, alternatively, a second resurge pulse, as well as a transition into oscillating resurge. The resurge material shows more of a debris-flow-like transport compared to resurge deposits at some other marine target craters, where the ratio of sediment to water has been relatively low. This result is likely a consequence of the combination of easily disaggregated host sediments and a relatively shallow target water depth. ?? 2009 The Geological Society of America.

Resurgence of catatonia following tapering or stoppage of lorazepam - A case series and implications.

PubMed

Ali, Syed Farooq; Gowda, Guru S; Jaisoorya, T S; Math, Suresh Bada

2017-08-01

The resurgence of catatonia following tapering of lorazepam is a common clinical phenomenon. However, there is limited evidence on the relationship between tapering method of lorazepam and resurgence of catatonic state. We report seven (0.6%) such patients who were found to have resurgence of catatonia. The mean age is 35.7 years; five of them had schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders. Five of them had resurgence within one week of stoppage, and three of them had multiple resurgences and required maintenance treatment with lorazepam. So gradual tapering and maintenance treatment with lorazepam might be effective in preventing resurgence of catatonia. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of differential rates of alternative reinforcement on resurgence of human behavior.

PubMed

Smith, Brooke M; Smith, Gregory S; Shahan, Timothy A; Madden, Gregory J; Twohig, Michael P

2017-01-01

Despite the success of exposure-based psychotherapies in anxiety treatment, relapse remains problematic. Resurgence, the return of previously eliminated behavior following the elimination of an alternative source of reinforcement, is a promising model of operant relapse. Nonhuman resurgence research has shown that higher rates of alternative reinforcement result in faster, more comprehensive suppression of target behavior, but also in greater resurgence when alternative reinforcement is eliminated. This study investigated rich and lean rates of alternative reinforcement on response suppression and resurgence in typically developing humans. In Phase 1, three groups (Rich, n = 18; Lean, n = 18; Control, n = 10) acquired the target response. In Phase 2, target responding was extinguished and alternative reinforcement delivered on RI 1 s, RI 3 s, and extinction schedules, respectively. Resurgence was assessed during Phase 3 under extinction conditions for all groups. Target responding was suppressed most thoroughly in Rich and partially in Lean. Target responding resurged in the Rich and Lean groups, but not in the Control group. Between groups, resurgence was more pronounced in the Rich group than the Lean and Control groups. Clinical implications of these findings, including care on the part of clinicians when identifying alternative sources of reinforcement, are discussed. © 2017 Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Reversal learning and resurgence of operant behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

PubMed

Kuroda, Toshikazu; Mizutani, Yuto; Cançado, Carlos R X; Podlesnik, Christopher A

2017-09-01

Zebrafish are used extensively as vertebrate animal models in biomedical research for having such features as a fully sequenced genome and transparent embryo. Yet, operant-conditioning studies with this species are scarce. The present study investigated reversal learning and resurgence of operant behavior in zebrafish. A target response (approaching a sensor) was reinforced in Phase 1. In Phase 2, the target response was extinguished while reinforcing an alternative response (approaching a different sensor). In Phase 3, extinction was in effect for the target and alternative responses. Reversal learning was demonstrated when responding tracked contingency changes between Phases 1 and 2. Moreover, resurgence occurred in 10 of 13 fish in Phase 3: Target response rates increased transiently and exceeded rates of an unreinforced control response. The present study provides the first evidence with zebrafish supporting reversal learning between discrete operant responses and a laboratory model of relapse. These findings open the possibility to assessing genetic influences of operant behavior generally and in models of relapse (e.g., resurgence, renewal, reinstatement). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Climatic factors in resurgence of Mediterranean spotted fever

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arenas, E.E.; Creus, B.F.; Cueto, F.B.

1986-06-07

There has been a recent resurgence of Mediterranean spotted fever in areas bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This disease is caused by Rickettsia conorii, the dog tick being the vector and main reservoir. Ticks prefer warm weather and their activity increases with rising temperature. In the Valles Occidental, Spain, the incidence of the disease is correlated with hotter and drier summers in the past ten years.

Gene replacement therapy for retinal CNG channelopathies.

PubMed

Schön, Christian; Biel, Martin; Michalakis, Stylianos

2013-10-01

Visual phototransduction relies on the function of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in the rod and cone photoreceptor outer segment plasma membranes. The role of these ion channels is to translate light-triggered changes in the second messenger cyclic guanosine 3'-5'-monophosphate levels into an electrical signal that is further processed within the retinal network and then sent to higher visual centers. Rod and cone photoreceptors express distinct CNG channels. The rod photoreceptor CNG channel is composed of one CNGB1 and three CNGA1 subunits, whereas the cone channel is formed by one CNGB3 and three CNGA3 subunits. Mutations in any of these channel subunits result in severe and currently untreatable retinal degenerative diseases like retinitis pigmentosa or achromatopsia. In this review, we provide an overview of the human diseases and relevant animal models of CNG channelopathies. Furthermore, we summarize recent results from preclinical gene therapy studies using adeno-associated viral vectors and discuss the efficacy and translational potential of these gene therapeutic approaches.

Fish faunal resurgence in Lake Nabugabo, East Africa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chapman, L.J.; Chapman, Colin A.; Schofield, P.J.; Olowo, J.P.; Kaufman, L.S.; Seehausen, O.; Ogutu-Ohwayo., R.

2003-01-01

 In Lake Nabugabo, Uganda, a small satellite of the equatorial Lake Victoria, approximately 50% of the indigenous fish species disappeared from the open waters subsequent to establishment of the introduced predatory Nile perch (   Lates niloticus ). However, several of these species persisted in wetland refugia. Over the past decade, Nile perch in Lake Nabugabo have been intensively fished. Herein we report a resurgence of some indigenous species in open waters. In a multiyear study, we used annual transects in inshore and offshore waters of exposed ( no wetland ) and wetland habitats to document the pattern of resurgence. In 1995, haplochromine cichlids were largely confined to inshore areas, particularly wetland ecotones, and were rare in Nile perch stomachs, as were most other indigenous species. By 2000 haplochromine cichlids were abundant in inshore and offshore areas of both exposed and wetland transects. Several indigenous noncichlids also reappeared in the main lake, including three of the four original mormyrid species. Between 1995 and 1999, there was a dramatic increase in the proportion of haplochromines in the diet of Nile perch. When haplochromines were rare ( 1995 ), Nile perch switched from an invertebrate-dominated diet to piscivory at a large size ( 30 cm total length ). In 2000, however, Nile perch were strongly piscivorous by 5–10 cm total length. The pattern of faunal loss and recovery in Lake Nabugabo demonstrates the importance of refugia in providing the seeds of resurgence and provides a model with which to understand some changes in Lake Victoria.

Resurgence of Integrated Behavioral Units

PubMed Central

Bachá-Méndez, Gustavo; Reid, Alliston K; Mendoza-Soylovna, Adela

2007-01-01

Two experiments with rats examined the dynamics of well-learned response sequences when reinforcement contingencies were changed. Both experiments contained four phases, each of which reinforced a 2-response sequence of lever presses until responding was stable. The contingencies then were shifted to a new reinforced sequence until responding was again stable. Extinction-induced resurgence of previously reinforced, and then extinguished, heterogeneous response sequences was observed in all subjects in both experiments. These sequences were demonstrated to be integrated behavioral units, controlled by processes acting at the level of the entire sequence. Response-level processes were also simultaneously operative. Errors in sequence production were strongly influenced by the terminal, not the initial, response in the currently reinforced sequence, but not by the previously reinforced sequence. These studies demonstrate that sequence-level and response-level processes can operate simultaneously in integrated behavioral units. Resurgence and the development of integrated behavioral units may be dissociated; thus the observation of one does not necessarily imply the other. PMID:17345948

The resurgence of mumps and pertussis

PubMed Central

Sabbe, Martine; Vandermeulen, Corinne

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Vaccines and extended vaccination programs have had an extensive impact on morbidity and mortality rates due to infectious diseases. Because of the continuous and extensive use of vaccines in industrialized countries, many infectious diseases such as poliomyelitis, diphtheria and measles have been reduced to near-extinction. However, in recent years, many countries including the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Belgium, have been confronted with a resurgence of mumps and pertussis, despite high vaccination coverage for both vaccines. In this commentary, possible causes of this resurgence will be discussed, such as the occurrence of adapted microbes, failure to vaccinate and primary and secondary vaccine failure. Additional research of the immunological mechanisms is clearly needed to support the development of possible new and more immunogenic vaccines against mumps and pertussis. Meanwhile, extensive vaccination campaigns with both vaccines remain necessary. PMID:26751186

The resurgence of mumps and pertussis.

PubMed

Sabbe, Martine; Vandermeulen, Corinne

2016-04-02

Vaccines and extended vaccination programs have had an extensive impact on morbidity and mortality rates due to infectious diseases. Because of the continuous and extensive use of vaccines in industrialized countries, many infectious diseases such as poliomyelitis, diphtheria and measles have been reduced to near-extinction. However, in recent years, many countries including the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Belgium, have been confronted with a resurgence of mumps and pertussis, despite high vaccination coverage for both vaccines. In this commentary, possible causes of this resurgence will be discussed, such as the occurrence of adapted microbes, failure to vaccinate and primary and secondary vaccine failure. Additional research of the immunological mechanisms is clearly needed to support the development of possible new and more immunogenic vaccines against mumps and pertussis. Meanwhile, extensive vaccination campaigns with both vaccines remain necessary.

Context change explains resurgence after the extinction of operant behavior

PubMed Central

Trask, Sydney; Schepers, Scott T.; Bouton, Mark E.

2016-01-01

Extinguished operant behavior can return or “resurge” when a response that has replaced it is also extinguished. Typically studied in nonhuman animals, the resurgence effect may provide insight into relapse that is seen when reinforcement is discontinued following human contingency management (CM) and functional communication training (FCT) treatments, which both involve reinforcing alternative behaviors to reduce behavioral excess. Although the variables that affect resurgence have been studied for some time, the mechanisms through which they promote relapse are still debated. We discuss three explanations of resurgence (response prevention, an extension of behavioral momentum theory, and an account emphasizing context change) as well as studies that evaluate them. Several new findings from our laboratory concerning the effects of different temporal distributions of the reinforcer during response elimination and the effects of manipulating qualitative features of the reinforcer pose a particular challenge to the momentum-based model. Overall, the results are consistent with a contextual account of resurgence, which emphasizes that reinforcers presented during response elimination have a discriminative role controlling behavioral inhibition. Changing the “reinforcer context” at the start of testing produces relapse if the organism has not learned to suppress its responding under conditions similar to the ones that prevail during testing. PMID:27429503

Resurgence flows in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adler, Pierre; Mityushev, Vladimir

2010-05-01

Porous media are generally described by the Darcy equation when the length scales are sufficiently large with respect to the pore scale. This approach is also applicable when the media are heterogeneous, i.e., when permeability varies with space which is the most common case. In addition, real media are very often fractured; for a long time, this complex physical problem has been schematized by the double porosity model devised by Barenblatt. More recently, these fractured media have been addressed with a detailed description of the fractures and of their hydrodynamic interaction with the surrounding porous medium. This approach will be briefly summarized and the main recent progress surveyed (2). There is another situation which occurs frequently in underground studies. One well is connected to a distant well while it is not connected to closer wells. Such a situation can only be understood if there is a direct link between the two connected wells and if this link has little if any hydrodynamic interaction with the porous medium that it crosses. This link can be a fracture or more likely a set of fractures. This phenomenon is called resurgence because of the obvious analogy with rivers which suddenly disappear underground and go out at the ground surface again. Similar ideas have already been developed in other fields. In Physics, random networks limited to nearest neighbors have been recently extended to small world models where distant vertices can be related directly by a link. The electrical testing of porous media by electrical probes located at the walls (electrical tomography) has been used frequently in Geophysics since it is a non-invasive technique; this classical technique corresponds exactly to the situation addressed here from a different perspective. Media with resurgences consist of a double structure (3). The first one which is continuous is described by Darcy law as usual. The second one models the resurgences by capillaries with impermeable walls

Chloride Channelopathies of ClC-2

PubMed Central

Bi, Miao Miao; Hong, Sen; Zhou, Hong Yan; Wang, Hong Wei; Wang, Li Na; Zheng, Ya Juan

2014-01-01

Chloride channels (ClCs) have gained worldwide interest because of their molecular diversity, widespread distribution in mammalian tissues and organs, and their link to various human diseases. Nine different ClCs have been molecularly identified and functionally characterized in mammals. ClC-2 is one of nine mammalian members of the ClC family. It possesses unique biophysical characteristics, pharmacological properties, and molecular features that distinguish it from other ClC family members. ClC-2 has wide organ/tissue distribution and is ubiquitously expressed. Published studies consistently point to a high degree of conservation of ClC-2 function and regulation across various species from nematodes to humans over vast evolutionary time spans. ClC-2 has been intensively and extensively studied over the past two decades, leading to the accumulation of a plethora of information to advance our understanding of its pathophysiological functions; however, many controversies still exist. It is necessary to analyze the research findings, and integrate different views to have a better understanding of ClC-2. This review focuses on ClC-2 only, providing an analytical overview of the available literature. Nearly every aspect of ClC-2 is discussed in the review: molecular features, biophysical characteristics, pharmacological properties, cellular function, regulation of expression and function, and channelopathies. PMID:24378849

FHF2 isoforms differentially regulate Nav1.6 mediated resurgent sodium currents in dorsal root ganglion neurons

PubMed Central

Barbosa, Cindy; Xiao, Yucheng; Johnson, Andrew J.; Xie, Wenrui; Strong, Judith A.; Zhang, Jun-Ming; Cummins, Theodore R.

2017-01-01

Nav1.6 and Nav1.6 mediated resurgent currents have been implicated in several pain pathologies. However, our knowledge of how fast resurgent currents are modulated in neurons is limited. Our study explored the potential regulation of Nav1.6 mediated resurgent currents by isoforms of Fibroblast growth Factor Homologous factor 2 (FHF2) in an effort to address the gap in our knowledge. FHF2 isoforms colocalize with Nav1.6 in peripheral sensory neurons. Cell line studies suggest that these proteins differentially regulate inactivation. In particular, FHF2A mediates long-term inactivation, a mechanism proposed to compete with the open-channel blocker mechanism that mediates resurgent currents. On the other hand, FHF2B lacks the ability to mediate long-term inactivation and may delay inactivation favoring open-channel block. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that FHF2A limits resurgent currents, whereas, FHF2B enhances resurgent currents. Overall our results suggest that FHF2A negatively regulates fast resurgent current by enhancing long-term inactivation and delaying recovery. In contrast FHF2B positively regulated resurgent current and did not alter long-term inactivation. Chimeric constructs of FHF2A and Navβ4 (likely the endogenous open channel blocker in sensory neurons) exhibited differential effects on resurgent currents suggesting that specific regions within FHF2A and Navβ4 have important regulatory functions. Our data also indicate FHFAs and FHF2B isoform expression are differentially regulated in a radicular pain model and that associated neuronal hyperexcitability is substantially attenuated by a FHFA peptide. As such, these findings suggest that FHF2A and FHF2B regulate resurgent current in sensory neurons and may contribute to hyperexcitability associated with some pain pathologies. PMID:27999940

Resurgence flows in porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adler, P. M.; Mityushev, V.

2009-12-01

Porous media are generally described by the Darcy equation when the length scales are sufficiently large with respect to the pore scale. This approach is also applicable when the media are heterogeneous, i.e., when permeability varies with space which is the most common case. In addition, real media are very often fractured; for a long time, this complex physical problem has been schematized by the double porosity model devised by Barenblatt. More recently, these fractured media have been addressed with a detailed description of the fractures and of their hydrodynamic interaction with the surrounding porous medium. There is another situation which occurs frequently in underground studies. One well is connected to a distant well while it is not connected to closer wells. Such a situation can only be understood if there is a direct link between the two connected wells and if this link has little if any hydrodynamic interaction with the porous medium that it crosses. This link can be a fracture or more likely a set of fractures. This phenomenon is called resurgence because of the obvious analogy with rivers which suddenly disappear underground and go out at the ground surface again. Similar ideas have already been developed in other fields. In Physics, random networks limited to nearest neighbors have been recently extended to small world models where distant vertices can be related directly by a link. The electrical testing of porous media by electrical probes located at the walls (electrical tomography) has been used frequently in Geophysics since it is a non-invasive technique; this classical technique corresponds exactly to the situation addressed here from a different perspective. Media with resurgences consist of a double structure. The first one which is continuous is described by Darcy law as usual. The second one models the resurgences by capillaries with impermeable walls which relate distant points of the continuous medium. These two structures have already

Constraining Resurgence through Lake Sediment Paleomagnetism on Resurgent Dome Samosir Island in Toba Caldera, Sumatra, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solada, K.; de Silva, S. L.; Stoner, J. S.; Mucek, A. E.; Reilly, B. T.; Hatfield, R. G.; Pratomo, I.; Bowers, J.; Jamil, R.; Setianto, B.

2017-12-01

Around 74 ka, a supervolcano, Toba Caldera in Sumatra, Indonesia erupted, producing the Youngest Toba Tuff and its associated caldera. After this catastrophic eruption, a lake filled the caldera, sedimentation within the lake occurred, and the process known as resurgence began. Today, the resurgent dome, Samosir Island, is uplifted 700 m above the lake with the upper 100 m composed of these post eruption lake sediments. These sediments and their ages offer insight to the resurgent uplift history. To constrain sediment chronology, we collected discrete paleomagnetic 8 cm3 cubes and 43 radiocarbon samples from 10 sites around the island. Bulk organic carbon 14C ages provide an initial chronostratigraphic framework, which is improved by correlating paleomagnetic signals between site sections. Additionally, nearby marine sediment paleomagnetic records show large amplitude changes in inclination over the past 74 ka, providing a good template to compare the sediment chronology. 27 radiocarbon samples have already been dated, with the oldest dating at 38 ka. However, our radiocarbon and paleomagnetic correlation suggest that this record extends even older. Natural and laboratory magnetizations on discrete samples were studied using alternating field (AF) demagnetization at the Oregon State University P-Mag Lab. Although there is variability in magnetic susceptibility between study sites and natural remanant magnetization intensities are often relatively low ( 10-4 (A/m)), AF demagnetization behavior suggests a primary magnetization is recorded. Characteristic remanent magnetizations are reasonably well-defined using a principal component analysis with maximum angular deviation values < 15°, though stronger samples typically have better resolved magnetizations. Data from 4 sites with 14C ages ranging from 23 ka to 38 ka, show low inclination values, averaging around -5° compared with geocentric axial dipole prediction for the site location of approximately 4°. This is

Some Factors Modulating the Strength of Resurgence after Extinction of an Instrumental Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winterbauer, Neil E.; Lucke, Sara; Bouton, Mark E.

2013-01-01

In resurgence, an operant behavior that has undergone extinction can return ("resurge") when a second operant that has replaced it itself undergoes extinction. The phenomenon may provide insight into relapse that may occur after incentive or contingency management therapies in humans. Three experiments with rats examined the impact of several…

Resurgence: The Unintended Maintenance of Problem Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ringdahl, Joel E.; St. Peter, Claire

2017-01-01

Researchers, teachers, practitioners, and parents are often concerned with how to program for and achieve the maintenance of appropriate behavior. The unintended maintenance of problem behavior is less often evaluated. This article describes a behavioral phenomenon, resurgence, that may result in the unintended maintenance of problem behavior.…

Behavioral Momentum Theory Fails to Account for the Effects of Reinforcement Rate on Resurgence

PubMed Central

Craig, Andrew R.; Shahan, Timothy A.

2017-01-01

The behavioral-momentum model of resurgence predicts reinforcer rates within a resurgence preparation should have three effects on target behavior. First, higher reinforcer rates in baseline (Phase 1) produce more persistent target behavior during extinction plus alternative reinforcement. Second, higher rate alternative reinforcement during Phase 2 generates greater disruption of target responding during extinction. Finally, higher rates of either reinforcement source should produce greater responding when alternative reinforcement is suspended in Phase 3. Recent empirical reports have produced mixed results in terms of these predictions. Thus, the present experiment further examined reinforcer-rate effects on persistence and resurgence. Rats pressed target levers for high-rate or low-rate variable-interval food during Phase 1. In Phase 2, target-lever pressing was extinguished, an alternative nose-poke became available, and nose-poking produced either high-rate variable-interval, low-rate variable-interval, or no (an extinction control) alternative reinforcement. Alternative reinforcement was suspended in Phase 3. For groups that received no alternative reinforcement, target-lever pressing was less persistent following high-rate than low-rate Phase-1 reinforcement. Target behavior was more persistent with low-rate alternative reinforcement than with high-rate alternative reinforcement or extinction alone. Finally, no differences in Phase-3 responding were observed for groups that received either high-rate or low-rate alternative reinforcement, and resurgence occurred only following high-rate alternative reinforcement. These findings are inconsistent with the momentum-based model of resurgence. We conclude this model mischaracterizes the effects of rein-forcer rates on persistence and resurgence of operant behavior. PMID:27193242

Magnetotelluric survey of Ischia resurgent caldera (Southern Italy): inference for volcano-tectonics and dynamic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlino, S.; Di Giuseppe, M. G.; Troiano, A.

2017-12-01

The island of Ischia (located in the Bay of Naples) represents a peculiar case of well-exposed caldera that has experienced a large (>800m) and rapid resurgence, until recent time. It gives us the possibility for a better understanding of caldera resurgence process, by integrating the available geological information with new geophysical data of the deeper structures associated to the resurgence. To this aim, a magnetotelluric survey of the island, has been performed along two main profiles of the central-western sector, obtaining the first electrical resistivity map down to a depth of 3km. The resurgence is tough to be associated to a shallow magma intrusion, which also produced a vigorous hot fluids circulation with high geothermal gradients (>150°Ckm-1) in the southern and western sector. The interpretation of resistivity variations allow us to recognize the main volcano-tectonic features of central-western part of the island, along the two profiles, such as the presence of a possible very shallow magmatic intrusion to a depth of about 1km, the tectonic structures bordering the resurgent area and the occurrence of large thermal anomaly of the western sector. All these data are fundamental for the assessment of volcano-dynamic of the island and associated hazard. Furthermore, this study show a not common example of a large resurgence that is likely generated by a laccolith intrusion. This process is generally associated to the arrival of fresh magma into the system that, in turn, may imply imminent eruption and high volcanic hazard.

Combating pertussis resurgence: One booster vaccination schedule does not fit all.

PubMed

Riolo, Maria A; Rohani, Pejman

2015-02-03

Pertussis has reemerged as a major public health concern in many countries where it was once considered well controlled. Although the mechanisms responsible for continued pertussis circulation and resurgence remain elusive and contentious, many countries have nevertheless recommended booster vaccinations, the timing and number of which vary widely. Here, using a stochastic, age-stratified transmission model, we searched for cost-effective booster vaccination strategies using a genetic algorithm. We did so assuming four hypothesized mechanisms underpinning contemporary pertussis epidemiology: (I) insufficient coverage, (II) frequent primary vaccine failure, (III) waning of vaccine-derived protection, and (IV) vaccine "leakiness." For scenarios I-IV, successful booster strategies were identified and varied considerably by mechanism. Especially notable is the inability of booster schedules to alleviate resurgence when vaccines are leaky. Critically, our findings argue that the ultimate effectiveness of vaccine booster schedules will likely depend on correctly pinpointing the causes of resurgence, with misdiagnosis of the problem epidemiologically ineffective and economically costly.

Function and dysfunction of CNG channels: insights from channelopathies and mouse models.

PubMed

Biel, Martin; Michalakis, Stylianos

2007-06-01

Channels directly gated by cyclic nucleotides (CNG channels) are important cellular switches that mediate influx of Na+ and Ca2+ in response to increases in the intracellular concentration of cAMP and cGMP. In photoreceptors and olfactory receptor neurons, these channels serve as final targets for cGMP and cAMP signaling pathways that are initiated by the absorption of photons and the binding of odorants, respectively. CNG channels have been also found in other types of neurons and in non-excitable cells. However, in most of these cells, the physiological role of CNG channels has yet to be determined. CNG channels have a complex heteromeric structure. The properties of individual subunits that assemble in specific stoichiometries to the native channels have been extensively investigated in heterologous expression systems. Recently, mutations in human CNG channel genes leading to inherited diseases (so-called channelopathies) have been functionally characterized. Moreover, mouse knockout models were generated to define the role of CNG channel proteins in vivo. In this review, we will summarize recent insights into the physiological and pathophysiological role of CNG channel proteins that have emerged from genetic studies in mice and humans.

Resistance to change and resurgence in humans engaging in a computer task.

PubMed

Kuroda, Toshikazu; Cançado, Carlos R X; Podlesnik, Christopher A

2016-04-01

The relation between persistence, as measured by resistance to change, and resurgence has been examined with nonhuman animals but not systematically with humans. The present study examined persistence and resurgence with undergraduate students engaging in a computer task for points exchangeable for money. In Phase 1, a target response was maintained on a multiple variable-interval (VI) 15-s (Rich) VI 60-s (Lean) schedule of reinforcement. In Phase 2, the target response was extinguished while an alternative response was reinforced at equal rates in both schedule components. In Phase 3, the target and the alternative responses were extinguished. In an additional test of persistence (Phase 4), target responding was reestablished as in Phase 1 and then disrupted by access to videos in both schedule components. In Phases 2 and 4, target responding was more persistent in the Rich than in the Lean component. Also, resurgence generally was greater in the Rich than in the Lean component in Phase 3. The present findings with humans extend the generality of those obtained with nonhuman animals showing that higher reinforcement rates produce both greater persistence and resurgence, and suggest that common processes underlie response persistence and relapse. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The risk of urban yellow fever resurgence in Aedes-infested American cities.

PubMed

Massad, Eduardo; Amaku, Marcos; Coutinho, Francisco Antonio Bezerra; Struchiner, Claudio José; Lopez, Luis Fernandez; Coelho, Giovanini; Wilder-Smith, Annelies; Burattini, Marcelo Nascimento

2018-05-30

Aedes aegypti, historically known as yellow fever (YF) mosquito, transmits a great number of other viruses such as Dengue, West Nile, Chikungunya, Zika, Mayaro and perhaps Oropouche, among others. Well established in Africa and Asia, Aedes mosquitoes are now increasingly invading large parts of the American continent, and hence the risk of urban YF resurgence in the American cities should because of great concern to public health authorities. Although no new urban cycle of YF was reported in the Americas since the end of an Aedes eradication programme in the late 1950s, the high number of non-vaccinated individuals that visit endemic areas, that is, South American jungles where the sylvatic cycle of YF is transmitted by canopy mosquitoes, and return to Aedes-infested urban areas, increases the risk of resurgence of the urban cycle of YF. We present a method to estimate the risk of urban YF resurgence in dengue-endemic cities. This method consists in (1) to estimate the number of Aedes mosquitoes that explains a given dengue outbreak in a given region; (2) calculate the force of infection caused by the introduction of one infective individual per unit area in the endemic area under study; (3) using the above estimates, calculate the probability of at least one autochthonous YF case per unit area produced by one single viraemic traveller per unit area arriving from a YF endemic or epidemic sylvatic region at the city studied. We demonstrate that, provided the relative vector competence, here defined as the capacity to being infected and disseminate the virus, of Ae. aegypti is greater than 0.7 (with respect to dengue), one infected traveller can introduce urban YF in a dengue endemic area.

A Preliminary Investigation on Improving Functional Communication Training by Mitigating Resurgence of Destructive Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fuhrman, Ashley M.; Fisher, Wayne W.; Greer, Brian D.

2016-01-01

Despite the effectiveness and widespread use of functional communication training (FCT), resurgence of destructive behavior can occur if the functional communication response (FCR) contacts a challenge, such as lapses in treatment integrity. We evaluated a method to mitigate resurgence by conducting FCT using a multiple schedule of reinforcement…

Antecedent causes of a measles resurgence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

PubMed Central

Scobie, Heather Melissa; Ilunga, Benoît Kebela; Mulumba, Audry; Shidi, Calixte; Coulibaly, Tiekoura; Obama, Ricardo; Tamfum, Jean-Jacques Muyembe; Simbu, Elisabeth Pukuta; Smit, Sheilagh Brigitte; Masresha, Balcha; Perry, Robert Tyrrell; Alleman, Mary Margaret; Kretsinger, Katrina; Goodson, James

2015-01-01

Introduction Despite accelerated measles control efforts, a massive measles resurgence occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) starting in mid-2010, prompting an investigation into likely causes. Methods We conducted a descriptive epidemiological analysis using measles immunization and surveillance data to understand the causes of the measles resurgence and to develop recommendations for elimination efforts in DRC. Results During 2004-2012, performance indicator targets for case-based surveillance and routine measles vaccination were not met. Estimated coverage with the routine first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) increased from 57% to 73%. Phased supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) were conducted starting in 2002, in some cases with sub-optimal coverage (≤95%). In 2010, SIAs in five of 11 provinces were not implemented as planned, resulting in a prolonged interval between SIAs, and a missed birth cohort in one province. During July 1, 2010-December 30, 2012, high measles attack rates (>100 cases per 100,000 population) occurred in provinces that had estimated MCV1 coverage lower than the national estimate and did not implement planned 2010 SIAs. The majority of confirmed case-patients were aged <10 years (87%) and unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status (75%). Surveillance detected two genotype B3 and one genotype B2 measles virus strains that were previously identified in the region. Conclusion The resurgence was likely caused by an accumulation of unvaccinated, measles-susceptible children due to low MCV1 coverage and suboptimal SIA implementation. To achieve the regional goal of measles elimination by 2020, efforts are needed in DRC to improve case-based surveillance and increase two-dose measles vaccination coverage through routine services and SIAs. PMID:26401224

Antecedent causes of a measles resurgence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

PubMed

Scobie, Heather Melissa; Ilunga, Benoît Kebela; Mulumba, Audry; Shidi, Calixte; Coulibaly, Tiekoura; Obama, Ricardo; Tamfum, Jean-Jacques Muyembe; Simbu, Elisabeth Pukuta; Smit, Sheilagh Brigitte; Masresha, Balcha; Perry, Robert Tyrrell; Alleman, Mary Margaret; Kretsinger, Katrina; Goodson, James

2015-01-01

Despite accelerated measles control efforts, a massive measles resurgence occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) starting in mid-2010, prompting an investigation into likely causes. We conducted a descriptive epidemiological analysis using measles immunization and surveillance data to understand the causes of the measles resurgence and to develop recommendations for elimination efforts in DRC. During 2004-2012, performance indicator targets for case-based surveillance and routine measles vaccination were not met. Estimated coverage with the routine first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) increased from 57% to 73%. Phased supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) were conducted starting in 2002, in some cases with sub-optimal coverage (≤95%). In 2010, SIAs in five of 11 provinces were not implemented as planned, resulting in a prolonged interval between SIAs, and a missed birth cohort in one province. During July 1, 2010-December 30, 2012, high measles attack rates (>100 cases per 100,000 population) occurred in provinces that had estimated MCV1 coverage lower than the national estimate and did not implement planned 2010 SIAs. The majority of confirmed case-patients were aged <10 years (87%) and unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status (75%). Surveillance detected two genotype B3 and one genotype B2 measles virus strains that were previously identified in the region. The resurgence was likely caused by an accumulation of unvaccinated, measles-susceptible children due to low MCV1 coverage and suboptimal SIA implementation. To achieve the regional goal of measles elimination by 2020, efforts are needed in DRC to improve case-based surveillance and increase two-dose measles vaccination coverage through routine services and SIAs.

Secondary neurotransmitter deficiencies in epilepsy caused by voltage-gated sodium channelopathies: A potential treatment target?

PubMed

Horvath, Gabriella A; Demos, Michelle; Shyr, Casper; Matthews, Allison; Zhang, Linhua; Race, Simone; Stockler-Ipsiroglu, Sylvia; Van Allen, Margot I; Mancarci, Ogan; Toker, Lilah; Pavlidis, Paul; Ross, Colin J; Wasserman, Wyeth W; Trump, Natalie; Heales, Simon; Pope, Simon; Cross, J Helen; van Karnebeek, Clara D M

2016-01-01

We describe neurotransmitter abnormalities in two patients with drug-resistant epilepsy resulting from deleterious de novo mutations in sodium channel genes. Whole exome sequencing identified a de novo SCN2A splice-site mutation (c.2379+1G>A, p.Glu717Gly.fs*30) resulting in deletion of exon 14, in a 10-year old male with early onset global developmental delay, intermittent ataxia, autism, hypotonia, epileptic encephalopathy and cerebral/cerebellar atrophy. In the cerebrospinal fluid both homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly decreased; extensive biochemical and genetic investigations ruled out primary neurotransmitter deficiencies and other known inborn errors of metabolism. In an 8-year old female with an early onset intractable epileptic encephalopathy, developmental regression, and progressive cerebellar atrophy, a previously unreported de novo missense mutation was identified in SCN8A (c.5615G>A; p.Arg1872Gln), affecting a highly conserved residue located in the C-terminal of the Nav1.6 protein. Aside from decreased homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was also found to be low. We hypothesize that these channelopathies cause abnormal synaptic mono-amine metabolite secretion/uptake via impaired vesicular release and imbalance in electrochemical ion gradients, which in turn aggravate the seizures. Treatment with oral 5-hydroxytryptophan, l-Dopa/Carbidopa, and a dopa agonist resulted in mild improvement of seizure control in the male case, most likely via dopamine and serotonin receptor activated signal transduction and modulation of glutamatergic, GABA-ergic and glycinergic neurotransmission. Neurotransmitter analysis in other sodium channelopathy patients will help validate our findings, potentially yielding novel treatment opportunities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Resurgent transseries & Dyson–Schwinger equations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klaczynski, Lutz, E-mail: klacz@mathematik.hu-berlin.de

2016-09-15

We employ resurgent transseries as algebraic tools to investigate two self-consistent Dyson–Schwinger equations, one in Yukawa theory and one in quantum electrodynamics. After a brief but pedagogical review, we derive fixed point equations for the associated anomalous dimensions and insert a moderately generic log-free transseries ansatz to study the possible strictures imposed. While proceeding in various stages, we develop an algebraic method to keep track of the transseries’ coefficients. We explore what conditions must be violated in order to stay clear of fixed point theorems to eschew a unique solution, if so desired, as we explain. An interesting finding ismore » that the flow of data between the different sectors of the transseries shows a pattern typical of resurgence, i.e. the phenomenon that the perturbative sector of the transseries talks to the nonperturbative ones in a one-way fashion. However, our ansatz is not exotic enough as it leads to trivial solutions with vanishing nonperturbative sectors, even when logarithmic monomials are included. We see our result as a harbinger of what future work might reveal about the transseries representations of observables in fully renormalised four-dimensional quantum field theories and adduce a tentative yet to our mind weighty argument as to why one should not expect otherwise. This paper is considerably self-contained. Readers with little prior knowledge are let in on the basic reasons why perturbative series in quantum field theory eventually require an upgrade to transseries. Furthermore, in order to acquaint the reader with the language utilised extensively in this work, we also provide a concise mathematical introduction to grid-based transseries.« less

Longer treatment with alternative non-drug reinforcement fails to reduce resurgence of cocaine or alcohol seeking in rats.

PubMed

Nall, Rusty W; Craig, Andrew R; Browning, Kaitlyn O; Shahan, Timothy A

2018-04-02

Provision of alternative non-drug reinforcement is among the most effective methods for treating substance use disorders. However, when alternative reinforcers become unavailable during treatment interruptions or upon cessation of treatment, relapse often occurs. Relapse following the loss of alternative reinforcement is known as resurgence. One factor that could reduce resurgence is longer duration of treatment with alternative reinforcement, but the available data are mixed. Further, the effects of length of treatment have previously only been examined with food seeking. The present experiments directly examined if duration of treatment impacted the magnitude of resurgence of cocaine or alcohol seeking in rats. First, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (Experiment 1) or alcohol (Experiment 2) by performing a target behavior. Second, target behavior was extinguished and performing an alternative behavior produced an alternative non-drug (i.e., food) reinforcer. Finally, resurgence was assessed following removal of alternative reinforcement after either 5 or 20 sessions of treatment. Treatment duration did not differentially affect resurgence of cocaine seeking in Experiment 1 or Alcohol seeking in Experiment 2. These results suggest that extended treatment with alternative non-drug reinforcement may not decrease propensity to relapse. Further, these results may have implications for treatment of substance use disorders and for theories of resurgence. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural Analysis of Mt. Epomeo Resurgent Block (ischia, Italy): Deformational Features, Uplifting Mechanism and Implications For Volcanic Hazard Assessment.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Vita, S.; Marotta, E.; Orsi, G.

The studies carried out on the resurgent calderas of Campi Flegrei, Pantelleria and Is- chia, evidenced that the geometry of the resurgent blocks and the arial distribution of volcanic vents active after the caldera collapse, are not compatible with the commonly accepted resurgent dome model. For these areas a simple shearing block resurgence mechanism, that take in account all the geological and volcanological constraints, has been proposed. In order to define the structural setting of a resurgent block for which this mechanism has been proposed, a detailed structural study has been carried out on the island of Ischia, where the Mt. Epomeo was uplifted of about 900 m in the past 30 ka. The attitude of 1400 planar surfaces has been measured in 50 different sites around the resurgent block. These features have been distinguished in: a) faults; b) joints; c) fracture cleavages. It has been observed that the resurgent area is composed of differentially displaced blocks whose uplifting is maximum for the Mt. Epomeo and decreases southeastward. The resurgent area has a poligonal shape resulting from the reactivation of regional faults and by the activation of faults directly related to volcan- otectonism. Northeastward the limit of the resurgent area is not defined, as along the coastline are exposed beach deposits displaced at variable elevation by E-W and NW- SE trending faults. The western sector is bordered by inward dipping, high angle re- verse faults, whose directions vary from N40E to NS and N50W from the northwestern to the southwestern parts of the block, testifying a compressional stress regime active in this area. These features are cut by late outward dipping normal faults due to grav- itational readjustment of the slopes. The northeastern and the southwestern sides are bordered by vertical faults with right transtensive and left transpressive movements, respectively. The area located to the east of the most uplifted block is characterized by a tensile

Structural control on the CO2 release west of Mt. Epomeo resurgent block (Ischia, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Vita, S.; Marotta, E.; Ventura, G.; Chiodini, G.

2003-04-01

Volcanism at Ischia started more than 150 ka B.P. and continued until the last eruption occurred in 1302 A.D. Ischia is dominated by the caldera forming eruption of Mt. Epomeo Green Tuff (55 ka), which was followed by block resurgence inside the caldera from 33 ka B.P. Resurgence influenced the volcanic activity determining the conditions for magma ascent mainly along the eastern edge of the resurgent block. The resurgent area has a poligonal shape resulting from reactivation of regional faults and by activation of faults related to volcanotectonism. The western sector is bordered by inward dipping, high angle strike-slip/reverse faults testifying a compressional stress regime in this area. These features are cut by late outward dipping normal faults due to gravitational stress. The activity of the volcanic system is testified by seismicity and thermal manifestations. Fumarolic activity concentrates along the faults that borders westward the Mt. Epomeo resurgent block, where the Green Tuff overlies fractured lavas. The structural data show that, outside the most active degassing zone, fractures show a NNW-SSE strike and dip toward Mt. Epomeo. These fractures delimit the northern sector of Mt. Epomeo and show strike and dip consistent with the inward dipping reverse faults. Inside the degassing area fractures show a NW-SE strike and dip outward Mt. Epomeo. These gravity-related faults cut the lavas where the hydrothermal circulation is active. The dip direction of the NW-SE striking fractures within the degassing zone is not consistent with that of the strike-slip/reverse faults (i.e. towards NE) but agrees well with that of the gravity-induced faults (dip direction towards SW). Inside the degassing zone, NW-SE striking faults with lengths not exceeding the hydrothermalized extension occur. This arrangement indicate that the syn-resurgence faults act as permeability barriers, whereas the youngest faults act as the main fluid pathway.

Teach or No Teach: Is Large System Education Resurging?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharma, Aditya; Murphy, Marianne C.

2011-01-01

Legacy or not, mainframe education is being taught at many U.S. universities. Some computer science programs have always had some large system content but there does appear to be resurgence of mainframe related content in business programs such as Management Information Systems (MIS) and Computer Information Systems (CIS). Many companies such as…

Resurgence of emerald shiners Notropis atherinoides in Lake Huron's main basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schaeffer, J.S.; Warner, D.M.; O'Brien, T. P.

2008-01-01

Emerald shiners Notropis atherinoides were formerly common in Lakes Huron and Michigan, but declined during the 1960s as the exotic alewife Alosa pseudoharengus proliferated. The Lake Huron emerald shiner population was chronically depressed through 2004; however, we detected resurgence in emerald shiner density and biomass in Lake Huron during acoustic and midwater trawl surveys conducted during 2004-2006. Emerald shiners were not found during 2004, but by 2006 main basin density exceeded 500 fish/ha, biomass estimates exceeded 0.5 kg/ha, and emerald shiners contributed more to pelagic biomass than alewives or rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax. Length frequency distributions suggested that increased density was the result of two consecutive strong year classes in 2005 and 2006. Emerald shiner distributions also expanded from a focus in western Lake Huron in 2005 to a lakewide distribution in 2006. Emerald shiners occurred offshore, but were nearly always associated with epilimnetic surface waters warmer than 19??C. Resurgence of emerald shiners was likely a consequence of reduced alewife abundance, as they declined concurrently with alewife proliferation during the early 1960s. Return of this species may benefit native nearshore piscivores; however, benefits to Pacific salmonids Oncorhynchus spp. are uncertain because emerald shiners are smaller and still less abundant than historically important prey species, and they may be thermally segregated from salmonines.

Stroke-Like Episodes and Cerebellar Syndrome in Phosphomannomutase Deficiency (PMM2-CDG): Evidence for Hypoglycosylation-Driven Channelopathy

PubMed Central

Izquierdo-Serra, Mercè; Martínez-Monseny, Antonio F.; López, Laura; Carrillo-García, Julia; Edo, Albert; Ortigoza-Escobar, Juan Darío; García, Óscar; Carrasco-Marina, M Llanos; Gutiérrez-Solana, Luis G.; Muchart, Jordi; Montero, Raquel; Artuch, Rafael; Pérez-Cerdá, Celia; Pérez, Belén; Pérez-Dueñas, Belén; Macaya, Alfons

2018-01-01

Stroke-like episodes (SLE) occur in phosphomannomutase deficiency (PMM2-CDG), and may complicate the course of channelopathies related to Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) caused by mutations in CACNA1A (encoding CaV2.1 channel). The underlying pathomechanisms are unknown. We analyze clinical variables to detect risk factors for SLE in a series of 43 PMM2-CDG patients. We explore the hypothesis of abnormal CaV2.1 function due to aberrant N-glycosylation as a potential novel pathomechanism of SLE and ataxia in PMM2-CDG by using whole-cell patch-clamp, N-glycosylation blockade and mutagenesis. Nine SLE were identified. Neuroimages showed no signs of stroke. Comparison of characteristics between SLE positive versus negative patients’ group showed no differences. Acute and chronic phenotypes of patients with PMM2-CDG or CACNA1A channelopathies show similarities. Hypoglycosylation of both CaV2.1 subunits (α1A and α2α) induced gain-of-function effects on channel gating that mirrored those reported for pathogenic CACNA1A mutations linked to FHM and ataxia. Unoccupied N-glycosylation site N283 at α1A contributes to a gain-of-function by lessening CaV2.1 inactivation. Hypoglycosylation of the α2δ subunit also participates in the gain-of-function effect by promoting voltage-dependent opening of the CaV2.1 channel. CaV2.1 hypoglycosylation may cause ataxia and SLEs in PMM2-CDG patients. Aberrant CaV2.1 N-glycosylation as a novel pathomechanism in PMM2-CDG opens new therapeutic possibilities. PMID:29470411

Antagonism of Lidocaine Inhibition by Open-Channel Blockers That Generate Resurgent Na Current

PubMed Central

Bant, Jason S.; Aman, Teresa K.; Raman, Indira M.

2013-01-01

Na channels that generate resurgent current express an intracellular endogenous open-channel blocking protein, whose rapid binding upon depolarization and unbinding upon repolarization minimizes fast and slow inactivation. Na channels also bind exogenous compounds, such as lidocaine, which functionally stabilize inactivation. Like the endogenous blocking protein, these use-dependent inhibitors bind most effectively at depolarized potentials, raising the question of how lidocaine-like compounds affect neurons with resurgent Na current. We therefore recorded lidocaine inhibition of voltage-clamped, tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na currents in mouse Purkinje neurons, which express a native blocking protein, and in mouse hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons with and without a peptide from the cytoplasmic tail of NaVβ4 (the β4 peptide), which mimics endogenous open-channel block. To control channel states during drug exposure, lidocaine was applied with rapid-solution exchange techniques during steps to specific voltages. Inhibition of Na currents by lidocaine was diminished by either the β4 peptide or the native blocking protein. In peptide-free CA3 cells, prolonging channel opening with a site-3 toxin, anemone toxin II, reduced lidocaine inhibition; this effect was largely occluded by open-channel blockers, suggesting that lidocaine binding is favored by inactivation but prevented by open-channel block. In constant 100 μM lidocaine, current-clamped Purkinje cells continued to fire spontaneously. Similarly, the β4 peptide reduced lidocaine-dependent suppression of spiking in CA3 neurons in slices. Thus, the open-channel blocking protein responsible for resurgent current acts as a natural antagonist of lidocaine. Neurons with resurgent current may therefore be less susceptible to use-dependent Na channel inhibitors used as local anesthetic, antiarrhythmic, and anticonvulsant drugs. PMID:23486968

Interactions among DIV voltage-sensor movement, fast inactivation, and resurgent Na current induced by the NaVβ4 open-channel blocking peptide

PubMed Central

Lewis, Amanda H.

2013-01-01

Resurgent Na current flows as voltage-gated Na channels recover through open states from block by an endogenous open-channel blocking protein, such as the NaVβ4 subunit. The open-channel blocker and fast-inactivation gate apparently compete directly, as slowing the onset of fast inactivation increases resurgent currents by favoring binding of the blocker. Here, we tested whether open-channel block is also sensitive to deployment of the DIV voltage sensor, which facilitates fast inactivation. We expressed NaV1.4 channels in HEK293t cells and assessed block by a free peptide replicating the cytoplasmic tail of NaVβ4 (the “β4 peptide”). Macroscopic fast inactivation was disrupted by mutations of DIS6 (L443C/A444W; “CW” channels), which reduce fast-inactivation gate binding, and/or by the site-3 toxin ATX-II, which interferes with DIV movement. In wild-type channels, the β4 peptide competed poorly with fast inactivation, but block was enhanced by ATX. With the CW mutation, large peptide-induced resurgent currents were present even without ATX, consistent with increased open-channel block upon depolarization and slower deactivation after blocker unbinding upon repolarization. The addition of ATX greatly increased transient current amplitudes and further enlarged resurgent currents, suggesting that pore access by the blocker is actually decreased by full deployment of the DIV voltage sensor. ATX accelerated recovery from block at hyperpolarized potentials, however, suggesting that the peptide unbinds more readily when DIV voltage-sensor deployment is disrupted. These results are consistent with two open states in Na channels, dependent on the DIV voltage-sensor position, which differ in affinity for the blocking protein. PMID:23940261

Higher rate alternative non-drug reinforcement produces faster suppression of cocaine seeking but more resurgence when removed.

PubMed

Craig, Andrew R; Nall, Rusty W; Madden, Gregory J; Shahan, Timothy A

2016-06-01

Relapse following removal of an alternative source of reinforcement introduced during extinction of a target behavior is called resurgence. This form of relapse may be related to relapse of drug taking following loss of alternative non-drug reinforcement in human populations. Laboratory investigations of factors mediating resurgence with food-maintained behavior suggest higher rates of alternative reinforcement produce faster suppression of target behavior but paradoxically generate more relapse when alternative reinforcement is discontinued. At present, it is unknown if a similar effect occurs when target behavior is maintained by drug reinforcement and the alternative is a non-drug reinforcer. In the present experiment three groups of rats were trained to lever press for infusions of cocaine during baseline. Next, during treatment, cocaine reinforcement was suspended and an alternative response was reinforced with either high-rate, low-rate, or no alternative food reinforcement. Finally, all reinforcement was suspended to test for relapse of cocaine seeking. Higher rate alternative reinforcement produced faster elimination of cocaine seeking than lower rates or extinction alone, but when treatment was suspended resurgence of cocaine seeking occurred following only high-rate alternative reinforcement. Thus, although higher rate alternative reinforcement appears to more effectively suppress drug seeking, should it become unavailable, it can have the unfortunate effect of increasing relapse. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measles resurgence in southern Africa: challenges to measles elimination.

PubMed

Shibeshi, Messeret E; Masresha, Balcha G; Smit, Sheilagh B; Biellik, Robin J; Nicholson, Jennifer L; Muitherero, Charles; Shivute, Nestor; Walker, Oladapo; Reggis, Katsande; Goodson, James L

2014-04-01

In seven southern African countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe), following implementation of a measles mortality reduction strategy starting in 1996, the number of annually reported measles cases decreased sharply to less than one per million population during 2006-2008. However, during 2009-2010, large outbreaks occurred in these countries. In 2011, a goal for measles elimination by 2020 was set in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region (AFR). We reviewed the implementation of the measles control strategy and measles epidemiology during the resurgence in the seven southern African countries. Estimated coverage with routine measles vaccination, supplemental immunization activities (SIA), annually reported measles cases by country, and measles surveillance and laboratory data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. In the seven countries, coverage with the routine first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) decreased from 80% to 65% during 1996-2004, then increased to 84% in 2011; during 1996-2011, 79,696,523 people were reached with measles vaccination during 45 SIAs. Annually reported measles cases decreased from 61,160 cases to 60 cases and measles incidence decreased to <1 case per million during 1996-2008. During 2009-2010, large outbreaks that included cases among older children and adults were reported in all seven countries, starting in South Africa and Namibia in mid-2009 and in the other five countries by early 2010. The measles virus genotype detected was predominantly genotype B3. The measles resurgence highlighted challenges to achieving measles elimination in AFR by 2020. To achieve this goal, high two-dose measles vaccine coverage by strengthening routine immunization systems and conducting timely SIAs targeting expanded age groups, potentially including young adults, and maintaining outbreak preparedness to rapidly respond to outbreaks will be needed. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A review of dengue fever: a resurging tropical disease.

PubMed

Mangold, Karen A; Reynolds, Sally L

2013-05-01

Dengue is a resurging mosquito-borne disease that is often contracted in U.S. travelers to Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean. The clinical symptoms range from a simple febrile illness to hemorrhagic fever or shock. The clinical course has a wide range of outcomes, and adequate supportive care can reduce mortality rates dramatically. Repeated exposures to the virus can lead to a more complicated clinical course.

Resurgent vector-borne diseases as a global health problem.

PubMed Central

Gubler, D. J.

1998-01-01

Vector-borne infectious diseases are emerging or resurging as a result of changes in public health policy, insecticide and drug resistance, shift in emphasis from prevention to emergency response, demographic and societal changes, and genetic changes in pathogens. Effective prevention strategies can reverse this trend. Research on vaccines, environmentally safe insecticides, alternative approaches to vector control, and training programs for health-care workers are needed. PMID:9716967

Magnetotelluric imaging of the resurgent caldera on the island of Ischia (southern Italy): inferences for its structure and activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Giuseppe, M. G.; Troiano, A.; Carlino, S.

2017-12-01

The island of Ischia (located in the Bay of Naples, Italy) represents a peculiar case of a well-exposed caldera that has experienced a large (>800 m) and rapid resurgence, accompanied by volcanic activity. What drives the resurgence of calderas is a crucial issue to investigate, because this process is associated with potential eruptions and high risk to people living within and around such large active volcanic systems. To improve the knowledge of volcano-tectonic processes affecting the caldera of Ischia, electromagnetic imaging of the structures associated with its resurgence was performed and integrated with available geological information. A magnetotelluric (MT) survey of the island was carried out along two main profiles through the central-western sector, providing an electrical resistivity map to a depth of 3 km. These resistivity cross sections allowed us to identify the presence of a very shallow magmatic intrusion, possibly a laccolith, at a depth of about 1 km, which was responsible for both the resurgence and the volcanic activity. Furthermore, the tectonic structures bordering the resurgent area and the occurrence of a large thermal anomaly in the western sector of the caldera also provided a signature in the resistivity cross sections, with the magma intrusion producing advection of hot fluids with high geothermal gradients (>150 °C km-1) in the southern and western sectors. All of these data are fundamental for the assessment of the island's volcano-tectonic dynamics and their associated hazards. The structure and activity of the island have been controlled by the process of resurgence associated with the arrival of new magma and the progressive intrusion of a laccolith at a shallow depth. The reactivation of such a shallow system may imply imminent eruption which would pose a major volcanic hazard.

Tuberculous otitis media: a resurgence?

PubMed

Kameswaran, M; Natarajan, K; Parthiban, M; Krishnan, P V; Raghunandhan, S

2017-09-01

Tuberculosis is a global health problem that is especially prevalent in developing countries such as India. Recently, atypical presentation has become more common and a high index of suspicion is essential. This study analysed the various presenting symptoms and signs of tuberculous otitis media and the role of diagnostic tests, with the aim of formulating criteria for the diagnosis. A total of 502 patients underwent tympanomastoidectomy over a two-year period. Microbiological and histopathological examinations and polymerase chain reaction analysis of tissue taken during tympanomastoidectomy were performed. A total of 25 patients (5 per cent) were diagnosed with tuberculous otitis media. Severe mixed hearing loss, facial palsy, labyrinthine fistula, post-aural fistula, perichondritis and extradural abscess were noted. There seems to be a resurgence in tuberculous otitis media in India. Microbiological, histopathological and polymerase chain reaction tests for tuberculosis are helpful for its diagnosis.

'Gardos Channelopathy': a variant of hereditary Stomatocytosis with complex molecular regulation.

PubMed

Fermo, Elisa; Bogdanova, Anna; Petkova-Kirova, Polina; Zaninoni, Anna; Marcello, Anna Paola; Makhro, Asya; Hänggi, Pascal; Hertz, Laura; Danielczok, Jens; Vercellati, Cristina; Mirra, Nadia; Zanella, Alberto; Cortelezzi, Agostino; Barcellini, Wilma; Kaestner, Lars; Bianchi, Paola

2017-05-11

The Gardos channel is a Ca 2+ sensitive, K + selective channel present in several tissues including RBCs, where it is involved in cell volume regulation. Recently, mutations at two different aminoacid residues in KCNN4 have been reported in patients with hereditary xerocytosis. We identified by whole exome sequencing a new family with two members affected by chronic hemolytic anemia carrying mutation R352H in the KCNN4 gene. No additional mutations in genes encoding for RBCs cytoskeletal, membrane or channel proteins were detected. We performed functional studies on patients' RBCs to evaluate the effects of R352H mutation on the cellular properties and eventually on the clinical phenotype. Gardos channel hyperactivation was demonstrated in circulating erythrocytes and erythroblasts differentiated ex-vivo from peripheral CD34+ cells. Pathological alterations in the function of multiple ion transport systems were observed, suggesting the presence of compensatory effects ultimately preventing cellular dehydration in patient's RBCs; moreover, flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence live-cell imaging showed Ca 2+ overload in the RBCs of both patients and hypersensitivity of Ca 2+ uptake by RBCs to swelling. Altogether these findings suggest that the 'Gardos channelopathy' is a complex pathology, to some extent different from the common hereditary xerocytosis.

Resurgence of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera in northern Greece associated with insecticide resistance.

PubMed

Mironidis, George K; Kapantaidaki, Despina; Bentila, Maria; Morou, Evangelia; Savopoulou-Soultani, M; Vontas, John

2013-08-01

Helicoverpa armigera has been controlled effectively with chemical insecticides in the major cotton crop production areas of northern Greece for many years. However, a resurgence of the pest was observed in 2010, which significantly affected crop production. During a 4-year survey (2007-2010), we examined the insecticide resistance status of H. armigera populations from two major and representative cotton production areas in northern Greece against seven insecticides (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, methomyl, alpha-cypermethrin, cypermethrin, gamma-cyhalothrin and endosulfan). Full dose-response bioassays on third instar larvae were performed by topical application. Lethal doses at 50% were estimated by probit analysis and resistance factors (RF) were calculated, compared to a susceptible laboratory reference strain. Resistance levels were relatively moderate until 2009, with resistance ratios below 10-fold for organophosphates and carbamates and up to 16-fold for the pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin. However, resistance rose to 46- and 81-fold for chlorpyrifos and alpha-cypermethrin, respectively in 2010, when the resurgence of the pest was observed. None of the known pyrethroid resistance mutations were found in the pyrethroid-resistant insects. The possible association between resistance and H. armigera resurgence in Greece is discussed. © 2012 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Lebanese Brevet Professionnel: Resurgence of a Lower Secondary Vocational Track

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vlaardingerbroek, Barend; Jaber, Lama Ziad; El-Masri, Yasmine Hachem

2008-01-01

The Lebanese Brevet Professionnel (BP) is an occupationally-specific vocational qualification at lower secondary level. Despite being on the margins of Lebanese education, the BP has been showing signs of a resurgence over the past few years. This paper discusses the structure and role of the BP in the context of the Lebanese education system and…

Fluid flow in the resurgent dome of Long Valley Caldera: implications from thermal data and deep electrical sounding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pribnow, Daniel F. C.; Schütze, Claudia; Hurter, Suzanne J.; Flechsig, Christina; Sass, John H.

2003-10-01

Temperatures of 100°C are measured at 3 km depth in a well located on the resurgent dome in the center of Long Valley Caldera, California, despite an assumed >800°C magma chamber at 6-8 km depth. Local downflow of cold meteoric water as a process for cooling the resurgent dome is ruled out by a Peclét-number analysis of temperature logs. These analyses reveal zones with fluid circulation at the upper and lower boundaries of the Bishop Tuff, and an upflow zone in the metasedimentary rocks. Vertical Darcy velocities range from 10 to 70 cm a -1. A 21-km-long geoelectrical profile across the caldera provides resistivity values to the order of 10 0 to >10 3 Ωm down to a depth of 6 km, as well as variations of self-potential. Interpretation of the electrical data with respect to hydrothermal fluid movement confirms that there is no downflow beneath the resurgent dome. To explain the unexpectedly low temperatures in the resurgent dome, we challenge the common view that the caldera as a whole is a regime of high temperatures and the resurgent dome is a local cold anomaly. Instead, we suggest that the caldera was cooled to normal thermal conditions by vigorous hydrothermal activity in the past, and that a present-day hot water flow system is responsible for local hot anomalies, such as Hot Creek and the area of the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant. The source of hot water has been associated with recent shallow intrusions into the West Moat. The focus of planning for future power plants should be to locate this present-day flow system instead of relying on heat from the old magma chamber.

Fluid flow in the resurgent dome of Long Valley Caldera: Implications from thermal data and deep electrical sounding

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pribnow, D.F.C.; Schutze, C.; Hurter, S.J.; Flechsig, C.; Sass, J.H.

2003-01-01

Temperatures of 100??C are measured at 3 km depth in a well located on the resurgent dome in the center of Long Valley Caldera, California, despite an assumed >800??C magma chamber at 6-8 km depth. Local downflow of cold meteoric water as a process for cooling the resurgent dome is ruled out by a Pecle??t-number analysis of temperature logs. These analyses reveal zones with fluid circulation at the upper and lower boundaries of the Bishop Tuff, and an upflow zone in the metasedimentary rocks. Vertical Darcy velocities range from 10 to 70 cm a-1. A 21-km-long geoelectrical profile across the caldera provides resistivity values to the order of 100 to >103 ??m down to a depth of 6 km, as well as variations of self-potential. Interpretation of the electrical data with respect to hydrothermal fluid movement confirms that there is no downflow beneath the resurgent dome. To explain the unexpectedly low temperatures in the resurgent dome, we challenge the common view that the caldera as a whole is a regime of high temperatures and the resurgent dome is a local cold anomaly. Instead, we suggest that the caldera was cooled to normal thermal conditions by vigorous hydrothermal activity in the past, and that a present-day hot water flow system is responsible for local hot anomalies, such as Hot Creek and the area of the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant. The source of hot water has been associated with recent shallow intrusions into the West Moat. The focus of planning for future power plants should be to locate this present-day flow system instead of relying on heat from the old magma chamber. ?? 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Early malaria resurgence in pre-elimination areas in Kokap Subdistrict, Kulon Progo, Indonesia

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Indonesia is among those countries committed to malaria eradication, with a continuously decreasing incidence of malaria. However, at district level the situation is different. This study presents a case of malaria resurgence Kokap Subdistrict of the Kulon Progo District in Yogyakarta Province, Java after five years of low endemicity. This study also aims to describe the community perceptions and health services delivery situation that contribute to this case. Methods All malaria cases (2007–2011) in Kulon Progo District were stratified to annual parasite incidence (API). Two-hundred and twenty-six cases during an outbreak (May 2011 to April 2012) were geocoded by household addresses using a geographic information system (GIS) technique and clusters were identified by SaTScan software analysis (Arc GIS 10.1). Purposive random sampling was conducted on respondents living inside the clusters to identify community perceptions and behaviour related to malaria. Interviews were conducted with malaria health officers to understand the challenges of malaria surveillance and control. Results After experiencing three consecutive years with API less than 1 per thousand, malaria in Kokap subdistrict increased almost ten times higher than API in the district level and five times higher than national API. Malaria cases were found in all five villages in 2012. One primary and two secondary malaria clusters in Hargotirto and Kalirejo villages were identified during the 2011–2012 outbreak. Most of the respondents were positively aware with malaria signs and activities of health workers to prevent malaria, although some social economic activities could not be hindered. Return transmigrants or migrant workers entering to their villages, reduced numbers of village malaria workers and a surge in malaria cases in the neighbouring district contributed to the resurgence. Conclusion Community perception, awareness and participation could constitute a solid foundation for

Resurgence of Mumps in Korea

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Routine vaccination against mumps has markedly reduced its incidence. However, the incidence of mumps continuously has increased since 2007. In 2013, a large mumps epidemic occurred in Korea, and this epidemic is still an ongoing problem. This epidemic occurred primarily in school settings and affected vaccinated adolescents, predominantly male students. The recent resurgence of mumps is caused by multiple factors: suboptimal effectiveness of the current mumps vaccines, use of the Rubini strain vaccine, waning immunity in the absence of natural boosting due to the marked reduction in the mumps incidence, genotype mismatch between the vaccine and circulating mumps virus strains, and environmental conditions that foster intense exposures. Containment of mumps outbreaks is challenging because the sensitivity of diagnostic tests is low among vaccinees and control measures are less efficient because of the inherent nature of the mumps virus. Despite the suboptimal vaccine effectiveness in outbreak settings, maintaining the high vaccine coverage is an important strategy to prevent mumps outbreaks, given that the routine use of mumps vaccines has substantially reduced the incidence of mumps and its complications as compared with that in the pre-vaccine era. In order to control the current mumps epidemic and prevent further outbreaks, we need to better understand the dynamics of mumps among vaccinated populations and the changing epidemiology in Korea. Concerted efforts should be made to systematically monitor the immunization status of the Korean population and to improve diagnosis efficiency. Furthermore, more effective mumps vaccines need to be developed in the future. PMID:25844258

Paleomagnetic Evaluation of the Resurgent Dome at Valles Caldera, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhode, A.; Geissman, J. W.; Goff, F. E.

2016-12-01

The Redondo Peak structural dome, located within the ca. 1.25 Ma Valles Caldera, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, is a well documented example of post-caldera resurgence and is a fundamental part of the famous model of Smith and Bailey (1968). The NE/SW elongated structural resurgent dome, with over 1000 m of uplift, and its medial graben now occupied by Redondo Creek, parallel the NE orientation of the Jemez fault zone, a key boundary structure of the Rio Grande rift. Our paleomagnetic research quantifies the magnitude of structural tilt (i.e. rotation about a horizontal axis) as a component of any deformation of the resurgent dome to determine if uplift was accommodated by block uplift or by simple doming. Independently oriented samples from 43 sites located on two main structural domains that comprise the resurgent dome (the Redondo Border block and the Redondo Peak block) and within the Redondo Creek graben were obtained from the intracaldera facies of the Tshirege Member of the Bandelier Tuff and overlying lower members of post-Bandelier Valles Rhyolite. Magnetic mineralogy consists of low titanium magnetite and maghemite, consistent with previous paleomagnetic studies on flat-lying outflow facies tuff. In situ estimated directions of sites from the Redondo Border structural domain are generally steeper in inclination than the reference direction (D = 175.6, I = -35.7) (Doell et al., 1968; Sussman et al., 2011), with an average inclination of Ig = -42.5, and show a westward deflection in average declination (Dg = 184.2). In situ estimated directions of sites from the Redondo Peak structural domain are generally shallower in inclination than the reference direction (average inclination of Ig = -27.6) and show an eastward deflection in mean declination values, Dg = 160. Overall, paleomagnetic results show that the pattern of deformation is more pronounced parallel to the long axis of the dome and that the Redondo Border block exhibits some 12 degrees of down to the

Recent Trends in Intergovernmental Relations: The Resurgence of Local Actors in Education Policy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marsh, Julie A.; Wohlstetter, Priscilla

2013-01-01

In this essay, the authors explore trends in intergovernmental relations (IGR) by analyzing recent education policies--No Child Left Behind Act, Common Core State Standards, and local empowerment policies. Identifying a resurgent role for local actors in education policy, the authors argue that recent federal efforts to exert more control have in…

On the Singularity Structure of WKB Solution of the Boosted Whittaker Equation: its Relevance to Resurgent Functions with Essential Singularities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamimoto, Shingo; Kawai, Takahiro; Koike, Tatsuya

2016-12-01

Inspired by the symbol calculus of linear differential operators of infinite order applied to the Borel transformed WKB solutions of simple-pole type equation [Kamimoto et al. (RIMS Kôkyûroku Bessatsu B 52:127-146, 2014)], which is summarized in Section 1, we introduce in Section 2 the space of simple resurgent functions depending on a parameter with an infra-exponential type growth order, and then we define the assigning operator A which acts on the space and produces resurgent functions with essential singularities. In Section 3, we apply the operator A to the Borel transforms of the Voros coefficient and its exponentiation for the Whittaker equation with a large parameter so that we may find the Borel transforms of the Voros coefficient and its exponentiation for the boosted Whittaker equation with a large parameter. In Section 4, we use these results to find the explicit form of the alien derivatives of the Borel transformed WKB solutions of the boosted Whittaker equation with a large parameter. The results in this paper manifest the importance of resurgent functions with essential singularities in developing the exact WKB analysis, the WKB analysis based on the resurgent function theory. It is also worth emphasizing that the concrete form of essential singularities we encounter is expressed by the linear differential operators of infinite order.

The resurgence of haploids in higher plants.

PubMed

Forster, Brian P; Heberle-Bors, Erwin; Kasha, Ken J; Touraev, Alisher

2007-08-01

The life cycle of plants proceeds via alternating generations of sporophytes and gametophytes. The dominant and most obvious life form of higher plants is the free-living sporophyte. The sporophyte is the product of fertilization of male and female gametes and contains a set of chromosomes from each parent; its genomic constitution is 2n. Chromosome reduction at meiosis means cells of the gametophytes carry half the sporophytic complement of chromosomes (n). Plant haploid research began with the discovery that sporophytes can be produced in higher plants carrying the gametic chromosome number (n instead of 2n) and that their chromosome number can subsequently be doubled up by colchicine treatment. Recent technological innovations, greater understanding of underlying control mechanisms and an expansion of end-user applications has brought about a resurgence of interest in haploids in higher plants.

Deconstructing zero: resurgence, supersymmetry and complex saddles

DOE PAGES

Dunne, Gerald V.; Ünsal, Mithat

2016-12-01

We explain how a vanishing, or truncated, perturbative expansion, such as often arises in semi-classically tractable supersymmetric theories, can nevertheless be related to fluctuations about non-perturbative sectors via resurgence. We also demonstrate that, in the same class of theories, the vanishing of the ground state energy (unbroken supersymmetry) can be attributed to the cancellation between a real saddle and a complex saddle (with hidden topological angle π), and positivity of the ground state energy (broken supersymmetry) can be interpreted as the dominance of complex saddles. In either case, despite the fact that the ground state energy is zero to allmore » orders in perturbation theory, all orders of fluctuations around non-perturbative saddles are encoded in the perturbative E (N, g). Finally, we illustrate these ideas with examples from supersymmetric quantum mechanics and quantum field theory.« less

Mirror Neurons Modeled Through Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity are Affected by Channelopathies Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PubMed

Antunes, Gabriela; Faria da Silva, Samuel F; Simoes de Souza, Fabio M

2018-06-01

Mirror neurons fire action potentials both when the agent performs a certain behavior and watches someone performing a similar action. Here, we present an original mirror neuron model based on the spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) between two morpho-electrical models of neocortical pyramidal neurons. Both neurons fired spontaneously with basal firing rate that follows a Poisson distribution, and the STDP between them was modeled by the triplet algorithm. Our simulation results demonstrated that STDP is sufficient for the rise of mirror neuron function between the pairs of neocortical neurons. This is a proof of concept that pairs of neocortical neurons associating sensory inputs to motor outputs could operate like mirror neurons. In addition, we used the mirror neuron model to investigate whether channelopathies associated with autism spectrum disorder could impair the modeled mirror function. Our simulation results showed that impaired hyperpolarization-activated cationic currents (Ih) affected the mirror function between the pairs of neocortical neurons coupled by STDP.

Resurgence of leptospirosis in dogs in Ontario: recent findings

PubMed Central

Prescott, John F.; McEwen, Beverly; Taylor, Judith; Woods, J. Paul; Abrams-Ogg, Anthony; Wilcock, Brian

2002-01-01

A marked increase in leptospirosis in dogs was observed in 2000, part of an increasing trend observed in previous years in Ontario. The highest frequency of seropositive cases occurred from September to December 2000, with the peak in November. Large breed dogs were particularly affected. Clinical and clinicopathological data for 31 dogs admitted between 1998 and 2000 to the Ontario Veterinary College Veterinary Teaching Hospital were analyzed. Major clinical presenting features were acute onset of anorexia, depression, fever, and vomiting. Ninety percent of dogs, on admission, showed biochemical evidence of injury to several organs, notably combinations in the order of kidney, muscle, pancreas, and liver. Almost all dogs showed increased serum urea and creatinine levels, and the majority had increased total creatine kinase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and leukocytosis with neutrophilia. One-third were thrombocytopenic. Of dogs with liver-related abnormalities, most had evidence of cholestasis, with or without hepatocellular damage. Based on serologic studies, in the year 2000, the major serovar involved was autumnalis, but bratislava, grippotyphosa, and pomona were also implicated. The microscopic agglutination test often gave a confusing pattern of reactivities to the serovars that were tested. The high reactivity to serovar autumnalis may represent an erroneous or “paradoxical” reaction typical of early leptospiral serology. The year 2000 was the warmest in Ontario in each of the 4 fall months (September–December) of the previous decade, as well as being the third wettest in the fall period in the last decade. The increase in canine leptospirosis, therefore, may, in part, reflect climate change. The number of positive cases declined in 2001 by about one-third of those in 2000, but the number of submissions of sera for diagnosis increased markedly over previous years. Further work is required to isolate and to identify definitively serovars involved in

Malaria resurgence risk in southern Europe: climate assessment in an historically endemic area of rice fields at the Mediterranean shore of Spain

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background International travel and immigration have been related with an increase of imported malaria cases. This fact and climate change, prolonging the period favouring vector development, require an analysis of the malaria transmission resurgence risk in areas of southern Europe. Such a study is made for the first time in Spain. The Ebro Delta historically endemic area was selected due to its rice field landscape, the presence of only one vector, Anopheles atroparvus, with densities similar to those it presented when malaria was present, in a situation which pronouncedly differs from already assessed potential resurgence areas in other Mediterranean countries, such as France and Italy, where many different Anopheles species coexist and a different vector species dominates. Methods The transmission risk was assessed analysing: 1) climate diagrams including the minimum temperature for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax development; 2) monthly evolution of the Gradient Model Risk (GMR) index, specifying transmission risk period and number of potential Plasmodium generations; 3) ecological characteristics using remote sensing images with the Eurasia Land Cover characteristics database and the monthly evolution of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); 4) evaluation of A. atroparvus population dynamics. Results Climatological analyses and GMR index show that a transmission risk presently exists, lasting from May until September for P. falciparum, and from May until October for P. vivax. The GMR index shows that the temperature increase does not actually mean a transmission risk increase if accompanied by a precipitation decrease reducing the number of parasite generations and transmission period. Nevertheless, this limitation is offset by the artificial flooding of the rice fields. Maximum NDVI values and A. atroparvus maximum abundance correspond to months with maximum growth of the rice fields. Conclusions The Ebro Delta presents the ecological

Malaria resurgence risk in southern Europe: climate assessment in an historically endemic area of rice fields at the Mediterranean shore of Spain.

PubMed

Sainz-Elipe, Sandra; Latorre, Jose Manuel; Escosa, Raul; Masià, Montserrat; Fuentes, Marius Vicent; Mas-Coma, Santiago; Bargues, Maria Dolores

2010-07-31

International travel and immigration have been related with an increase of imported malaria cases. This fact and climate change, prolonging the period favouring vector development, require an analysis of the malaria transmission resurgence risk in areas of southern Europe. Such a study is made for the first time in Spain. The Ebro Delta historically endemic area was selected due to its rice field landscape, the presence of only one vector, Anopheles atroparvus, with densities similar to those it presented when malaria was present, in a situation which pronouncedly differs from already assessed potential resurgence areas in other Mediterranean countries, such as France and Italy, where many different Anopheles species coexist and a different vector species dominates. The transmission risk was assessed analysing: 1) climate diagrams including the minimum temperature for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax development; 2) monthly evolution of the Gradient Model Risk (GMR) index, specifying transmission risk period and number of potential Plasmodium generations; 3) ecological characteristics using remote sensing images with the Eurasia Land Cover characteristics database and the monthly evolution of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); 4) evaluation of A. atroparvus population dynamics. Climatological analyses and GMR index show that a transmission risk presently exists, lasting from May until September for P. falciparum, and from May until October for P. vivax. The GMR index shows that the temperature increase does not actually mean a transmission risk increase if accompanied by a precipitation decrease reducing the number of parasite generations and transmission period. Nevertheless, this limitation is offset by the artificial flooding of the rice fields. Maximum NDVI values and A. atroparvus maximum abundance correspond to months with maximum growth of the rice fields. The Ebro Delta presents the ecological characteristics that favour

Genome-Wide Gene Expression Analysis of Bordetella pertussis Isolates Associated with a Resurgence in Pertussis: Elucidation of Factors Involved in the Increased Fitness of Epidemic Strains

PubMed Central

King, Audrey J.; van der Lee, Saskia; Mohangoo, Archena; van Gent, Marjolein; van der Ark, Arno; van de Waterbeemd, Bas

2013-01-01

Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis) is the causative agent of whooping cough, which is a highly contagious disease in the human respiratory tract. Despite vaccination since the 1950s, pertussis remains the most prevalent vaccine-preventable disease in developed countries. A recent resurgence pertussis is associated with the expansion of B. pertussis strains with a novel allele for the pertussis toxin (ptx) promoter ptxP3 in place of resident ptxP1 strains. The recent expansion of ptxP3 strains suggests that these strains carry mutations that have increased their fitness. Compared to the ptxP1 strains, ptxP3 strains produce more Ptx, which results in increased virulence and immune suppression. In this study, we investigated the contribution of gene expression changes of various genes on the increased fitness of the ptxP3 strains. Using genome-wide gene expression profiling, we show that several virulence genes had higher expression levels in the ptxP3 strains compared to the ptxP1 strains. We provide the first evidence that wildtype ptxP3 strains are better colonizers in an intranasal mouse infection model. This study shows that the ptxP3 mutation and the genetic background of ptxP3 strains affect fitness by contributing to the ability to colonize in a mouse infection model. These results show that the genetic background of ptxP3 strains with a higher expression of virulence genes contribute to increased fitness. PMID:23776625

Neuromyelitis optica and the evolving spectrum of autoimmune aquaporin-4 channelopathies: a decade later

PubMed Central

Pittock, Sean J.; Lucchinetti, Claudia F.

2015-01-01

The discovery of AQP4-IgG (a pathogenic antibody that targets the astrocytic water channel aquaporin-4) as the first sensitive and specific biomarker for any inflammatory central nervous system demyelinating disease, has shifted emphasis from the oligodendrocyte and myelin to the astrocyte as a central immunopathogenic player. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders (SD) represent an evolving spectrum of IDDs extending beyond the optic nerves and spinal cord to include the brain (especially in children) and, rarely, muscle. NMOSD typical brain lesions are located in areas that highly express the target antigen, AQP4, including the circumventricular organs (accounting for intractable nausea and vomiting) and the diencephalon (accounting for sleep disorders, endocrinopathies, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain abnormalities fulfill Barkoff criteria for multiple sclerosis in up to 10% of patients. As the spectrum broadens, the importance of highly specific assays that detect pathogenic AQP4-IgG targeting extracellular epitopes of AQP4 cannot be overemphasized. The rapid evolution of our understanding of the immunobiology of AQP4 autoimmunity necessitates continuing revision of NMOSD diagnostic criteria. Here, we describe scientific advances that have occurred since the discovery of NMO-IgG in 2004 and review novel targeted immunotherapies. We also suggest that NMOSDs should now be considered under the umbrella term autoimmune aquaporin-4 channelopathy. PMID:26096370

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Kill Zones Around the Resurgent Dome, Long Valley Caldera, CA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergfeld, D.; Evans, W. C.; Farrar, C. D.; Howle, J. F.

2004-12-01

An episode of seismic unrest beneath the resurgent dome at Long Valley caldera (LVC) in eastern California began in 1980 and is associated with approximately 80 cm of cumulative uplift on parts of the dome since that time. Studies of hydrologic and geochemical parameters can be useful in determining the source of uplift; and of particular relevance here, studies of diffuse soil degassing and temperature have been used to examine relations between gas emissions, uplift, and energy release. We present results from an eighteen-month investigation of soil temperature, soil-gas chemistry and CO2 efflux from fourteen discrete areas of vegetation kill that have appeared inside the caldera over the past two decades. Compared with the tree-kill around Mammoth Mountain on the southwest rim of the caldera, dead zones we studied around the resurgent dome are small. Individually the areas cover between 800 and 36,000 m2. All of the areas have some sites with elevated CO2 flux and elevated soil temperature. \\delta 13C values of CO2 from sites in eight of the studied areas are between -5.7 and -3.9\\permil, and are within the range of magmatic CO2. Results from the flux measurements indicate that on average total CO2 emissions from four of the areas sum about 10 tonnes per day. The other vegetation kill areas currently have only a few sites that exhibit anomalous soil temperatures and CO2 flux, and CO2 emissions from these areas are typically less than 0.3 of a tonne per day. The chemical composition of gas emissions from thermal ground in kill zones located 1.5 to 2 km northwest of the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant demonstrate a connection between some of the dead areas and perturbations related to geothermal fluid production. These results and estimates of thermal output from two of the high flux grids are used to evaluate the premise that the gaseous and thermal anomalies are related to magmatic intrusion beneath the resurgent dome.

Resurgence and dynamics of O(N) and Grassmannian sigma models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

Here, we study the non-perturbative dynamics of the two dimensional O( N) and Grassmannian sigma models by using compactification with twisted boundary conditions on R× S 1, semi-classical techniques and resurgence. While the O(N) model has no instantons for N > 3, it has (non-instanton) saddles on R 2, which we call 2d-saddles. On R× S 1, the resurgent relation between perturbation theory and non-perturbative physics is encoded in new saddles, which are associated with the affine root system of the o( N) algebra. These events may be viewed as fractionalizations of the 2d-saddles. The first beta function coefficient, givenmore » by the dual Coxeter number, can then be intepreted as the sum of the multiplicities (dual Kac labels) of these fractionalized objects. Surprisingly, the new saddles in O( N) models in compactified space are in one-to-one correspondence with monopole-instanton saddles in SO( N) gauge theory on R 3×S 1. The Grassmannian sigma models Gr( N, M) have 2d instantons, which fractionalize into N kink-instantons. The small circle dynamics of both sigma models can be described as a dilute gas of the one-events and two-events, bions. One-events are the leading source of a variety of non-perturbative effects, and produce the strong scale of the 2d theory in the compactified theory. We show that in both types of sigma models the neutral bion emulates the role of IR-renormalons. We also study the topological theta angle dependence in both the O(3) model and Gr( N, M), and describe the multi-branched structure of the observables in terms of the theta-angle dependence of the saddle amplitudes, providing a microscopic argument for Haldane’s conjecture.« less

Resurgence and dynamics of O(N) and Grassmannian sigma models

DOE PAGES

Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

2015-09-29

Here, we study the non-perturbative dynamics of the two dimensional O( N) and Grassmannian sigma models by using compactification with twisted boundary conditions on R× S 1, semi-classical techniques and resurgence. While the O(N) model has no instantons for N > 3, it has (non-instanton) saddles on R 2, which we call 2d-saddles. On R× S 1, the resurgent relation between perturbation theory and non-perturbative physics is encoded in new saddles, which are associated with the affine root system of the o( N) algebra. These events may be viewed as fractionalizations of the 2d-saddles. The first beta function coefficient, givenmore » by the dual Coxeter number, can then be intepreted as the sum of the multiplicities (dual Kac labels) of these fractionalized objects. Surprisingly, the new saddles in O( N) models in compactified space are in one-to-one correspondence with monopole-instanton saddles in SO( N) gauge theory on R 3×S 1. The Grassmannian sigma models Gr( N, M) have 2d instantons, which fractionalize into N kink-instantons. The small circle dynamics of both sigma models can be described as a dilute gas of the one-events and two-events, bions. One-events are the leading source of a variety of non-perturbative effects, and produce the strong scale of the 2d theory in the compactified theory. We show that in both types of sigma models the neutral bion emulates the role of IR-renormalons. We also study the topological theta angle dependence in both the O(3) model and Gr( N, M), and describe the multi-branched structure of the observables in terms of the theta-angle dependence of the saddle amplitudes, providing a microscopic argument for Haldane’s conjecture.« less

Profiling neuronal ion channelopathies with non-invasive brain imaging and dynamic causal models: Case studies of single gene mutations

PubMed Central

Gilbert, Jessica R.; Symmonds, Mkael; Hanna, Michael G.; Dolan, Raymond J.; Friston, Karl J.; Moran, Rosalyn J.

2016-01-01

Clinical assessments of brain function rely upon visual inspection of electroencephalographic waveform abnormalities in tandem with functional magnetic resonance imaging. However, no current technology proffers in vivo assessments of activity at synapses, receptors and ion-channels, the basis of neuronal communication. Using dynamic causal modeling we compared electrophysiological responses from two patients with distinct monogenic ion channelopathies and a large cohort of healthy controls to demonstrate the feasibility of assaying synaptic-level channel communication non-invasively. Synaptic channel abnormality was identified in both patients (100% sensitivity) with assay specificity above 89%, furnishing estimates of neurotransmitter and voltage-gated ion throughput of sodium, calcium, chloride and potassium. This performance indicates a potential novel application as an adjunct for clinical assessments in neurological and psychiatric settings. More broadly, these findings indicate that biophysical models of synaptic channels can be estimated non-invasively, having important implications for advancing human neuroimaging to the level of non-invasive ion channel assays. PMID:26342528

Carbon dioxide emissions from vegetation-kill zones around the resurgent dome of Long Valley caldera, eastern California, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergfeld, Deborah; Evans, William C.; Howle, James F.; Farrar, Christopher D.

2006-04-01

A survey of diffuse CO 2 efflux, soil temperature and soil-gas chemistry over areas of localized vegetation-kill on and around the resurgent dome of Long Valley caldera California was performed to evaluate the premise that gaseous and thermal anomalies are related to renewed intrusion of magma. Some kill sites are long-lived features and others have developed in the past few years. Total anomalous CO 2 emissions from the thirteen areas average around 8.7 t per day; but the majority of the emissions come from four sites west of the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant. Geochemical analyses of the soil-gases from locations west and east of the plant revealed the presence of isobutane related to plant operations. The δ13C values of diffuse CO 2 range from - 5.7‰ to - 3.4‰, similar to values previously reported for CO 2 from hot springs and thermal wells around Long Valley. At many of the vegetation-kill sites soil temperatures reach boiling at depths ≤ 20 cm. Soil temperature/depth profiles at two of the high-emissions areas indicate that the conductive thermal gradient in the center of the areas is around 320 °C m - 1 . We estimate total heat loss from the two areas to be about 6.1 and 2.3 MW. Given current thinking on the rate of hydrothermal fluid flow across the caldera and using the CO 2 concentration in the thermal fluids, the heat and CO 2 loss from the kill areas is easily provided by the shallow hydrothermal system, which is sourced to the west of the resurgent dome. We find no evidence that the development of new areas of vegetation kill across the resurgent dome are related to new input of magma or magmatic fluids from beneath the resurgent dome. Our findings indicate that the areas have developed as a response to changes in the shallow hydrologic system. Some of the changes are likely related to fluid production at the power plant, but at distal sites the changes are more likely related to seismicity and uplift of the dome.

Carbon dioxide emissions from vegetation-kill zones around the resurgent dome of Long Valley caldera, eastern California, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bergfeld, Deborah; Evans, William C.; Howle, James F.; Farrar, Christopher D.

2006-01-01

A survey of diffuse CO2 efflux, soil temperature and soil-gas chemistry over areas of localized vegetation-kill on and around the resurgent dome of Long Valley caldera California was performed to evaluate the premise that gaseous and thermal anomalies are related to renewed intrusion of magma. Some kill sites are long-lived features and others have developed in the past few years. Total anomalous CO2 emissions from the thirteen areas average around 8.7 t per day; but the majority of the emissions come from four sites west of the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant. Geochemical analyses of the soil-gases from locations west and east of the plant revealed the presence of isobutane related to plant operations. The δ13C values of diffuse CO2 range from − 5.7‰ to − 3.4‰, similar to values previously reported for CO2 from hot springs and thermal wells around Long Valley.At many of the vegetation-kill sites soil temperatures reach boiling at depths ≤ 20 cm. Soil temperature/depth profiles at two of the high-emissions areas indicate that the conductive thermal gradient in the center of the areas is around 320 °C m− 1. We estimate total heat loss from the two areas to be about 6.1 and 2.3 MW. Given current thinking on the rate of hydrothermal fluid flow across the caldera and using the CO2 concentration in the thermal fluids, the heat and CO2 loss from the kill areas is easily provided by the shallow hydrothermal system, which is sourced to the west of the resurgent dome. We find no evidence that the development of new areas of vegetation kill across the resurgent dome are related to new input of magma or magmatic fluids from beneath the resurgent dome. Our findings indicate that the areas have developed as a response to changes in the shallow hydrologic system. Some of the changes are likely related to fluid production at the power plant, but at distal sites the changes are more likely related to seismicity and uplift of the dome.

Operant models of relapse in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Resurgence, renewal, and reinstatement.

PubMed

Kuroda, Toshikazu; Mizutani, Yuto; Cançado, Carlos R X; Podlesnik, Christopher A

2017-09-29

Zebrafish are a widely used animal model in biomedical research, as an alternative to mammals, for having features such as a fully sequenced genome, high fecundity, and low-cost maintenance, but behavioral research with these fish remains scarce. The present study investigated whether zebrafish could be a new animal model for studies on the relapse of behavior (e.g., addiction and overeating) after the behavior has been extinguished. Specifically, we examined whether zebrafish would show three different types of relapse commonly studied with other species: resurgence, renewal, and reinstatement. For resurgence, a target response (i.e., approaching a sensor) was established by presenting a reinforcer (i.e., shrimp eggs) contingent upon the response in Phase 1; the target response was extinguished while introducing reinforcement for an alternative response in Phase 2; neither response produced the reinforcer in Phase 3. For renewal, a target response was established under Context A in Phase 1 and was extinguished under Context B in Phase 2; the fish were placed back in Context A in Phase 3, where extinction remained in effect. For reinstatement, a target response was established in Phase 1 and was extinguished in Phase 2; the reinforcer was presented independently of responding in Phase 3. Each type of relapse occurred in Phase 3. These results replicate and extend previous findings on relapse to a new species and suggest that zebrafish can be a useful animal model for studying the interactions of biological and environmental factors that lead to relapse. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Resurgence of measles in Europe].

PubMed

Garcés-Sánchez, María; Renales-Toboso, María; Bóveda-García, María; Díez-Domingo, Javier

2015-12-01

Measles is a rash illness of moderate severity and high risk of serious complications, with recovery in several weeks. It is a viral disease caused by one of the most infectious and contagious pathogens that exists, whose only known reservoir is human. In 1998, the European Region of the WHO set a target of eliminating measles by 2010. This goal has not been achieved. Furthermore, it has been observed the resurgence of the disease in some parts of Europe. We review the disease and its vaccines as well as the epidemiological and social factors that have so far prevented the total control of the disease. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.

Acellular Pertussis Vaccines and Pertussis Resurgence: Revise or Replace?

PubMed Central

Ausiello, Clara Maria

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT The resurgence of pertussis (whooping cough) in countries with high vaccination coverage is alarming and invites reconsideration of the use of current acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines, which have largely replaced the old, reactogenic, whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccine. Some drawbacks of these vaccines in terms of limited antigenic composition and early waning of antibody levels could be anticipated by the results of in-trial or postlicensure human investigations of B- and T-cell responses in aP versus wP vaccine recipients or unvaccinated, infected children. Recent data in experimental models, including primates, suggest that generation of vaccines capable of a potent, though regulated, stimulation of innate immunity driving effective, persistent adaptive immune responses against Bordetella pertussis infection should be privileged. Adjuvants that skew Th1/Th17 responses or new wP (detoxified or attenuated) vaccines should be explored. Nonetheless, the high merits of the current aP vaccines in persuading people to resume vaccination against pertussis should not be forgotten. PMID:24917600

Is Increased Intracellular Calcium in Red Blood Cells a Common Component in the Molecular Mechanism Causing Anemia?

PubMed Central

Hertz, Laura; Huisjes, Rick; Llaudet-Planas, Esther; Petkova-Kirova, Polina; Makhro, Asya; Danielczok, Jens G.; Egee, Stephane; del Mar Mañú-Pereira, Maria; van Wijk, Richard; Vives Corrons, Joan-Lluis; Bogdanova, Anna; Kaestner, Lars

2017-01-01

For many hereditary disorders, although the underlying genetic mutation may be known, the molecular mechanism leading to hemolytic anemia is still unclear and needs further investigation. Previous studies revealed an increased intracellular Ca2+ in red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with sickle cell disease, thalassemia, or Gardos channelopathy. Therefore we analyzed RBCs' Ca2+ content from 35 patients with different types of anemia (16 patients with hereditary spherocytosis, 11 patients with hereditary xerocytosis, 5 patients with enzymopathies, and 3 patients with hemolytic anemia of unknown cause). Intracellular Ca2+ in RBCs was measured by fluorescence microscopy using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Fluo-4 and subsequent single cell analysis. We found that in RBCs from patients with hereditary spherocytosis and hereditary xerocytosis the intracellular Ca2+ levels were significantly increased compared to healthy control samples. For enzymopathies and hemolytic anemia of unknown cause the intracellular Ca2+ levels in RBCs were not significantly different. These results lead us to the hypothesis that increased Ca2+ levels in RBCs are a shared component in the mechanism causing an accelerated clearance of RBCs from the blood stream in channelopathies such as hereditary xerocytosis and in diseases involving defects of cytoskeletal components like hereditary spherocytosis. Future drug developments should benefit from targeting Ca2+ entry mediating molecular players leading to better therapies for patients. PMID:28932200

An ignimbrite caldera from the bottom up: Exhumed floor and fill of the resurgent Bonanza caldera, Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lipman, Peter W.; Zimmerer, Matthew J.; McIntosh, William C.

2015-01-01

Among large ignimbrites, the Bonanza Tuff and its source caldera in the Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field display diverse depositional and structural features that provide special insights concerning eruptive processes and caldera development. In contrast to the nested loci for successive ignimbrite eruptions at many large multicyclic calderas elsewhere, Bonanza caldera is an areally isolated structure that formed in response to a single ignimbrite eruption. The adjacent Marshall caldera, the nonresurgent lava-filled source for the 33.9-Ma Thorn Ranch Tuff, is the immediate precursor for Bonanza, but projected structural boundaries of two calderas are largely or entirely separate even though the western topographic rim of Bonanza impinges on the older caldera. Bonanza, source of a compositionally complex regional ignimbrite sheet erupted at 33.12 ± 0.03 Ma, is a much larger caldera system than previously recognized. It is a subequant structure ∼20 km in diameter that subsided at least 3.5 km during explosive eruption of ∼1000 km3 of magma, then resurgently domed its floor a similar distance vertically. Among its features: (1) varied exposure levels of an intact caldera due to rugged present-day topography—from Paleozoic and Precambrian basement rocks that are intruded by resurgent plutons, upward through precaldera volcanic floor, to a single thickly ponded intracaldera ignimbrite (Bonanza Tuff), interleaved landslide breccia, and overlying postcollapse lavas; (2) large compositional gradients in the Bonanza ignimbrite (silicic andesite to rhyolite ignimbrite; 60%–76% SiO2); (3) multiple alternations of mafic and silicic zones within a single ignimbrite, rather than simple upward gradation to more mafic compositions; (4) compositional contrasts between outflow sectors of the ignimbrite (mainly crystal-poor rhyolite to east, crystal-rich dacite to west); (5) similarly large compositional diversity among postcollapse caldera-fill lavas and resurgent

Genetic purgatory and the cardiac channelopathies: Exposing the variants of uncertain/unknown significance issue.

PubMed

Ackerman, Michael J

2015-11-01

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines purgatory as "an intermediate state after death for expiatory purification" or more specifically as "a place or state of punishment wherein according to Roman Catholic doctrine the souls of those who die in God׳s grace may make satisfaction for past sins and so become fit for heaven." Alternatively, it is defined as "a place or state of temporary suffering or misery." Either way, purgatory is a place where you are stuck, and you don't want to be stuck there. It is in this context that the term genetic purgatory is introduced. Genetic purgatory is a place where the genetic test-ordering physician and patients and their families are stuck when a variant of uncertain/unknown significance (VUS) has been elucidated. It is in this dark place where suffering and misery are occurring because of unenlightened handling of a VUS, which includes using the VUS for predictive genetic testing and making radical treatment recommendations based on the presence or absence of a so-called maybe mutation. Before one can escape from this miserable place, one must first recognize that one is stuck there. Hence, the purpose of this review article is to fully expose the VUS issue as it relates to the cardiac channelopathies and make the cardiologists/geneticists/genetic counselors who order such genetic tests believers in genetic purgatory. Only then can one meaningfully attempt to get out of that place and seek to promote a VUS to disease-causative mutation status or demote it to an utterly innocuous and irrelevant variant. Copyright © 2015 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reflections on the Resurgence of Interest in the Testing Effect.

PubMed

Roediger, Henry L; Karpicke, Jeffrey D

2018-03-01

We discuss the findings from our 2006 article in Psychological Science on the testing effect and describe how the project arose. The testing effect (or retrieval-practice effect) was first reported in the experimental literature about a century before our article was published, and the effect had been replicated (and sometimes discovered anew) many times over the years. Our experiments used prose materials (unlike most prior research) and produced a more powerful effect than prior research even though we used a conservative control condition for comparison. In our discussion, we drew out possible implications for educational practice. We also reported that students in the experiment could not predict the effect; this lack of metacognitive awareness represented a new finding in this context. In a companion article the same year, we provided an historical review of the testing effect. We believe the synergistic effect of the two articles accounts in part for the resurgence in interest in this phenomenon and its application in educational settings.

Inferences on the hydrothermal system beneath the resurgent dome in Long Valley Caldera, east-central California, USA, from recent pumping tests and geochemical sampling

USGS Publications Warehouse

Farrar, C.D.; Sorey, M.L.; Roeloffs, E.; Galloway, D.L.; Howle, J.F.; Jacobson, R.

2003-01-01

Quaternary volcanic unrest has provided heat for episodic hydrothermal circulation in the Long Valley caldera, including the present-day hydrothermal system, which has been active over the past 40 kyr. The most recent period of crustal unrest in this region of east-central California began around 1980 and has included periods of intense seismicity and ground deformation. Uplift totaling more than 0.7 m has been centered on the caldera's resurgent dome, and is best modeled by a near-vertical ellipsoidal source centered at depths of 6-7 km. Modeling of both deformation and microgravity data now suggests that (1) there are two inflation sources beneath the caldera, a shallower source 7-10 km beneath the resurgent dome and a deeper source ???15 km beneath the caldera's south moat and (2) the shallower source may contain components of magmatic brine and gas. The Long Valley Exploration Well (LVEW), completed in 1998 on the resurgent dome, penetrates to a depth of 3 km directly above this shallower source, but bottoms in a zone of 100??C fluid with zero vertical thermal gradient. Although these results preclude extrapolations of temperatures at depths below 3 km, other information obtained from flow tests and fluid sampling at this well indicates the presence of magmatic volatiles and fault-related permeability within the metamorphic basement rocks underlying the volcanic fill. In this paper, we present recently acquired data from LVEW and compare them with information from other drill holes and thermal springs in Long Valley to delineate the likely flow paths and fluid system properties under the resurgent dome. Additional information from mineralogical assemblages in core obtained from fracture zones in LVEW documents a previous period of more vigorous and energetic fluid circulation beneath the resurgent dome. Although this system apparently died off as a result of mineral deposition and cooling (and/or deepening) of magmatic heat sources, flow testing and tidal

Ideology: Its Resurgence in Social, Personality, and Political Psychology.

PubMed

Jost, John T; Nosek, Brian A; Gosling, Samuel D

2008-03-01

We trace the rise, fall, and resurgence of political ideology as a topic of research in social, personality, and political psychology. For over 200 years, political belief systems have been classified usefully according to a single left-right (or liberal-conservative) dimension that, we believe, possesses two core aspects: (a) advocating versus resisting social change and (b) rejecting versus accepting inequality. There have been many skeptics of the notion that most people are ideologically inclined, but recent psychological evidence suggests that left-right differences are pronounced in many life domains. Implicit as well as explicit preferences for tradition, conformity, order, stability, traditional values, and hierarchy-versus those for progress, rebelliousness, chaos, flexibility, feminism, and equality-are associated with conservatism and liberalism, respectively. Conservatives score consistently higher than liberals on measures of system justification. Furthermore, there are personality and lifestyle differences between liberals and conservatives as well as situational variables that induce either liberal or conservative shifts in political opinions. Our thesis is that ideological belief systems may be structured according to a left-right dimension for largely psychological reasons linked to variability in the needs to reduce uncertainty and threat. © 2008 Association for Psychological Science.

Structure and evolution of an active resurgent dome evidenced by geophysical investigations: The Yenkahe dome-Yasur volcano system (Siwi caldera, Vanuatu)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brothelande, E.; Lénat, J.-F.; Chaput, M.; Gailler, L.; Finizola, A.; Dumont, S.; Peltier, A.; Bachèlery, P.; Barde-Cabusson, S.; Byrdina, S.; Menny, P.; Colonge, J.; Douillet, G. A.; Letort, J.; Letourneur, L.; Merle, O.; Di Gangi, F.; Nakedau, D.; Garaebiti, E.

2016-08-01

In this contribution, we focus on one of the most active resurgences on Earth, that of the Yenkahe dome in the Siwi caldera (Tanna Island, Vanuatu), which is associated with the persistently active Yasur volcano. Gravity and magnetic surveys have been carried out over the past few years in the area, as well as electrical methods including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), time domain electro-magnetics (TDEM) and self-potential (SP). These investigations were completed by thermometry, CO2 soil gas measurements, field observations and sampling. This multi-method approach allows geological structures within the caldera to be identified, as well as associated hydrothermal features. The global structure of the caldera is deduced from gravity data, which shows the caldera rim as a high density structure. Large lava fields, emplaced before and after the onset of resurgence, are evidenced by combined gravity, magnetic and resistivity signals. In the middle of the caldera, the Yenkahe dome apparently results from a combination of volcanic and tectonic events, showing that lava extrusion and resurgence have been operating simultaneously or alternately during the Siwi caldera post-collapse history. There is a clear distinction between the western and eastern parts of the dome. The western part is older and records the growth of an initial volcanic cone and the formation of a small caldera. This small caldera (paleo-Yasur caldera), partially filled with lava flows, is the present-day focus of volcanic activity and associated fluid circulation and alteration. The eastern part of the dome is presumably younger, and is characterized by intense, extensive hydrothermal alteration and activity. Its northern part is covered by lava flow piles and exhibits a shallow hydrothermal zone in ERT. The southern part has hydrothermal alteration and activity extending at least down to the base of the resurgent dome. This part of the dome is built up of low cohesion rock and is thus

Using complexity theory to analyse the organisational response to resurgent tuberculosis across London.

PubMed

Trenholm, Susan; Ferlie, Ewan

2013-09-01

We employ complexity theory to analyse the English National Health Service (NHS)'s organisational response to resurgent tuberculosis across London. Tennison (2002) suggests that complexity theory could fruitfully explore a healthcare system's response to this complex and emergent phenomenon: we explore this claim here. We also bring in established New Public Management principles to enhance our empirical analysis, which is based on data collected between late 2009 and mid-2011. We find that the operation of complexity theory based features, especially self-organisation, are significantly impacted by the macro context of a New Public Management-based regime which values control, measurement and risk management more than innovation, flexibility and lateral system building. We finally explore limitations and suggest perspectives for further research. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Early postcaldera rhyolite and structural resurgence at Long Valley Caldera, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hildreth, Wes; Fierstein, Judy; Calvert, Andrew

2017-04-01

After the 767-ka caldera-forming eruption of 650 km3 of rhyolite magma as the Bishop Tuff, 90-100 km3 of similar rhyolite erupted in the west-central part of Long Valley caldera in as many as 40 batches spread over the 110,000-year interval from 750 ka to 640 ka. Centrally, this Early Rhyolite (ER) is as thick as 622 m, but it spread radially to cover much of the caldera floor, where half its area is now concealed by post-ER sediments and lavas. At least 75% of the ER is aphyric rhyolite tuff. Drillholes encountered 22 (altered) ER lava flows intercalated in the pyroclastic pile, and another 11 units of (largely fresh) ER lava are exposed on the caldera's resurgent dome and at Lookout Mountain. Exposed units have been distinguished, mapped, studied petrographically and chemically, and radioisotopically dated; each is described in detail. Their phenocryst contents range from 0 to 2.5 wt%. All the phyric units have plagioclase, orthopyroxene, and ilmenite; most have biotite and rare tiny magnetite, and a few contain rare zircon. The compositional range of fresh obsidians is narrow-74.3-75.0% SiO2, 1.21-1.37% FeO*, and 5.12-5.26% K2O, but wider variations in Ti, Ba, Sr, and Zr permit distinction of individual units and eruptive groups. The limited chemical and petrographic variability shown by so many ER batches released episodically for 110,000 years suggests a thermally buffered and well-stirred reservoir. The ER central area, where ER eruptions had taken place, was uplifted 400 m to form a structural dome 10 km in diameter. Most of the inflation is attributable to 10 sills of ER that intrude the Bishop Tuff beneath the uplift, but other processes potentially contributing to resurgence are also considered. As shown by erratics of Mesozoic rocks ice-rafted from the Sierra Nevada and dropped on ER lavas, much of the ER had erupted early enough and at low enough elevation to be inundated by the intracaldera lake and was only later lifted by the resurgence that also

Measles resurgence associated with continued circulation of genotype H1 viruses in China, 2005.

PubMed

Ji, Yixin; Zhang, Yan; Xu, Songtao; Zhu, Zhen; Zuo, Shuyan; Jiang, Xiaohong; Lu, Peishan; Wang, Changyin; Liang, Yong; Zheng, Huanying; Liu, Yang; Mao, Naiying; Liang, Xiaofeng; Featherstone, David Alexander; Rota, Paul A; Bellini, William J; Xu, Wenbo

2009-09-08

Measles morbidity and mortality decreased significantly after measles vaccine was introduced into China in 1965. From 1995 to 2004, average annual measles incidence decreased to 5.6 cases per 100,000 population following the establishment of a national two-dose regimen. Molecular characterization of wild-type measles viruses demonstrated that genotype H1 was endemic and widely distributed throughout the country in China during 1995-2004. A total of 124,865 cases and 55 deaths were reported from the National Notifiable Diseases Reporting System (NNDRS) in 2005, which represented a 69.05% increase compared with 2004. Over 16,000 serum samples obtained from 914 measles outbreaks and the measles IgM positive rate was 81%. 213 wild-type measles viruses were isolated from 18 of 31 provinces in China during 2005, and all of the isolates belonged to genotype H1. The ranges of the nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid sequence homologies of the 213 genotype H1 strains were 93.4%-100% and 90.0%-100%, respectively. H1-associated cases and outbreaks caused the measles resurgence in China in 2005. H1 genotype has the most inner variation within genotype, it could be divided into 2 clusters, and cluster 1 viruses were predominant in China throughout 2005.

Measles Resurgence Associated with Continued Circulation of Genotype H1 Viruses in China, 2005

PubMed Central

Ji, Yixin; Zhang, Yan; Xu, Songtao; Zhu, Zhen; Zuo, Shuyan; Jiang, Xiaohong; Lu, Peishan; Wang, Changyin; Liang, Yong; Zheng, Huanying; Liu, Yang; Mao, Naiying; Liang, Xiaofeng; Featherstone, David Alexander; Rota, Paul A; Bellini, William J; Xu, Wenbo

2009-01-01

Measles morbidity and mortality decreased significantly after measles vaccine was introduced into China in 1965. From 1995 to 2004, average annual measles incidence decreased to 5.6 cases per 100,000 population following the establishment of a national two-dose regimen. Molecular characterization of wild-type measles viruses demonstrated that genotype H1 was endemic and widely distributed throughout the country in China during 1995-2004. A total of 124,865 cases and 55 deaths were reported from the National Notifiable Diseases Reporting System (NNDRS) in 2005, which represented a 69.05% increase compared with 2004. Over 16,000 serum samples obtained from 914 measles outbreaks and the measles IgM positive rate was 81%. 213 wild-type measles viruses were isolated from 18 of 31 provinces in China during 2005, and all of the isolates belonged to genotype H1. The ranges of the nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid sequence homologies of the 213 genotype H1 strains were 93.4%-100% and 90.0%-100%, respectively. H1-associated cases and outbreaks caused the measles resurgence in China in 2005. H1 genotype has the most inner variation within genotype, it could be divided into 2 clusters, and cluster 1 viruses were predominant in China throughout 2005. PMID:19737391

Fast summation of divergent series and resurgent transseries from Meijer-G approximants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mera, Héctor; Pedersen, Thomas G.; Nikolić, Branislav K.

2018-05-01

We develop a resummation approach based on Meijer-G functions and apply it to approximate the Borel sum of divergent series and the Borel-Écalle sum of resurgent transseries in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory (QFT). The proposed method is shown to vastly outperform the conventional Borel-Padé and Borel-Padé-Écalle summation methods. The resulting Meijer-G approximants are easily parametrized by means of a hypergeometric ansatz and can be thought of as a generalization to arbitrary order of the Borel-hypergeometric method [Mera et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 143001 (2015), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.143001]. Here we demonstrate the accuracy of this technique in various examples from quantum mechanics and QFT, traditionally employed as benchmark models for resummation, such as zero-dimensional ϕ4 theory; the quartic anharmonic oscillator; the calculation of critical exponents for the N -vector model; ϕ4 with degenerate minima; self-interacting QFT in zero dimensions; and the summation of one- and two-instanton contributions in the quantum-mechanical double-well problem.

Explaining the resurgent popularity of the wild: motivations for wild plant gathering in the Biosphere Reserve Grosses Walsertal, Austria.

PubMed

Schunko, Christoph; Grasser, Susanne; Vogl, Christian R

2015-06-30

Wild plant gathering becomes again a popular and fashionable activity in Europe after gathering practices have been increasingly abandoned over the last decades. Recent ethnobotanical research documented a diversity of gathering practices from people of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds who gather in urban and rural areas. Few efforts were though made to study the motivations for gathering wild plants and to understand the resurgent popularity of wild plant gathering. This paper addresses the following research questions: (1) which motivations activate wild plant gatherers? (2) which motivation-types of gatherers exist in the Grosses Walsertal? (3) how do the motivations for gathering relate to the socio-demographic background of gatherers? Field research was conducted in the Grosses Walsertal, Austria in the years 2008 and 2009 in two field research periods. Thirty-six local farmers were first interviewed with semi-structured interviews. The motivations identified in these interviews were then included in a structured questionnaire, which was used to interview 353 residents of the valley. Pupils of local schools participated in the data collection as interviewers. Principal Component Analysis was used to categorize the motivations and to identify motivation-types of wild plant gatherers. Generalized Linear Models were calculated to identify relations between motivations and the socio-demographic background of gatherers. The respondents listed 13 different motivations for gathering wild plants and four motivations for not gathering. These 17 motivations were grouped in five motivation-types of wild plant gatherers, which are in decreasing importance: product quality, fun, tradition, not-gathering, income. Women, older respondents and homegardeners gather wild plants more often for fun; older respondents gather more often for maintaining traditions; non-homegardeners more frequently mention motivations for not gathering. The resurgent popularity of

Relapse processes after the extinction of instrumental learning: Renewal, resurgence, and reacquisition

PubMed Central

Bouton, Mark E.; Winterbauer, Neil E.; Todd, Travis P.

2012-01-01

It is widely recognized that extinction (the procedure in which a Pavlovian conditioned stimulus or an instrumental action is repeatedly presented without its reinforcer) weakens behavior without erasing the original learning. Most of the experiments that support this claim have focused on several “relapse” effects that occur after Pavlovian extinction, which collectively suggest that the original learning is saved through extinction. However, although such effects do occur after instrumental extinction, they have not been explored there in as much detail. This article reviews recent research in our laboratory that has investigated three relapse effects that occur after the extinction of instrumental (operant) learning. In renewal, responding returns after extinction when the behavior is tested in a different context; in resurgence, responding recovers when a second response that has been reinforced during extinction of the first is itself put on extinction; and in rapid reacquisition, extinguished responding returns rapidly when the response is reinforced again. The results provide new insights into extinction and relapse, and are consistent with principles that have been developed to explain extinction and relapse as they occur after Pavlovian conditioning. Extinction of instrumental learning, like Pavlovian learning, involves new learning that is relatively dependent on the context for expression. PMID:22450305

A panel study on patients with dominant cerebellar ataxia highlights the frequency of channelopathies.

PubMed

Coutelier, Marie; Coarelli, Giulia; Monin, Marie-Lorraine; Konop, Juliette; Davoine, Claire-Sophie; Tesson, Christelle; Valter, Rémi; Anheim, Mathieu; Behin, Anthony; Castelnovo, Giovanni; Charles, Perrine; David, Albert; Ewenczyk, Claire; Fradin, Mélanie; Goizet, Cyril; Hannequin, Didier; Labauge, Pierre; Riant, Florence; Sarda, Pierre; Sznajer, Yves; Tison, François; Ullmann, Urielle; Van Maldergem, Lionel; Mochel, Fanny; Brice, Alexis; Stevanin, Giovanni; Durr, Alexandra

2017-06-01

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias have a marked heterogeneous genetic background, with mutations in 34 genes identified so far. This large amount of implicated genes accounts for heterogeneous clinical presentations, making genotype-phenotype correlations a major challenge in the field. While polyglutamine ataxias, linked to CAG repeat expansions in genes such as ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, ATXN7, CACNA1A and TBP, have been extensively characterized in large cohorts, there is a need for comprehensive assessment of frequency and phenotype of more 'conventional' ataxias. After exclusion of CAG/polyglutamine expansions in spinocerebellar ataxia genes in 412 index cases with dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxias, we aimed to establish the relative frequencies of mutations in other genes, with an approach combining panel sequencing and TaqMan® polymerase chain reaction assay. We found relevant genetic variants in 59 patients (14.3%). The most frequently mutated were channel genes [CACNA1A (n = 16), KCND3 (n = 4), KCNC3 (n = 2) and KCNA1 (n = 2)]. Deletions in ITPR1 (n = 11) were followed by biallelic variants in SPG7 (n = 9). Variants in AFG3L2 (n = 7) came next in frequency, and variants were rarely found in STBN2 (n = 2), ELOVL5, FGF14, STUB1 and TTBK2 (n = 1 each). Interestingly, possible risk factor variants were detected in SPG7 and POLG. Clinical comparisons showed that ataxias due to channelopathies had a significantly earlier age at onset with an average of 24.6 years, versus 40.9 years for polyglutamine expansion spinocerebellar ataxias and 37.8 years for SPG7-related forms (P = 0.001). In contrast, disease duration was significantly longer in the former (20.5 years versus 9.3 and 13.7, P=0.001), though for similar functional stages, indicating slower progression of the disease. Of interest, intellectual deficiency was more frequent in channel spinocerebellar ataxias, while cognitive impairment in adulthood was similar among the three groups. Similar

Resurgence of diphtheria in rural areas of North Karnataka, India.

PubMed

Parande, Mahantesh V; Roy, Subarna; Mantur, B G; Parande, Aisha M; Shinde, Rupali S

2017-01-01

A diphtheria outbreak was identified from Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur) district in the South Indian state of Karnataka in 2011. There was a surge in the number of throat swab samples received under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) in North Karnataka since then. A microbiological study was undertaken to generate information on the status of resurgence of the disease in the region. Throat swabs from 432 suspected cases of diphtheria during 2012-2015 were obtained from government hospitals and primary health centres of 8 districts in North Karnataka and were processed for the culture and identification of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Polymerase chain reaction for the presence of toxin gene (toxA and toxB) was carried out on the isolates. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed on the isolates with a panel of 14 antibiotics. Thirty-eight (8.79%) out of 432 samples yielded C. diphtheriae on culture. All isolates possessed the diphtheria toxin gene. Out of the 38 confirmed cases, whereas 21 (55.26%) were between 1 and 5 years of age, 14 (36.84%) were aged between 5 and 10 years. Male children were three times more than females in confirmed cases. No information was available on the immunisation status of the cases. Emergence of resistance to penicillin was found with minimum inhibitory concentration reaching up to 6.00 μg/ml. Our study identified an upsurge in cases of diphtheria in North Karnataka, particularly in Vijayapura District, and to the best of our knowledge, reports the emergence of penicillin resistance for the first time in India. The study calls for enhanced surveillance for the disease, making antidiphtheritic serum available in key hospitals in the region and serves to provide a baseline for future assessment of the impact of the recently launched 'Mission Indradhanush' programme in strengthening Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis

MedlinePlus

... Neurology in Clinical Practice . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 110. Kerchner GA, Ptacek LJ. Channelopathies: ... Neurology in Clinical Practice . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 99. Moxley RT, Heatwole C. Channelopathies: ...

Mumps resurgences in the United States: A historical perspective on unexpected elements.

PubMed

Barskey, Albert E; Glasser, John W; LeBaron, Charles W

2009-10-19

In 2006 the United States experienced the largest nationwide mumps epidemic in 20 years, primarily affecting college dormitory residents. Unexpected elements of the outbreak included very abrupt time course (75% of cases occurred within 90 days), geographic focality (85% of cases occurred in eight rural Midwestern states), rapid upward and downward shift in peak age-specific attack rate (5-9-year olds to 18-24-year olds, then back), and two-dose vaccine failure (63% of case-patients had received two doses). To construct a historical context in which to understand the recent outbreak, we reviewed US mumps surveillance data, vaccination coverage estimates, and relevant peer-reviewed literature for the period 1917-2008. Many of the unexpected features of the 2006 mumps outbreak had been reported several times previously in the US, e.g., the 1986-1987 mumps resurgence had extremely abrupt onset, rural geographic focality, and an upward-then-downward age shift. Evidence suggested recurrent mumps outbreak patterns were attributable to accumulation of susceptibles in dispersed situations where the risk of endemic disease exposure was low and were triggered when this susceptible population was brought together in crowded living conditions. The 2006 epidemic followed this pattern, with two unique variations: it was preceded by a period of very high vaccination rates and very low disease incidence and was characterized by two-dose failure rates among adults vaccinated in childhood. Data from the past 80 years suggest that preventing future mumps epidemics will depend on innovative measures to detect and eliminate build-up of susceptibles among highly vaccinated populations.

The relationship between mucosal immunity, nasopharyngeal carriage, asymptomatic transmission and the resurgence of Bordetella pertussis

PubMed Central

Gill, Christopher; Rohani, Pejman; Thea, Donald M

2017-01-01

The incidence of whooping cough in the US has been rising slowly since the 1970s, but the pace of this has accelerated sharply since acellular pertussis vaccines replaced the earlier whole cell vaccines in the late 1990s. A similar trend occurred in many other countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and Spain, following the switch to acellular vaccines. The key question is why. Two leading theories (short duration of protective immunologic persistence and evolutionary shifts in the pathogen to evade the vaccine) explain some but not all of these shifts, suggesting that other factors may also be important. In this synthesis, we argue that sterilizing mucosal immunity that blocks or abbreviates the duration of nasopharyngeal carriage of Bordetella pertussis and impedes person-to-person transmission (including between asymptomatically infected individuals) is a critical factor in this dynamic. Moreover, we argue that the ability to induce such mucosal immunity is fundamentally what distinguishes whole cell and acellular pertussis vaccines and may be pivotal to understanding much of the resurgence of this disease in many countries that adopted acellular vaccines. Additionally, we offer the hypothesis that observed herd effects generated by acellular vaccines may reflect a modification of disease presentation leading to reduced potential for transmission by those already infected, as opposed to inducing resistance to infection among those who have been exposed. PMID:28928960

Rock-avalanche and ocean-resurge deposits in the late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure: Evidence from the ICDP-USGS Eyreville cores, Virginia, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gohn, G.S.; Powars, D.S.; Dypvik, H.; Edwards, L.E.

2009-01-01

An unusually thick section of sedimentary breccias dominated by target-sediment clasts is a distinctive feature of the late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure. A cored 1766-m-deep section recovered from the central part of this marine-target structure by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)-U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) drilling project contains 678 m of these breccias and associated sediments and an intervening 275-m-thick granite slab. Two sedimentary breccia units consist almost entirely of Cretaceous nonmarine sediments derived from the lower part of the target sediment layer. These sediments are present as coherent clasts and as autoclastic matrix between the clasts. Primary (Cretaceous) sedimentary structures are well preserved in some clasts, and liquefaction and fluidization structures produced at the site of deposition occur in the clasts and matrix. These sedimentary breccias are interpreted as one or more rock avalanches from the upper part of the transient-cavity wall. The little-deformed, unshocked granite slab probably was transported as part of an extremely large slide or avalanche. Water-saturated Cretaceous quartz sand below the slab was transported into the seafloor crater prior to, or concurrently with, the granite slab. Two sedimentary breccia units consist of polymict diamictons that contain cobbles, boulders, and blocks of Cretaceous nonmarine target sediments and less common shocked-rock and melt ejecta in an unsorted, unstratified, muddy, fossiliferous, glauconitic quartz matrix. Much of the matrix material was derived from Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene marine target sediments. These units are interpreted as the deposits of debris flows initiated by the resurge of ocean water into the seafloor crater. Interlayering of avalanche and debris-flow units indicates a partial temporal overlap of the earlier avalanche and later resurge processes. A thin unit of stratified turbidite deposits and overlying laminated

The thermal regime in the resurgent dome of Long Valley Caldera, California: Inferences from precision temperature logs in deep wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurwitz, Shaul; Farrar, Christopher D.; Williams, Colin F.

2010-12-01

Long Valley Caldera in eastern California formed 0.76 Ma ago in a cataclysmic eruption that resulted in the deposition of 600 km 3 of Bishop Tuff. The total current heat flow from the caldera floor is estimated to be ~ 290 MW, and a geothermal power plant in Casa Diablo on the flanks of the resurgent dome (RD) generates ~40 MWe. The RD in the center of the caldera was uplifted by ~ 80 cm between 1980 and 1999 and was explained by most models as a response to magma intrusion into the shallow crust. This unrest has led to extensive research on geothermal resources and volcanic hazards in the caldera. Here we present results from precise, high-resolution, temperature-depth profiles in five deep boreholes (327-1,158 m) on the RD to assess its thermal state, and more specifically 1) to provide bounds on the advective heat transport as a guide for future geothermal exploration, 2) to provide constraints on the occurrence of magma at shallow crustal depths, and 3) to provide a baseline for future transient thermal phenomena in response to large earthquakes, volcanic activity, or geothermal production. The temperature profiles display substantial non-linearity within each profile and variability between the different profiles. All profiles display significant temperature reversals with depth and temperature gradients <50 °C/km at their bottom. The maximum temperature in the individual boreholes ranges between 124.7 °C and 129.5 °C and bottom hole temperatures range between 99.4 °C and 129.5 °C. The high-temperature units in the three Fumarole Valley boreholes are at the approximate same elevation as the high-temperature unit in borehole M-1 in Casa Diablo indicating lateral or sub-lateral hydrothermal flow through the resurgent dome. Small differences in temperature between measurements in consecutive years in three of the wells suggest slow cooling of the shallow hydrothermal flow system. By matching theoretical curves to segments of the measured temperature profiles

The thermal regime in the resurgent dome of Long Valley Caldera, California: Inferences from precision temperature logs in deep wells

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hurwitz, S.; Farrar, C.D.; Williams, C.F.

2010-01-01

Long Valley Caldera in eastern California formed 0.76Ma ago in a cataclysmic eruption that resulted in the deposition of 600km3 of Bishop Tuff. The total current heat flow from the caldera floor is estimated to be ~290MW, and a geothermal power plant in Casa Diablo on the flanks of the resurgent dome (RD) generates ~40MWe. The RD in the center of the caldera was uplifted by ~80cm between 1980 and 1999 and was explained by most models as a response to magma intrusion into the shallow crust. This unrest has led to extensive research on geothermal resources and volcanic hazards in the caldera. Here we present results from precise, high-resolution, temperature-depth profiles in five deep boreholes (327-1,158m) on the RD to assess its thermal state, and more specifically 1) to provide bounds on the advective heat transport as a guide for future geothermal exploration, 2) to provide constraints on the occurrence of magma at shallow crustal depths, and 3) to provide a baseline for future transient thermal phenomena in response to large earthquakes, volcanic activity, or geothermal production. The temperature profiles display substantial non-linearity within each profile and variability between the different profiles. All profiles display significant temperature reversals with depth and temperature gradients <50??C/km at their bottom. The maximum temperature in the individual boreholes ranges between 124.7??C and 129.5??C and bottom hole temperatures range between 99.4??C and 129.5??C. The high-temperature units in the three Fumarole Valley boreholes are at the approximate same elevation as the high-temperature unit in borehole M-1 in Casa Diablo indicating lateral or sub-lateral hydrothermal flow through the resurgent dome. Small differences in temperature between measurements in consecutive years in three of the wells suggest slow cooling of the shallow hydrothermal flow system. By matching theoretical curves to segments of the measured temperature profiles, we calculate

Paroxysmal Dyskinesias in Children.

PubMed

McGrath, Tony M.; Dure, Leon S.

2003-07-01

Paroxysmal dyskinesias are rare movement disorders. The onset of paroxysmal dyskinesias in childhood are typically idiopathic (sporadic or familial), whereas those in adulthood are usually secondary to an identifiable cause. Paroxysmal dyskinesias are classified according to precipitating factors, and these include paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia, paroxysmal exertion-induced dyskinesia, and paroxysmal hypnogenic dyskinesia. The pathophysiology remains unknown; however, there is increasing evidence that channelopathies may play a role, which explains the response to anticonvulsant medications in certain kindreds. Pharmacologic treatment with anticonvulsant medications, clonazepam, tetrabenazine, trihexyphenidyl, or levodopa is reviewed herewith. Paroxysmal dyskinesias go by many names, but a rational classification does exist. Of those that respond to medications, the majority of paroxysmal dyskenesias respond to anticonvulsant medications. Channelopathies have been implemented as a cause in paroxysmal dyskinesias.

An Analysis of Integrated Child Development Scheme Performance in Contributing to Alleviation of Malnutrition in Two Economically Resurgent States.

PubMed

Ruia, Aparna; Gupta, Rajul Kumar; Bandyopadhyay, Gargi; Gupta, Rajshree R

2018-01-01

Good economic growth is considered synonymous with good nutrition. In recent past, some states (like Bihar and Gujarat) have seen unprecedented economic growth. Despite this and introducing plethora of programs (including integrated child development scheme [ICDS]) to reduce malnutrition, one state might be performing well in reducing malnutrition whereas other with equally high economic growth rate might lag behind. Is mere economic growth good enough to alleviate malnutrition? The aim of the article is to document a critical comparative analysis of malnutrition with special emphasis on ICDS (with respect to finances, infrastructure, training, performance) in the two economically resurgent states of Gujarat and Bihar. An exploratory study using secondary data sources (for ICDS performance) to critically analyze malnutrition status in Bihar and Gujarat. Gujarat, which was criticized for placing excessive emphasis on economic growth, has shown sharp improvement in combating malnutrition. Undernourished children declined from 73.04% in 2007 to 25.09% in 2013, with just 1.6% being severely malnourished. On the other hand, Bihar too exhibited an impressive economic growth but still languishes at bottom with malnutrition rate of 82%. A high economic growth does not have automatic immediate positive gains on malnutrition alleviation.

Bed Bug Infestations and Control Practices in China: Implications for Fighting the Global Bed Bug Resurgence

PubMed Central

Wang, Changlu; Wen, Xiujun

2011-01-01

The bed bug resurgence in North America, Europe, and Australia has elicited interest in investigating the causes of the widespread and increasing infestations and in developing more effective control strategies. In order to extend global perspectives on bed bug management, we reviewed bed bug literature in China by searching five Chinese language electronic databases. We conducted telephone interviews of staff from 77 Health and Epidemic Prevention Stations in six Chinese cities in November 2010. We also conducted telephone interviews of 68 pest control firms in two cities during March 2011. Two species of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L. and Cimex hemipterus (F.)) are known to occur in China. These were common urban pests before the early1980s. Nationwide “Four-Pest Elimination” campaigns (bed bugs being one of the targeted pests) were implemented in China from 1960 to the early 1980s. These campaigns succeeded in the elimination of bed bug infestations in most communities. Commonly used bed bug control methods included applications of hot water, sealing of bed bug harborages, physical removal, and applications of residual insecticides (mainly organophosphate sprays or dusts). Although international and domestic travel has increased rapidly in China over the past decade (2000–2010), there have only been sporadic new infestations reported in recent years. During 1999–2009, all documented bed bug infestations were found in group living facilities (military dormitories, worker dormitories, and prisons), hotels, or trains. One city (Shenzhen city near Hong Kong) experienced significantly higher number of bed bug infestations. This city is characterized by a high concentration of migratory factory workers. Current bed bug control practices include educating residents, washing, reducing clutter, putting items under the hot sun in summer, and applying insecticides (pyrethroids or organophosphates). There have not been any studies or reports on bed bug insecticide

In Flanders fields: the Great War, Antoine Depage, and the resurgence of débridement.

PubMed

Helling, T S; Daon, E

1998-08-01

The care of traumatic wounds has evolved over hundreds of years, largely as a result of armed conflicts. The lessons learned during World War I in the treatment of extensive soft-tissue injuries proved invaluable in reducing infection and preventing loss of limb and life. Foremost among these was the use of debridement. This report reviews the development of debridement as standard treatment of war wounds and highlights the surgeon largely responsible for its resurgence during one of this century's saddest chapters. Before World War I, the care of wounds consisted of minimal exploration and liberal use of then-new antiseptics. For limited injuries, this approach appeared adequate. World War I saw the introduction of devastating weapons that produced injuries that caused extensive devitalization of tissue. Standard treatment of these patients proved woefully inadequate to prevent life-threatening infections. This is a historical review of the conditions that occurred during World War I that prompted a change in wound management. One of those responsible for this change was the Belgian surgeon Antoine Depage. His life and contributions to the care of war wounds are profiled. Depage reintroduced the discarded French practice of wound incision and exploration (debridement) and combined it with excision of devitalized tissue. Through the use of debridement, excision, and delayed wound closure based on bacteriologic survey, Depage was able to reduce the incidence of infectious complications of soft-tissue injuries, particularly those involving fractures. Through his experiences in the Great War, Antoine Depage was able to formulate a treatment plan for wounds of war. All such injuries were assumed to be contaminated and, as such, they required early and careful debridement. Depage thought that wound closure should often be delayed and based his decision to close on the bacteriologic status of the wound. To him, we owe our current management of traumatic wounds.

[Sudden cardiac death in individuals with normal hearts: an update].

PubMed

González-Melchor, Laila; Villarreal-Molina, Teresa; Iturralde-Torres, Pedro; Medeiros-Domingo, Argelia

2014-01-01

Sudden death (SD) is a tragic event and a world-wide health problem. Every year, near 4-5 million people experience SD. SD is defined as the death occurred in 1h after the onset of symptoms in a person without previous signs of fatality. It can be named "recovered SD" when the case received medical attention, cardiac reanimation effective defibrillation or both, surviving the fatal arrhythmia. Cardiac channelopathies are a group of diseases characterized by abnormal ion channel function due to genetic mutations in ion channel genes, providing increased susceptibility to develop cardiac arrhythmias and SD. Usually the death occurs before 40 years of age and in the autopsy the heart is normal. In this review we discuss the main cardiac channelopathies involved in sudden cardiac death along with current management of cases and family members that have experienced such tragic event. Copyright © 2014 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

Bed Bug Infestations and Control Practices in China: Implications for Fighting the Global Bed Bug Resurgence.

PubMed

Wang, Changlu; Wen, Xiujun

2011-04-11

The bed bug resurgence in North America, Europe, and Australia has elicited interest in investigating the causes of the widespread and increasing infestations and in developing more effective control strategies. In order to extend global perspectives on bed bug management, we reviewed bed bug literature in China by searching five Chinese language electronic databases. We conducted telephone interviews of staff from 77 Health and Epidemic Prevention Stations in six Chinese cities in November 2010. We also conducted telephone interviews of 68 pest control firms in two cities during March 2011. Two species of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L. and Cimex hemipterus (F.)) are known to occur in China. These were common urban pests before the early1980s. Nationwide "Four-Pest Elimination" campaigns (bed bugs being one of the targeted pests) were implemented in China from 1960 to the early 1980s. These campaigns succeeded in the elimination of bed bug infestations in most communities. Commonly used bed bug control methods included applications of hot water, sealing of bed bug harborages, physical removal, and applications of residual insecticides (mainly organophosphate sprays or dusts). Although international and domestic travel has increased rapidly in China over the past decade (2000-2010), there have only been sporadic new infestations reported in recent years. During 1999-2009, all documented bed bug infestations were found in group living facilities (military dormitories, worker dormitories, and prisons), hotels, or trains. One city (Shenzhen city near Hong Kong) experienced significantly higher number of bed bug infestations. This city is characterized by a high concentration of migratory factory workers. Current bed bug control practices include educating residents, washing, reducing clutter, putting items under the hot sun in summer, and applying insecticides (pyrethroids or organophosphates). There have not been any studies or reports on bed bug insecticide

Strategic Planning for Health Care Cost Controls in a Constantly Changing Environment.

PubMed

Hembree, William E

2015-01-01

Health care cost increases are showing a resurgence. Despite recent years' comparatively modest increases, the projections for 2015 cost increases range from 6.6% to 7%--three to four times larger than 2015's expected underlying inflation. This resurgence is just one of many rapidly changing external and internal challenges health plan sponsors must overcome (and this resurgence advances the date when the majority of employers will trigger the "Cadillac tax"). What's needed is a planning approach that is effective in overcoming all known and yet-to-be-discovered challenges, not just affordability. This article provides detailed guidance in adopting six proven strategic planning steps. Following these steps will proactively and effectively create a flexible strategic plan for the present and future of employers' health plans that will withstand all internal and external challenges.

Clinical and Genetic Diagnosis of Nonischemic Sudden Cardiac Death.

PubMed

Jiménez-Jáimez, Juan; Alcalde Martínez, Vicente; Jiménez Fernández, Miriam; Bermúdez Jiménez, Francisco; Rodríguez Vázquez Del Rey, María Del Mar; Perin, Francesca; Oyonarte Ramírez, José Manuel; López Fernández, Silvia; de la Torre, Inmaculada; García Orta, Rocío; González Molina, Mercedes; Cabrerizo, Elisa María; Álvarez Abril, Beatriz; Álvarez, Miguel; Macías Ruiz, Rosa; Correa, Concepción; Tercedor, Luis

2017-10-01

Nonischemic sudden cardiac death (SCD) is predominantly caused by cardiomyopathies and channelopathies. There are many diagnostic tests, including some complex techniques. Our aim was to analyze the diagnostic yield of a systematic diagnostic protocol in a specialized unit. The study included 56 families with at least 1 index case of SCD (resuscitated or not). Survivors were studied with electrocardiogram, advanced cardiac imaging, exercise testing, familial study, genetic testing and, in some cases, pharmacological testing. Families with deceased probands were studied using the postmortem findings, familial evaluation, and molecular autopsy with next-generation sequencing (NGS). A positive diagnosis was obtained in 80.4% of the cases, with no differences between survivors and nonsurvivors (P=.53). Cardiac channelopathies were more prevalent among survivors than nonsurvivors (66.6% vs 40%, P=.03). Among the 30 deceased probands, the definitive diagnosis was given by autopsy in 7. A diagnosis of cardiomyopathy tended to be associated with a higher event rate in the family. Genetic testing with NGS was performed in 42 index cases, with a positive result in 28 (66.6%), with no differences between survivors and nonsurvivors (P=.21). There is a strong likelihood of reaching a diagnosis in SCD after a rigorous protocol, with a more prevalent diagnosis of channelopathy among survivors and a worse familial prognosis in cardiomyopathies. Genetic testing with NGS is useful and its value is increasing with respect to the Sanger method. Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

The semi-classical expansion and resurgence in gauge theories: new perturbative, instanton, bion, and renormalon effects

DOE PAGES

Argyres, Philip C.; Uensal, Mithat

2012-08-10

We study the dynamics of four dimensional gauge theories with adjoint fermions for all gauge groups, both in perturbation theory and non-perturbatively, by using circle compactification with periodic boundary conditions for the fermions. There are new gauge phenomena. We show that, to all orders in perturbation theory, many gauge groups are Higgsed by the gauge holonomy around the circle to a product of both abelian and nonabelian gauge group factors. Non-perturbatively there are monopole-instantons with fermion zero modes and two types of monopole-anti-monopole molecules, called bions. One type are magnetic bions which carry net magnetic charge and induce a massmore » gap for gauge fluctuations. Another type are neutral bions which are magnetically neutral, and their understanding requires a generalization of multi-instanton techniques in quantum mechanics — which we refer to as the Bogomolny-Zinn-Justin (BZJ) prescription — to compactified field theory. The BZJ prescription applied to bion-anti-bion topological molecules predicts a singularity on the positive real axis of the Borel plane (i.e., a divergence from summing large orders in peturbation theory) which is of order N times closer to the origin than the leading 4-d BPST instanton-anti-instanton singularity, where N is the rank of the gauge group. The position of the bion-anti-bion singularity is thus qualitatively similar to that of the 4-d IR renormalon singularity, and we conjecture that they are continuously related as the compactification radius is changed. By making use of transseries and Écalle’s resurgence theory we argue that a non-perturbative continuum definition of a class of field theories which admit semi-classical expansions may be possible.« less

In Flanders fields: the Great War, Antoine Depage, and the resurgence of débridement.

PubMed Central

Helling, T S; Daon, E

1998-01-01

OBJECTIVE: The care of traumatic wounds has evolved over hundreds of years, largely as a result of armed conflicts. The lessons learned during World War I in the treatment of extensive soft-tissue injuries proved invaluable in reducing infection and preventing loss of limb and life. Foremost among these was the use of debridement. This report reviews the development of debridement as standard treatment of war wounds and highlights the surgeon largely responsible for its resurgence during one of this century's saddest chapters. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Before World War I, the care of wounds consisted of minimal exploration and liberal use of then-new antiseptics. For limited injuries, this approach appeared adequate. World War I saw the introduction of devastating weapons that produced injuries that caused extensive devitalization of tissue. Standard treatment of these patients proved woefully inadequate to prevent life-threatening infections. METHODS: This is a historical review of the conditions that occurred during World War I that prompted a change in wound management. One of those responsible for this change was the Belgian surgeon Antoine Depage. His life and contributions to the care of war wounds are profiled. Depage reintroduced the discarded French practice of wound incision and exploration (debridement) and combined it with excision of devitalized tissue. RESULTS: Through the use of debridement, excision, and delayed wound closure based on bacteriologic survey, Depage was able to reduce the incidence of infectious complications of soft-tissue injuries, particularly those involving fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Through his experiences in the Great War, Antoine Depage was able to formulate a treatment plan for wounds of war. All such injuries were assumed to be contaminated and, as such, they required early and careful debridement. Depage thought that wound closure should often be delayed and based his decision to close on the bacteriologic status of the wound

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Congenital Long QT Syndrome: Implications for Increased Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death.

PubMed

Shamsuzzaman, Abu S; Somers, Virend K; Knilans, Timothy K; Ackerman, Michael J; Wang, Yu; Amin, Raouf S

2015-07-01

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a familial arrhythmogenic cardiac channelopathy characterized by prolonged ventricular repolarization and increased risk of torsades de pointes-mediated syncope, seizures, and sudden cardiac death (SCD). QT prolongation corrected for heart rate (QTc) is an important diagnostic and prognostic feature in LQTS. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, including arrhythmias and SCD. We tested the hypothesis that the presence of concomitant OSA in patients with LQTS is associated with increased QT intervals, both during sleep and while awake. Polysomnography with simultaneous overnight 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) was recorded in 54 patients with congenital LQTS and 67 control subjects. OSA was diagnosed as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 events/h for adults and AHI > 1 event/h for children. RR and QT intervals were measured from the 12-lead surface ECG. QTc was determined by the Bazett formula. Respiratory disturbance index, AHI, and arousal index were significantly increased in patients with LQTS and with OSA compared to those without OSA and control subjects. QTc during different sleep stages and while awake was also significantly increased in patients with LQTS and OSA compared to those without OSA. Severity of OSA in patients with LQTS was directly associated with the degree of QTc. The presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is associated with increased QT prolongation corrected for heart rate, which is an important biomarker of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Treatment of OSA in LQTS patients may reduce QT prolongation, thus reducing the risk of LQT-triggered SCD. © 2015 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Decline in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Among Non-Injecting Heroin and Cocaine Users in New York City, 2005 to 2014: Prospects for Avoiding a Resurgence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

PubMed

Des Jarlais, Don C; Arasteh, Kamyar; Feelemyer, Jonathan; McKnight, Courtney; Tross, Susan; Perlman, David C; Campbell, Aimee N C; Hagan, Holly; Cooper, Hannah L F

2017-02-01

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection increases both susceptibility to and transmissibility of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and HSV-2 and HIV are often strongly associated in HIV epidemics. We assessed trends in HSV-2 prevalence among non-injecting drug users (NIDUs) when HIV prevalence declined from 16% to 8% among NIDUs in New York City. Subjects were current non-injecting users of heroin and/or cocaine and who had never injected illicit drugs. Three thousand one hundred fifty-seven NIDU subjects were recruited between 2005 and 2014 among persons entering Mount Sinai Beth Israel substance use treatment programs. Structured interviews, HIV, and HSV-2 testing were administered. Change over time was assessed by comparing 2005 to 2010 with 2011 to 2014 periods. Herpes simplex virus type 2 incidence was estimated among persons who participated in multiple years. Herpes simplex virus type 2 prevalence was strongly associated with HIV prevalence (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 2.9-5.1) from 2005 to 2014. Herpes simplex virus type 2 prevalence declined from 60% to 56% (P = 0.01). The percentage of NIDUs with neither HSV-2 nor HIV infection increased from 37% to 43%, (P < 0.001); the percentage with HSV-2/HIV coinfection declined from 13% to 6% (P < 0.001). Estimated HSV-2 incidence was 1 to 2/100 person-years at risk. There were parallel declines in HIV and HSV-2 among NIDUs in New York City from 2005 to 2014. The increase in the percentage of NIDUs with neither HSV-2 nor HIV infection, the decrease in the percentage with HSV-2/HIV coinfection, and the low to moderate HSV-2 incidence suggest some population-level protection against resurgence of HIV. Prevention efforts should be strengthened to end the combined HIV/HSV-2 epidemic among NIDUs in New York City.

Channelopathies of skeletal muscle excitability

PubMed Central

Cannon, Stephen C.

2016-01-01

Familial disorders of skeletal muscle excitability were initially described early in the last century and are now known to be caused by mutations of voltage-gated ion channels. The clinical manifestations are often striking, with an inability to relax after voluntary contraction (myotonia) or transient attacks of severe weakness (periodic paralysis). An essential feature of these disorders is fluctuation of symptoms that are strongly impacted by environmental triggers such as exercise, temperature, or serum K+ levels. These phenomena have intrigued physiologists for decades, and in the past 25 years the molecular lesions underlying these disorders have been identified and mechanistic studies are providing insights for therapeutic strategies of disease modification. These familial disorders of muscle fiber excitability are “channelopathies” caused by mutations of a chloride channel (ClC-1), sodium channel (NaV1.4), calcium channel (CaV1.1) and several potassium channels (Kir2.1, Kir2.6, Kir3.4). This review provides a synthesis of the mechanistic connections between functional defects of mutant ion channels, their impact on muscle excitability, how these changes cause clinical phenotypes, and approaches toward therapeutics. PMID:25880512

Studies of Resurgent Bed Bugs: Population Genetic Structure, Impact of Aggregation on Development and Molecular Screening for Bartonella

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saenz, Virna Lisa

. Here we describe the development of 24 high resolution microsatellite markers and their application to elucidate infestation dynamics within three multistory apartment buildings in the United States. Results reveal contrasting characteristics potentially representative of geographic or locale differences. In Raleigh, NC, an infestation within an apartment building seemed to have started from a single introduction followed by extensive spread throughout the building. In Jersey City, NJ, two or more introductions followed by extensive spread. Populations within single apartments in all buildings showed low levels of genetic diversity suggesting that few individuals are starting these infestations, possibly a singly mated female or her progeny. This work is described in Chapter 3 and was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology in 2012. Third, we studied the impact of aggregation in bed bug development. Although it is well known that bed bugs live in aggregations, the adaptive benefits of this behavior are not well understood. In this study, we reared first instars either in isolation or in groups of five from hatching to adult eclosion and recorded their development time. Additionally, we investigated the effects of group-housing on same age nymphs versus nymphs reared with adults. Nymphal development was 2.2 d faster in grouped nymphs than in solitary-housed nymphs, representing 7.3% faster overall development. However, this grouping effect did not appear to be influenced by group composition (nymphs vs. adults). Thus, similar to other gregarious insect species, nymph development in bed bugs is faster in aggregations than in isolation. This work is described in Chapter 4. Fourth, we investigated the prevalence of a re-emergent bacterial pathogen in United States bed bugs populations. Because reports of both bed bugs and Bartonella have been increasing in the United States, and because their host ranges can overlap, we investigated whether the resurgence of these

Genetically engineered SCN5A mutant pig hearts exhibit conduction defects and arrhythmias

PubMed Central

Park, David S.; Cerrone, Marina; Morley, Gregory; Vasquez, Carolina; Fowler, Steven; Liu, Nian; Bernstein, Scott A.; Liu, Fang-Yu; Zhang, Jie; Rogers, Christopher S.; Priori, Silvia G.; Chinitz, Larry A.; Fishman, Glenn I.

2014-01-01

SCN5A encodes the α subunit of the major cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5. Mutations in SCN5A are associated with conduction disease and ventricular fibrillation (VF); however, the mechanisms that link loss of sodium channel function to arrhythmic instability remain unresolved. Here, we generated a large-animal model of a human cardiac sodium channelopathy in pigs, which have cardiac structure and function similar to humans, to better define the arrhythmic substrate. We introduced a nonsense mutation originally identified in a child with Brugada syndrome into the orthologous position (E558X) in the pig SCN5A gene. SCN5AE558X/+ pigs exhibited conduction abnormalities in the absence of cardiac structural defects. Sudden cardiac death was not observed in young pigs; however, Langendorff-perfused SCN5AE558X/+ hearts had an increased propensity for pacing-induced or spontaneous VF initiated by short-coupled ventricular premature beats. Optical mapping during VF showed that activity often began as an organized focal source or broad wavefront on the right ventricular (RV) free wall. Together, the results from this study demonstrate that the SCN5AE558X/+ pig model accurately phenocopies many aspects of human cardiac sodium channelopathy, including conduction slowing and increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. PMID:25500882

Resurgence of cholera in Hong Kong.

PubMed Central

Lee, S. H.; Lai, S. T.; Lai, J. Y.; Leung, N. K.

1996-01-01

Cholera is one of the three diseases subject to the International Health Regulations. After a period of over 30 years, the seventh pandemic of cholera, which started in South East Asia in 1961, still shows no sign of a decline. On the contrary, it has increased its severity and invaded many other countries in Africa and Latin America. In the last two years, there has been a recrudescence of the disease in South East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. The discovery of a new strain of Vibrio cholerae 0139 in these regions is causing concern in view of its potential to cause major epidemics and higher mortality. Hong Kong had two intensive outbreaks of cholera in the last two years. The cause of these outbreaks was not clear, but adverse environmental conditions and increasing pollution of coastal waters have been implicated. The spread of cholera knows no geographical boundaries. There is a need for intensified efforts among health authorities in the affected areas to prevent the international spread of the disease. PMID:8760949

Insights into the evolution of the Yenkahe resurgent dome (Siwi caldera, Tanna Island, Vanuatu) inferred from aerial high-resolution photogrammetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brothelande, E.; Lénat, J.-F.; Normier, A.; Bacri, C.; Peltier, A.; Paris, R.; Kelfoun, K.; Merle, O.; Finizola, A.; Garaebiti, E.

2016-08-01

The Yenkahe dome (Tanna Island, Vanuatu) is one of the most spectacular examples of presently active post-caldera resurgence, exhibiting a very high uplift rate over the past 1000 years (156 mm/year on average). Although numerous inhabited areas are scattered around the dome, the dynamics of this structure and associated hazards remain poorly studied because of its remote location and dense vegetation cover. A high-resolution photogrammetric campaign was carried out in November 2011 over the dome. Georeferenced photographs were treated by "Structure from Motion" and "Multiple-view Stereophotogrammetry" methods to produce a 3D-digital surface model (DSM) of the area and its associated orthophotograph. This DSM is much more accurate than previously available SRTM and Aster digital elevation models (DEMs), particularly at minimal (coastline) and maximal altitudes (Yasur culmination point, 390 m). While previous mapping relied mostly on low resolution DEMs and satellite images, the high precision of the DSM allows for a detailed structural analysis of the Yenkahe dome, notably based on the quantification of fault displacements. The new structural map, inferred from the 3D reconstruction and morphological analysis of the dome, reveals a complex pattern of faults and destabilization scars reflecting a succession of constructive and destructive events. Numerous landslide scars directed toward the sea highlight the probable occurrence of a tsunami event affecting the south-eastern coast of Tanna. Simulations of landslide-triggered tsunamis show the short time propagation of such a wave (1-2 min), which could affect coastal localities even following relatively small destabilized volumes (a few million cubic meters).

Motivation to Pursue Genetic Testing in Individuals with a Personal or Family History of Cardiac Events or Sudden Cardiac Death

PubMed Central

Erskine, Kathleen E.; Hidayatallah, Nadia Z.; Walsh, Christine A.; McDonald, Thomas V.; Cohen, Lilian; Marion, Robert W.; Dolan, Siobhan M.

2014-01-01

Genetic testing is becoming increasingly available for cardiac channelopathies, such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Test results can be used to shape an individual’s medical management and to identify at-risk family members. In our qualitative study, all participants had a personal or family history of a diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia syndrome or sudden cardiac death. Open-ended interviews were conducted individually and in focus groups. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a qualitative grounded-theory approach. Of 50 participants, 37 described their motivations for pursuing genetic testing for long QT syndrome or another cardiac channelopathy. Participants’ motivations included: to find an explanation for a family member’s sudden death, to relieve uncertainty regarding a diagnosis, to guide future medical management, to allay concern about children or other family members, and to comply with recommendations of physicians or family members. Perceived reasons not to pursue genetic testing included denial, fear, and lack of information. The genetic counseling and informed consent process can be enhanced by understanding and addressing an individual’s internal and external motivations either for or against pursuing genetic testing. PMID:24664857

Paleontological interpretations of crater processes and infilling of synimpact sediments from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Self-Trail, Jean M.; Edwards, Lucy E.; Litwin, Ronald J.

2009-01-01

Biostratigraphic analysis of sedimentary breccias and diamictons in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure provides information regarding the timing and processes of late-stage gravitational crater collapse and ocean resurge. Studies of calcareous nannofossil and palynomorph assemblages in the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)–U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eyreville A and B cores show the mixed-age, mixed-preservation microfossil assemblages that are typical of deposits from the upper part of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure. Sparse, poorly preserved, possibly thermally altered pollen is present within a gravelly sand interval below the granite slab at 1392 m in Eyreville core B, an interval that is otherwise barren of calcareous nannofossils and dinocysts. Gravitational collapse of water- saturated sediments from the transient crater wall resulted in the deposition of sediment clasts primarily derived from the nonmarine Cretaceous Potomac Formation. Collapse occurred before the arrival of resurge. Low pollen Thermal Alteration Index (TAI) values suggest that these sediments were not thermally altered by contact with the melt sheet. The arrival of resurge sedimentation is identified based on the presence of diamicton zones and stringers rich in glauconite and marine microfossils at 866.7 m. This horizon can be traced across the crater and can be used to identify gravitational collapse versus ocean-resurge sedimentation. Glauconitic quartz sand diamicton dominates the sediments above 618.2 m. Calcareous nannofossil and dino-flagellate data from this interval suggest that the earliest arriving resurge from the west contained little or no Cretaceous marine input, but later resurge pulses mined Cretaceous sediments east of the Watkins core in the annular trough. Additionally, the increased distance traveled by resurge to the central crater in turbulent flow conditions resulted in the disaggregation of Paleogene unconsolidated sediments. As

Gravitational slope-deformation of a resurgent caldera: New insights from the mechanical behaviour of Mt. Nuovo tuffs (Ischia Island, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marmoni, G. M.; Martino, S.; Heap, M. J.; Reuschlé, T.

2017-10-01

Ischia Island (Italy) is an impressive example of the rare phenomenon of caldera resurgence. The emplacement and replenishment of magmas at shallow depth resulted in a vertical uplift of about 900 m, concentrated in the western portion of Mt. Epomeo (789 m a.s.l.). As a consequence of this uplift, the island has experienced several slope instabilities at different scales since the Holocene, from shallow mass movements to large rock and debris avalanches. These mass wasting events, which mobilised large volumes of greenish alkali-trachytic tuff (the Mt. Epomeo Green Tuff, MEGT), were strictly related to volcano-tectonic activity and the interaction between the volcanic slopes and the hydrothermal system beneath the island. Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformation (DSGSD) at Mt. Nuovo, located adjacent to densely populated coastal villages, is an ongoing process that covers an area of 1.6 km2. The Mt. Nuovo DSGSD involves a rock mass volume of 190 Mm3 and is accommodated by a main shear zone and a series of sub-vertical fault zones associated with high-angle joint sets. To improve our understanding of this gravity-induced process, we performed a physical (porosity and permeability) and mechanical (uniaxial and triaxial deformation experiments) characterisation of two ignimbrite deposits - both from the MEGT - that form a significant component of the NW sector of Mt. Epomeo. The main conclusions drawn from our experiments are twofold. First, the presence of water dramatically reduces the strength of the tuffs, suggesting that the movement of fluids within the hydrothermal system could greatly impact slope stability. Second, the transition from brittle (dilatant) to ductile (compactant) behaviour in the tuffs of the MEGT occurs at a very low effective pressure, analogous to a depth of a couple of hundred metres, and that this transition is likely moved closer to the surface in the presence of water. We hypothesise that compactant (porosity decreasing) behaviour at

Spaced planar laminations formed by repetitive basal erosion and resurgence to high-sedimentation-rate regime: new insight from a bedform-like structures and laterally continuous exposures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishihara, Yoshiro; Yuri, Onishi; Tsuda, Keisuke; Yokokawa, Miwa

2017-04-01

Spaced planar laminations (SPL), or so-called traction carpet deposits, are frequently observed in deposits of sediment gravity flows. Several sedimentation models for a succession of inversely graded units have been suggested from field observations and flume experiments. The formation of the inversely graded unit could be summarized as follows: (1) abrupt sedimentation on freezing of an inversely graded layer, or (2) interruptions in flow causing a freezing of an inversely graded layer at the most basal part of flow. In either case, traction carpets as a bed load overlying the erosive boundary at the base of flow are required. Although some descriptions have reported SPLs forming antidune bedform-like structures and the association of SPLs with structureless massive deposits have not been clearly explained. In this study, we suggest a novel model of SPL formation by repetition of basal erosion and resurgence to high-sedimentation rates, based on detail examinations of SPLs both showing bedform-like structures and lateral extents of hundreds of meters. SPLs were investigated in the Mio-Pliocene Kiyosumi Formation in central Japan and the Miocene Aoshima Formation in southwest Japan. In a turbidite in the Kiyosumi Formation, SPLs show three mound-like structures, suggesting antidune bedforms with wavelengths of about 6 to 7 m. On the upcurrent flanks, SPLs show lenticular cross laminations or pinching out of units; those units do not show clear inverse grading. Rip-up mud clasts and relatively high-angle imbrications are also observed. On the other hand, SPLs on the downcurrent flanks show relatively clear inverse grading and transition downcurrent into a massive structureless bed. In the Aoshima Formation, SPLs with ca. 1 cm unit thickness continue approximately 50 m along a palaeocurrent direction without changes in thickness. These SPLs gradually transition upward into a massive structureless unit. From the observations described above, in addition to

The Late Cretaceous Middle Fork caldera, its resurgent intrusion, and enduring landscape stability in east-central Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bacon, Charles R.; Dusel-Bacon, Cynthia; Aleinikoff, John N.; Slack, John F.

2014-01-01

The Middle Fork is a relatively well preserved caldera within a broad region of Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and Mesozoic plutons bounded by northeast-trending faults. In the relatively downdropped and less deeply exhumed crustal blocks, Cretaceous–Early Tertiary silicic volcanic rocks attest to long-term stability of the landscape. Within the Middle Fork caldera, the granite porphyry is interpreted to have been exposed by erosion of thick intracaldera tuff from an asymmetric resurgent dome. The Middle Fork of the North Fork of the Fortymile River incised an arcuate valley into and around the caldera fill on the west and north and may have cut down from within an original caldera moat. The 70 Ma land surface is preserved beneath proximal outflow tuff at the west margin of the caldera structure and beneath welded outflow tuff 16–23 km east-southeast of the caldera in a paleovalley. Within ∼50 km of the Middle Fork caldera are 14 examples of Late Cretaceous (?)–Tertiary felsic volcanic and hypabyssal intrusive rocks that range in area from <1 km2 to ∼100 km2. Rhyolite dome clusters north and northwest of the caldera occupy tectonic basins associated with northeast-trending faults and are relatively little eroded. Lava of a latite complex, 12–19 km northeast of the caldera, apparently flowed into the paleovalley of the Middle Fork of the North Fork of the Fortymile River. To the northwest of the Middle Fork caldera, in the Mount Harper crustal block, mid-Cretaceous plutonic rocks are widely exposed, indicating greater total exhumation. To the southeast of the Middle Fork block, the Mount Veta block has been uplifted sufficiently to expose a ca. 68–66 Ma equigranular granitic pluton. Farther to the southeast, in the Kechumstuk block, the flat-lying outflow tuff remnant in Gold Creek and a regionally extensive high terrace indicate that the landscape there has been little modified since 70 Ma other than entrenchment of tributaries in response to post–2

Paleontological interpretations of crater processes and infilling of synimpact sediments from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure

USGS Publications Warehouse

,; Edwards, L.E.; Litwin, R.J.

2009-01-01

Biostratigraphic analysis of sedimentary breccias and diamictons in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure provides information regarding the timing and processes of late-stage gravitational crater collapse and ocean resurge. Studies of calcareous nannofossil and palynomorph assemblages in the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)-U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eyreville A and B cores show the mixed-age, mixed-preservation microfossil assemblages that are typical of deposits from the upper part of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure. Sparse, poorly preserved, possibly thermally altered pollen is present within a gravelly sand interval below the granite slab at 1392 m in Eyreville core B, an interval that is otherwise barren of calcareous nannofossils and dinocysts. Gravitational collapse of watersaturated sediments from the transient crater wall resulted in the deposition of sediment clasts primarily derived from the nonmarine Cretaceous Potomac Formation. Collapse occurred before the arrival of resurge. Low pollen Thermal Alteration Index (TAI) values suggest that these sediments were not thermally altered by contact with the melt sheet. The arrival of resurge sedimentation is identified based on the presence of diamicton zones and stringers rich in glauconite and marine microfossils at 866.7 m. This horizon can be traced across the crater and can be used to identify gravitational collapse versus ocean-resurge sedimentation. Glauconitic quartz sand diamicton dominates the sediments above 618.2 m. Calcareous nannofossil and dinoflagellate data from this interval suggest that the earliest arriving resurge from the west contained little or no Cretaceous marine input, but later resurge pulses mined Cretaceous sediments east of the Watkins core in the annular trough. Additionally, the increased distance traveled by resurge to the central crater in turbulent flow conditions resulted in the disaggregation of Paleogene unconsolidated sediments. As a

Possible tectonomagnetic effect observed from mid-1989, to mid-1990, in Long Valley Caldera, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mueller, R.J.; Johnston, M.J.S.; Langbein, J.O.

1991-01-01

Precise measurements of local magnetic fields have been obtained with a differentially connected array of three proton magnetometers in the Long Valley Caldera region since 1984. After correction for secular variation, it is apparent that an anomalous 2 nT decrease in the magnetic field occurred from mid-1989 to mid-1990 at the magnetometer located closed to the center of the resurgent dome inside the caldera. During this period a significant increase in geodetic strain rate of 8.5 ppm/a was observed on the two-color geodimeter network within the caldera from October, 1989, to mid-1990 and a dramatic increase in seismic activity occurred from December, 1989 to July, 1990. A simple dilatational point-source model with pressure increasing by 52 Mpa from October 1989 to August 1990 at a depth of about 7 km beneath the center of the resurgent dome can be fit to the strain data. Magnetic, seismic and geodetic data suggest that an episode of active magmatic intrusion occurred from late 1989 to mid-1990 at a depth of about 7-8 km beneath the resurgent dome within the caldera. -from Authors

Insights into channel dysfunction from modelling and molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Musgaard, Maria; Paramo, Teresa; Domicevica, Laura; Andersen, Ole Juul; Biggin, Philip C

2018-04-01

Developments in structural biology mean that the number of different ion channel structures has increased significantly in recent years. Structures of ion channels enable us to rationalize how mutations may lead to channelopathies. However, determining the structures of ion channels is still not trivial, especially as they necessarily exist in many distinct functional states. Therefore, the use of computational modelling can provide complementary information that can refine working hypotheses of both wild type and mutant ion channels. The simplest but still powerful tool is homology modelling. Many structures are available now that can provide suitable templates for many different types of ion channels, allowing a full three-dimensional interpretation of mutational effects. These structural models, and indeed the structures themselves obtained by X-ray crystallography, and more recently cryo-electron microscopy, can be subjected to molecular dynamics simulations, either as a tool to help explore the conformational dynamics in detail or simply as a means to refine the models further. Here we review how these approaches have been used to improve our understanding of how diseases might be linked to specific mutations in ion channel proteins. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Channelopathies.' Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Genetic investigation of 100 heart genes in sudden unexplained death victims in a forensic setting

PubMed Central

Christiansen, Sofie Lindgren; Hertz, Christin Løth; Ferrero-Miliani, Laura; Dahl, Morten; Weeke, Peter Ejvin; LuCamp; Ottesen, Gyda Lolk; Frank-Hansen, Rune; Bundgaard, Henning; Morling, Niels

2016-01-01

In forensic medicine, one-third of the sudden deaths remain unexplained after medico-legal autopsy. A major proportion of these sudden unexplained deaths (SUD) are considered to be caused by inherited cardiac diseases. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) may be the first manifestation of these diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the yield of next-generation sequencing of genes associated with SCD in a cohort of SUD victims. We investigated 100 genes associated with cardiac diseases in 61 young (1–50 years) SUD cases. DNA was captured with the Haloplex target enrichment system and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq. The identified genetic variants were evaluated and classified as likely, unknown or unlikely to have a functional effect. The criteria for this classification were based on the literature, databases, conservation and prediction of the effect of the variant. We found that 21 (34%) individuals carried variants with a likely functional effect. Ten (40%) of these variants were located in genes associated with cardiomyopathies and 15 (60%) of the variants in genes associated with cardiac channelopathies. Nineteen individuals carried variants with unknown functional effect. Our findings indicate that broad genetic investigation of SUD victims increases the diagnostic outcome, and the investigation should comprise genes involved in both cardiomyopathies and cardiac channelopathies. PMID:27650965

Genetic investigation of 100 heart genes in sudden unexplained death victims in a forensic setting.

PubMed

Christiansen, Sofie Lindgren; Hertz, Christin Løth; Ferrero-Miliani, Laura; Dahl, Morten; Weeke, Peter Ejvin; LuCamp; Ottesen, Gyda Lolk; Frank-Hansen, Rune; Bundgaard, Henning; Morling, Niels

2016-12-01

In forensic medicine, one-third of the sudden deaths remain unexplained after medico-legal autopsy. A major proportion of these sudden unexplained deaths (SUD) are considered to be caused by inherited cardiac diseases. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) may be the first manifestation of these diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the yield of next-generation sequencing of genes associated with SCD in a cohort of SUD victims. We investigated 100 genes associated with cardiac diseases in 61 young (1-50 years) SUD cases. DNA was captured with the Haloplex target enrichment system and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq. The identified genetic variants were evaluated and classified as likely, unknown or unlikely to have a functional effect. The criteria for this classification were based on the literature, databases, conservation and prediction of the effect of the variant. We found that 21 (34%) individuals carried variants with a likely functional effect. Ten (40%) of these variants were located in genes associated with cardiomyopathies and 15 (60%) of the variants in genes associated with cardiac channelopathies. Nineteen individuals carried variants with unknown functional effect. Our findings indicate that broad genetic investigation of SUD victims increases the diagnostic outcome, and the investigation should comprise genes involved in both cardiomyopathies and cardiac channelopathies.

Effects of acetazolamide on infantile nystagmus syndrome waveforms: comparisons to contact lenses and convergence in a well-studied subject.

PubMed

Thurtell, M J; Dell'osso, L F; Leigh, R J; Matta, M; Jacobs, J B; Tomsak, R L

2010-07-29

To determine if acetazolamide, an effective treatment for certain inherited channelopathies, has therapeutic effects on infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) in a well-studied subject, compare them to other therapies in the same subject and to tenotomy and reattachment (T&R) in other subjects. Eye-movement data were taken using a high-speed digital video recording system. Nystagmus waveforms were analyzed by applying an eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) at different gaze angles and determining the Longest Foveation Domain (LFD). Acetazolamide improved foveation by both a 59.7% increase in the peak value of the NAFX function (from 0.395 to 0.580) and a 70% broadening of the NAFX vs Gaze Angle curve (the LFD increased from 20° to 34°). The resulting U-shaped improvement in the percent NAFX vs Gaze Angle curve, varied from ~60% near the NAFX peak to over 1000% laterally. The therapeutic improvements in NAFX from acetazolamide (similar to T&R) were intermediate between those of soft contact lenses and convergence, the latter was best; for LFD improvements, acetazolamide and contact lenses were equivalent and less effective than convergence. Computer simulations suggested that damping the central oscillation driving INS was insufficient to produce the foveation improvements and increased NAFX values. Acetazolamide resulted in improved-foveation INS waveforms over a broadened range of gaze angles, probably acting at more than one site. This raises the question of whether hereditary INS involves an inherited channelopathy, and whether other agents with known effects on ion channels should be investigated as therapy for this condition.

The rise of breastfeeding in the United States.

PubMed

Wright, A L

2001-02-01

What factors influenced the resurgence of breastfeeding in the last decades of the twentieth century? This article has considered several explanations. Demographic trends, particularly the increased birth rate among black and Hispanic women, coupled with the resurgence of breastfeeding in these groups, may have contributed to the increase in the breastfeeding rate during the 1990s but likely played a minimal role in the earlier, more dramatic increase. The decrease in breastfeeding in the earlier part of the twentieth century may be partly attributable to increased maternal employment, but the resurgence of breastfeeding occurred during the late twentieth century--a period of unprecedented influx of new mothers into the workforce. There is no evidence that health care practitioners are providing more support for breastfeeding, and most international and US policies postdated the resurgence of breastfeeding, although they may have influenced the increase in the 1990s. A more plausible explanation of the resurgence of breastfeeding in all major segments of society is the pervasive influence of the natural-childbirth movement of the 1960s and 1970s, with its effects on the standard management of childbirth. Also, the increase in breastfeeding among low-income women may be attributable partly to programmatic changes in the provision of supplemental food through the WIC program and the targeting of breastfeeding-promotion efforts to the specific concerns of these women. Although breastfeeding increased at the end of the twentieth century relative to earlier decades, the disparity between the recommended rates and those achieved by US women is great. Thus, efforts to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration should continue, particularly for the groups that are at greatest risk for illness, such as minority and low-income infants. This article suggests that the strategies likely to have a lasting effect on future breastfeeding rates will be social pressures that

Prolongation of the corrected QT complex--a cause of sudden cardiac death in the mountain environment?

PubMed

Windsor, J S; Rodway, G W; Mukherjee, R; Firth, P G; Shattock, M; Montgomery, H E

2011-03-01

In the mountain environment sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been shown to be responsible for the deaths of up to 52% of downhill skiers and 30% of hikers. The majority of SCD's are precipitated by a ventricular arrhythmia. Although most are likely to result from structural abnormalities associated with conditions such as ischaemic heart disease, a small but significant number may be due to abnormalities in ion channel activity, commonly known as, "channelopathies". Channelopathies have the potential to lengthen the time between ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation that can result in prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) and episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) and eventually, ventricular fibrillation. This review examines the factors that prolong the QTc interval in the mountain environment and outlines a practical framework for preventing the life threatening arrhythmias that are associated with this condition.

Dilated cardiomyopathy with short QT interval: is it a new clinical entity?

PubMed

Bohora, Shomu; Namboodiri, Narayanan; Tharakan, Jaganmohan; Vk, Ajit Kumara; Nayyar, Sachin

2009-05-01

Short QT syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant channelopathy of structurally normal hearts characterized by atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. We report a case having short QT, dilated ventricles, and severe ventricular dysfunction, an unreported association so far.

Clonal Outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Eastern Panama

PubMed Central

Obaldia, Nicanor; Baro, Nicholas K.; Calzada, Jose E.; Santamaria, Ana M.; Daniels, Rachel; Wong, Wesley; Chang, Hsiao-Han; Hamilton, Elizabeth J.; Arevalo-Herrera, Myriam; Herrera, Socrates; Wirth, Dyann F.; Hartl, Daniel L.; Marti, Matthias; Volkman, Sarah K.

2015-01-01

Identifying the source of resurgent parasites is paramount to a strategic, successful intervention for malaria elimination. Although the malaria incidence in Panama is low, a recent outbreak resulted in a 6-fold increase in reported cases. We hypothesized that parasites sampled from this epidemic might be related and exhibit a clonal population structure. We tested the genetic relatedness of parasites, using informative single-nucleotide polymorphisms and drug resistance loci. We found that parasites were clustered into 3 clonal subpopulations and were related to parasites from Colombia. Two clusters of Panamanian parasites shared identical drug resistance haplotypes, and all clusters shared a chloroquine-resistance genotype matching the pfcrt haplotype of Colombian origin. Our findings suggest these resurgent parasite populations are highly clonal and that the high clonality likely resulted from epidemic expansion of imported or vestigial cases. Malaria outbreak investigations that use genetic tools can illuminate potential sources of epidemic malaria and guide strategies to prevent further resurgence in areas where malaria has been eliminated. PMID:25336725

Genetics Home Reference: hypokalemic periodic paralysis

MedlinePlus

... C, Alderson K, Griggs RC, Tawil R, Gregg R, Hogan K, Powers PA, Weinberg N, Malonee W, Ptácek LJ. ... Citation on PubMed Lehmann-Horn F, Jurkat-Rott K, Rüdel R. Periodic paralysis: understanding channelopathies. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. ...

[Channels: a new way to revisit pathology].

PubMed

Fournier, Emmanuel

2014-02-01

Many "essential" diseases that manifest themselves in the form of crises or fits (epilepsies, episodic ataxia, periodic paralyses, myotonia, heart rhythm disorders, etc.) are due to ionic channel dysfunction and are thus referred to as "channelopathies". Some of these disorders are congenital, due to mutations of genes encoding channel subunits, while others result from toxic, immune or hormonal disturbances affecting channelfunction. Channelopathies take on a wide variety of clinical forms, depending on the type of channel (sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride...) and the type of dysfunction (loss or gain of function). Some apparently unrelated diseases affecting distinct organs are due to a similar dysfunction of the same channel, revealing unsuspected relationships between organs and between medical specialties. In addition, a given syndrome can be caused by distinct channel dysfunctions. This provides new opportunities for diferential diagnosis and specific correction of the causal defects, although some treatments find applications across multiple medical specialties.

Perceptions of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: A qualitative study of families with a history of sudden life-threatening cardiac events and recommendations to improve care

PubMed Central

Linder, Jarrett; Hidayatallah, Nadia; Stolerman, Marina; McDonald, Thomas V.; Marion, Robert; Walsh, Christine; Dolan, Siobhan

2014-01-01

Objective To identify major concerns associated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and to provide recommendations to adult and pediatric physicians involved in the care of patients with ICDs. Background Cardiac ion channelopathies are a well-recognized cause of sudden cardiac death in infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. ICDs are effective in preventing sudden death from fatal arrhythmias in patients with known cardiac channelopathies. There is a paucity of research on the effect of ICDs on quality of life in patients with cardiac channelopathy diagnoses, especially young patients. Methods A qualitative study interviewing patients and families affected by inherited arrhythmias was conducted. Fifty participants with personal or family histories of cardiac events or sudden death were interviewed individually or in focus groups by clinical psychologists. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed and coded based on current qualitative research theory to identify themes related to the research question. Twenty-four participants discussed ICDs in their interviews. Results Participants reported concerns about ICDs, and these concerns were categorized into six themes: (1) comprehension and physician-patient communication; (2) anxiety; (3) restrictions and fallacies; (4) complications; (5) utility; and (6) alternative therapy. Participants noted communication breakdowns between providers and their colleagues, and between providers and their patients. Participants and their families experienced many different forms of anxiety, including worry about the aesthetics of the ICDs and fears of being shocked. Multiple restrictions, fallacies, and complications were also cited. Conclusion Interview themes were used to formulate recommendations for counseling and educating patients with ICDs. PMID:25383067

Albumin, in the Presence of Calcium, Elicits a Massive Increase in Extracellular Bordetella Adenylate Cyclase Toxin.

PubMed

Gonyar, Laura A; Gray, Mary C; Christianson, Gregory J; Mehrad, Borna; Hewlett, Erik L

2017-06-01

Pertussis (whooping cough), caused by Bordetella pertussis , is resurging in the United States and worldwide. Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) is a critical factor in establishing infection with B. pertussis and acts by specifically inhibiting the response of myeloid leukocytes to the pathogen. We report here that serum components, as discovered during growth in fetal bovine serum (FBS), elicit a robust increase in the amount of ACT, and ≥90% of this ACT is localized to the supernatant, unlike growth without FBS, in which ≥90% is associated with the bacterium. We have found that albumin, in the presence of physiological concentrations of calcium, acts specifically to enhance the amount of ACT and its localization to the supernatant. Respiratory secretions, which contain albumin, promote an increase in amount and localization of active ACT that is comparable to that elicited by serum and albumin. The response to albumin is not mediated through regulation of ACT at the transcriptional level or activation of the Bvg two-component system. As further illustration of the specificity of this phenomenon, serum collected from mice that lack albumin does not stimulate an increase in ACT. These data, demonstrating that albumin and calcium act synergistically in the host environment to increase production and release of ACT, strongly suggest that this phenomenon reflects a novel host-pathogen interaction that is central to infection with B. pertussis and other Bordetella species. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

Albumin, in the Presence of Calcium, Elicits a Massive Increase in Extracellular Bordetella Adenylate Cyclase Toxin

PubMed Central

Gonyar, Laura A.; Gray, Mary C.; Christianson, Gregory J.; Mehrad, Borna

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Pertussis (whooping cough), caused by Bordetella pertussis, is resurging in the United States and worldwide. Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) is a critical factor in establishing infection with B. pertussis and acts by specifically inhibiting the response of myeloid leukocytes to the pathogen. We report here that serum components, as discovered during growth in fetal bovine serum (FBS), elicit a robust increase in the amount of ACT, and ≥90% of this ACT is localized to the supernatant, unlike growth without FBS, in which ≥90% is associated with the bacterium. We have found that albumin, in the presence of physiological concentrations of calcium, acts specifically to enhance the amount of ACT and its localization to the supernatant. Respiratory secretions, which contain albumin, promote an increase in amount and localization of active ACT that is comparable to that elicited by serum and albumin. The response to albumin is not mediated through regulation of ACT at the transcriptional level or activation of the Bvg two-component system. As further illustration of the specificity of this phenomenon, serum collected from mice that lack albumin does not stimulate an increase in ACT. These data, demonstrating that albumin and calcium act synergistically in the host environment to increase production and release of ACT, strongly suggest that this phenomenon reflects a novel host-pathogen interaction that is central to infection with B. pertussis and other Bordetella species. PMID:28396321

Antibodies and antimatter: the resurgence of immuno-PET.

PubMed

Wu, Anna M

2009-01-01

The completion of the human genome, coupled with parallel major research efforts in proteomics and systems biology, has led to a flood of information on the roles of individual genes and proteins in normal physiologic processes and their disruptions in disease. In practical terms, this information has opened the door to increasingly targeted therapies as specific molecular markers are identified and validated. The ongoing transition from empiric to molecular medicine has engendered a need for corresponding molecular diagnostics, including noninvasive molecular imaging. Convergence of knowledge regarding key biomarkers that define normal biologic processes and disease with protein and imaging technology makes this an opportune time to revisit the combination of antibodies and PET, or immuno-PET.

Reconstruction of caldera collapse and resurgence processes in the offshore sector of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinmann, Lena; Spiess, Volkhard; Sacchi, Marco

2015-04-01

Large collapse calderas are associated with exceptionally explosive volcanic eruptions, which are capable of triggering a global catastrophe second only to that from a giant meteorite impact. Therefore, active calderas have attracted significant attention in both scientific communities and governmental institutions worldwide. One prime example of a large collapse caldera can be found in southern Italy, more precisely in the northern Bay of Naples within the Campi Flegrei Volcanic Area. The Campi Flegrei caldera covers an area of approximately 200 km² defined by a quasi-circular depression, half onland, half offshore. It is still under debate whether the caldera formation was related to only one ignimbritic eruption namely the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT) eruption at 15 ka or if it is a nested-caldera system related to the NYT and the Campanian Ignimbrite eruption at 39 ka. During the last 40 years, the Campi Flegrei caldera has experienced episodes of unrest involving significant ground deformation and seismicity, which have nevertheless not yet led to an eruption. Besides these short-term episodes of unrest, long-term ground deformation with rates of several tens of meters within a few thousand years can be observed in the central part of the caldera. The source of both short-term and long-term deformation is still under debate and possibly related to a shallow hydrothermal system and caldera resurgence attributed to a deeper magma chamber, respectively. Understanding the mechanisms for unrest and eruptions is of paramount importance as a future eruption of the Campi Flegrei caldera would expose more than 500,000 people to the risk of pyroclastic flows. This study is based on a dense grid (semi-3D) of high-resolution multi-channel seismic profiles acquired in the offshore sector of the Campi Flegrei caldera. The seismic lines show evidence for the escape of fluids and/or gases along weak zones such as faults, thereby supporting the existence of a hydrothermal

Channels Active in the Excitability of Nerves and Skeletal Muscles across the Neuromuscular Junction: Basic Function and Pathophysiology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goodman, Barbara E.

2008-01-01

Ion channels are essential for the basic physiological function of excitable cells such as nerve, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle cells. Mutations in genes that encode ion channels have been identified to cause various diseases and disorders known as channelopathies. An understanding of how individual ion channels are involved in the…

The BK(Ca) channels deficiency as a possible reason for radiation-induced vascular hypercontractility.

PubMed

Kyrychenko, Sergii; Tishkin, Sergey; Dosenko, Victor; Ivanova, Irina; Novokhatska, Tatiana; Soloviev, Anatoly

2012-01-01

It is likely that large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK(Ca)) channels channelopathy tightly involved in vascular malfunctions and arterial hypertension development. In the present study, we compared the results of siRNAs-induced α-BK(Ca) gene silencing and vascular abnormalities produced by whole-body ionized irradiation in rats. The experimental design comprised RT-PCR and patch clamp technique, thoracic aorta smooth muscle (SM) contractile recordings and arterial blood pressure (BP) measurements on the 30th day after whole body irradiation (6Gy) and following siRNAs KCNMA1 gene silencing in vivo. The expression profile of BK(Ca) mRNA transcripts in SM was significantly decreased in siRNAs-treated rats in a manner similar to irradiated SM. In contrast, the mRNA levels of K(v) and K(ATP) were significantly increased while L-type calcium channels mRNA transcripts demonstrated tendency to increment. The SMCs obtained from irradiated animals and after KCNMA1 gene silencing showed a significant decrease in total K⁺ current density amplitude. Paxilline (500 nM)-sensitive components of outward current were significantly decreased in both irradiated and gene silencing SMCs. KCNMA1 gene silencing increased SM sensitivity to norepinephrine while Ach-induced relaxation had decreased. The silencing of KCNMA1 had no significant effect on BP while radiation produced sustained arterial hypertension. Therefore, radiation alters the form and function of the BK(Ca) channel and this type of channelopathy may contribute to related vascular abnormalities. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that BK(Ca) can operate as a crucial factor for radiation-induced arterial hypertension. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Methods for Improving the Diagnosis of a Brugada ECG Pattern.

PubMed

Gottschalk, Byron H; Garcia-Niebla, Javier; Anselm, Daniel D; Glover, Benedict; Baranchuk, Adrian

2016-03-01

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited channelopathy that predisposes individuals to malignant arrhythmias and can lead to sudden cardiac death. The condition is characterized by two electrocardiography (ECG) patterns: the type-1 or "coved" ECG and the type-2 or "saddleback" ECG. Although the type-1 Brugada ECG pattern is diagnostic for the condition, the type-2 Brugada ECG pattern requires differential diagnosis from conditions that produce a similar morphology. In this article, we present a case that is suspicious but not diagnostic for BrS and discuss the application of ECG methodologies for increasing or decreasing suspicion for a diagnosis of BrS. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Unusual cause of aborted sudden cardiac death in a teen athlete: homozygosity for the 4G allele of the plasminogen activase inhibitor type 1 gene.

PubMed

Phillips, Susie B; Batlivala, Sarosh; Knudson, Jarrod D

2015-10-01

Common aetiologies of sudden cardiac death in children include coronary anomalies, channelopathies, and cardiomyopathies. Less frequently, hypercoagulable states cause sudden arrest. We report an unusual case of aborted sudden cardiac death in a teenager, ultimately found to have homozygosity for the 4G allele of the plasminogen activase inhibitor type 1 gene.

Kinetic and functional analysis of transient, persistent and resurgent sodium currents in rat cerebellar granule cells in situ: an electrophysiological and modelling study

PubMed Central

Magistretti, Jacopo; Castelli, Loretta; Forti, Lia; D'Angelo, Egidio

2006-01-01

Cerebellar neurones show complex and differentiated mechanisms of action potential generation that have been proposed to depend on peculiar properties of their voltage-dependent Na+ currents. In this study we analysed voltage-dependent Na+ currents of rat cerebellar granule cells (GCs) by performing whole-cell, patch-clamp experiments in acute rat cerebellar slices. A transient Na+ current (INaT) was always present and had the properties of a typical fast-activating/inactivating Na+ current. In addition to INaT, robust persistent (INaP) and resurgent (INaR) Na+ currents were observed. INaP peaked at ∼−40 mV, showed half-maximal activation at ∼−55 mV, and its maximal amplitude was about 1.5% of that of INaT. INaR was elicited by repolarizing pulses applied following step depolarizations able to activate/inactivate INaT, and showed voltage- and time-dependent activation and voltage-dependent decay kinetics. The conductance underlying INaR showed a bell-shaped voltage dependence, with peak at −35 mV. A significant correlation was found between GC INaR and INaT peak amplitudes; however, GCs expressing INaT of similar size showed marked variability in terms of INaR amplitude, and in a fraction of cells INaR was undetectable. INaT, INaP and INaR could be accounted for by a 13-state kinetic scheme comprising closed, open, inactivated and blocked states. Current-clamp experiments carried out to identify possible functional correlates of INaP and/or INaR revealed that in GCs single action potentials were followed by depolarizing afterpotentials (DAPs). In a majority of cells, DAPs showed properties consistent with INaR playing a role in their generation. Computer modelling showed that INaR promotes DAP generation and enhances high-frequency firing, whereas INaP boosts near-threshold firing activity. Our findings suggest that special properties of voltage-dependent Na+ currents provides GCs with mechanisms suitable for shaping activity patterns, with potentially

78 FR 65315 - Granting of Request for Early Termination of the Waiting Period Under the Premerger Notification...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-31

...; The Resolute Fund II Maritime Partnership, L.P.; Anthony C. and Alice C. Cibilich. 20131308 G Twitter, Inc.; MoPub Inc.; Twitter, Inc. 20131309 G Aurora Resurgence Fund II L.P.; Aurora Resurgence Fund (C...

Genetic causes of sudden cardiac death in children: inherited arrhythmogenic diseases.

PubMed

Vacanti, Gaetano; Maragna, Riccardo; Priori, Silvia G; Mazzanti, Andrea

2017-10-01

In this chapter we will discuss the most recent and relevant evidences published in the field of inherited arrhythmogenic disorders, focusing on the so called 'channelopathies' that are associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) in children: long QT syndrome (LQTS), short QT syndrome (SQTS), Brugada syndrome (BrS), and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). We will discuss the latest diagnostic criteria for channelopathies released by the European Society of Cardiology, the new data on BrS in children and the recent evidence supporting a genotype-specific therapy for LQTS type 3. Moreover, we will present further insights into the risk stratification of the children affected by LQTS, analyzing the role of imaging for the prediction of life-threatening arrhythmias. In addition, we will offer a perspective on how to deal with genetic results in families affected by SCD at very young ages. The selected publications will aid pediatricians in their clinical work when managing little patients with inherited arrhythmias, providing the most recent information for diagnosis, risk stratification, and management.

Relationships between tectonism, volcano-tectonism and volcanism: the Ischia island (Italy) case.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marotta, E.; de Vita, S.; Orsi, G.; Sansivero, F.

2005-12-01

The resurgent calderas of Ischia, Campi Flegrei and Pantelleria are characterized by differentially displaced blocks, and distribution of later eruption vents in a well defined sector of the resurgent area. These features suggest a simple shearing block resurgence mechanism. Moreover, the studies carried out on Ischia and Campi Flegrei evidenced a very complex structural pattern due to deformation related to the local stress regime induced by magmatism and volcanism and also to reactivation of regional structures. In order to better define the relationships among tectonic, volcano-tectonic and caldera resurgence mechanism, a structural study has been carried out at Ischia, where the Mt. Epomeo has been uplifted of about 900 m in the past 30 ka. The measures taken on 1,400 planar surfaces (faults, joints and fracture cleavages) show that the resurgent area is composed of differentially displaced blocks whose uplifting is maximum for the Mt. Epomeo and decreases southeastward. The resurgent area has a poligonal shape resulting from the reactivation of regional faults and by the activation of faults directly related to volcano-tectonism. The limit of the resurgent area is not defined towards the north, as beach deposits displaced at variable elevation by E-W and NW-SE trending faults, are exposed along the coastline. The western sector is bordered by inward-dipping, high-angle reverse faults, whose directions vary from N40E to NS and N50W from NW to SW of the block, testifying a compressional stress regime active in this area. These features are cut by late outward-dipping normal faults due to gravitational readjustment of the slopes. Vertical faults border the block at NE ad SW with right transtensive and left transpressive movements, respectively. The area located to the east of the most uplifted block, characterized by a tensile stress regime, has been deformed by N-S, N40-70E and N15W trending normal faults, with maximum elongation direction along N50W. The

Pyrethroid Resistance Alters the Blood-Feeding Behavior in Puerto Rican Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Exposed to Treated Fabric

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Emerging insecticide resistance is a major issue for vector control; it decreases effectiveness of insecticides, thereby requiring greater quantities for comparable control with a net increase in risk of disease resurgence, product cost, and damage risk to the ecosystem. Pyrethroid resistance has b...

The Role of Ceramics in a Resurgent Nuclear Industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marra, J

2006-02-28

With fuel oil and natural gas prices near record highs and worldwide energy demands increasing at an alarming rate, there is growing interest in revitalization of the nuclear power industry within the United States and across the globe. Ceramic materials have long played a very important part in the commercial nuclear industry with applications throughout the entire fuel cycle; from fuel fabrication to waste stabilization. As the international community begins to look at advanced fuel cycles that minimize waste and increase proliferation resistance, ceramic materials will play an even larger role. Many of the advanced reactor concepts being evaluated operatemore » at high-temperature requiring the use of durable, heat-resistant materials. Ceramic fuels are being investigated for a variety of Generation IV reactor concepts. These include the traditional TRISO-coated particles as well as advanced inert-matrix fuels. In order to minimize wastes and legacy materials, ceramic processes are also being applied to fuel reprocessing operations. Ceramic materials continue to provide a vital contribution in ''closing the fuel cycle'' by stabilization of associated low-level and high-level wastes in highly durable grout, ceramics, and glass. In the next five years, programs that are currently in the conceptual phase will begin laboratory- and engineering-scale demonstrations. This will require production-scale demonstrations of several ceramic technologies from fuel form development to advanced stabilization methods. Within the next five to ten years, these demonstrations will move to even larger scales and will also include radioactive demonstrations of these advanced technologies. These radioactive demonstrations are critical to program success and will require advances in ceramic materials associated with nuclear energy applications.« less

Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the last two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce and widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. le...

Overexpression of calcium-activated potassium channels underlies cortical dysfunction in a model of PTEN-associated autism.

PubMed

Garcia-Junco-Clemente, Pablo; Chow, David K; Tring, Elaine; Lazaro, Maria T; Trachtenberg, Joshua T; Golshani, Peyman

2013-11-05

De novo phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome ten (PTEN) mutations are a cause of sporadic autism. How single-copy loss of PTEN alters neural function is not understood. Here we report that Pten haploinsufficiency increases the expression of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels. The resultant augmentation of this conductance increases the amplitude of the afterspike hyperpolarization, causing a decrease in intrinsic excitability. In vivo, this change in intrinsic excitability reduces evoked firing rates of cortical pyramidal neurons but does not alter receptive field tuning. The decreased in vivo firing rate is not associated with deficits in the dendritic integration of synaptic input or with changes in dendritic complexity. These findings identify calcium-activated potassium channelopathy as a cause of cortical dysfunction in the PTEN model of autism and provide potential molecular therapeutic targets.

Laboratory rearing of bed bugs

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The resurgence of bed bugs Cimex lectularius L. in the United States and worldwide has resulted in an increase in research by university, government, and industry scientists directed at the biology and control of this blood-sucking pest. A need has subsequently arisen for producing sufficient biolog...

Homogeneous Grouping in the Context of High-Stakes Testing: Does It Improve Reading Achievement?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salcedo-Gonzalez, Trena

2012-01-01

As accountability reform intensifies, urban school districts strive to meet No Child Left Behind mandates to avoid severe penalties. This study investigated the resurgence of homogeneous grouping methods as a means to increase reading achievement and meet English Language Arts Adequate Yearly Progress requirements. Specifically, this study…

Where Creeds Meet Incredulity: Educational Research in a Post-Utopian Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edgoose, Julian

2006-01-01

In contrast to Jean-Francois Lyotard's classic warning, postmodern society in the United States seems increasingly influenced by metanarratives--religious metanarratives. This article examines the implications of this religious resurgence for educational researchers. It offers a competing analysis of the postmodern that draws on Harold Bloom,…

Authority, Identity, and Collaborative Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Langer-Osuna, Jennifer M.

2017-01-01

The field of mathematics education research has seen a resurgence of interest in understanding collaborative learning because students in K-12 classrooms are increasingly expected to make sense of mathematics problems together. This Research Commentary argues for the importance of understanding student authority relations in collaborative…

Rise and Persistence of Global M1T1 Clone of Streptococcus pyogenes

PubMed Central

Kotb, Malak

2008-01-01

The resurgence of severe invasive group A streptococcal infections in the 1980s is a typical example of the reemergence of an infectious disease. We found that this resurgence is a consequence of the diversification of particular strains of the bacteria. Among these strains is a highly virulent subclone of serotype M1T1 that has exhibited unusual epidemiologic features and virulence, unlike all other streptococcal strains. This clonal strain, commonly isolated from both noninvasive and invasive infection cases, is most frequently associated with severe invasive diseases. Because of its unusual prevalence, global spread, and increased virulence, we investigated the unique features that likely confer its unusual properties. In doing so, we found that the increased virulence of this clonal strain can be attributed to its diversification through phage mobilization and its ability to sense and adapt to different host environments; accordingly, the fittest members of this diverse bacterial community are selected to survive and invade host tissue. PMID:18826812

An episode of reinflation of the Long Valley Caldera, eastern California: 1989-1991

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langbein, J.; Hill, D.P.; Parker, T.N.; Wilkinson, S.K.

1993-01-01

Following the episodes of inflation of the resurgent dome associated with the May 1980 earthquake sequence (four M 6 earthquakes) and the January 1983 earthquake swarm (two M 5.2 events), 7 years of frequently repeated two-color geodimeter measurements spanning the Long Valley caldera document gradually decreasing extensional strain rates from 5 ppm/yr in mid-1983, when the measurements began, to near zero in mid-1989. Early October 1989 marked a change in activity when measurements of the two-color geodimeter network showed a significant increase in extensional strain rate (9 ppm/yr) across the caldera. The seismic activity began exceeding 10 M ??? 1..2 per week in early December 1989 and rapidly increased to a sustained level of tens of M ??? 1.2 per week with bursts having hundreds of events per day. The episode of inflation can be modeled by a single Mogi point source located about 7 km beneath the center of the resurgent dome. -from Authors

The Resurgence of Cosmic Storytellers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swimme, Brian

2013-01-01

Brian Swimme's insights about the Story of the Universe look to the unifying impact of a "cosmic story" that speaks to all cultures and nations. Swimme suggests that humans are now able, through science and narrative, to present a story which will make us all a "cohesive tribe" while answering the universal questions of…

Coming to UCT: Black Students, Transformation and Discourses of Race

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kessi, Shose; Cornell, Josephine

2015-01-01

Since the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, increasing numbers of black students have been enrolling at historically whites-only universities. This situation has been paralleled by a resurgence of racialising discourses that represent black students as lacking in competencies, lowering academic standards and undeserving of their places at…

Potential impacts of ambient ozone on wheat rust diseases and the role of plant ozone sensitivity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The resurgence of rust diseases and the continued rise in tropospheric ozone (O3) levels have the potential to limit global wheat production. We conducted a series of experiments to understand the potential interactions between these two stress factors. Both stem rust and leaf rust were increased o...

Rescuing cardiac automaticity in L-type Cav1.3 channelopathies and beyond.

PubMed

Mesirca, Pietro; Bidaud, Isabelle; Mangoni, Matteo E

2016-10-15

Pacemaker activity of the sino-atrial node generates the heart rate. Disease of the sinus node and impairment of atrioventricular conduction induce an excessively low ventricular rate (bradycardia), which cannot meet the needs of the organism. Bradycardia accounts for about half of the total workload of clinical cardiologists. The 'sick sinus' syndrome (SSS) is characterized by sinus bradycardia and periods of intermittent atrial fibrillation. Several genetic or acquired risk factors or pathologies can lead to SSS. Implantation of an electronic pacemaker constitutes the only available therapy for SSS. The incidence of SSS is forecast to double over the next 50 years, with ageing of the general population thus urging the development of complementary or alternative therapeutic strategies. In recent years an increasing number of mutations affecting ion channels involved in sino-atrial automaticity have been reported to underlie inheritable SSS. L-type Ca v 1.3 channels play a major role in the generation and regulation of sino-atrial pacemaker activity and atrioventricular conduction. Mutation in the CACNA1D gene encoding Ca v 1.3 channels induces loss-of-function in channel activity and underlies the sino-atrial node dysfunction and deafness syndrome (SANDD). Mice lacking Ca v 1.3 channels (Ca v 1.3 -/- ) fairly recapitulate SSS and constitute a precious model to test new therapeutic approaches to handle this disease. Work in our laboratory shows that targeting G protein-gated K + (I KACh ) channels effectively rescues SSS of Ca v 1.3 -/- mice. This new concept of 'compensatory' ion channel targeting shines new light on the principles underlying the pacemaker mechanism and may open the way to new therapies for SSS. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2016 The Physiological Society.

Structure-based assessment of disease-related mutations in human voltage-gated sodium channels.

PubMed

Huang, Weiyun; Liu, Minhao; Yan, S Frank; Yan, Nieng

2017-06-01

Voltage-gated sodium (Na v ) channels are essential for the rapid upstroke of action potentials and the propagation of electrical signals in nerves and muscles. Defects of Na v channels are associated with a variety of channelopathies. More than 1000 disease-related mutations have been identified in Na v channels, with Na v 1.1 and Na v 1.5 each harboring more than 400 mutations. Na v channels represent major targets for a wide array of neurotoxins and drugs. Atomic structures of Na v channels are required to understand their function and disease mechanisms. The recently determined atomic structure of the rabbit voltage-gated calcium (Ca v ) channel Ca v 1.1 provides a template for homology-based structural modeling of the evolutionarily related Na v channels. In this Resource article, we summarized all the reported disease-related mutations in human Na v channels, generated a homologous model of human Na v 1.7, and structurally mapped disease-associated mutations. Before the determination of structures of human Na v channels, the analysis presented here serves as the base framework for mechanistic investigation of Na v channelopathies and for potential structure-based drug discovery.

Recrystallization and anatexis along the plutonic-volcanic contact of the Turkey Creek caldera, Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

du Bray, E.A.; Pallister, J.S.

1999-01-01

Unusual geologic and geochemical relations are preserved along the contact between intracaldera tuff and a resurgent intrusion within the 26.9 Ma Turkey Creek caldera of southeast Arizona. Thick intracaldera tuff is weakly argillically altered throughout, except in zones within several hundred meters of its contact with the resurgent intrusion, where the groundmass of the tuff has been variably converted to granophyre and unaltered sanidine phenocrysts are present. Dikes of similarly granophyric material originate at the tuff-resurgent intrusion contact and intrude overlying intracaldera megabreccia and tuff. Field relations indicate that the resurgent intrusion is a laccolith and that it caused local partial melting of adjacent intracaldera tuff. Geochemical and petrographic relations indicate that small volumes of partially melted intracaldera tuff assimilated and mixed with dacite of the resurgent intrusion along their contact, resulting in rocks that have petrographic and compositional characteristics transitional between those of tuff and dacite. Some of this variably contaminated, second-generation magma coalesced, was mobilized, and was intruded into overlying intracaldera rocks. Interpretation of the resurgent intrusion in the Turkey Creek and other calderas as intracaldera laccoliths suggests that intrusions of this type may be a common, but often unrecognized, feature of calderas. Development of granophyric and anatectic features such as those described here may be equally common in other calderas. The observations and previously undocumented processes described here can be applied to identification and interpretation of similarly enigmatic relations and rocks in other caldera systems. Integration of large-scale field mapping with detailed petrographic and chemical data has resulted in an understanding of otherwise intractable but petrologically important caldera-related features.

Celebrating Mediocrity? How Schools Shortchange Gifted Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stanley, Gregory Kent; Baines, Lawrence

2002-01-01

Some forces that undermine programs for gifted, such as misguided fiscal policies, simplistic teaching methodologies, and a resurgence of the philosophy of egalitarianism, are reviewed in this article. Analogous to the demise (and possible resurgence) of programs for the gifted is the evolution of women's sports since the 1920s. (Contains…

The social and economic drivers of the southeastern forest landscape

Treesearch

R. Kevin McIntyre; Barrett B. McCall; David N. Wear

2018-01-01

The last quarter century has witnessed an unprecedented resurgence of interest in the management of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests, a phenomenon that has been coupled with increased understanding of the ecology, management, and restoration of these ecosystems. As interest in longleaf pine becomes more mainstream among landowners and the...

New Perspectives on Mentoring. ERIC Digest No. 194.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kerka, Sandra

Like most institutions in a world of change, the practice of mentoring is being influenced by new forms of work, technology, and learning. Organizational trends such as downsizing, restructuring, teamwork, increased diversity, and individual responsibility for career development are contributing to a resurgent interest in mentoring in the 1990s.…

The Schism in Liberal Thought: A Transition from Social Liberalism to Socialism?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Childs, John Brown

1981-01-01

Studies the significance of the conservative victory in the 1980 election. Also evaluates the increasing support of conservative policies such as the dismantling of civil rights, women's rights, and environmental gains. Concludes that an important element in this drift to the right is the resurgence of laissez-faire liberalism. (DB)

Hydrologic connections and dynamics of water movement in the classical Karst (Kras) Aquifer: evidence from frequent chemical and stable isotope sampling

USGS Publications Warehouse

Doctor, Daniel H.

2008-01-01

A review of past research on the hydrogeology of the Classical Karst (Kras) region and new information obtained from a two- year study using environmental tracers are presented in this paper. The main problems addressed are 1) the sources of water to the Kras aquifer resurgence zone-including the famous Timavo springs-under changing flow regimes; 2) a quantification of the storage volumes of the karst massif corresponding to flow regimes defined by hydrograph recessions of the Timavo springs; and 3) changing dynamics between deep phreatic conduit flow and shallow phreatic and epiphreatic storage within the aquifer resurgence zone as determined through changes in chemical and isotopic composition at springs and wells. Particular focus was placed on addressing the long-standing question of the influence of the Soca River on the ground waters of the aquifer resurgence zone. The results indicate that the alluvial aquifer supplied by the sinking of the Soca River on the northwestern edge of the massif contributes approximately 75% of the mean annual outflow to the smaller springs of the aquifer resurgence zone, and as much as 53% to the mean annual outflow of the Timavo springs. As a whole, the Soca River is estimated to contribute 56% of the average outflow of the Kras aquifer resurgence. The proportions of Soca River water increase under drier conditions, and decrease under wetter conditions. Time series analysis of oxygen stable isotope records indicate that the transit time of Soca River water to the Timavo springs, Sardos spring, and well B-4 is on the order of 1-2 months, depending on hydrological conditions. The total baseflow storage of the Timavo springs is estimated to be 518 million m3, and represents 88.5% of the storage capacity estimated for all flow regimes of the springs. The ratio of baseflow storage volume to the average annual volume discharged at the Timavo springs is 0.54. The Reka River sinking in Slovenia supplies substantial allogenic recharge to

Springtime ENSO Flavors and Their Impacts on US Regional Tornado Outbreaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S. K.; Wittenberg, A. T.; Enfield, D. B.; Weaver, S. J.; Wang, C.; Atlas, R. M.

2015-12-01

A new method is presented to objectively characterize and explore the differences in the space-time evolution of equatorial Pacific SSTAs observed during El Nino events. An application of this method to the 21 El Nino events during 1949-2013 captured two leading orthogonal modes, which explain more than 60% of the inter-event variance. The first mode distinguishes a strong and persistent El Nino from a weak and early-terminating El Niño. A similar analysis applied to the 22 La Nina events during 1949-2013 also revealed two leading orthogonal modes, with its first mode distinguishing a resurgent La Nina from a transitioning La Nina. This study shows that the four main phases of springtime El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) evolution (persistent versus early-terminating El Nino, and resurgent versus transitioning La Nina) are linked to distinctive spatial patterns of the probability of U.S. regional tornado outbreaks. In particular, the outbreak probability increases significantly up to 27% over the Ohio Valley, Upper Midwest and Southeast when a La Nina persists into the spring and is followed by another La Nina (i.e., resurgent La Nina). The probability also increases significantly up to 38%, but mainly in the South, when a two-year La Nina transitions to an El Nino (i.e., transitioning La Nna). These changes in outbreak probability are shown to be largely consistent with remotely forced regional changes in the large-scale tropospheric circulation, low-level vertical wind shear, moisture transports and extratropical storm activity.

Deterrence and Engagement: A Blended Strategic Approach to a Resurgent Russia

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-15

increasing the alliances’ hard power projection to contain and deter further aggression. This strategic approach represents an extreme pendulum ...This strategic approach represents an extreme pendulum swing that is a polar opposite of the U.S. administration’s 2009 approach to ‘Reset’ relations

Role of genomics in cardiovascular medicine

PubMed Central

Novelli, Giuseppe; Predazzi, Irene M; Mango, Ruggiero; Romeo, Francesco; Mehta, Jawahar L

2010-01-01

As all branches of science grow and new experimental techniques become readily accessible, our knowledge of medicine is likely to increase exponentially in the coming years. Recently developed technologies have revolutionized our analytical capacities, leading to vast knowledge of many genes or genomic regions involved in the pathogenesis of congenital heart diseases, which are often associated with other genetic syndromes, coronary artery disease and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies and channelopathies. The knowledge-base of the genesis of cardiovascular diseases is likely going to be further revolutionized in this new era of genomic medicine. Here, we review the advances that have been made over the last several years in this field and discuss different genetic mechanisms that have been shown to underlie a variety of cardiovascular diseases. PMID:21191544

Higher Education Access and Equality among Ethnic Minorities in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhu, Zhiyong

2010-01-01

Market reform, financial decentralization, and economic globalization in recent years have greatly accentuated China's social and regional inequalities. These inequalities stem from many factors, including the rise of an urban middle class, a change in the status of women, a resurgence of ethnic identities, an increase in rural-to-urban migration,…

Civility on Campus: Harassment Codes vs. Free Speech. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nordin, Virginia Davis

In response to the resurgence of racial incidents and increased "gay-bashing" on higher education campuses in recent years, campus authorities have instituted harassment codes thereby giving rise to a conflicts with free speech. Similar conflicts and challenges to free speech have arisen recently in a municipal context such as a St. Paul…

Kv1.1 channelopathy abolishes presynaptic spike width modulation by subthreshold somatic depolarization

PubMed Central

Vivekananda, Umesh; Novak, Pavel; Bello, Oscar D.; Korchev, Yuri E.; Krishnakumar, Shyam S.; Volynski, Kirill E.; Kullmann, Dimitri M.

2017-01-01

Although action potentials propagate along axons in an all-or-none manner, subthreshold membrane potential fluctuations at the soma affect neurotransmitter release from synaptic boutons. An important mechanism underlying analog–digital modulation is depolarization-mediated inactivation of presynaptic Kv1-family potassium channels, leading to action potential broadening and increased calcium influx. Previous studies have relied heavily on recordings from blebs formed after axon transection, which may exaggerate the passive propagation of somatic depolarization. We recorded instead from small boutons supplied by intact axons identified with scanning ion conductance microscopy in primary hippocampal cultures and asked how distinct potassium channels interact in determining the basal spike width and its modulation by subthreshold somatic depolarization. Pharmacological or genetic deletion of Kv1.1 broadened presynaptic spikes without preventing further prolongation by brief depolarizing somatic prepulses. A heterozygous mouse model of episodic ataxia type 1 harboring a dominant Kv1.1 mutation had a similar broadening effect on basal spike shape as deletion of Kv1.1; however, spike modulation by somatic prepulses was abolished. These results argue that the Kv1.1 subunit is not necessary for subthreshold modulation of spike width. However, a disease-associated mutant subunit prevents the interplay of analog and digital transmission, possibly by disrupting the normal stoichiometry of presynaptic potassium channels. PMID:28193892

Increases in gonorrhea among high school students following hurricane Katrina.

PubMed

Nsuami, M J; Taylor, S N; Smith, B S; Martin, D H

2009-06-01

To determine the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a student population before hurricane Katrina and after their residential neighbourhoods were devastated in the wake of the hurricane. Students in a New Orleans public high school were offered urine screening for N gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis using nucleic acid amplification tests before (n = 346) and after (n = 333) hurricane Katrina. Based on studies showing gonorrhea clustering in physically deteriorated neighbourhoods, it was hypothesised that the post-Katrina gonorrhea prevalence would be higher among students whose neighbourhoods still showed signs of deterioration in the aftermath of the hurricane. Before and after hurricane Katrina, the prevalence of gonorrhea increased from 2.3% (8/346, 95% CI 1.3% to 4.6%) to 5.1% (17/333, 95% CI 3.1% to 8.2%), respectively (one-sided p = 0.027). In logistic regression of gonorrhea controlling for gender, age, chlamydia infection and exposure to hurricane-affected residential neighbourhood conditions, gonorrhea was significantly associated with female gender (odds ratio (OR) 2.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 6.3; p = 0.04) and with chlamydia infection (OR 9.2, 95% CI 3.9 to 21.7; p<0.001). Although of weak statistical significance, there was a strong independent positive trend toward testing positive for gonorrhea after the hurricane (OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.9 to 5.4; p = 0.09). The analysis indicates that the odds of testing positive for gonorrhea more than doubled among students after the hurricane, indicating that surveillance activities should be restored to monitor sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among at-risk populations. Redoubled efforts should be put into STI screening programmes as soon as possible following natural disasters to prevent resurgent STI incidence rates.

Upregulation of the sodium channel NaVβ4 subunit and its contributions to mechanical hypersensitivity and neuronal hyperexcitability in a rat model of radicular pain induced by local DRG inflammation

PubMed Central

Xie, Wenrui; Tan, Zhi-Yong; Barbosa, Cindy; Strong, Judith A.; Cummins, Theodore R.; Zhang, Jun-Ming

2016-01-01

High frequency spontaneous firing in myelinated sensory neurons plays a key role in initiating pain behaviors in several different models, including the radicular pain model in which the rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are locally inflamed. The sodium channel isoform NaV1.6 contributes to pain behaviors and spontaneous activity in this model. Among all the isoforms in adult DRG, NaV1.6 is the main carrier of TTX-sensitive resurgent Na currents that allow high-frequency firing. Resurgent currents flow after a depolarization or action potential, as a blocking particle exits the pore. In most neurons the regulatory β4 subunit is potentially the endogenous blocker. We used in vivo siRNA mediated knockdown of NaVβ4 to examine its role in the DRG inflammation model. NaVβ4 but not control siRNA almost completely blocked mechanical hypersensitivity induced by DRG inflammation. Microelectrode recordings in isolated whole DRGs showed that NaVβ4 siRNA blocked the inflammation-induced increase in spontaneous activity of Aβ neurons, and reduced repetitive firing and other measures of excitability. NaVβ4 was preferentially expressed in larger diameter cells; DRG inflammation increased its expression and this was reversed by NaVβ4 siRNA, based on immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. NaVβ4 siRNA also reduced immunohistochemical NaV1.6 expression. Patch clamp recordings of TTX-sensitive Na currents in acutely cultured medium diameter DRG neurons showed that DRG inflammation increased transient and especially resurgent current; effects blocked by NaVβ4 siRNA. NaVβ4 may represent a more specific target for pain conditions that depend on myelinated neurons expressing NaV1.6. PMID:26785322

Spirituality and Contemporary Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waggoner, Michael D.

2016-01-01

Though religion played a central role in the founding of U.S. higher education, over the centuries, its influence was diluted by competing secular emphases. In recent decades, religion has seen a resurgence in academic and co-curricular attention on campuses. In addition, a spirituality not based on religion has gained increasing attention. The…

[Ecological responses of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, to triazophos and deltamethrin on transgenic Bt rice lines and their non-Bt parental rice].

PubMed

Li, Xiang-Dong; Yang, Ya-Jun; Tian, Jun-Ce; Xu, Hong-Xing; Zheng, Xu-Song; Lü, Zhong-Xian

2014-10-01

In this study, the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), cultured on Bt rice lines (T1C-19 with cry1C gene and T2A-1 with cry2A gene) and their parental rice MH63, were treated with a series of concentrations of triazophos and deltamethrin when they developed up to the third instar for the evaluation of the effects of Bt rice on BPH resurgence induced by pesticides. The results indicated that BPH nymphal duration decreased with the increasing concentration of deltamethrin, while no significant differences of BPH nymphal duration were observed on the same rice variety treated with the different concentrations of triazophos. Furthermore, the survival rate of BPH significantly declined and their fecundity significantly increased with the increasing concentration of insecticides. However, ecological fitness parameters of BPH including nymphal duration, survival rate, female adult mass, fecundity and egg hatchability were not significantly different among Bt and non-Bt rice varieties when they treated with the same concentration of insecticide. These results implied that no significant difference in the BPH resurgence induced by pesticides was observed among the two tested Bt rice varieties and their non-Bt parental rice variety.

Pertussis Resurgence: School Nurses as a Safety Net for Children.

PubMed

Barnby, Elizabeth; Reynolds, Mark

2018-06-01

After a decade of decreases in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, in the late 1980s the incidence began to increase. Four vaccine preventable diseases, including pertussis, caused major epidemics, and children were the most vulnerable during these outbreaks. Due to waning immunity, genomic changes, and inadequate herd immunity in adults, infants and children are at risk for contracting pertussis. Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease. Pertussis is difficult to diagnose early because the presentation is similar to common problems such as bronchitis or upper respiratory infections. School nurses should be able to identify signs and symptoms in the earliest stage possible to prevent transmission and refer for treatment early. The purpose of this article is to provide school nurses with information to understand the disease and identify individuals infected with pertussis.

Immunopathogenesis in Myasthenia Gravis and Neuromyelitis Optica

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhen; Yan, Yaping

2017-01-01

Myasthenia gravis (MG) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are autoimmune channelopathies of the peripheral neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and central nervous system (CNS) that are mainly mediated by humoral immunity against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4), respectively. The diseases share some common features, including genetic predispositions, environmental factors, the breakdown of tolerance, the collaboration of T cells and B cells, imbalances in T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2/Th17/regulatory T cells, aberrant cytokine and antibody secretion, and complement system activation. However, some aspects of the immune mechanisms are unique. Both targets (AChR and AQP4) are expressed in the periphery and CNS, but MG mainly affects the NMJ in the periphery outside of CNS, whereas NMO preferentially involves the CNS. Inflammatory cells, including B cells and macrophages, often infiltrate the thymus but not the target—muscle in MG, whereas the infiltration of inflammatory cells, mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, in NMO, is always observed in the target organ—the spinal cord. A review of the common and discrepant characteristics of these two autoimmune channelopathies may expand our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of both disorders and assist in the development of proper treatments in the future. PMID:29312313

A novel mutation in SCN9A in a child with congenital insensitivity to pain.

PubMed

Shorer, Zamir; Wajsbrot, Einav; Liran, Tamir-Hostovsky; Levy, Jacov; Parvari, Ruti

2014-01-01

[corrected] Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) is a rare condition in which patients have no pain perception and anosmia but are otherwise essentially normal (OMIM 243000). The recent discovery of the genetic defects underlying 3 monogenic pain disorders has provided additional and important insights about some components of human pain. Genetic studies in families demonstrating recessively inherited channelopathy-associated insensitivity to pain have identified nonsense mutations that result in truncation of the voltage-gated sodium channel type IX subunit (SCN9A), a 113.5-kb gene comprising coding 26 exons. Here we describe a patient with CIP with a new mutation in SCN9A not described yet. All exons were sequenced. All 26 coding exons were sequenced and two changes were identified in homozygosity in exon 10: c.1126 A > C causing K376Q and c.1124delG causing p.G375Afs* frame shift. We report a novel, loss-of-function mutation in homozygosity that causes congenital insensitivity to pain and provide a comprehensive clinical description of the patient. This contributes to the clinical and neurophysiological characteristic of the sodium channel Nav1.7 channelopathy and expand our genetic knowledge which might provide more accurate and comprehensive clinical electrophysiological and genetic information. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluating the Use of Machine Translation Post-Editing in the Foreign Language Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nino, Ana

2008-01-01

Generalised access to the Internet and globalisation has led to increased demand for translation services and a resurgence in the use of machine translation (MT) systems. MT post-editing or the correction of MT output to an acceptable standard is known to be one of the ways to face the huge demand on multilingual communication. Given that the use…

Mutations in UNC80, Encoding Part of the UNC79-UNC80-NALCN Channel Complex, Cause Autosomal-Recessive Severe Infantile Encephalopathy

PubMed Central

Shamseldin, Hanan E.; Faqeih, Eissa; Alasmari, Ali; Zaki, Maha S.; Gleeson, Joseph G.; Alkuraya, Fowzan S.

2016-01-01

Brain channelopathies represent a growing class of brain disorders that usually result in paroxysmal disorders, although their role in other neurological phenotypes, including the recently described NALCN-related infantile encephalopathy, is increasingly recognized. In three Saudi Arabian families and one Egyptian family all affected by a remarkably similar phenotype (infantile encephalopathy and largely normal brain MRI) to that of NALCN-related infantile encephalopathy, we identified a locus on 2q34 in which whole-exome sequencing revealed three, including two apparently loss-of-function, recessive mutations in UNC80. UNC80 encodes a large protein that is necessary for the stability and function of NALCN and for bridging NALCN to UNC79 to form a functional complex. Our results expand the clinical relevance of the UNC79-UNC80-NALCN channel complex. PMID:26708753

Advances in the understanding of headache.

PubMed

Goadsby, Peter J

2005-01-01

Primary headache disorders account for a substantial part of the morbidity seen in medical practice and so advances in their understanding and management are of general importance. The classification of headache disorders has recently been revised, and the importance of frequent migraine, chronic (transformed) migraine and some important, albeit rarer, conditions that were previously not included has been recognized. Identification of the first genes for a migraine syndrome, namely familial hemiplegic migraine, and their classification as channelopathies opens up new understanding of these disorders and their possible pathophysiology. Functional brain imaging of migraine and cluster headache has placed the pathophysiology of these disorders firmly and clearly in the brain. As our understanding of migraine and related syndromes has increased, new therapies have been developed which reduce the significant disability associated with these important neurological disorders.

Gender Roles, Masculinity, And Militarism: Factors Contributing To Rape Being Used As A Weapon Of War In The Eastern Democratic Republic Of The Congo

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-01

various armed groups , like the FDLR and FARDC, located in the eastern DRC. The traditional gender roles observed in the DRC will be examined as...This increase in sexual violence is directly tied to the resurgence of fighting occurring between armed groups like the M23 and the FARDC, the...efforts to alleviate the increase in gender based violence committed against women by these armed groups . Albeit there are various types of gender

Global market integration increases likelihood that a future African Green Revolution could increase crop land use and CO2 emissions.

PubMed

Hertel, Thomas W; Ramankutty, Navin; Baldos, Uris Lantz C

2014-09-23

There has been a resurgence of interest in the impacts of agricultural productivity on land use and the environment. At the center of this debate is the assertion that agricultural innovation is land sparing. However, numerous case studies and global empirical studies have found little evidence of higher yields being accompanied by reduced area. We find that these studies overlook two crucial factors: estimation of a true counterfactual scenario and a tendency to adopt a regional, rather than a global, perspective. This paper introduces a general framework for analyzing the impacts of regional and global innovation on long run crop output, prices, land rents, land use, and associated CO2 emissions. In so doing, it facilitates a reconciliation of the apparently conflicting views of the impacts of agricultural productivity growth on global land use and environmental quality. Our historical analysis demonstrates that the Green Revolution in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East was unambiguously land and emissions sparing, compared with a counterfactual world without these innovations. In contrast, we find that the environmental impacts of a prospective African Green Revolution are potentially ambiguous. We trace these divergent outcomes to relative differences between the innovating region and the rest of the world in yields, emissions efficiencies, cropland supply response, and intensification potential. Globalization of agriculture raises the potential for adverse environmental consequences. However, if sustained for several decades, an African Green Revolution will eventually become land sparing.

Global market integration increases likelihood that a future African Green Revolution could increase crop land use and CO2 emissions

PubMed Central

Hertel, Thomas W.; Ramankutty, Navin; Baldos, Uris Lantz C.

2014-01-01

There has been a resurgence of interest in the impacts of agricultural productivity on land use and the environment. At the center of this debate is the assertion that agricultural innovation is land sparing. However, numerous case studies and global empirical studies have found little evidence of higher yields being accompanied by reduced area. We find that these studies overlook two crucial factors: estimation of a true counterfactual scenario and a tendency to adopt a regional, rather than a global, perspective. This paper introduces a general framework for analyzing the impacts of regional and global innovation on long run crop output, prices, land rents, land use, and associated CO2 emissions. In so doing, it facilitates a reconciliation of the apparently conflicting views of the impacts of agricultural productivity growth on global land use and environmental quality. Our historical analysis demonstrates that the Green Revolution in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East was unambiguously land and emissions sparing, compared with a counterfactual world without these innovations. In contrast, we find that the environmental impacts of a prospective African Green Revolution are potentially ambiguous. We trace these divergent outcomes to relative differences between the innovating region and the rest of the world in yields, emissions efficiencies, cropland supply response, and intensification potential. Globalization of agriculture raises the potential for adverse environmental consequences. However, if sustained for several decades, an African Green Revolution will eventually become land sparing. PMID:25201962

The Resurgence of America's Auto Industry

ScienceCinema

Zimmer, Stephen; Cischke, Sue

2018-05-01

A look at how strategic investments and partnerships between the Energy Department and automakers have helped the American auto industry become a leader in advanced and fuel-efficient vehicles — creating jobs and boosting profits in the process.

The resurgence of selective contracting restrictions.

PubMed

Marsteller, J A; Bovbjerg, R R; Nichols, L M; Verrilli, D K

1997-10-01

As managed care has spread, so has legislation to force plans to contract with any willing provider (AWP) and give patients freedom of choice (FOC). Managed care organizations' selective networks and provider integration reduce patient access to providers, along with provider access to paying patients, so many providers have lobbied for AWP-FOC laws. In opposition are managed care organizations (MCOs), which want full freedom to contract selectively to control prices and utilization. This article comprehensively describes laws in all fifty-one jurisdictions, classifies their relative strength, and assesses the implications of the laws. Most are relatively weak forms and all are limited in application by ERISA and the federal HMO Act. The article also uses an associative multivariate analysis to relate the selective contracting environments to HMO penetration rates, rural population, physician density, and other variables. States with weak laws also have higher HMO penetration and higher physician density, but smaller rural populations. We conclude that the strongest laws overly restrict the management of care, to the likely detriment of cost control. But where market power is rapidly concentrating, not restricting selective contracting could diminish long-term competition and patient access to care. In the face of uncertainty about the impact of these laws, an intermediate approach may be better than all or nothing. States should consider mandating that plans offer point-of-service options, for a separate premium. This option expands patient choice of plans at the time of enrollment and of providers at the time of care, yet maintains plans' ability to control core providers.

Type E botulism outbreaks: a manual for beach managers and the public

USGS Publications Warehouse

2012-01-01

The Great Lakes basin has undergone a resurgence of Type E botulism (often referred to as avian botulism) in recent years, characterized by dead birds and fish along the shores of the Great Lakes. The number of deaths and areas affected appear to be increasing to levels that induce concern about the ecological health of the Great Lakes nearshore waters.

SARS-related perceptions in Hong Kong.

PubMed

Lau, Joseph T F; Yang, Xilin; Pang, Ellie; Tsui, H Y; Wong, Eric; Wing, Yun Kwok

2005-03-01

To understand different aspects of community responses related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), 2 population-based, random telephone surveys were conducted in June 2003 and January 2004 in Hong Kong. More than 70% of respondents would avoid visiting hospitals or mainland China to avoid contracting SARS. Most respondents believed that SARS could be transmitted through droplets, fomites, sewage, and animals. More than 90% believed that public health measures were efficacious means of prevention; 40.4% believed that SARS would resurge in Hong Kong; and approximately equals 70% would then wear masks in public places. High percentages of respondents felt helpless, horrified, and apprehensive because of SARS. Approximately 16% showed signs of posttraumatic symptoms, and approximately equals 40% perceived increased stress in family or work settings. The general public in Hong Kong has been very vigilant about SARS but needs to be more psychologically prepared to face a resurgence of the epidemic.

SARS-related Perceptions in Hong Kong

PubMed Central

Yang, Xilin; Pang, Ellie; Tsui, H.Y.; Wong, Eric; Wing, Yun Kwok

2005-01-01

To understand different aspects of community responses related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), 2 population-based, random telephone surveys were conducted in June 2003 and January 2004 in Hong Kong. More than 70% of respondents would avoid visiting hospitals or mainland China to avoid contracting SARS. Most respondents believed that SARS could be transmitted through droplets, fomites, sewage, and animals. More than 90% believed that public health measures were efficacious means of prevention; 40.4% believed that SARS would resurge in Hong Kong; and ≈70% would then wear masks in public places. High percentages of respondents felt helpless, horrified, and apprehensive because of SARS. Approximately 16% showed signs of posttraumatic symptoms, and ≈40% perceived increased stress in family or work settings. The general public in Hong Kong has been very vigilant about SARS but needs to be more psychologically prepared to face a resurgence of the epidemic. PMID:15757557

Pertussis

PubMed Central

Syed, Muhammad A.; Bana, Noureen F.

2014-01-01

Pertussis or whooping cough is a highly infectious, vaccine preventable disease. The incidence of the disease has greatly been reduced since the introduction of the diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine. Pertussis resurgence has been observed in highly vaccinated populations of Western countries since 1990s. Poor vaccine quality, waning vaccine induced immunity, pathogen adaptation, and enhanced surveillance as well as advancements in diagnostic facilities are some of the reasons considered responsible for the increased reporting of pertussis cases. Pertussis may have been ignored and unnoticed due to its atypical manifestations in partially immunized population or people with waning immunity. We review the reports of pertussis resurgence from different countries and attempt to investigate reasons behind the reappearance of the disease. Pertussis is still an under reported disease and the available data from the developing countries is not a true picture of the story. Therefore, developing countries need to improve their surveillance systems. PMID:25316461

Channelopathies from Mutations in the Cardiac Sodium Channel Protein Complex

PubMed Central

Adsit, Graham S.; Vaidyanathan, Ravi; Galler, Carla M.; Kyle, John W.; Makielski, Jonathan C.

2013-01-01

The cardiac sodium current underlies excitability in heart, and inherited abnormalities of the proteins regulating and conducting this current cause inherited arrhythmia syndromes. This review focuses on inherited mutations in non-pore forming proteins of sodium channel complexes that cause cardiac arrhythmia, and the deduced mechanisms by which they affect function and dysfunction of the cardiac sodium current. Defining the structure and function of these complexes and how they are regulated will contribute to understanding the possible roles for this complex in normal and abnormal physiology and homeostasis. PMID:23557754

Resurgence of scarlet fever in England, 2014-16: a population-based surveillance study.

PubMed

Lamagni, Theresa; Guy, Rebecca; Chand, Meera; Henderson, Katherine L; Chalker, Victoria; Lewis, James; Saliba, Vanessa; Elliot, Alex J; Smith, Gillian E; Rushton, Stephen; Sheridan, Elizabeth A; Ramsay, Mary; Johnson, Alan P

2018-02-01

After decades of decreasing scarlet fever incidence, a dramatic increase was seen in England beginning in 2014. Investigations were launched to assess clinical and epidemiological patterns and identify potential causes. In this population-based surveillance study, we analysed statutory scarlet fever notifications held by Public Health England from 1911 to 2016 in England and Wales to identify periods of sudden escalation of scarlet fever. Characteristics of cases and outbreaks in England including frequency of complications and hospital admissions were assessed and compared with the pre-upsurge period. Isolates from throat swabs were obtained and were emm typed. Data were retrieved for our analysis between Jan 1, 1911, and Dec 31, 2016. Population rates of scarlet fever increased by a factor of three between 2013 and 2014 from 8·2 to 27·2 per 100 000 (rate ratio [RR] 3·34, 95% CI 3·23-3·45; p<0·0001); further increases were observed in 2015 (30·6 per 100 000) and in 2016 (33·2 per 100 000), which reached the highest number of cases (19 206) and rate of scarlet fever notifcation since 1967. The median age of cases in 2014 was 4 years (IQR 3-7) with an incidence of 186 per 100 000 children under age 10 years. All parts of England saw an increase in incidence, with 620 outbreaks reported in 2016. Hospital admissions for scarlet fever increased by 97% between 2013 and 2016; one in 40 cases were admitted for management of the condition or potential complications. Analysis of strains (n=303) identified a diversity of emm types with emm3 (43%), emm12 (15%), emm1 (11%), and emm4 (9%) being the most common. Longitudinal analysis identified 4-yearly periodicity in population incidence of scarlet fever but of consistently lower magnitude than the current escalation. England is experiencing an unprecedented rise in scarlet fever with the highest incidence for nearly 50 years. Reasons for this escalation are unclear and identifying these remains a public

Malaria resurgence in the East African highlands: Temperature trends revisited

PubMed Central

Pascual, M.; Ahumada, J. A.; Chaves, L. F.; Rodó, X.; Bouma, M.

2006-01-01

The incidence of malaria in the East African highlands has increased since the end of the 1970s. The role of climate change in the exacerbation of the disease has been controversial, and the specific influence of rising temperature (warming) has been highly debated following a previous study reporting no evidence to support a trend in temperature. We revisit this result using the same temperature data, now updated to the present from 1950 to 2002 for four high-altitude sites in East Africa where malaria has become a serious public health problem. With both nonparametric and parametric statistical analyses, we find evidence for a significant warming trend at all sites. To assess the biological significance of this trend, we drive a dynamical model for the population dynamics of the mosquito vector with the temperature time series and the corresponding detrended versions. This approach suggests that the observed temperature changes would be significantly amplified by the mosquito population dynamics with a difference in the biological response at least 1 order of magnitude larger than that in the environmental variable. Our results emphasize the importance of considering not just the statistical significance of climate trends but also their biological implications with dynamical models. PMID:16571662

[Severe nutritional rickets in young children: Resurgence of an old disease].

PubMed

Estrade, S; Majorel, C; Tahhan, N; Dulac, Y; Baunin, C; Gennero, I; Chaix, Y; Salles, J-P; Edouard, T

2017-08-01

Nutritional rickets remains a significant public health issue for children worldwide. Although it has almost disappeared in industrialized countries following routine vitamin D supplementation, recent evidence suggests an increasing incidence, especially in young children. In addition to the classical clinical consequences on bone and the growth plate, rickets may also be associated with life-threatening neurological and cardiac complications in the most severe forms. Consequently, early screening and treatment are required. Here, we report the case of a 2-year-old child who presented with severe nutritional rickets associated with seizure and cardiomyopathy. Family screening revealed rickets in all the siblings. This case report emphasizes the importance of being aware of this disease, notably in population with sociocultural risk factors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Increasing the Overall Quality and the Number of Women and Hispanic Geoscientists for the Workforce: Rebuilding an Undergraduate Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ford, M. T.; McGehee, T. L.

2014-12-01

Over the past ten years, the Geosciences Program at Texas A&M University-Kingsville has increased the number of Geology majors 400%, and in the past five years we have graduated 62 students, an increase of 800%. Of these graduates, 37% were Hispanic or African-American and 26% were women. Our graduates are high-achievers with 13% also graduating from the Honor's College (campus-wide rate is less than 1.5%) and that included three women and two Hispanic graduates. Two of these recent graduates are doctoral candidates and eleven are master's candidates at major universities. Of these, three master's candidates are Hispanic, including two women, and one doctoral candidate is a Hispanic woman. The recent productivity and quality changes in this program are attributed to our shift toward an undergraduate, student-centered focus. The increases in productivity resulted from the development of strong relationships with community colleges across the state and significant efforts in recruitment and retention. The major changes in quality included implementation of a strong field-oriented focus with full faculty participation, a strong undergraduate research program, a well-developed recruitment and retention plan, a GIS Certification incorporated into the geology degree, and a culture change to further student professional development. We have maintained over 50 majors in our program for the past three years through increased faculty presentations at high-schools and community colleges, a good University recruiting staff, and quarterly newsletters, focused on student achievements, sent to all prospective students and parents inquiring about the geology major. The resurgence of the oil and gas industry and the retirement of geoscientists have provided a steady stream of job opportunities for our graduates. The 79% that are not pursuing a graduate education accepted jobs after graduation. These include oil and gas entry level jobs, mining jobs, teaching jobs, and geospatial

The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator––review of the recent data

PubMed Central

Westerman, Stacy B; El-Chami, Mikhael

2018-01-01

The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (SICD) is an alternative to the transvenous ICD for the prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Multiple studies have shown that the SICD is safe and effective in treating ventricular arrhythmias. While earlier studies mainly enrolled younger patients with channelopathies, more recent reports included patients with “typical” indications for ICD therapy for the prevention of SCD. In this review we summarize the data available to date on the SICD while highlighting its pros and cons. PMID:29721001

Crustal Deformation of Long Valley Caldera, Eastern California, Inferred from L-Band InSAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Akiko

2008-11-01

SAR interferometric analyses using JERS-1/SAR and ALOS/PALSAR images of Long Valley caldera are performed. JERS-1/SAR interferogram (June 1993-August 1996) shows a small region of subsidence associated the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant, which is superimposed on a broad scale uplift/expansion of the resurgent dome. ALOS/PALSAR interferograms show no deformation of the resurgent dome as expected. However, it may show a small region of subsidence associated the Casa Diablo geothermal power plant.

Religion and the secularisation of health care.

PubMed

Paley, John

2009-07-01

To assess the claim that conceptualisations of religion and spirituality should be grounded in theology, and acknowledge the global resurgence of religion. Although there is widespread agreement in the nursing literature that 'spirituality' is a broader concept than 'religion,' and should be understood generically, this approximate consensus has occasionally been challenged. A recent paper by Barbara Pesut and colleagues argues that the generic view not only empties spirituality of powerful religious symbols and narratives, but underestimates the continuing social influence of religion, and its resurgence on a global scale. Accordingly, these authors suggest three principles for conceptualising spirituality and religion in health care, one of which is that conceptualisations should be grounded in philosophical and theological thinking, and should not ignore the global resurgence of religion. Critical review. The Pesut principle privileges theology, disregarding other disciplines which theorize religion. Arguably, it privileges specifically Christian theology, the history of which suggests a politics of orthodoxy and an epistemology of authority and obedience. The global resurgence of religion is not, in fact, global, as the industrialised countries have experienced a marked shift towards secular-rational values; and the postindustrial phase of development is associated with self-expression values, which represent a challenge not merely to religious institutions (arguably an affirmation of 'spirituality') but to traditional elites and structures of all kinds. Finally, religion 'resurgent' is not an attractive model for health care, since many of its most obvious manifestations are incompatible with the ideology of health professionals. In the secular societies of Europe, if not North America, there should be no expectation that nurses provide spiritual care. It is a requirement of the great separation between civil order and religion that the health services, as a

Bordetella Pertussis virulence factors in the continuing evolution of whooping cough vaccines for improved performance.

PubMed

Dorji, Dorji; Mooi, Frits; Yantorno, Osvaldo; Deora, Rajendar; Graham, Ross M; Mukkur, Trilochan K

2018-02-01

Despite high vaccine coverage, whooping cough caused by Bordetella pertussis remains one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide. Introduction of whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines in the 1940s and acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines in 1990s reduced the mortality due to pertussis. Despite induction of both antibody and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses by aP and wP vaccines, there has been resurgence of pertussis in many countries in recent years. Possible reasons hypothesised for resurgence have ranged from incompliance with the recommended vaccination programmes with the currently used aP vaccine to infection with a resurged clinical isolates characterised by mutations in the virulence factors, resulting in antigenic divergence with vaccine strain, and increased production of pertussis toxin, resulting in dampening of immune responses. While use of these vaccines provide varying degrees of protection against whooping cough, protection against infection and transmission appears to be less effective, warranting continuation of efforts in the development of an improved pertussis vaccine formulations capable of achieving this objective. Major approaches currently under evaluation for the development of an improved pertussis vaccine include identification of novel biofilm-associated antigens for incorporation in current aP vaccine formulations, development of live attenuated vaccines and discovery of novel non-toxic adjuvants capable of inducing both antibody and CMI. In this review, the potential roles of different accredited virulence factors, including novel biofilm-associated antigens, of B. pertussis in the evolution, formulation and delivery of improved pertussis vaccines, with potential to block the transmission of whooping cough in the community, are discussed.

Evidence for the contemporary magmatic system beneath Long Valley Caldera from local earthquake tomography and receiver function analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Seccia, D.; Chiarabba, C.; De Gori, P.; Bianchi, I.; Hill, D.P.

2011-01-01

We present a new P wave and S wave velocity model for the upper crust beneath Long Valley Caldera obtained using local earthquake tomography and receiver function analysis. We computed the tomographic model using both a graded inversion scheme and a traditional approach. We complement the tomographic I/P model with a teleseismic receiver function model based on data from broadband seismic stations (MLAC and MKV) located on the SE and SW margins of the resurgent dome inside the caldera. The inversions resolve (1) a shallow, high-velocity P wave anomaly associated with the structural uplift of a resurgent dome; (2) an elongated, WNW striking low-velocity anomaly (8%–10 % reduction in I/P) at a depth of 6 km (4 km below mean sea level) beneath the southern section of the resurgent dome; and (3) a broad, low-velocity volume (–5% reduction in I/P and as much as 40% reduction in I/S) in the depth interval 8–14 km (6–12 km below mean sea level) beneath the central section of the caldera. The two low-velocity volumes partially overlap the geodetically inferred inflation sources that drove uplift of the resurgent dome associated with caldera unrest between 1980 and 2000, and they likely reflect the ascent path for magma or magmatic fluids into the upper crust beneath the caldera.

Prescribed Fire Versus Air Quality in 2000 in the Pacific Northwest

Treesearch

David V. Sandberg

1987-01-01

In 1970, it was widely assumed that by 1980 in the Pacific Northwest, prescribed fire would be a thing of the past. By 1985, however, half way from 1970 to the end of the century, the area treated by fire increased. Now, the demise of forest burning is widely expected to occur by the year 2000. Can, and will, a compromise be found between the resurgence in appreciation...

Pulmonary Inflammatory Responses to Acute Meteorite Dust Exposures - Implications for Human Space Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrington, A. D.; McCubbin, F. M.; Vander Kaaden, K. E.; Kaur, J.; Smirnov, A.; Galdanes, K.; Schoonen, M. A. A.; Chen, L. C.; Tsirka, S. E.; Gordon, T.

2018-01-01

New initiatives to send humans to Mars within the next few decades are illustrative of the resurgence of interest in space travel. However, as with all exploration, there are risks. The Human Research Roadmap developed by NASA identifies the Risk of Adverse Health and Performance Effects of Celestial Dust Exposure as an area of concern. Extended human exploration will further increase the probability of inadvertent and repeated exposures to celestial dusts.

Factors Affecting Japanese Defense Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

nuclear option is proposed in varying scenarios ranging from the domestic production, control and deployment to that of following the West German...society discouraging increased defense spending, basing its position mostly upon the fear of resurgence of the militarism which led to the disaster of...Chiyoda-Ka Tokyo, 102 10. Mr. Kuzuo Tanikawa No. 708 Daiichi Giinkaikan Naga-Chao, Chiyoda-Ka Tokyo, Japan 11. Professor Yasuto Fukushima Takayuma

Post-supereruption recovery at Toba Caldera

PubMed Central

Mucek, Adonara E.; Danišík, Martin; de Silva, Shanaka L.; Schmitt, Axel K.; Pratomo, Indyo; Coble, Matthew A.

2017-01-01

Large calderas, or supervolcanoes, are sites of the most catastrophic and hazardous events on Earth, yet the temporal details of post-supereruption activity, or resurgence, remain largely unknown, limiting our ability to understand how supervolcanoes work and address their hazards. Toba Caldera, Indonesia, caused the greatest volcanic catastrophe of the last 100 kyr, climactically erupting ∼74 ka. Since the supereruption, Toba has been in a state of resurgence but its magmatic and uplift history has remained unclear. Here we reveal that new 14C, zircon U–Th crystallization and (U–Th)/He ages show resurgence commenced at 69.7±4.5 ka and continued until at least ∼2.7 ka, progressing westward across the caldera, as reflected by post-caldera effusive lava eruptions and uplifted lake sediment. The major stratovolcano north of Toba, Sinabung, shows strong geochemical kinship with Toba, and zircons from recent eruption products suggest Toba's climactic magma reservoir extends beneath Sinabung and is being tapped during eruptions. PMID:28508876

Post-supereruption recovery at Toba Caldera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mucek, Adonara E.; Danišík, Martin; de Silva, Shanaka L.; Schmitt, Axel K.; Pratomo, Indyo; Coble, Matthew A.

2017-05-01

Large calderas, or supervolcanoes, are sites of the most catastrophic and hazardous events on Earth, yet the temporal details of post-supereruption activity, or resurgence, remain largely unknown, limiting our ability to understand how supervolcanoes work and address their hazards. Toba Caldera, Indonesia, caused the greatest volcanic catastrophe of the last 100 kyr, climactically erupting ~74 ka. Since the supereruption, Toba has been in a state of resurgence but its magmatic and uplift history has remained unclear. Here we reveal that new 14C, zircon U-Th crystallization and (U-Th)/He ages show resurgence commenced at 69.7+/-4.5 ka and continued until at least ~2.7 ka, progressing westward across the caldera, as reflected by post-caldera effusive lava eruptions and uplifted lake sediment. The major stratovolcano north of Toba, Sinabung, shows strong geochemical kinship with Toba, and zircons from recent eruption products suggest Toba's climactic magma reservoir extends beneath Sinabung and is being tapped during eruptions.

Post-supereruption recovery at Toba Caldera.

PubMed

Mucek, Adonara E; Danišík, Martin; de Silva, Shanaka L; Schmitt, Axel K; Pratomo, Indyo; Coble, Matthew A

2017-05-16

Large calderas, or supervolcanoes, are sites of the most catastrophic and hazardous events on Earth, yet the temporal details of post-supereruption activity, or resurgence, remain largely unknown, limiting our ability to understand how supervolcanoes work and address their hazards. Toba Caldera, Indonesia, caused the greatest volcanic catastrophe of the last 100 kyr, climactically erupting ∼74 ka. Since the supereruption, Toba has been in a state of resurgence but its magmatic and uplift history has remained unclear. Here we reveal that new 14 C, zircon U-Th crystallization and (U-Th)/He ages show resurgence commenced at 69.7±4.5 ka and continued until at least ∼2.7 ka, progressing westward across the caldera, as reflected by post-caldera effusive lava eruptions and uplifted lake sediment. The major stratovolcano north of Toba, Sinabung, shows strong geochemical kinship with Toba, and zircons from recent eruption products suggest Toba's climactic magma reservoir extends beneath Sinabung and is being tapped during eruptions.

[The Brugada Syndrome in a Teenager].

PubMed

Miklashevich, I M; Kuleshova, E V; Termosesov, S A; Shkolnikova, M A

2017-02-01

The Brugada syndrome (BS) belongs to the group of hereditary channelopathies associated with elevated risk of sudden death (SD) in the absence of structural heart diseases. The disorder phenotypically manifests by specific electrocardiographic pattern, associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT). VT can be accompanied by loss of conscience, and after transformation to ventricular fibrillation result in SD. BS is extremely rare among children and adolescents. We present here a clinical case of teenager (age 17 years) with BS manifested by syncopal state at the background of fever.

Syphilis Resurgence in Belgrade, Serbia, in the New Millennium: An Outbreak in 2014.

PubMed

Bjekić, Milan; Šipetić-Grujičić, Sandra; Begović-Vuksanović, Biljana; Rafailović, Nevena; Vlajinac, Hristina

2017-12-01

A worldwide syphilis incidence increase was recorded at the beginning of the new millennium, occurring primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological situation of syphilis in the Belgrade population between 2005 and 2014 and to examine the characteristics of an early syphilis outbreak among MSM in Belgrade in 2014. Reporting of syphilis is compulsory in Serbia. Routinely reported data were analysed along with data collected from patients' charts. During the period observed, syphilis incidence increased from 1.07 per 100,000 in 2005 to 4.1 per 100,000 in 2014 (383.2%). From 2005 to 2009, syphilis rates in Belgrade were low, around 1 case per 100,000 people. The first outbreak was registered in 2010. The new incidence increase happened in 2012, and again in 2014 when it was the highest. These incidence changes were registered mainly in men, where the frequency of syphilis was much higher than in women. In 2014, primary syphilis was diagnosed in 20 cases, secondary syphilis in 42, and early latent syphilis in 9 patients. Fifty-seven were MSM, 10 were heterosexual men and 4 were women. Twenty-four cases, all MSM were co-infected with HIV. Majority of patients acquired infection in Belgrade, while in 42/71 cases oral sex was the only risk factor. In comparison with HIV negative, HIV positive syphilis patients were older, more frequently unemployed and MSM. They also more frequently had sex with unknown partners and were diagnosed in the secondary stage of infection. Study results underline the need for coordinated and expeditious surveillance, partner services, enhanced screening of population at risk, health education, as well as early diagnosis and treatment. Copyright© by the National Institute of Public Health, Prague 2017

Mutations in UNC80, Encoding Part of the UNC79-UNC80-NALCN Channel Complex, Cause Autosomal-Recessive Severe Infantile Encephalopathy.

PubMed

Shamseldin, Hanan E; Faqeih, Eissa; Alasmari, Ali; Zaki, Maha S; Gleeson, Joseph G; Alkuraya, Fowzan S

2016-01-07

Brain channelopathies represent a growing class of brain disorders that usually result in paroxysmal disorders, although their role in other neurological phenotypes, including the recently described NALCN-related infantile encephalopathy, is increasingly recognized. In three Saudi Arabian families and one Egyptian family all affected by a remarkably similar phenotype (infantile encephalopathy and largely normal brain MRI) to that of NALCN-related infantile encephalopathy, we identified a locus on 2q34 in which whole-exome sequencing revealed three, including two apparently loss-of-function, recessive mutations in UNC80. UNC80 encodes a large protein that is necessary for the stability and function of NALCN and for bridging NALCN to UNC79 to form a functional complex. Our results expand the clinical relevance of the UNC79-UNC80-NALCN channel complex. Copyright © 2016 The American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Auto-immune disorders as a possible cause of neuropsychiatric syndromes].

PubMed

Martinez-Martinez, P; Molenaar, P C; Losen, M; Hoffmann, C; Stevens, J; de Witte, L D; van Amelsvoort, T; van Os, J; Rutten, B P F

2015-01-01

Changes that occur in the behaviour of voltage-gated ion channels and ligand-gated receptor channels due to gene mutations or auto-immune attack are the cause of channelopathies in the central and peripheral nervous system. Although the relation between molecular channel defects and clinical symptoms has been explained in the case of many neuromuscular channelopathies, the pathophysiology of auto-immunity in neuropsychiatric syndromes is still unclear. To review recent findings regarding neuronal auto-immune reactions in severe neuropsychiatric syndromes. Using PubMed, we consulted the literature published between 1990 and August 2014 relating to the occurrence of auto-immune antibodies in severe and persistent neuropsychiatric syndromes. Auto-antibodies have only limited access to the central nervous system, but if they do enter the system they can, in some cases, cause disease. We discuss recent findings regarding the occurrence of auto-antibodies against ligand-activated receptor channels and potassium channels in neuropsychiatric and neurological syndromes, including schizophrenia and limbic encephalitis. Although the occurrence of several auto-antibodies in schizophrenia has been confirmed, there is still no proof of a causal relationship in the syndrome. We still have no evidence of the prevalence of auto-immunity in neuropsychiatric syndromes. The discovery that an antibody against an ion channel is associated with some neuropsychiatric disorders may mean that in future it will be possible to treat patients by means of immunosuppression, which could lead to an improvement in a patient's cognitive abilities.

The Natural Plant Product Rottlerin Activates Kv7.1/KCNE1 Channels.

PubMed

Matschke, Veronika; Piccini, Ilaria; Schubert, Janina; Wrobel, Eva; Lang, Florian; Matschke, Johann; Amedonu, Elsie; Meuth, Sven G; Strünker, Timo; Strutz-Seebohm, Nathalie; Greber, Boris; Scherkenbeck, Jürgen; Seebohm, Guiscard

2016-01-01

Acquired as well as inherited channelopathies are disorders that are caused by altered ion channel function. A family of channels whose malfunction is associated with different channelopathies is the Kv7 K+ channel family; and restoration of normal Kv7 channel function by small molecule modulators is a promising approach for treatment of these often fatal diseases. Here, we show the modulation of Kv7 channels by the natural compound Rottlerin heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and on iPSC cardiomyocytes overexpressing Kv7.1 channels. We show that currents carried by Kv7.1 (EC50 = 1.48 μM), Kv7.1/KCNE1 (EC50 = 4.9 μM), and Kv7.4 (EC50 = 0.148 μM) are strongly enhanced by the compound, whereas Kv7.2, Kv7.2/Kv7.3, and Kv7.5 are not sensitive to Rottlerin. Studies on Kv7.1/KCNE1 mutants and in silico modelling indicate that Rottlerin binds to the R-L3-activator site. Rottlerin mediated activation of Kv7.1/KCNE1 channels might be a promising approach in long QT syndrome. As a proof of concept, we show that Rottlerin shortens cardiac repolarisation in iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes expressing Kv7.1. Rottlerin or an optimized derivative holds a potential as QT interval correcting drug. © 2016 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

Quantum geometry of resurgent perturbative/nonperturbative relations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Basar, Gokce; Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

For a wide variety of quantum potentials, including the textbook ‘instanton’ examples of the periodic cosine and symmetric double-well potentials, the perturbative data coming from fluctuations about the vacuum saddle encodes all non-perturbative data in all higher non-perturbative sectors. Here we unify these examples in geometric terms, arguing that the all-orders quantum action determines the all-orders quantum dual action for quantum spectral problems associated with a classical genus one elliptic curve. Furthermore, for a special class of genus one potentials this relation is particularly simple: this class includes the cubic oscillator, symmetric double-well, symmetric degenerate triple-well, and periodic cosine potential.more » These are related to the Chebyshev potentials, which are in turn related to certain N = 2 supersymmetric quantum field theories, to mirror maps for hypersurfaces in projective spaces, and also to topological c = 3 Landau-Ginzburg models and ‘special geometry’. These systems inherit a natural modular structure corresponding to Ramanujan’s theory of elliptic functions in alternative bases, which is especially important for the quantization. Insights from supersymmetric quantum field theory suggest similar structures for more complicated potentials, corresponding to higher genus. Lastly, our approach is very elementary, using basic classical geometry combined with all-orders WKB.« less

Quantum geometry of resurgent perturbative/nonperturbative relations

DOE PAGES

Basar, Gokce; Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

2017-05-16

For a wide variety of quantum potentials, including the textbook ‘instanton’ examples of the periodic cosine and symmetric double-well potentials, the perturbative data coming from fluctuations about the vacuum saddle encodes all non-perturbative data in all higher non-perturbative sectors. Here we unify these examples in geometric terms, arguing that the all-orders quantum action determines the all-orders quantum dual action for quantum spectral problems associated with a classical genus one elliptic curve. Furthermore, for a special class of genus one potentials this relation is particularly simple: this class includes the cubic oscillator, symmetric double-well, symmetric degenerate triple-well, and periodic cosine potential.more » These are related to the Chebyshev potentials, which are in turn related to certain N = 2 supersymmetric quantum field theories, to mirror maps for hypersurfaces in projective spaces, and also to topological c = 3 Landau-Ginzburg models and ‘special geometry’. These systems inherit a natural modular structure corresponding to Ramanujan’s theory of elliptic functions in alternative bases, which is especially important for the quantization. Insights from supersymmetric quantum field theory suggest similar structures for more complicated potentials, corresponding to higher genus. Lastly, our approach is very elementary, using basic classical geometry combined with all-orders WKB.« less

Quantum geometry of resurgent perturbative/nonperturbative relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basar, Gökçe; Dunne, Gerald V.; Ünsal, Mithat

2017-05-01

For a wide variety of quantum potentials, including the textbook `instanton' examples of the periodic cosine and symmetric double-well potentials, the perturbative data coming from fluctuations about the vacuum saddle encodes all non-perturbative data in all higher non-perturbative sectors. Here we unify these examples in geometric terms, arguing that the all-orders quantum action determines the all-orders quantum dual action for quantum spectral problems associated with a classical genus one elliptic curve. Furthermore, for a special class of genus one potentials this relation is particularly simple: this class includes the cubic oscillator, symmetric double-well, symmetric degenerate triple-well, and periodic cosine potential. These are related to the Chebyshev potentials, which are in turn related to certain \\mathcal{N} = 2 supersymmetric quantum field theories, to mirror maps for hypersurfaces in projective spaces, and also to topological c = 3 Landau-Ginzburg models and `special geometry'. These systems inherit a natural modular structure corresponding to Ramanujan's theory of elliptic functions in alternative bases, which is especially important for the quantization. Insights from supersymmetric quantum field theory suggest similar structures for more complicated potentials, corresponding to higher genus. Our approach is very elementary, using basic classical geometry combined with all-orders WKB.

From Eastern Europe to Western China; The Growing Role of Turkey in the World and it’s Implications for Western Interests

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

Growing trade with the Arab world, and the increased presence of Arab investment in Turkey, introduced a slightly more acceptable "Islamic orienta...to market economies with very limited economic in- centives for Turkey. Turkey has only limited abilities to invest and even less money available for...Russia. From the Russian side, too, the bugaboo of "Pan-Turkism," so long touted by a Soviet Union fearful of resurgent internal nationalisms, has now be

Syphilis epidemiology in Norway, 1992-2008: resurgence among men who have sex with men

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background In recent years, the number of syphilis cases has stabilised in many countries of Western Europe, however several countries have reported increases among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of this article was to describe the epidemiology of early syphilis in Norway in 1992-2008. Methods Cases of early syphilis and congenital syphilis reported to the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS) 1992-2008 were described by route of transmission, gender, age, birthplace, stage of disease, HIV co-infection, source partner and place of infection. Results The incidence of reported syphilis ranged from 0.05 (1992) to 1.50 (2002) per 100 000 person-years. Of 562 cases reported to MSIS during the study period, 62% were men infected by another man. The proportion of those, infected homosexually increased from 0 (1992-1994) to 77% (2008). Most of them were Norwegians (83%). The proportion of HIV co-infection among homosexually infected increased over time and reached 39% in 2008. The majority reported being infected by a casual partner (73%) and in the municipality of Oslo (72%). Of 152 heterosexually infected men 64% were Norwegians; 51% were infected by casual contacts and 20% by commercial sex workers; 73% were infected abroad. Among 56 women, 57% were Norwegians, 57% were infected by a steady partner and 40% were infected abroad. Almost half (46%) were diagnosed in the early latent stage. Four cases had congenital syphilis, two of whom were adopted from abroad. Conclusions Syphilis is rare in Norway, but MSM represent almost two thirds of cases. The increase of HIV co-infected cases among MSM may enhance transmission of both infections. We recommend sexually active MSM to be tested for syphilis 2-4 times a year. Due to its variable clinical course, syphilis might be difficult to recognise at an early stage among women in a low-prevalence population. We estimate current practice of prenatal screening in Norway as sufficient. PMID:20429881

Isaacs' syndrome in a patient with dermatomyositis: case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Lertnawapan, Ratchaya; Kulkantrakorn, Kongkiat

2017-08-01

This is a case report of Isaacs' syndrome in dermatomyositis. The patient presented with proximal muscle weakness, rash, elevated muscle enzyme, myopathic electromyograph and typical muscle biopsy. Ultimately he developed typical symptoms of Isaacs' syndrome which is an autoimmune channelopathy from voltage gated potassium channel antibody (anti-VGKC) leading to dysfunction of axonal discharge at neuromuscular junctions. It shares some similar characteristics with dermatomyositis such as autoimmunity, its association with malignancy and the response to treatment. © 2016 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Increase in lake trout reproduction in Lake Huron following the collapse of alewife: Relief from thiamine deficiency or larval predation?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fitzsimons, J.D.; Brown, S.; Brown, L.; Honeyfield, D.; He, J.; Johnson, J.E.

2010-01-01

In the Great Lakes there is still uncertainty as to the population level effects of a thiamine deficiency on salmonines caused by high consumption of alewives Alosa pseudoharengus. A resurgence of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush reproduction in Lake Huron following the crash of alewife stocks between 2002 and 2004 provided an opportunity to evaluate the relative effects of this crash on reproduction through relief from either alewife mediated thiamine deficiency or alewife predation on larval lake trout relative to possible changes in the size of the lake trout spawning stock. Changes in mean lake trout egg thiamine concentration post crash at one spawning reef in Parry Sound, where mean thiamine concentration increased by almost two-fold, were consistent with diet switching from alewives to rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, the next most abundant prey fish in Lake Huron. Although thiamine levels for lake trout collected at a second reef in Parry Sound did not change post-crash, levels both pre- and post-crash were consistent with a rainbow smelt diet. A reef specific fry emergence index was found to be positively related to reef specific egg thiamine concentration but negatively related to reef specific occurrence of EMS, a thiamine deficiency related mortality syndrome. We found little evidence for overlap between the timing of spring shoreward migration of alewives and lake trout emergence, suggesting that relief from alewife predation effects had relatively little effect on the observed increase in lake trout recruitment. Numbers of spawners in the north, north-central, and southern zones of the lake increased from 2000 onwards. Overall the abundance post-2003 was higher than from pre-2004, suggesting that spawner abundance may also have contributed to increased lake trout reproduction. However, predicted numbers of spawners and measured abundance of wild recruits in assessment gear were poorly correlated suggesting that the increase in reproduction was not totally

Mumps orchitis in the non-immune postpubertal male: a resurgent threat to male fertility?

PubMed

Philip, Joe; Selvan, David; Desmond, Anthony D

2006-01-01

To report clinical findings associated with an increased incidence of mumps orchitis in Liverpool, UK, as in the last 2 years there has been a four-fold increase in the number of notified viral mumps cases in the UK. In the 8 months before April 2005, patients presenting to the Accident and Emergency/Urology Departments of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital with a diagnosis of epididymo-orchitis were identified from the emergency urological admission database. Of 195 males presenting with an acute history of testicular pain and swelling, 25 gave a history of mumps parotitis 4-11 days earlier. Three had bilateral orchitis and two needed scrotal exploration to exclude torsion. Scrotal ultrasonography findings varied from increased vascularity to abnormal testicular echo texture. Treatment included analgesia, scrotal support, re-hydration and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Of the 10 patients followed-up to date, four had testicular abnormalities; one had persistent testicular pain, one a change in testicular consistency, one a noticeably reduced size of one testis, and one significant testicular atrophy. As postpubertal mumps in males is associated with a 40% incidence of orchitis, parents should be made aware that failing to immunize their children threatens the future fertility of their sons. Young men not immunized as children should be counselled and offered urgent vaccination. Clinicians should be aware that epididymo-orchitis may be secondary to mumps infection even with no history or clinical evidence of parotitis.

A sticky situation: the unexpected stability of malaria elimination

PubMed Central

Smith, David L.; Cohen, Justin M.; Chiyaka, Christinah; Johnston, Geoffrey; Gething, Peter W.; Gosling, Roly; Buckee, Caroline O.; Laxminarayan, Ramanan; Hay, Simon I.; Tatem, Andrew J.

2013-01-01

Malaria eradication involves eliminating malaria from every country where transmission occurs. Current theory suggests that the post-elimination challenges of remaining malaria-free by stopping transmission from imported malaria will have onerous operational and financial requirements. Although resurgent malaria has occurred in a majority of countries that tried but failed to eliminate malaria, a review of resurgence in countries that successfully eliminated finds only four such failures out of 50 successful programmes. Data documenting malaria importation and onwards transmission in these countries suggests malaria transmission potential has declined by more than 50-fold (i.e. more than 98%) since before elimination. These outcomes suggest that elimination is a surprisingly stable state. Elimination's ‘stickiness’ must be explained either by eliminating countries starting off qualitatively different from non-eliminating countries or becoming different once elimination was achieved. Countries that successfully eliminated were wealthier and had lower baseline endemicity than those that were unsuccessful, but our analysis shows that those same variables were at best incomplete predictors of the patterns of resurgence. Stability is reinforced by the loss of immunity to disease and by the health system's increasing capacity to control malaria transmission after elimination through routine treatment of cases with antimalarial drugs supplemented by malaria outbreak control. Human travel patterns reinforce these patterns; as malaria recedes, fewer people carry malaria from remote endemic areas to remote areas where transmission potential remains high. Establishment of an international resource with backup capacity to control large outbreaks can make elimination stickier, increase the incentives for countries to eliminate, and ensure steady progress towards global eradication. Although available evidence supports malaria elimination's stickiness at moderate

Induction of a hypothyroid state during juvenile development delays pubertal reactivation of the neuroendocrine system governing luteinising hormone secretion in the male rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

PubMed

Mann, D R; Bhat, G K; Stah, C D; Pohl, C R; Plant, T M

2006-09-01

The present study aimed to determine the influence of thyroid status on the timing of the pubertal resurgence in gonadotrophin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity [tracked by circulating luteinising hormone (LH) levels] in male rhesus monkeys. Six juvenile monkeys were orchidectomised and then treated with the antithyroid drug, methimazole, from 15-19 months until 36 months of age, at which time thyroxine (T(4)) replacement was initiated. Four additional agonadal monkeys served as controls. Blood samples were drawn weekly for hormonal assessments. Body weight, crown-rump length and bone age were monitored at regular intervals. By 8 weeks of methimazole treatment, plasma T(4) had fallen sharply, and the decline was associated with a plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone increase. In controls, plasma LH levels remained undetectable until the pubertal rise occurred at 29.3 +/- 0.2 months of age. This developmental event occurred in only half of the methimazole-treated animals before 36 months of age when T(4) replacement was initiated. The hypothyroid state was associated with a profound arrest of growth and bone maturation, but increased body mass indices and plasma leptin levels. T(4) replacement in methimazole-treated monkeys was associated with the pubertal rise in LH in the remaining three animals and accelerated somatic development in all six animals. Although pubertal resurgence in LH secretion occurred at a later chronological age in methimazole-treated animals compared to controls, bone age, crown-rump length and body weight at that time did not differ between groups. There were no long-term differences in plasma prolactin between groups. We conclude that juvenile hypothyroidism in male primates causes a marked delay in the pubertal resurgence of LH secretion, probably occasioned at the hypothalamic level. Whether this effect is meditated by an action of thyroid hormone directly on the hypothalamus or indirectly as a result of the concomitant deficit in

Inherited pain: sodium channel Nav1.7 A1632T mutation causes erythromelalgia due to a shift of fast inactivation.

PubMed

Eberhardt, Mirjam; Nakajima, Julika; Klinger, Alexandra B; Neacsu, Cristian; Hühne, Kathrin; O'Reilly, Andrias O; Kist, Andreas M; Lampe, Anne K; Fischer, Kerstin; Gibson, Jane; Nau, Carla; Winterpacht, Andreas; Lampert, Angelika

2014-01-24

Inherited erythromelalgia (IEM) causes debilitating episodic neuropathic pain characterized by burning in the extremities. Inherited "paroxysmal extreme pain disorder" (PEPD) differs in its clinical picture and affects proximal body areas like the rectal, ocular, or jaw regions. Both pain syndromes have been linked to mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.7. Electrophysiological characterization shows that IEM-causing mutations generally enhance activation, whereas mutations leading to PEPD alter fast inactivation. Previously, an A1632E mutation of a patient with overlapping symptoms of IEM and PEPD was reported (Estacion, M., Dib-Hajj, S. D., Benke, P. J., Te Morsche, R. H., Eastman, E. M., Macala, L. J., Drenth, J. P., and Waxman, S. G. (2008) NaV1.7 Gain-of-function mutations as a continuum. A1632E displays physiological changes associated with erythromelalgia and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder mutations and produces symptoms of both disorders. J. Neurosci. 28, 11079-11088), displaying a shift of both activation and fast inactivation. Here, we characterize a new mutation of Nav1.7, A1632T, found in a patient suffering from IEM. Although transfection of A1632T in sensory neurons resulted in hyperexcitability and spontaneous firing of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, whole-cell patch clamp of transfected HEK cells revealed that Nav1.7 activation was unaltered by the A1632T mutation but that steady-state fast inactivation was shifted to more depolarized potentials. This is a characteristic normally attributed to PEPD-causing mutations. In contrast to the IEM/PEPD crossover mutation A1632E, A1632T failed to slow current decay (i.e. open-state inactivation) and did not increase resurgent currents, which have been suggested to contribute to high-frequency firing in physiological and pathological conditions. Reduced fast inactivation without increased resurgent currents induces symptoms of IEM, not PEPD, in the new Nav1.7 mutation, A1632T. Therefore

An Investment Case to Prevent the Reintroduction of Malaria in Sri Lanka

PubMed Central

Shretta, Rima; Baral, Ranju; Avanceña, Anton L. V.; Fox, Katie; Dannoruwa, Asoka Premasiri; Jayanetti, Ravindra; Jeyakumaran, Arumainayagam; Hasantha, Rasike; Peris, Lalanthika; Premaratne, Risintha

2017-01-01

Sri Lanka has made remarkable gains in reducing the burden of malaria, recording no locally transmitted malaria cases since November 2012 and zero deaths since 2007. The country was recently certified as malaria free by World Health Organization in September 2016. Sri Lanka, however, continues to face a risk of resurgence due to persistent receptivity and vulnerability to malaria transmission. Maintaining the gains will require continued financing to the malaria program to maintain the activities aimed at preventing reintroduction. This article presents an investment case for malaria in Sri Lanka by estimating the costs and benefits of sustaining investments to prevent the reintroduction of the disease. An ingredient-based approach was used to estimate the cost of the existing program. The cost of potential resurgence was estimated using a hypothetical scenario in which resurgence assumed to occur, if all prevention of reintroduction activities were halted. These estimates were used to compute a benefit–cost ratio and a return on investment. The total economic cost of the malaria program in 2014 was estimated at U.S. dollars (USD) 0.57 per capita per year with a financial cost of USD0.37 per capita. The cost of potential malaria resurgence was, however, much higher estimated at 13 times the cost of maintaining existing activities or 21 times based on financial costs alone. This evidence suggests a substantial return on investment providing a compelling argument for advocacy for continued prioritization of funding for the prevention of reintroduction of malaria in Sri Lanka. PMID:28115673

Resurgence of duckweed research and applications: report from the 3rd International Duckweed Conference.

PubMed

Appenroth, Klaus-J; Sree, K Sowjanya; Fakhoorian, Tamra; Lam, Eric

2015-12-01

Duckweed, flowering plants in the Lemnaceae family, comprises the smallest angiosperms in the plant kingdom. They have some of the fastest biomass accumulation rates reported to date for plants and have the demonstrated ability to thrive on wastewater rich in dissolved organic compounds and thus could help to remediated polluted water resources and prevents eutrophication. With a high quality genome sequence now available and increased commercial interest worldwide to develop duckweed biomass for renewables such as protein and fuel, the 3rd International Duckweed Conference convened at Kyoto, Japan, in July of 2015, to update the community of duckweed researchers and developers on the progress in the field. In addition to sharing results and ideas, the conference also provided ample opportunities for new-comers as well as established workers in the field to network and create new aliances. We hope this meeting summary will also help to disseminate the key advances and observations that have been presented in this conference to the broader plant biology community in order to encourage increased cross-fertilization of ideas and technologies.

[Catatonia: resurgence of a concept. A review of the international literature].

PubMed

Pommepuy, N; Januel, D

2002-01-01

Catatonia was first described in 1874 by Kahlbaum as being a cyclic disease mixing motor features and mood variations. Because most cases ended in dementia, Kraepelin recognized catatonia as a form of dementia praecox and Bleuler included it within his wide group of schizophrenias. This view influenced the psychiatric practice for more than 70 years. But catatonia was recently reconsidered and this because of the definition of more precise diagnosis criteria, the discovery of a striking association with mood disorders, and the emphasis on effective therapeutics. Peralta et al empirically developed a performant diagnostic instrument with the 11 most discriminant signs among catatonic features. Diagnostic threshold is three or more signs with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99%. These signs are: immobility/stupor (extreme passivity, marked hypokinesia); mutism (includes inaudible whisper); negativism (resistance to instructions, contrary comportment to whose asked); oppositionism, other called gegenhalten (resistance to passive movement which increases with the force exerted); posturing (patient adopts spontaneously odd postures); catalepsy (patient retains limb positions passively imposed during examination; waxy flexibility); automatic obedience (exaggerated co-operation to instructed movements); echo phenomena (movements, mimic and speech of the examiner are copied with modification and amplifications); rigidity (increased muscular tone); verbigeration (continuous and directionless repetition of single words or phrases); withdrawal/refusal to eat or drink (turning away from examiner, no eye contact, refusal to take food or drink when offered). Using this diagnostic tool, prevalence of catatonic syndrome appears to be close to 8% of psychiatric admissions. Other signs are also common but less specific: staring, ambitendance, iterations, stereotypes, mannerism, overactivity/excitement, impulsivity, combativeness. Some authors complete this description by

Resurgent beaver ponds in the northeastern United States: implications for greenhouse gas emissions.

PubMed

Lazar, Julia G; Addy, Kelly; Welsh, Molly K; Gold, Arthur J; Groffman, Peter M

2014-11-01

Beaver ponds, a wetland type of increasing density in the northeastern United States, vary spatially and temporally, creating high uncertainty in their impact to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We used floating static gas chambers to assess diffusive fluxes of methane (CH), carbon dioxide (CO), and nitrous oxide (NO) from the air-water interface of three beaver ponds (0.05-8 ha) in Rhode Island from fall 2012 to summer 2013. Gas flux was based on linear changes of gas concentrations in chambers over 1 h. Our results show that these beaver ponds generated considerable CH and CO emissions. Methane flux (18-556 mg m d) showed no significant seasonal differences, but the shallowest pond generated significantly higher CH flux than the other ponds. Carbon dioxide flux (0.5-22.0 g m d) was not significantly different between sites, but it was significantly higher in the fall, possibly due to the degradation of fresh leaves. Nitrous oxide flux was low (0-2.4 mg m d). Overall, CH and CO comprised most of the global warming potential, 61 and 38%, respectively. The shallowness of the beaver ponds may have limited the time needed for CH oxidation to CO before CH escaped to the atmosphere. Beaver dams also increase the aerial extent of hydric soils, which may transform riparian areas from upland GHG sinks to wetland GHG sources thereby changing the net global warming potential. Further studies tracking the pattern and conditions of beaver pond creation and abandonment will be essential to understanding their role as GHG sources. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

The molecular autopsy: an indispensable step following sudden cardiac death in the young?

PubMed Central

Boczek, Nicole J.; Tester, David J.; Ackerman, Michael J.

2013-01-01

Annually thousands of sudden deaths involving young individuals (< 35 years of age) remain unexplained following a complete medicolegal investigation that includes an autopsy. In fact, epidemiological studies have estimated that over half of sudden deaths involving previously healthy young individuals have no morphological abnormalities identifiable at autopsy. Cardiac channelopathies associated with structurally normal hearts such as long QT syndrome (LQTS), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and Brugada syndrome (BrS), leave no evidence to be found at autopsy, leaving investigators to only speculate that a lethal arrhythmia might lie at the heart of a sudden unexplained death (SUD). In cases of autopsy-negative SUD, continued investigation, through the use of a cardiological and genetic evaluation of first- or second-degree relatives and/or a molecular autopsy, may pinpoint the underlying mechanism attributing to the sudden death and allow for the identification of living family members with the pathogenic substrate that renders them vulnerable to an increased risk for cardiac events, including sudden death. PMID:22993115

Comparisons of topical and spray applications of two pesticides, triazophos and jinggangmycin, on the protein content in the ovaries and fat bodies of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera:Delphacidae).

PubMed

Zhu, Zhan-Fei; Cheng, Jia; Lu, Xiu-Li; Li, Xin; Ge, Lin-Quan; Fang, Ji-Chao; Wu, Jin-Cai

2014-09-01

The pesticide-induced stimulation of reproduction in pests is one of the most important mechanisms of pest resurgence. There have been numerous reports on the insecticide-induced stimulation of reproduction. However, the relationship between pesticide application method and pest resurgence (stimulation of reproduction) has received little attention. Here, we studied the effect of two treatment methods, triazophos (TZP) and jinggangmycin (JGM), on the protein content in the ovaries and fat bodies of the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens Stål. The results showed that pesticide treatment methods significantly affected the protein content in the ovaries and fat bodies of BPH. In addition, grand means (means of main effect) of the protein content at 2 and 3 days after emergence (2 and 3 DAE) for foliar sprays was significantly higher than that observed after topical treatments, which increased by 23.9% (from 1.42 to 1.76) and 8.82% (from 4.42 to 4.81), respectively. No significant differences on the protein content in the ovaries and fat bodies for the JGM topical treatment were observed compared with controls. However, the protein content for JGM foliar sprays was significantly higher than that for the controls. The protein contents in both topical and spray treatments of TZP were significantly higher than those of the controls. Ovarian protein is mainly yolk protein. There is a positive correlation between ovarian protein content and the number of eggs laid. These findings show that foliar spray of the pesticides promotes the resurgence of BPH. Therefore, the foliar spray of some pesticides, such as JGM, should be avoided for the control of pests, which is the sideeffects of the fungicide on non-target insect pests' occurrence. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Malaria and tuberculosis: our concerns.

PubMed

Shiva, M

1997-01-01

In 1978 the concept of primary health care was adopted by 116 countries at Alma Ata, yet the negative impact of structural readjustment programs in Africa and South America could be felt due to the cuts in expenditures on health, education, and social matters. The result is a resurgence of communicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. Another factor in this resurgence is extreme poverty. In 1994 over 1000 people died in Rajasthan, India, of a malaria epidemic, and during the same time in Delhi over 300 deaths were attributed to hemorrhagic dengue fever. Malariogenic and tuberculous conditions continue to flourish owing to distorted development patterns and commercialization of medical care as public health and community health services are being replaced by profit-oriented curative care, 80% of which is in private hands. This has resulted in spiraling medical care costs and rural indebtedness. Socioeconomic deprivation in developing countries threatens TB control. Factors contributing to the spread of TB were established in 1899 and are still valid in India and other developing countries: TB contamination of air, inadequate food, overcrowded dwelling, and low state of physical health. Even in developed countries TB is on the rise: there were 172 cases in 1991 in England vs. 305 cases in 1993, half of them among immigrants. The increase occurred in the poorest 30% of the population. The World Bank is providing loans for a revised TB and malaria strategy, and the Disability Adjusted Life Year has been used to identify the greatest burden of diseases. On the other hand, the Indian National Health Policy has not been revised since 1983. Priority must be given to those living in extreme poverty to curb the resurgence of once controlled diseases.

Clinical trial involving sufferers and non-sufferers of cervicogenic headache (CGH): potential mechanisms of action of photobiomodulation (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liebert, Ann D.; Bicknell, Brian

2017-02-01

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an effective tool for the management of spinal pain including inflammation of facet joints. Apart from cervical and lumbar joint pain the upper cervical spine facet joint inflammation can result in the CGH (traumatic or atraumatic in origin). This condition affects children, adults and elders and is responsible for 19% of chronic headache and up to 33% of patients in pain clinics. The condition responds well to physiotherapy, facet joint injection, radiofrequency neurotomy and surgery at a rate of 75%. The other 25% being unresponsive to treatment with no identified features of unresponsiveness. In other conditions of chronic unresponsive cervical pain have responded to photobiomodulation at a level of 80% in the short and medium term. A clinical trial was therefore conducted on a cohort of atraumatic patients from the ages of 5-93 (predominantly Neurologist referred / familial sufferers 2/3 generations vertically and laterally) who had responded to a course of PBM and physiotherapy. The CGH sufferers and their non CGH suffering relatives over these generations were then compared for features that distinguish the two groups. Fifty parameters were tested (anthropmetric, movement and neural tension tests included) and there was a noted difference in tandem stance between the groups (.04 significance with repeated measures). As this impairment is common to benign ataxia and migrainous vertigo and in these conditions there is an ion channelopathy (especially potassium channelopathy). A postulated mechanism of action of PBM would involve modulation of ion channels and this is discussed in this presentation.

Addition of verapamil in the treatment of severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy.

PubMed

Iannetti, Paola; Parisi, Pasquale; Spalice, Alberto; Ruggieri, Martino; Zara, Federico

2009-07-01

We report on the use of the voltage-gated calcium channel blocker (Vg-CCB), verapamil, as an add-on anticonvulsant medication in two girls, 4 and 14 years of age, who were affected by severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI) or Dravet syndrome, a channelopathy caused by abnormalities in the voltage-gated sodium channel neuronal type alpha1 subunit (SCN1A) gene at 2q24. Both girls had pharmacoresistant epilepsy and developmental delay. Mutation analysis for the SCN1A gene revealed a missense mutation in exon 2 in the 4-year-old girl. Verapamil was co-administered in both children with a prompt response in controlling status epilepticus, myoclonic jerks, and partial and generalized seizures. The therapeutic effect lasted 13 months in the 14-year-old girl, while it is still present after a 20-month follow-up period in the 4-year-old girl who, in addition, has experienced improvement in motor and language development. The verapamil vVg-CCB, which crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB): (a) inhibits the P-glycoprotein, an active efflux transporter protein expressed in normal tissue, including the brain, which is believed to contribute to the in situ phenomenon of multidrug resistance; and (b) may regulate membrane depolarization induced by abnormal sodium channels functions by modulating the abnormal Ca++ influxes into neurons with subsequent cell resting. This is the first report on long-lasting verapamil therapy in SMEI. The functional consequences of such in vivo modulating effects on Ca++ channels could contribute to rational targeting for future molecular therapeutic approaches in pharmacoresistant epileptic channelopathies.

Transmembrane S1 mutations in CNGA3 from achromatopsia 2 patients cause loss of function and impaired cellular trafficking of the cone CNG channel.

PubMed

Patel, Kirti A; Bartoli, Kristen M; Fandino, Richard A; Ngatchou, Anita N; Woch, Gustaw; Carey, Jannette; Tanaka, Jacqueline C

2005-07-01

Achromatopsia 2, an inherited retinal disorder resulting in attenuation or loss of cone function, is caused by mutations in the alpha subunit of the cone cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel gene CNGA3. Examination of mutations that cluster in the first transmembrane segment of the protein may provide insight into its role in CNG channel structure, function, biogenesis, and pathophysiology. The human CNGA3 gene was tagged at the C terminus with green fluorescent protein. Four mutations, Y181C, N182Y, L186F, and C191Y, were expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Protein expression was evaluated with immunoblot analysis and cellular localization was determined by immunocytochemistry. Channel function was evaluated by patch-clamp electrophysiology. All the mutations result in loss of channel function, as determined by the failure of cGMP to activate wild-type currents in excised patches. Full-length mutant proteins were synthesized but retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Glycerol treatment did not rescue channel function nor did coexpression with CNGB3, a subunit of native hetero-tetrameric cone channels. A control mutant, C191S, exhibited cGMP current activation with significantly reduced cooperativity, suggesting that mutations in the first transmembrane domain alter in inter- or intrasubunit communication. The results implicate the first transmembrane segment in both maturation and function of CNG channels. The defects are not reversed with glycerol, a chemical chaperone that rescues channel function in some channelopathies. Molecular analysis of achromatopsia 2 mutations may be useful in evaluating potential therapeutic approaches for treatment of this channelopathy.

Post-mortem whole-exome analysis in a large sudden infant death syndrome cohort with a focus on cardiovascular and metabolic genetic diseases.

PubMed

Neubauer, Jacqueline; Lecca, Maria Rita; Russo, Giancarlo; Bartsch, Christine; Medeiros-Domingo, Argelia; Berger, Wolfgang; Haas, Cordula

2017-04-01

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is described as the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant younger than one year of age. Genetic studies indicate that up to 35% of SIDS cases might be explained by familial or genetic diseases such as cardiomyopathies, ion channelopathies or metabolic disorders that remained undetected during conventional forensic autopsy procedures. Post-mortem genetic testing by using massive parallel sequencing (MPS) approaches represents an efficient and rapid tool to further investigate unexplained death cases and might help to elucidate pathogenic genetic variants and mechanisms in cases without a conclusive cause of death. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 161 European SIDS infants with focus on 192 genes associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Potentially causative variants were detected in 20% of the SIDS cases. The majority of infants had variants with likely functional effects in genes associated with channelopathies (9%), followed by cardiomyopathies (7%) and metabolic diseases (1%). Although lethal arrhythmia represents the most plausible and likely cause of death, the majority of SIDS cases still remains elusive and might be explained by a multifactorial etiology, triggered by a combination of different genetic and environmental risk factors. As WES is not substantially more expensive than a targeted sequencing approach, it represents an unbiased screening of the exome, which could help to investigate different pathogenic mechanisms within the genetically heterogeneous SIDS cohort. Additionally, re-analysis of the datasets provides the basis to identify new candidate genes in sudden infant death.

Voltage-gated sodium channel β subunits: The power outside the pore in brain development and disease.

PubMed

Hull, Jacob M; Isom, Lori L

2018-04-01

Voltage gated sodium channels (VGSCs) were first identified in terms of their role in the upstroke of the action potential. The underlying proteins were later identified as saxitoxin and scorpion toxin receptors consisting of α and β subunits. We now know that VGSCs are heterotrimeric complexes consisting of a single pore forming α subunit joined by two β subunits; a noncovalently linked β1 or β3 and a covalently linked β2 or β4 subunit. VGSC α subunits contain all the machinery necessary for channel cell surface expression, ion conduction, voltage sensing, gating, and inactivation, in one central, polytopic, transmembrane protein. VGSC β subunits are more than simple accessories to α subunits. In the more than two decades since the original cloning of β1, our knowledge of their roles in physiology and pathophysiology has expanded immensely. VGSC β subunits are multifunctional. They confer unique gating mechanisms, regulate cellular excitability, affect brain development, confer distinct channel pharmacology, and have functions that are independent of the α subunits. The vast array of functions of these proteins stems from their special station in the channelome: being the only known constituents that are cell adhesion and intra/extracellular signaling molecules in addition to being part of channel complexes. This functional trifecta and how it goes awry demonstrates the power outside the pore in ion channel signaling complexes, broadening the term channelopathy beyond defects in ion conduction. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Channelopathies.' Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Sexually transmitted infections in Barcelona beyond 2000].

PubMed

Vall Mayans, Martí; Sanz Colomo, Benicio; Loureiro Varela, Eva; Armengol Egea, Pere

2004-01-17

Information about sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Barcelona is scarce. Sexual risk behaviors and some STI have recently increased. Descriptive study of STI diagnosed at the STI Unit of Barcelona between 2001 and 2002. Some STI were more frequent among homosexual men. HIV coinfection in patients with syphilis was seen in 10/18 homosexual men and 1/10 heterosexuals (p = 0.04). There is a resurgence of some STI in Barcelona. New preventive interventions are needed, especially addressed to homosexual men.

Brugada Syndrome in a Patient with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Sudden Death Risk Amplified.

PubMed

D'Souza, Jason; Malhotra, Divyanshu; Goud, Aditya; Dahagam, Chanukya; Everett, George

2017-04-19

The vast majority of sudden cardiac arrests occur in patients with structural heart disease and in approximately 10% of the cases, it can occur in those with structurally normal hearts. Brugada syndrome is an autosomal dominant sodium channelopathy that has been implicated in sudden deaths. Given their low prevalence, our knowledge about Brugada syndrome is still evolving. Apart from schizophrenia, there have been no reports of associated medical conditions. We recently encountered a patient with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome who was also found to have Brugada syndrome. Both these conditions share some common clinical presentations including a propensity for sudden death.

Measles resurgence following a nationwide measles vaccination campaign in Nigeria, 2005-2008.

PubMed

Weldegebriel, Goitom G; Gasasira, Alex; Harvey, Pauline; Masresha, Balcha; Goodson, James L; Pate, Muhammad A; Abanida, Emmanuel; Chevez, Ana

2011-07-01

From 1990 through 2008, routine immunization coverage of measles vaccine in Nigeria ranged from 35% to 70%. Nigeria conducted a nationwide measles vaccination campaign in 2 phases during 2005-2006 that targeted children aged 9 months to 14 years; in 2008, a nationwide follow-up campaign that targeted children aged 9 months to 4 years was conducted in 2 phases. Despite these efforts, measles cases continued to occur. This is a descriptive study that reviewed the measles immunization coverage data from administrative, World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, survey, and supplemental immunization activities data. Measles surveillance data were analyzed from case-based surveillance reports. Confirmed measles cases increased from 383 in 2006 to 2542 in 2007 and to 9510 in 2008. Of the confirmed cases in 2008, 717 (30%) occurred in children <2 years of age, 1145 (48%) in children 2-4 years of age, and 354 (14%) were in children 5-14 years of age. In 2008, the measles case fatality rate was 1.2%. Suboptimal routine coverage and the wide interval between the catch-up and follow-up campaigns likely led to an accumulation of children susceptible to measles. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.

Resurgent Russia in 2030. Challenge for the USAF

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

real-time unfiltered news and information from the Internet.33 For example, Chechen sup- porters posted videos on YouTube showing improvised explosive...Future Shane P. Courville, December 2007 64 Next Generation Nanotechnology Assembly Fabrication Methods: A Trend Forecast Vincent T. Jovene , Jr

An Evaluation of Resurgence during Functional Communication Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wacker, David P.; Harding, Jay W.; Morgan, Theresa A.; Berg, Wendy K.; Schieltz, Kelly M.; Lee, John F.; Padilla, Yaniz C.

2013-01-01

Three children who displayed destructive behavior maintained by negative reinforcement received functional communication training (FCT). During FCT, the children were required to complete a demand and then to mand (touch a card attached to a microswitch, sign, or vocalize) to receive brief play breaks. Prior to and 1 to 3 times following the…

Recent resurgence of mumps in the United States.

PubMed

Dayan, Gustavo H; Quinlisk, M Patricia; Parker, Amy A; Barskey, Albert E; Harris, Meghan L; Schwartz, Jennifer M Hill; Hunt, Kae; Finley, Carol G; Leschinsky, Dennis P; O'Keefe, Anne L; Clayton, Joshua; Kightlinger, Lon K; Dietle, Eden G; Berg, Jeffrey; Kenyon, Cynthia L; Goldstein, Susan T; Stokley, Shannon K; Redd, Susan B; Rota, Paul A; Rota, Jennifer; Bi, Daoling; Roush, Sandra W; Bridges, Carolyn B; Santibanez, Tammy A; Parashar, Umesh; Bellini, William J; Seward, Jane F

2008-04-10

The widespread use of a second dose of mumps vaccine among U.S. schoolchildren beginning in 1990 was followed by historically low reports of mumps cases. A 2010 elimination goal was established, but in 2006 the largest mumps outbreak in two decades occurred in the United States. We examined national data on mumps cases reported during 2006, detailed case data from the most highly affected states, and vaccination-coverage data from three nationwide surveys. A total of 6584 cases of mumps were reported in 2006, with 76% occurring between March and May. There were 85 hospitalizations, but no deaths were reported; 85% of patients lived in eight contiguous midwestern states. The national incidence of mumps was 2.2 per 100,000, with the highest incidence among persons 18 to 24 years of age (an incidence 3.7 times that of all other age groups combined). In a subgroup analysis, 83% of these patients reported current college attendance. Among patients in eight highly affected states with known vaccination status, 63% overall and 84% between the ages of 18 and 24 years had received two doses of mumps vaccine. For the 12 years preceding the outbreak, national coverage of one-dose mumps vaccination among preschoolers was 89% or more nationwide and 86% or more in highly affected states. In 2006, the national two-dose coverage among adolescents was 87%, the highest in U.S. history. Despite a high coverage rate with two doses of mumps-containing vaccine, a large mumps outbreak occurred, characterized by two-dose vaccine failure, particularly among midwestern college-age adults who probably received the second dose as schoolchildren. A more effective mumps vaccine or changes in vaccine policy may be needed to avert future outbreaks and achieve the elimination of mumps. Copyright 2008 Massachusetts Medical Society.

Resurgence and hydrodynamic attractors in Gauss-Bonnet holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casalderrey-Solana, Jorge; Gushterov, Nikola I.; Meiring, Ben

2018-04-01

We study the convergence of the hydrodynamic series in the gravity dual of Gauss-Bonnet gravity in five dimensions with negative cosmological constant via holography. By imposing boost invariance symmetry, we find a solution to the Gauss-Bonnet equation of motion in inverse powers of the proper time, from which we can extract high order corrections to Bjorken flow for different values of the Gauss-Bonnet parameter λGB. As in all other known examples the gradient expansion is, at most, an asymptotic series which can be understood through applying the techniques of Borel-Padé summation. As expected from the behaviour of the quasi-normal modes in the theory, we observe that the singularities in the Borel plane of this series show qualitative features that interpolate between the infinitely strong coupling limit of N=4 Super Yang Mills theory and the expectation from kinetic theory. We further perform the Borel resummation to constrain the behaviour of hydrodynamic attractors beyond leading order in the hydrodynamic expansion. We find that for all values of λGB considered, the convergence of different initial conditions to the resummation and its hydrodynamization occur at large and comparable values of the pressure anisotropy.

As through a glass, darkly: the future of sexually transmissible infections among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

PubMed Central

Stenger, Mark Richard; Baral, Stefan; Stahlman, Shauna; Wohlfeiler, Dan; Barton, Jerusha E.; Peterman, Thomas

2016-01-01

The trajectory of sexually transmissible infection (STI) incidence among gay and other men who have sex with men (MSM) suggests that incidence will likely remain high in the near future. STIs were hyperendemic globally among MSM in the decades preceding the HIV epidemic. Significant changes among MSM as a response to the HIV epidemic, caused STI incidence to decline, reaching historical nadirs in the mid-1990s. With the advent of antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV-related mortality and morbidity declined significantly in that decade. Concurrently, STI incidence resurged among MSM and increased in scope and geographic magnitude. By 2000, bacterial STIs were universally resurgent among MSM, reaching or exceeding pre-HIV levels. While the evidence base necessary for assessing the burden STIs among MSM, both across time and across regions, continues to be lacking, recent progress has been made in this respect. Current epidemiology indicates a continuing and increasing trajectory of STI incidence among MSM. Yet increased reported case incidence of gonorrhoea is likely confounded by additional screening and identification of an existing burden of infection. Conversely, more MSM may be diagnosed and treated in the context of HIV care or as part of routine management of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), potentially reducing transmission. Optimistically, uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination may lead to a near-elimination of genital warts and reductions in HPV-related cancers. Moreover, structural changes are occurring with respect to sexual minorities in social and civic life that may offer new opportunities, as well as exacerbate existing challenges, for STI prevention among MSM. PMID:27585033

Rabid epidemiologies: the emergence and resurgence of rabies in twentieth century South Africa.

PubMed

Brown, Karen

2011-01-01

This article discusses the history of rabies in South Africa since the early twentieth century. It argues that rabies is a zoonotic disease that traverses rural and urban spaces, that transfers itself between wild and domestic animals and remains a potential threat to human life in the region. Scientists discovered an indigenous form of rabies, found primarily in the yellow mongoose, after the first biomedically confirmed human fatalities in 1928. Since the 1950s canine rabies, presumed to have moved southwards from across the Zambezi River, has become endemic also. South Africa is home to a comparatively large number of rabies strains and animal carriers, making it a particularly interesting case study. Environmental changes during the colonial and apartheid periods have helped to explain the increase in rabies cases since the mid-twentieth century. Moreover, developments in the biological and ecological sciences have provided insights into why the rabies virus has become endemic in certain wildlife species.

The Italian subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator survey: S-ICD, why not?

PubMed

Botto, Giovanni Luca; Forleo, Giovanni B; Capucci, Alessandro; Solimene, Francesco; Vado, Antonello; Bertero, Giovanni; Palmisano, Pietro; Pisanò, Ennio; Rapacciuolo, Antonio; Infusino, Tommaso; Vicentini, Alessandro; Viscusi, Miguel; Ferrari, Paola; Talarico, Antonello; Russo, Giovanni; Boriani, Giuseppe; Padeletti, Luigi; Lovecchio, Mariolina; Valsecchi, Sergio; D'Onofrio, Antonio

2017-11-01

A recommendation for a subcutaneous-implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) has been added to recent European Society of Cardiology Guidelines. However, the S-ICD is not ideally suitable for patients who need pacing. The aim of this survey was to analyse the current practice of ICD implantation and to evaluate the actual suitability of S-ICD. The survey 'S-ICD Why Not?' was an independent initiative taken by the Italian Heart Rhythm Society (AIAC). Clinical characteristics, selection criteria, and factors guiding the choice of ICD type were collected in consecutive patients who underwent ICD implantation in 33 Italian centres from September to December 2015. A cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device was implanted in 39% (369 of 947) of patients undergoing de novo ICD implantation. An S-ICD was implanted in 12% of patients with no CRT indication (62 of 510 with available data). S-ICD patients were younger than patients who received transvenous ICD, more often had channelopathies, and more frequently received their device for secondary prevention of sudden death. More frequently, the clinical reason for preferring a transvenous ICD over an S-ICD was the need for pacing (45%) or for antitachycardia pacing (36%). Nonetheless, only 7% of patients fulfilled conditions for recommending permanent pacing, and 4% of patients had a history of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia that might have been treatable with antitachycardia pacing. The vast majority of patients needing ICD therapy are suitable candidates for S-ICD implantation. Nevertheless, it currently seems to be preferentially adopted for secondary prevention of sudden death in young patients with channelopathies. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

Physiological and Pathophysiological Insights of Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 Comparison

PubMed Central

Loussouarn, Gildas; Sternberg, Damien; Nicole, Sophie; Marionneau, Céline; Le Bouffant, Francoise; Toumaniantz, Gilles; Barc, Julien; Malak, Olfat A.; Fressart, Véronique; Péréon, Yann; Baró, Isabelle; Charpentier, Flavien

2016-01-01

Mutations in Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 α-subunits have been associated with muscular and cardiac channelopathies, respectively. Despite intense research on the structure and function of these channels, a lot of information is still missing to delineate the various physiological and pathophysiological processes underlying their activity at the molecular level. Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 sequences are similar, suggesting structural and functional homologies between the two orthologous channels. This also suggests that any characteristics described for one channel subunit may shed light on the properties of the counterpart channel subunit. In this review article, after a brief clinical description of the muscular and cardiac channelopathies related to Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 mutations, respectively, we compare the knowledge accumulated in different aspects of the expression and function of Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 α-subunits: the regulation of the two encoding genes (SCN4A and SCN5A), the associated/regulatory proteins and at last, the functional effect of the same missense mutations detected in Nav1.4 and Nav1.5. First, it appears that more is known on Nav1.5 expression and accessory proteins. Because of the high homologies of Nav1.5 binding sites and equivalent Nav1.4 sites, Nav1.5-related results may guide future investigations on Nav1.4. Second, the analysis of the same missense mutations in Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 revealed intriguing similarities regarding their effects on membrane excitability and alteration in channel biophysics. We believe that such comparison may bring new cues to the physiopathology of cardiac and muscular diseases. PMID:26834636

Chloride: the queen of electrolytes?

PubMed

Berend, Kenrick; van Hulsteijn, Leonard Hendrik; Gans, Rijk O B

2012-04-01

Channelopathies, defined as diseases that are caused by mutations in genes encoding ion channels, are associated with a wide variety of symptoms and have been documented extensively over the past decade. In contrast, despite the important role of chloride in serum, textbooks in general do not allocate chapters exclusively on hypochloremia or hyperchloremia and information on chloride other than channelopathies is scattered in the literature. To systematically review the function of chloride in man, data for this review include searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, and references from relevant articles including the search terms "chloride," "HCl," "chloride channel" "acid-base," "acidosis," "alkalosis," "anion gap" "strong anion gap" "Stewart," "base excess" and "lactate." In addition, internal medicine, critical care, nephrology and gastroenterology textbooks were evaluated on topics pertaining the assessment and management of acid-base disorders, including reference lists from journals or textbooks. Chloride is, after sodium, the most abundant electrolyte in serum, with a key role in the regulation of body fluids, electrolyte balance, the preservation of electrical neutrality, acid-base status and it is an essential component for the assessment of many pathological conditions. When assessing serum electrolytes, abnormal chloride levels alone usually signify a more serious underlying metabolic disorder, such as metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. Chloride is an important component of diagnostic tests in a wide array of clinical situations. In these cases, chloride can be tested in sweat, serum, urine and feces. Abnormalities in chloride channel expression and function in many organs can cause a range of disorders. Copyright © 2011 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Geography, ecology and emerging infectious diseases.

PubMed

Mayer, J D

2000-04-01

Emerging infectious diseases are the focus of increased attention and even alarm in the scholarly and popular literature. The emergence of new diseases and the resurgence of older and previously recognized infectious diseases both in developing and developed country poses challenges for understanding the ecological web of causation, including social, economic, environmental and biological components. This paper is a synthesis of the major characteristics of emerging diseases, in an interdisciplinary context. Political ecology is one framework for analysis that is promising in developing a modified ecology of disease.

Inherited disorders of voltage-gated sodium channels

PubMed Central

George, Alfred L.

2005-01-01

A variety of inherited human disorders affecting skeletal muscle contraction, heart rhythm, and nervous system function have been traced to mutations in genes encoding voltage-gated sodium channels. Clinical severity among these conditions ranges from mild or even latent disease to life-threatening or incapacitating conditions. The sodium channelopathies were among the first recognized ion channel diseases and continue to attract widespread clinical and scientific interest. An expanding knowledge base has substantially advanced our understanding of structure-function and genotype-phenotype relationships for voltage-gated sodium channels and provided new insights into the pathophysiological basis for common diseases such as cardiac arrhythmias and epilepsy. PMID:16075039

Investigation following resuscitated cardiac arrest.

PubMed

Skinner, Jonathan R

2013-01-01

Roughly two thirds of resuscitated cardiac arrests in children and youth are due to inherited heart diseases. The most commonly implicated are the cardiac ion channelopathies long QT syndrome, CPVT (catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia) and Brugada syndrome. Diagnosis is pivotal to further management of the child if he/she survives, and also to other family members who may be at risk. Thorough investigation of the cardiac arrest survivor is essential to either identify or exclude inherited heart disease. If standard cardiac investigation does not reveal a diagnosis, pharmacological provocation tests are needed to unmask electrocardiographic signs of disease, even if, due to severe brain injury, it is planned ultimately to allow a natural death. Examples are the ajmaline/flecainide challenge for Brugada syndrome and epinephrine for CPVT. A supportive, informative and sympathetic approach to the family is essential. An arrhythmia specialist and a cardiac genetic service should be involved early, with storage of DNA and cardiac/genetic investigation of the family. This review proposes a diagnostic algorithm-based approach to the investigation of this increasingly common clinical scenario.

Malaria in Colombia: retrospective glance during the past 40 years.

PubMed

Valero-Bernal, María V

2006-01-01

Describe and analyze the structural configuration of malaria in Colombia since 1960 to 2004 where the phenomena of persistence, resurgence and resistance as well as the main determinants associated to these phenomena. A comparative study of the history of malaria and its trend was conducted in Colombia since 1960-2004. Secondary and primary information about the frequency and spatial distribution of malaria was collected. The sub period were identified according to institutional transformation and malaria control strategies as well as the socioeconomic and sociopolitical conjuncture factors in the country. The structural and situational analyses of malaria in Colombia shown a steadily increase in morbidity from an average API 2,19 x 1 000 in 1960-74 to 8,92 by 1994-2004. Since the middle 70's there has been a considerable reduction of mortality. The malaria case relation P. vivax vs. P. falciparum is 3 to 5, respectively. The Annual Positive Sample Rate increased during the same study periods from 3.96% to 29.93%. Unfortunately the Annual Blood Examination Rate-ABER decreased by fewer than 5%, instead of increase to minimum required for detection of malaria. During the National Eradication Malaria Service the malaria decreased steadily by the first five years, unfortunately the disease present resurgence, persistence after the reduction of financial and technical support from international health agencies in the middle seventies. Nowadays, around 85% of the territory, mainly rural areas are endemic for malaria. In spite of the transformation of the health system and different strategies implemented against malaria, it continues being one of the priorities in the public health services of Colombia.

Mosaic synaptopathy and functional defects in Cav1.4 heterozygous mice and human carriers of CSNB2

PubMed Central

Michalakis, Stylianos; Shaltiel, Lior; Sothilingam, Vithiyanjali; Koch, Susanne; Schludi, Verena; Krause, Stefanie; Zeitz, Christina; Audo, Isabelle; Lancelot, Marie-Elise; Hamel, Christian; Meunier, Isabelle; Preising, Markus N.; Friedburg, Christoph; Lorenz, Birgit; Zabouri, Nawal; Haverkamp, Silke; Garrido, Marina Garcia; Tanimoto, Naoyuki; Seeliger, Mathias W.; Biel, Martin; Wahl-Schott, Christian A.

2014-01-01

Mutations in CACNA1F encoding the α1-subunit of the retinal Cav1.4 L-type calcium channel have been linked to Cav1.4 channelopathies including incomplete congenital stationary night blindness type 2A (CSNB2), Åland Island eye disease (AIED) and cone-rod dystrophy type 3 (CORDX3). Since CACNA1F is located on the X chromosome, Cav1.4 channelopathies are typically affecting male patients via X-chromosomal recessive inheritance. Occasionally, clinical symptoms have been observed in female carriers, too. It is currently unknown how these mutations lead to symptoms in carriers and how the retinal network in these females is affected. To investigate these clinically important issues, we compared retinal phenotypes in Cav1.4-deficient and Cav1.4 heterozygous mice and in human female carrier patients. Heterozygous Cacna1f carrier mice have a retinal mosaic consistent with differential X-chromosomal inactivation, characterized by adjacent vertical columns of affected and non-affected wild-type-like retinal network. Vertical columns in heterozygous mice are well comparable to either the wild-type retinal network of normal mice or to the retina of homozygous mice. Affected retinal columns display pronounced rod and cone photoreceptor synaptopathy and cone degeneration. These changes lead to vastly impaired vision-guided navigation under dark and normal light conditions and reduced retinal electroretinography (ERG) responses in Cacna1f carrier mice. Similar abnormal ERG responses were found in five human CACNA1F carriers, four of which had novel mutations. In conclusion, our data on Cav1.4 deficient mice and human female carriers of mutations in CACNA1F are consistent with a phenotype of mosaic CSNB2. PMID:24163243

An 11-year retrospective experience of antibodies against the voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex from a tertiary neurological centre.

PubMed

Huda, S; Wong, S H; Pettingill, P; O'Connell, D; Vincent, A; Steiger, M

2015-02-01

Acquired diseases classically associated with VGKC-complex antibodies include peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH), Morvan's syndrome, limbic encephalitis (LE), and epilepsy. However, not all such patients have VGKC-complex antibodies and antibodies have been reported in patients without a defined immune-mediated syndrome. To analyse the clinical relevance of positive VGKC-complex antibodies requested on the basis of initial clinical suspicion. We retrospectively analysed patients with positive VGKC-complex antibodies (>100 pM) referred to our institution between 2001 and 2011. 1,614 VGKC-complex assays were performed in 1,298 patients. Titres >100 pM were detected in 57/1,298 (4 %) patients. A classic VGKC-complex channelopathy (60 %) was associated with VGKC-complex antibody titres >400 pM (p = 0.0004). LGI1 or CASPR2 antibodies were only detected in classic VGKC-complex channelopathies (LE; n = 3/4 and PNH; n = 1/5). VGKC-complex antibody titres <400 pM were seen with PNH (n = 15/22; 68 %) but also a heterogeneous range of central and/or peripheral nervous system disorders. Electromyography was supportive of PNH in 65 % of cases and symptomatic treatment was beneficial in 46 % of patients. Irrespective of titre, the rate of malignancy in patients with VGKC-complex antibodies was higher than the age-matched national incidence of malignancy (OR 19.9, 95 % CI 8.97-44.0 p<0.0001). Clinical phenotyping and antibody titres >400 pM can help determine VGKC-complex antibody relevance. Antibody titres <400 pM are associated with PNH but also a more heterogeneous clinical spectrum. The antibody association in the latter is of doubtful clinical relevance. The rate of malignancy was significantly higher than the national incidence irrespective of titre.

Expression of GABA receptor subunits in the hippocampus and thalamus after experimental traumatic brain injury

PubMed Central

Drexel, Meinrad; Puhakka, Noora; Kirchmair, Elke; Hörtnagl, Heide; Pitkänen, Asla; Sperk, Günther

2015-01-01

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability worldwide and often associated with post-traumatic epilepsy. We recently demonstrated that TBI induces acquired GABAA receptors channelopathy that associates with hyperexcitability in granule cell layer (GCL). We now assessed the expression of GABAA and GABAB receptor subunit mRNAs between 6 h and 6 months post-TBI in the hippocampus and thalamus. The expression of major GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs (α1, α2, α5, β2, β3, γ2 and δ) was, often bilaterally, down-regulated in the GCL and in the CA3 pyramidal cells. Instead, expression of α4 (GCL, CA3, CA1), α5 (CA1) and γ2 (GCL, CA3, CA1) mRNA was up-regulated after 10 d and/or 4 months. Many of these changes were reversible. In the thalamus, we found decreases in α1, α4, β2, γ2 and δ mRNAs in the laterodorsal thalamus and in the area combining the posterior thalamic nuclear group, ventroposterolateral and ventroposteromedial complex at 6 h to 4 months post-TBI. Unlike in the hippocampus, thalamic subunit down-regulations were irreversible and limited to the ipsilateral side. However, contralaterally there was up-regulation of the subunits δ and α4 6 h and 4 months after TBI, respectively. PCR array analysis suggested a mild long-lasting GABAA receptor channelopathy in the GCL and thalamus after TBI. Whereas TBI induces transient changes in the expression of GABAA receptor subunits in the hippocampus (presumably representing compensatory mechanisms), alterations of GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs in the thalamus are long-lasting and related to degeneration of receptor-containing neurons in thalamo-cortical relay nuclei. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘GABAergic Signaling in Health and Disease’. PMID:25229716

Expression of GABA receptor subunits in the hippocampus and thalamus after experimental traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Drexel, Meinrad; Puhakka, Noora; Kirchmair, Elke; Hörtnagl, Heide; Pitkänen, Asla; Sperk, Günther

2015-01-01

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability worldwide and often associated with post-traumatic epilepsy. We recently demonstrated that TBI induces acquired GABAA receptors channelopathy that associates with hyperexcitability in granule cell layer (GCL). We now assessed the expression of GABAA and GABAB receptor subunit mRNAs between 6 h and 6 months post-TBI in the hippocampus and thalamus. The expression of major GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs (α1, α2, α5, β2, β3, γ2 and δ) was, often bilaterally, down-regulated in the GCL and in the CA3 pyramidal cells. Instead, expression of α4 (GCL, CA3, CA1), α5 (CA1) and γ2 (GCL, CA3, CA1) mRNA was up-regulated after 10 d and/or 4 months. Many of these changes were reversible. In the thalamus, we found decreases in α1, α4, β2, γ2 and δ mRNAs in the laterodorsal thalamus and in the area combining the posterior thalamic nuclear group, ventroposterolateral and ventroposteromedial complex at 6 h to 4 months post-TBI. Unlike in the hippocampus, thalamic subunit down-regulations were irreversible and limited to the ipsilateral side. However, contralaterally there was up-regulation of the subunits δ and α4 6 h and 4 months after TBI, respectively. PCR array analysis suggested a mild long-lasting GABAA receptor channelopathy in the GCL and thalamus after TBI. Whereas TBI induces transient changes in the expression of GABAA receptor subunits in the hippocampus (presumably representing compensatory mechanisms), alterations of GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs in the thalamus are long-lasting and related to degeneration of receptor-containing neurons in thalamo-cortical relay nuclei. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Viruses, bacteria, and parasites - oh my! a resurgence of interest in microbial-based therapy for cancer.

PubMed

Zloza, Andrew

2018-01-08

As infections and cancer are two of the most common maladies affecting human beings, a concerted effort is needed to better understand their potential interactions and to further explore their use in microbial-based cancer treatments. Studies focusing on the interaction between pathogens and cancer began over 4000 years ago, but therapeutic application of pathogens has often been bypassed as other cancer therapies have gained wider interest. To many, the field of microbial-based cancer treatment may feel antiquated and already sufficiently explored. However, closer examination reveals that our current knowledge is but a series of dim reflections amongst many yet-unexplored shadows. Particularly, with our increased understanding of pathogen entry, replication, and senescence, coupled with our quickly increasing knowledge regarding cancer initiation, growth, and metastasis, and capped by our realization of the complexity and plasticity of the immune response, we are just now beginning to realize the vastness of the undiscovered area encompassing this field. At the same time, we are now uniquely poised with gained knowledge and discovered tools to join together across disciplines, uncover new positive and negative interactions between pathogens and cancer, and make important progress toward saving cancer patient lives.

Spatiotemporal Frameworks for Infectious Disease Diffusion and Epidemiology.

PubMed

Congdon, Peter

2016-12-20

Emerging infectious diseases, and the resurgence of previously controlled infectious disease (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), are a major focus for public health concern, as well as providing challenges for establishing aetiology and transmission. [...].

The Resurgence of Al-Qaeda in Syria and Iraq

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-01

20103 in Egypt , Libya, and Tuni- sia means all those states are now facing domestic ter- rorism and sectarian violence. In addition, the gradual...through institutions to (determine) legislation, where- as in Islam God is the sovereign’. But it adds: ‘This does not mean that we want an oppressive...see the results. Al Nusrah Front’s new recruits take an oath of alle- giance or al-Bay’ah. The religious nature of this oath, swearing before God to

Resurgence of vitamin D: Old wine in new bottle

PubMed Central

Vaishya, Raju; Vijay, Vipul; Agarwal, Amit Kumar; Jahangir, Jabed

2015-01-01

There are early references of it in ancient text and physicians have discussed its importance and features of its deficiency in the past. Vitamin D has again regained interest with recent dramatic rise in the incidence of deficiency in the developing as well as developing world. In this review article, we discuss the biochemical and role of vitamin D in the skeletal system. We also discuss the recommended dietary requirements and features of skeletal deficiency. Extra-skeletal roles of vitamin D deficiency have been a matter of debate lately and it has also been discussed in detail in this article. In conclusion, it would not be wrong to label vitamin D as one of the most important vitamin involved in the metabolism of the musculoskeletal system and any clinician, especially the orthopaedician, should be well versed with its overall mechanism and roles in the human body. PMID:26155053

Burial and resurgence of projective identification in French psychoanalysis.

PubMed

Widlöcher, Daniel

2014-08-01

Curiously enough, the concept of projective identification was ignored, and even rejected in France for at least two decades after the publication of the founding texts of Melanie Klein and Herbert Rosenfeld. This rejection was due to a critique from child psychoanalysts close to Anna Freud and also from the teaching of Lacan: the first took the real mother-child relation extensively into account, while the latter only saw the internal object as a signifier. The fact that during this period the countertransference was a concept reduced to its negative content no doubt explains this deliberate ignorance. With the dissemination of a broader and more positive conception of the countertransference, a renewal of interest could be observed in the 1980s with references to empathic listening and to the effects of thought-induction. Copyright © 2014 Institute of Psychoanalysis.

Restart: The Resurgence of Computer Science in UK Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Neil C. C.; Sentance, Sue; Crick, Tom; Humphreys, Simon

2014-01-01

Computer science in UK schools is undergoing a remarkable transformation. While the changes are not consistent across each of the four devolved nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), there are developments in each that are moving the subject to become mandatory for all pupils from age 5 onwards. In this article, we…

Resurgence of HPAI in birds and mechanisms of transmission

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses typically produce a similar severe, systemic disease with high mortality in chickens and other gallinaceous birds, but either no disease or only mild disease in domestic ducks and wild birds. However with emergence of H5N1 HPAI viruses and their mai...

Malaria in Dielmo, a Senegal village: Is its elimination possible after seven years of implementation of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets?

PubMed

Wotodjo, Amélé Nyedzie; Doucoure, Souleymane; Gaudart, Jean; Diagne, Nafissatou; Diene Sarr, Fatoumata; Faye, Ngor; Tall, Adama; Raoult, Didier; Sokhna, Cheikh

2017-01-01

The malaria burden has decreased significantly in recent years in Africa through the widespread use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs). However, the occurrence of malaria resurgences, the loss of immunity of exposed populations constitute among other factors, serious concerns about the future of malaria elimination efforts. This study investigated the evolution of malaria morbidity in Dielmo (Senegal) before and after the implementation of LLINs. A longitudinal study was carried out in Dielmo over eight years, from July 2007 to July 2015. In July 2008, LLINs were offered to all villagers, and in July 2011 and August 2014 the LLINs were renewed. A survey on LLINs use was done each quarter of the year. Thick smears stained with Giemsa, a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were performed for all cases of fever to assess malaria clinical attacks. Malaria cases were treated with ACT since June 2006. Malaria morbidity has decreased significantly since the implementation of LLINs in Dielmo, together with ACT. However, malaria resurgences have occurred twice during the seven years of LLINs use. These resurgences occurred the first time during the third year after the introduction of LLINs (aIRR (adjusted incidence-rate ratio) [95%CI] = 5.90 [3.53; 9.88] p< 0.001) and a second time during the third year after the renewal of LLINs (aIRR [95%CI] = 5.60 [3.34; 9.39] p< 0.001). Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the nets tested for their long-lasting insecticidal activity remained effective after 3 years of use. Good management of malaria cases by the use of ACT as first-line treatment against malaria in addition to the use of LLINs has significantly reduced malaria in Dielmo and allowed to reach the phase of pre-elimination of the disease. However, the occurrence of malaria resurgences raised serious concerns about malaria elimination, which would require additional tools

Effect of Transient Hypothyroidism During Infancy on the Postnatal Ontogeny of Luteinising Hormone Release in the Agonadal Male Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta): Implications for the Timing of Puberty in Higher Primates

PubMed Central

Plant, T. M.; Ramaswamy, S.; Bhat, G. K.; Stah, C. D.; Pohl, C. R.; Mann, D. R.

2010-01-01

The present study examined whether a transient thyroid hormone (T4) deficit during infancy in male monkeys would compromise the arrest of luteinising hormone (LH) secretion during the infant–juvenile transition, and/or interfere with the pubertal resurgence of LH. Animals were orchidectomised and thyroidectomised (n = 3; Tx) or sham Tx (n = 3) within 5 days of birth. T4 replacement was initiated in two Tx monkeys at age 19 weeks to reestablish a euthyroid condition. Blood samples were drawn weekly for hormone assay. Body weight, crown–rump length, and bone age were assessed throughout the study. Within a week of Tx, plasma T4 declined to undetectable levels and, by 6–8 weeks of age, signs of hypothyroidism were evident. Transient hypothyroidism during infancy failed to prevent either arrest of LH secretion during the infant–juvenile transition or the pubertal resurgence of LH secretion, both of which occurred at similar ages to sham Tx animals. Although body weight exhibited complete catch-up with T4 replacement, crown–rump length and bone age did not. Thus, bone age at the time of the pubertal LH resurgence in Tx animals was less advanced than that in shams. Although Tx did not influence qualitatively the pattern of gonadotrophin secretion, LH levels during infancy and after pubertal LH resurgence were elevated in Tx monkeys. This was not associated with changes in LH pulse frequency and amplitude, but half-life (53 versus 65 min) of the slow second phase of LH clearance was greater in Tx animals. These results indicate that hypothalamic mechanisms dictating the pattern of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone release from birth to puberty are not dependent on T4 action during infancy, and fail to support the notion that onset of puberty is causally coupled to skeletal maturation. They also indicate that LH renal clearance mechanisms may be programmed in a T4 dependent manner during infancy. PMID:18673410

Combating syphilis and HIV among users of internet chatrooms.

PubMed

Anderton, John P; Valdiserri, Ronald O

2005-01-01

The recent resurgence of syphilis among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and concerns about a potential increase in HIV incidence have sparked public health authorities to search for new approaches to address this converging problem. Epidemiologic investigations suggest that the Internet plays an important role in facilitating syphilis outbreaks. The experience of this pilot will help the public health community learn more about how to reach targeted online audiences, and will contribute toward understanding the role of the Internet in risk reduction strategies aimed at persons who use the Internet to meet sex partners.

Homeostasis or channelopathy? Acquired cell type-specific ion channel changes in temporal lobe epilepsy and their antiepileptic potential

PubMed Central

Wolfart, Jakob; Laker, Debora

2015-01-01

Neurons continuously adapt the expression and functionality of their ion channels. For example, exposed to chronic excitotoxicity, neurons homeostatically downscale their intrinsic excitability. In contrast, the “acquired channelopathy” hypothesis suggests that proepileptic channel characteristics develop during epilepsy. We review cell type-specific channel alterations under different epileptic conditions and discuss the potential of channels that undergo homeostatic adaptations, as targets for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Most of the relevant studies have been performed on temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a widespread AED-refractory, focal epilepsy. The TLE patients, who undergo epilepsy surgery, frequently display hippocampal sclerosis (HS), which is associated with degeneration of cornu ammonis subfield 1 pyramidal cells (CA1 PCs). Although the resected human tissue offers insights, controlled data largely stem from animal models simulating different aspects of TLE and other epilepsies. Most of the cell type-specific information is available for CA1 PCs and dentate gyrus granule cells (DG GCs). Between these two cell types, a dichotomy can be observed: while DG GCs acquire properties decreasing the intrinsic excitability (in TLE models and patients with HS), CA1 PCs develop channel characteristics increasing intrinsic excitability (in TLE models without HS only). However, thorough examination of data on these and other cell types reveals the coexistence of protective and permissive intrinsic plasticity within neurons. These mechanisms appear differentially regulated, depending on the cell type and seizure condition. Interestingly, the same channel molecules that are upregulated in DG GCs during HS-related TLE, appear as promising targets for future AEDs and gene therapies. Hence, GCs provide an example of homeostatic ion channel adaptation which can serve as a primer when designing novel anti-epileptic strategies. PMID:26124723

Laboratory Diagnosis of Pertussis

PubMed Central

Schellekens, Joop F. P.; Mooi, Frits R.

2015-01-01

SUMMARY The introduction of vaccination in the 1950s significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality of pertussis. However, since the 1990s, a resurgence of pertussis has been observed in vaccinated populations, and a number of causes have been proposed for this phenomenon, including improved diagnostics, increased awareness, waning immunity, and pathogen adaptation. The resurgence of pertussis highlights the importance of standardized, sensitive, and specific laboratory diagnoses, the lack of which is responsible for the large differences in pertussis notifications between countries. Accurate laboratory diagnosis is also important for distinguishing between the several etiologic agents of pertussis-like diseases, which involve both viruses and bacteria. If pertussis is diagnosed in a timely manner, antibiotic treatment of the patient can mitigate the symptoms and prevent transmission. During an outbreak, timely diagnosis of pertussis allows prophylactic treatment of infants too young to be (fully) vaccinated, for whom pertussis is a severe, sometimes fatal disease. Finally, reliable diagnosis of pertussis is required to reveal trends in the (age-specific) disease incidence, which may point to changes in vaccine efficacy, waning immunity, and the emergence of vaccine-adapted strains. Here we review current approaches to the diagnosis of pertussis and discuss their limitations and strengths. In particular, we emphasize that the optimal diagnostic procedure depends on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient, and the vaccination status of the patient. PMID:26354823

Store-operated Ca2+ entry controls ameloblast cell function and enamel development

PubMed Central

Eckstein, Miriam; Vaeth, Martin; Fornai, Cinzia; Vinu, Manikandan; Bromage, Timothy G.; Nurbaeva, Meerim K.; Sorge, Jessica L.; Coelho, Paulo G.; Idaghdour, Youssef; Feske, Stefan; Lacruz, Rodrigo S.

2017-01-01

Loss-of-function mutations in stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) impair the activation of Ca2+ release–activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels and store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), resulting in a disease syndrome called CRAC channelopathy that is characterized by severe dental enamel defects. The cause of these enamel defects has remained unclear given a lack of animal models. We generated Stim1/2K14cre mice to delete STIM1 and its homolog STIM2 in enamel cells. These mice showed impaired SOCE in enamel cells. Enamel in Stim1/2K14cre mice was hypomineralized with decreased Ca content, mechanically weak, and thinner. The morphology of SOCE-deficient ameloblasts was altered, showing loss of the typical ruffled border, resulting in mislocalized mitochondria. Global gene expression analysis of SOCE-deficient ameloblasts revealed strong dysregulation of several pathways. ER stress genes associated with the unfolded protein response were increased in Stim1/2-deficient cells, whereas the expression of components of the glutathione system were decreased. Consistent with increased oxidative stress, we found increased ROS production, decreased mitochondrial function, and abnormal mitochondrial morphology in ameloblasts of Stim1/2K14cre mice. Collectively, these data show that loss of SOCE in enamel cells has substantial detrimental effects on gene expression, cell function, and the mineralization of dental enamel. PMID:28352661

Molecular Epidemiological Evaluation of the Recent Resurgence in Mumps Virus Infections in Ireland ▿

PubMed Central

Carr, Michael J.; Moss, Eibhlín; Waters, Allison; Dean, Jonathan; Jin, Li; Coughlan, Suzie; Connell, Jeff; Hall, William W.; Hassan, Jaythoon

2010-01-01

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease; however, outbreaks have been reported in a number of countries with childhood immunization programs, particularly among young adults at the tertiary stage of education. We have retrospectively investigated the epidemiological, virological, and serological factors associated with mumps cases identified in Ireland from 2004 to 2009. Genetic analysis of mumps virus strain variability demonstrated that a single genotype, genotype G, was circulating, and it was also detected in cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained from patients with meningitis. We observed that younger individuals were disproportionately affected with neurological sequelae following mumps virus infection, and the average age of patients with mumps virus RNA detected in cerebrospinal fluid was 19.25 years (median, 19 years; range, 14 to 24 years). Our analysis showed a 4-fold rise in mumps cases in 2008-2009 and an increased incidence in infection in those ≥30 years of age. Over a 6-year period (2004 to 2009), a total of 7,805 serum samples were investigated; of this number, 1,813 (23%) were positive for mumps virus-specific IgM. We observed a strong bias for acute mumps virus infection in males compared to females (P < 10−32) that was independent of vaccination status. PMID:20660212

The purpose, function, and performance of streetcar transit in the modern U.S. city : a multiple-case-study investigation.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-02-01

The streetcar has made a remarkable resurgence in the United States in recent years. However, despite the proliferation of : streetcar projects, there is remarkably little work on the streetcars role as a transportation service. This study examine...

Mapping New Mobility business, innovation, and employment opportunities in Michigan : developing a data-driven graphical platform for assessing and advancing industry cluster development and entrepreneurship opportunities in urban regions : USDOT Region V

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-12-15

Across regional economic development leaders and policy makers, the concept of clustering has grown in importance as a framework for structuring economic growth and resurgence (Muro & Katz, 2010). Cluster identification is most often treated as a com...

Multimodal course enhancement and distance education.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-05-05

Given the resurgence and importance of rail transportation in the United States, as well as the relative paucity of curricular opportunities at colleges and universities, the University of Kentucky is using National University Rail Center (NURail) Ed...

Structural controls on the emission of magmatic carbon dioxide gas, Long Valley Caldera, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucic, Gregor; Stix, John; Wing, Boswell

2015-04-01

We present a degassing study of Long Valley Caldera that explores the structural controls upon emissions of magmatic carbon dioxide gas. A total of 223 soil gas samples were collected and analyzed for stable carbon isotopes using a field-portable cavity ring-down spectrometer. This novel technique is flexible, accurate, and provides sampling feedback on a daily basis. Sampling sites included major and minor volcanic centers, regional throughgoing faults, caldera-related structures, zones of elevated seismicity, and zones of past and present hydrothermal activity. The classification of soil gases based on their δ13C and CO2 values reveals a mixing relationship among three end-members: atmospheric, biogenic, and magmatic. Signatures dominated by biogenic contributions (~4 vol %, -24‰) are found on the caldera floor, the interior of the resurgent dome, and areas associated with the Hilton Creek and Hartley Springs fault systems. With the introduction of the magmatic component (~100 vol %, -4.5‰), samples acquire mixing and hydrothermal signatures and are spatially associated with the central caldera and Mammoth Mountain. In particular, they are concentrated along the southern margin of the resurgent dome where the interplay between resurgence-related reverse faulting and a bend in the regional fault system has created a highly permeable fracture network, suitable for the formation of shallow hydrothermal systems. This contrasts with the south moat, where despite elevated seismicity, a thick sedimentary cover has formed an impermeable cap, inhibiting the ascent of fluids and gases to the surface.

CALCULATION OF ELAPSED DECIMAL TIME FOR DYE-TRACING STUDIES: APPLICATION OF A BASELINE TIME STANDARD (Journal Article)

EPA Science Inventory

Calculation of time of travel from dye-tracing studies in karstic aquifers is critical to establishing pollutant arrival times from points of inflow to resurgences, calculation of subsurface flow velocities, and determining other important transport parameters such as longitudin...

ClC Channels and Transporters: Structure, Physiological Functions, and Implications in Human Chloride Channelopathies

PubMed Central

Poroca, Diogo R.; Pelis, Ryan M.; Chappe, Valérie M.

2017-01-01

The discovery of ClC proteins at the beginning of the 1990s was important for the development of the Cl- transport research field. ClCs form a large family of proteins that mediate voltage-dependent transport of Cl- ions across cell membranes. They are expressed in both plasma and intracellular membranes of cells from almost all living organisms. ClC proteins form transmembrane dimers, in which each monomer displays independent ion conductance. Eukaryotic members also possess a large cytoplasmic domain containing two CBS domains, which are involved in transport modulation. ClC proteins function as either Cl- channels or Cl-/H+ exchangers, although all ClC proteins share the same basic architecture. ClC channels have two gating mechanisms: a relatively well-studied fast gating mechanism, and a slow gating mechanism, which is poorly defined. ClCs are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including regulation of resting membrane potential in skeletal muscle, facilitation of transepithelial Cl- reabsorption in kidneys, and control of pH and Cl- concentration in intracellular compartments through coupled Cl-/H+ exchange mechanisms. Several inherited diseases result from C1C gene mutations, including myotonia congenita, Bartter’s syndrome (types 3 and 4), Dent’s disease, osteopetrosis, retinal degeneration, and lysosomal storage diseases. This review summarizes general features, known or suspected, of ClC structure, gating and physiological functions. We also discuss biophysical properties of mammalian ClCs that are directly involved in the pathophysiology of several human inherited disorders, or that induce interesting phenotypes in animal models. PMID:28386229

Recent Advances in the Pathogenesis and Drug Action in Periodic Paralyses and Related Channelopathies

PubMed Central

Tricarico, Domenico; Camerino, Diana Conte

2011-01-01

The periodic paralysis (PP) are rare autosomal-dominant disorders associated to mutations in the skeletal muscle sodium, calcium, and potassium channel genes characterized by muscle fiber depolarization with un-excitability, episodes of weakness with variations in serum potassium concentrations. Recent advances in thyrotoxic PP and hypokalemic PP (hypoPP) confirm the involvement of the muscle potassium channels in the pathogenesis of the diseases and their role as target of action for drugs of therapeutic interest. The novelty in the gating pore currents theory help to explain the disease symptoms, and open the possibility to more specifically target the disease. It is now known that the fiber depolarization in the hypoPP is due to an unbalance between the novel identified depolarizing gating pore currents (Igp) carried by protons or Na+ ions flowing through aberrant alternative pathways of the mutant subunits and repolarizing inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir) currents which also includes the ATP-sensitive subtype. Abnormal activation of the Igp or deficiency in the Kir channels predispose to fiber depolarization. One pharmacological strategy is based on blocking the Igp without affecting normal channel gating. It remains safe and effective the proposal of targeting the KATP, Kir channels, or BK channels by drugs capable to specifically open at nanomolar concentrations the skeletal muscle subtypes with less side effects. PMID:21687503

Neurological manifestations of oculodentodigital dysplasia: a Cx43 channelopathy of the central nervous system?

PubMed Central

De Bock, Marijke; Kerrebrouck, Marianne; Wang, Nan; Leybaert, Luc

2013-01-01

The coordination of tissue function is mediated by gap junctions (GJs) that enable direct cell–cell transfer of metabolic and electric signals. GJs are formed by connexins of which Cx43 is most widespread in the human body. In the brain, Cx43 GJs are mostly found in astroglia where they coordinate the propagation of Ca2+ waves, spatial K+ buffering, and distribution of glucose. Beyond its role in direct intercellular communication, Cx43 also forms unapposed, non-junctional hemichannels in the plasma membrane of glial cells. These allow the passage of several neuro- and gliotransmitters that may, combined with downstream paracrine signaling, complement direct GJ communication among glial cells and sustain glial-neuronal signaling. Mutations in the GJA1 gene encoding Cx43 have been identified in a rare, mostly autosomal dominant syndrome called oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD). ODDD patients display a pleiotropic phenotype reflected by eye, hand, teeth, and foot abnormalities, as well as craniofacial and bone malformations. Remarkably, neurological symptoms such as dysarthria, neurogenic bladder (manifested as urinary incontinence), spasticity or muscle weakness, ataxia, and epilepsy are other prominent features observed in ODDD patients. Over 10 mutations detected in patients diagnosed with neurological disorders are associated with altered functionality of Cx43 GJs/hemichannels, but the link between ODDD-related abnormal channel activities and neurologic phenotype is still elusive. Here, we present an overview on the nature of the mutants conveying structural and functional changes of Cx43 channels and discuss available evidence for aberrant Cx43 GJ and hemichannel function. In a final step, we examine the possibilities of how channel dysfunction may lead to some of the neurological manifestations of ODDD. PMID:24133447

Plan of Action for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases: Synthesis of Recommendations and Action Algorithms.

PubMed

Barriales-Villa, Roberto; Gimeno-Blanes, Juan Ramón; Zorio-Grima, Esther; Ripoll-Vera, Tomás; Evangelista-Masip, Artur; Moya-Mitjans, Angel; Serratosa-Fernández, Luis; Albert-Brotons, Dimpna C; García-Pinilla, José Manuel; García-Pavía, Pablo

2016-03-01

The term inherited cardiovascular disease encompasses a group of cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathies, channelopathies, certain aortic diseases, and other syndromes) with a number of common characteristics: they have a genetic basis, a familial presentation, a heterogeneous clinical course, and, finally, can all be associated with sudden cardiac death. The present document summarizes some important concepts related to recent advances in sequencing techniques and understanding of the genetic bases of these diseases. We propose diagnostic algorithms and clinical practice recommendations and discuss controversial aspects of current clinical interest. We highlight the role of multidisciplinary referral units in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. Copyright © 2015 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Use of Extract of Citrus sinensis as an antimicrobial agent for foodborne zoonotic pathogens and spoilage bacteria

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Foodborne pathogens remain global health problems despite concerted efforts to control the transmission of these microorganisms through food. The resurgence of drug resistant bacteria has renewed interest in developing and testing new sources of antimicrobial agents to control foodborne illness. Thi...

El Ni?o Pumping Up, Warm Kelvin Wave Surges Toward South America

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-11-12

ElNi?o is experiencing a late-fall resurgence. Sea-level height data from the NASA/European Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 oceanography satellite show the equatorial Pacific has triggered a wave of warm water, known as a Kelvin wave.

Chikungunya Virus: Pathophysiology, Mechanism, and Modeling

PubMed Central

Ganesan, Vaishnavi K.; Reid, St Patrick

2017-01-01

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus, is recurring in epidemic waves. In the past decade and a half, the disease has resurged in several countries around the globe, with outbreaks becoming increasingly severe. Though CHIKV was first isolated in 1952, there remain significant gaps in knowledge of CHIKV biology, pathogenesis, transmission, and mechanism. Diagnosis is largely simplified and based on symptoms, while treatment is supportive rather than curative. Here we present an overview of the disease, the challenges that lie ahead for future research, and what directions current studies are headed towards, with emphasis on improvement of current animal models and potential use of 3D models. PMID:29194359

Mitochondria on the move: emerging paradigms of organelle trafficking in tumour plasticity and metastasis.

PubMed

Altieri, Dario C

2017-07-25

There is now a resurgent interest in the role of mitochondria in cancer. Long considered controversial or outright unimportant, mitochondrial biology is now increasingly recognised as an important tumour driver. The underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. But recent studies have uncovered a complex landscape where reprogramming of mitochondrial homoeostasis, including organelle dynamics, metabolic output, apoptosis control and redox status converge to promote tumour adaptation to an unfavourable microenvironment and inject new traits of aggressive disease. In particular, mechanisms of subcellular mitochondrial trafficking have unexpectedly emerged as central regulators of metastatic competence in disparate tumours. Some of these pathways are druggable, opening fresh therapeutic opportunities for advanced and disseminated disease.

Alternative approaches to well-being and engagement in Vanuatu.

PubMed

Dick, Thomas

2015-12-01

This article describes some innovative approaches to understanding, measuring and attributing value to traditional wisdom in Vanuatu. The article uses decolonising methodologies to privilege indigenous perspectives. In particular, the study features the use of endogenous practices, such as sand drawing, as a vehicle for facilitating community engagement in the research. The results of the project reveal that, in the context of broad structural support for customary practices, communities leveraging traditional wisdom into commercial realms are able to generate livelihoods and maintain cultural heritage transmission. Local communities report increased pride and pleasure in the resurgence and innovation of cultural practices. © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2015.

Deformation of the Long Valley Caldera, California: Inferences from measurements from 1988 to 2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langbein, J.O.

2003-01-01

Two periods of volcanic unrest occurred between 1989 and 1998 in the Long Valley Caldera, eastern California. Numerous earthquakes were recorded, and these periods of unrest were documented with high-precision geodetic measurements. The first round of unrest started rapidly in late 1989 and slowly decreased in rate through the early 1990s. For this interval there are both leveling and two-color electronic distance meter (EDM) measurements. The second round of unrest started slowly in mid-1997, climaxed in late 1997, and rapidly returned to quiescence by mid-1998. Deformation was recorded by both the two-color EDM and continuous GPS. Both episodes require inflation at 6-7 km beneath the resurgent dome, and both episodes had roughly 0.1 m extension across the resurgent dome. In addition, the data presented here suggest that there is a deeper, 10-20 km, inflation source beneath the south moat of the caldera. For both episodes, the better-resolved inflation beneath the resurgent dome is a near-vertical, prolate spheroid rather than an isotropic source, which suggests that magma came up through vertical cracks. However, the modeling suggests that the location changed with the depth from 6.0 to 6.7 km for the later episode. In contrast to the earlier episode, the 1997-1998 episode has additional deformation in the south moat, where the simplest model is that of a right-lateral slip on a steeply dipping plane that is defined by the location of earthquakes in the south moat. Models of the time-dependent behavior suggest that slip on this fault occurred from late November through December 1997, corresponding to the time of greatest moment release by the earthquake swarm in the south moat. Confounding the interpretation of these data is an active geothermal field near the center of the EDM network and adjacent to the south moat and resurgent dome. Additional modeling of leveling and EDM data within the geothermal field during a period of low rate of inflation of the dome

Georgia’s Quest for NATO Membership: Challenges and Prospects

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

Revolution led to the removal of the incumbent president, Eduard Shevardnadze. 45 Irakly Areshidze, Democracy and Autocracy in Eurasia...Resurgent? Moscow’s Campaign To Coerce Georgia To Peace.” International Affairs, 84(6): 1145–1171. Areshidze, Irakly . Democracy and Autocracy in

Identity and the Role of the State.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvey, Luli

1997-01-01

Examples of marginalized nonformal learning in Britain that is driven by a search for alternative value systems include initiatives among Kurdish refugees, Blacks seeking identity through black studies, women sharing their stories, the resurgence of Irish culture, and the green movement. (SK)

Perspectives on the Nature and Future of Work. Special Issue.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Supiot, Alain; And Others

1996-01-01

This special theme issue includes: "Perspectives on Work" (Supiot); "Work and Usefulness to the World" (Castel); "Work and Identity in India" (Heuze-Brigant); "New Perspectives on Work as Value" (Meda); "Decline and Resurgence of Unremunerated Work" (Le Guidec); "Work and Public/Private…

At the heart of soil health

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soil health is receiving resurgent attention with a number of recent national soil health initiatives which are sponsored by cooperators from diverse sectors including agribusiness, commodity groups, governmental organizations, and non-profits. The health of the soil is dependent on its biology. A...

Epidemiology and population biology of pseudoperonospora cubensis: a model system for management of downy mildews

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The resurgence of cucurbit downy mildew has dramatically influenced production of cucurbits and disease management systems at multiple scales. Long-distance dispersal is a fundamental aspect of epidemic development that influences the timing and extent of disease outbreaks. Dispersal potential of th...

Wood adhesives containing proteins and carbohydrates

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In recent years there has been resurgent interest in using biopolymers as sustainable and environmentally friendly ingredients in wood adhesive formulations. Among them, proteins and carbohydrates are the most commonly used. In this chapter, an overview is given of protein-based and carbohydrate-...

Knockdown and lethal effects of eight commercial nonconventional and two pyrethroid insecticides against moderately permethrin-resistant adult bed bugs, Cimex lectularius (L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) is undergoing a rapid resurgence in the United States during the last decade which has created a notable pest management challenge largely because the pest has developed resistance against DDT, organophosphates, carbamates, and pyreth...

Resurgence of oscillation in coupled oscillators under delayed cyclic interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bera, Bidesh K.; Majhi, Soumen; Ghosh, Dibakar

2017-07-01

This paper investigates the emergence of amplitude death and revival of oscillations from the suppression states in a system of coupled dynamical units interacting through delayed cyclic mode. In order to resurrect the oscillation from amplitude death state, we introduce asymmetry and feedback parameter in the cyclic coupling forms as a result of which the death region shrinks due to higher asymmetry and lower feedback parameter values for coupled oscillatory systems. Some analytical conditions are derived for amplitude death and revival of oscillations in two coupled limit cycle oscillators and corresponding numerical simulations confirm the obtained theoretical results. We also report that the death state and revival of oscillations from quenched state are possible in the network of identical coupled oscillators. The proposed mechanism has also been examined using chaotic Lorenz oscillator.

Polycrystalline lead selenide: the resurgence of an old infrared detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vergara, G.; Montojo, M. T.; Torquemada, M. C.; Rodrigo, M. T.; Sánchez, F. J.; Gómez, L. J.; Almazán, R. M.; Verdú, M.; Rodríguez, P.; Villamayor, V.; Álvarez, M.; Diezhandino, J.; Plaza, J.; Catalán, I.

2007-06-01

The existing technology for uncooled MWIR photon detectors based on polycrystalline lead salts is stigmatized for being a 50-year-old technology. It has been traditionally relegated to single-element detectors and relatively small linear arrays due to the limitations imposed by its standard manufacture process based on a chemical bath deposition technique (CBD) developed more than 40 years ago. Recently, an innovative method for processing detectors, based on a vapour phase deposition (VPD) technique, has allowed manufacturing the first 2D array of polycrystalline PbSe with good electro optical characteristics. The new method of processing PbSe is an all silicon technology and it is compatible with standard CMOS circuitry. In addition to its affordability, VPD PbSe constitutes a perfect candidate to fill the existing gap in the photonic and uncooled IR imaging detectors sensitive to the MWIR photons. The perspectives opened are numerous and very important, converting the old PbSe detector in a serious alternative to others uncooled technologies in the low cost IR detection market. The number of potential applications is huge, some of them with high commercial impact such as personal IR imagers, enhanced vision systems for automotive applications and other not less important in the security/defence domain such as sensors for active protection systems (APS) or low cost seekers. Despite the fact, unanimously accepted, that uncooled will dominate the majority of the future IR detection applications, today, thermal detectors are the unique plausible alternative. There is plenty of room for photonic uncooled and complementary alternatives are needed. This work allocates polycrystalline PbSe in the current panorama of the uncooled IR detectors, underlining its potentiality in two areas of interest, i.e., very low cost imaging IR detectors and MWIR fast uncooled detectors for security and defence applications. The new method of processing again converts PbSe into an emerging technology.

The Resurgence of Naxalism: How Great a Threat to India?

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

faction of the CPI began to drift toward a more Maoist interpretation of Marxism -Leninism as the 1950s progressed.28...emergence of this new front at an early stage. Initially, the focus of the movement was on the destruction of symbols of bourgeoisie culture. These...strategy went so far as to announce, “We wish to state categorically here that violence is not our ideology. Our ideology is Marxism -Leninism.”148

The resurgence of botulinum toxin injection for strabismus in children.

PubMed

Mahan, Marielle; Engel, J Mark

2017-09-01

The present review discusses recent advances in the use of botulinum toxin for the management of strabismus in children. Botulinum toxin injection produces similar results compared to surgery for certain subtypes of strabismus, especially acute onset esotropia. It may be more effective in many subtypes of esotropia where surgery has been less reliable, including partially accommodative esotropia, esotropia associated with cerebral palsy, and thyroid eye disease. Small retrospective studies have demonstrated the efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of many types of pediatric strabismus, providing some guidance for clinicians to determine which patients would benefit most from this intervention. Although administration of botulinum toxin is generally accepted as a reasonable option in select cases, many strabismus surgeons have not fully embraced the treatment, in part because of perceived disadvantages compared to surgery and difficulty in identifying subsets with the highest potential for therapeutic success. A recent study compared the administration of botulinum toxin in children with acute-onset esotropia to surgical correction and found botulinum toxin had a statistically equal success rate, but with the advantage of significantly less time under general anesthesia. In addition, botulinum toxin has been recently tried in patients with partially accommodative esotropia, esotropia associated with cerebral palsy, cyclic esotropia, and in patients with thyroid eye disease. The present review will discuss current clinical recommendations based on recent studies on the use of botulinum toxin in children with strabismus.

Resurgent Ethnicity among Asian Americans: Ethnic Neighborhood Context and Health

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walton, Emily

2012-01-01

In this study I investigate the associations of neighborhood socioeconomic and social environments with the health of Asian Americans living in both Asian ethnic neighborhoods and non-Asian neighborhoods. I use a sample of 1962 Asian Americans from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS, 2003-04). Three key findings emerge. First,…

The status of Limnocalanus macrurus (Copepoda: Calanoida: Centropagidae) in Lake Erie

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kane, Douglas D.; Gannon, John E.; Culver, David A.

2004-01-01

The calanoid copepod Limnocalanus macrurus showed large declines in abundance and a narrowing of spatial distribution with the onset of cultural eutrophication and increases in rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) abundances in Lake Erie in the mid 20th century. Since 1995, however, Limnocalanus macrurus appears to have repopulated in western Lake Erie to levels of abundance that have not been observed since the late 1930s. We hypothesize that phosphorus abatement and the subsequent decrease in low dissolved oxygen events have assisted this resurgence. However, Limnocalanus macrurusabundances have not increased in the central and eastern basins, even though water quality has improved there too. High densities of rainbow smelt and associated smelt predation pressure in the central and eastern basins may be responsible for the low numbers in these basins.

Genetic and forensic implications in epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias: a case series.

PubMed

Partemi, Sara; Vidal, Monica Coll; Striano, Pasquale; Campuzano, Oscar; Allegue, Catarina; Pezzella, Marianna; Elia, Maurizio; Parisi, Pasquale; Belcastro, Vincenzo; Casellato, Susanna; Giordano, Lucio; Mastrangelo, Massimo; Pietrafusa, Nicola; Striano, Salvatore; Zara, Federico; Bianchi, Amedeo; Buti, Daniela; La Neve, Angela; Tassinari, Carlo Alberto; Oliva, Antonio; Brugada, Ramon

2015-05-01

Epilepsy affects approximately 3% of the world's population, and sudden death is a significant cause of death in this population. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) accounts for up to 17% of all these cases, which increases the rate of sudden death by 24-fold as compared to the general population. The underlying mechanisms are still not elucidated, but recent studies suggest the possibility that a common genetic channelopathy might contribute to both epilepsy and cardiac disease to increase the incidence of death via a lethal cardiac arrhythmia. We performed genetic testing in a large cohort of individuals with epilepsy and cardiac conduction disorders in order to identify genetic mutations that could play a role in the mechanism of sudden death. Putative pathogenic disease-causing mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channel were detected in 24% of unrelated individuals with epilepsy. Segregation analysis through genetic screening of the available family members and functional studies are crucial tasks to understand and to prove the possible pathogenicity of the variant, but in our cohort, only two families were available. Despite further research should be performed to clarify the mechanism of coexistence of both clinical conditions, genetic analysis, applied also in post-mortem setting, could be very useful to identify genetic factors that predispose epileptic patients to sudden death, helping to prevent sudden death in patients with epilepsy.

Vision in the common bed bug Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae): eye morphology and spectral sensitivity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Bed bugs as pests of public health importance recently experienced a resurgence in populations throughout the U.S. and other countries. Consequently, recent research efforts have focused on improving understanding of bed bug physiology and behavior to improve management. While few studies have inves...

Engineering economic assessment of residential wood heating in NY

EPA Science Inventory

We provide insight into the recent resurgence in residential wood heating in New York by: (i) examining the lifetime costs of outdoor wood hydronic heaters (OWHHs) and other whole-house residential wood heat devices,(ii) comparing these lifetime costs with those of competing tech...

Changing the game: using integrative genomics to probe virulence mechanisms of the stem rust pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The recent resurgence of wheat stem rust caused by new virulent races of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) poses a threat to food security. These concerns have catalyzed an extensive global effort towards controlling this disease. Substantial research and breeding programs target the identifica...

The Utility of Person-Specific Analyses for Investigating Developmental Processes: An Analytic Primer on Studying the Individual

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gayles, Jochebed G.; Molenaar, Peter C. M.

2013-01-01

The fields of psychology and human development are experiencing a resurgence of scientific inquiries about phenomena that unfold at the level of the individual. This article addresses the issues of analyzing intraindividual psychological/developmental phenomena using standard analytical techniques for interindividual variation. When phenomena are…

Studying Religion and Language Teaching and Learning: Building a Subfield

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Han, Huamei

2018-01-01

The historical reversal over the course of several centuries in the West is striking: while language has become much "more" central to public life and "more" politically contentious, religion has become "less" central to public life and "less" politically contentious, notwithstanding the resurgence of public…

Challenges, Strategies, and Lessons Learned from a Participatory Community Intervention Study to Promote Female Condoms among Rural Sex Workers in Southern China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weeks, Margaret R.; Liao, Susu; Li, Fei; Li, Jianghong; Dunn, Jennifer; He, Bin; He, Qiya; Feng, Weiping; Wang, Yanhong

2010-01-01

China faces a rapidly emerging HIV epidemic and nationwide resurgence of sexually transmitted infections associated with a growing sex industry. Community empowerment and capacity building through community-based participatory research partnerships show promise for developing, testing, and refining multilevel interventions suited to the local…

Evolutionary origins of the endosperm in flowering plants

PubMed Central

Baroux, Célia; Spillane, Charles; Grossniklaus, Ueli

2002-01-01

The evolutionary origin of double fertilization and the resultant endosperm tissue in flowering plants remains a puzzle, despite over a century of research. The recent resurgence of approaches to evolutionary developmental biology combining comparative biology with phylogenetics provides new understanding of endosperm origins. PMID:12225592

Pictures from Words, Pictures from Text: Constructing Pictorial Representations of Meaning from Text

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-11-02

characteristics of language symbolism is its arbitrariness, as Saussure pointed out [17]. Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the...Kingdom, 20-22 November 2000. The British Computer Society. [17] Saussure , Ferdinand de. 1959. Course in General Linguistics. New York, NY: McGraw

Characterization of bacteriophages virulent for Clostridium perfringens and identification of phage lytic enzymes as alternatives to antibiotics for potential control of the bacterium

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

There has been a resurgent interest in the use of bacteriophages or their gene products to control bacterial pathogens as alternatives to currently utilized antibiotics. Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that plays a significant role in human food-borne di...

Characterization of bacteriophages virulent for Clostridium perfringens and identification of phage lytic enzymes as alternatives to antibiotics for potential control of the bacterium

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

There has been a resurgent interest in the use of bacteriophages or their gene products to control bacterial pathogens as alternatives to currently utilized antibiotics. Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that plays a significant role in human food-borne d...

Recursive Vocal Pattern Learning and Generalization in Starlings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bloomfield, Tiffany Corinna

2012-01-01

Among known communication systems, human language alone exhibits open-ended productivity of meaning. Interest in the psychological mechanisms supporting this ability, and their evolutionary origins, has resurged following the suggestion that the only uniquely human ability underlying language is a mechanism of recursion. This "Unique…

An Examination of the Relationship between Personal/Professional Experiences and Training of School Psychologists and Their Attitudes toward the Education of Gifted Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spaniolo-DePouw, Angela

2013-01-01

A resurgence of interest in gifted students and gifted education highlights the importance of examining attitudes of school psychologists related to the identification and programming for gifted students. This study explored the relationships between professional experiences, personal experiences, demographics, and previous training and the…

Multidisciplinary Approaches in Evolutionary Linguistics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gong, Tao; Shuai, Lan; Wu, Yicheng

2013-01-01

Studying language evolution has become resurgent in modern scientific research. In this revival field, approaches from a number of disciplines other than linguistics, including (paleo)anthropology and archaeology, animal behaviors, genetics, neuroscience, computer simulation, and psychological experimentation, have been adopted, and a wide scope…

Bio-based wood adhesives research: Advances and outlooks

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In the past three decades, concerns related to the environment and human health risks and interests in resources recycling and sustainability have propelled the resurgence of the research on bio-based adhesives, especially those based on agricultural and forest products and byproducts. In this concl...

Monitoring CO2 emissions in tree kill areas near the resurgent dome at Long Valley Caldera, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bergfeld, D.; Evans, William C.

2011-01-01

We report results of yearly measurements of the diffuse CO2 flux and shallow soil temperatures collected since 2006 across two sets of tree-kill areas at Long Valley Caldera, California. These data provide background information about CO2 discharge during a period with moderate seismicity, but little to no deformation. The tree kills are located at long-recognized areas of weak thermal fluid upflow, but have expanded in recent years, possibly in response to geothermal fluid production at Casa Diablo. The amount of CO2 discharged from the older kill area at Basalt Canyon is fairly constant and is around 3-5 tonnes of CO2 per day from an area of about 15,000 m2. The presence of isobutane in gas samples from sites in and around Basalt Canyon suggests that geothermal fluid production directly effects fluid upflow in the region close to the power plant. The average fluxes at Shady Rest are lower than average fluxes at Basalt Canyon, but the area affected by fluid upflow is larger. Total CO2 discharged from the central portion of the kill area at Shady Rest has been variable, ranging from 6 to11 tonnes per day across 61,000 m2. Gas collected at Shady Rest contains no detectable isobutane to link emissions chemically to geothermal fluid production, but two samples from 2009-10 have detectable H2S and suggest an increasing geothermal character of emitted gas. The appearance of this gas at the surface may signal increased drawdown of water levels near the geothermal productions wells.

Cardiac Genetic Predisposition in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

PubMed

Tester, David J; Wong, Leonie C H; Chanana, Pritha; Jaye, Amie; Evans, Jared M; FitzPatrick, David R; Evans, Margaret J; Fleming, Peter; Jeffrey, Iona; Cohen, Marta C; Tfelt-Hansen, Jacob; Simpson, Michael A; Behr, Elijah R; Ackerman, Michael J

2018-03-20

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of postneonatal mortality. Genetic heart diseases (GHDs) underlie some cases of SIDS. This study aimed to determine the spectrum and prevalence of GHD-associated mutations as a potential monogenic basis for SIDS. A cohort of 419 unrelated SIDS cases (257 male; average age 2.7 ± 1.9 months) underwent whole exome sequencing and a targeted analysis of 90 GHD-susceptibility genes. The yield of "potentially informative," ultra-rare variants (minor allele frequency <0.00005) in GHD-associated genes was assessed. Overall, 53 of 419 (12.6%) SIDS cases had ≥1 "potentially informative," GHD-associated variant. The yield was 14.9% (21 of 141) for mixed-European ancestry cases and 11.5% (32 of 278) for European ancestry SIDS cases. Infants older than 4 months were more likely to host a "potentially informative" GHD-associated variant. There was significant overrepresentation of ultra-rare nonsynonymous variants in European SIDS cases (18 of 278 [6.5%]) versus European control subjects (30 of 973 [3.1%]; p = 0.013) when combining all 4 major cardiac channelopathy genes (KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A, and RYR2). According to the American College of Medical Genetics guidelines, only 18 of 419 (4.3%) SIDS cases hosted a "pathogenic" or "likely pathogenic" variant. Less than 15% of more than 400 SIDS cases had a "potentially informative" variant in a GHD-susceptibility gene, predominantly in the 4- to 12-month age group. Only 4.3% of cases possessed immediately clinically actionable variants. Consistent with previous studies, ultra-rare, nonsynonymous variants within the major cardiac channelopathy-associated genes were overrepresented in SIDS cases in infants of European ethnicity. These findings have major implications for the investigation of SIDS cases and families. Copyright © 2018 American College of Cardiology Foundation. All rights reserved.

[Epidemiological aspects of Ebola virus disease in Guinea (december 2013-april 2016)].

PubMed

Migliani, R; Keïta, S; Diallo, B; Mesfin, S; Perea, W; Dahl, B; Rodier, G

2016-10-01

Ebola Zaire species variant Makona between its emergence in December 2013 and April 2016, resulted in an epidemic of Guinea importance and unprecedented gravity with 3814 reported cases of which 3358 were confirmed (88.0%) and 2544 were died (66.7%). The epidemic has evolved in phases: a silent phase without identification of all fatal cases until February 2014; a first outbreak from March 2014, when the alarm is raised and the virus detected, which lasted until July 2014; a second increase, which was the most intense, from August 2014 to January 2015 focused primarily on the forest Guinea; and a final increase from February 2015 centered on lower Guinea and the capital Conakry. Adapting strategies in 2015 (initiative "Zero Ebola in 60 days" active case search and suspicious deaths and awareness of active prefectures, microbanding the last affected communities and raking around these localities) and ring vaccination of contacts around confirmed cases has allowed to gradually control the main outbreak in October 2015. But a survivor was originally resurgence in forest areas between March and April 2016 with 10 cases including 8 deaths. The epidemic has particularly affected the forest Guinea region (44% and 48% of Guinean cases and deaths), elderly women (≥ 50 years), and health professionals (211 cases including 115 deaths); however, almost one-third of the patients (32.6%) was not provided supportive care in the Ebola centers. The epidemic is currently marked by the resurgence of small foci, from excreting subjects cured of the virus who have been controlled so far successfully. The survivors are the subject of special attention. It is necessary to learn lessons from the response to better prepare for the future, to improve knowledge about the natural history of the Ebola virus disease, and to rethink communication in this regard with the public and its leaders.

Some perspectives on research into the biological response to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. [relation to SETI, SPS, and other government projects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharp, J. C.

1979-01-01

Research on the biological effects of RF radiation in the United States has undergone a series of swings during the last three decades. The resurgence of research during the past decade is examined in the light of two projects: the proposed Space Power Station and SETI.

A Baseline Study of Ontario Teachers' Views of Environmental and Outdoor Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pedretti, Erminia; Nazir, Joanne; Tan, Michael; Bellomo, Katherine; Ayyavoo, Gabriel

2012-01-01

This paper describes a research that came about as a result of several converging factors in Ontario: a resurgence of interest in environmental and outdoor education (including outdoor education (OE) centres); recent publications supporting environmental and outdoor education; and curriculum revisions across subject areas that include…

Cerebral Lateralization and Aggression.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hillbrand, Marc; And Others

1994-01-01

A resurgence of interest in the relationship between cerebral lateralization (the functional asymmetry of the cerebral cortex) and aggression has occurred. Most recent studies have found that individuals with abnormal patterns of lateralization are overrepresented among violent individuals. Intervening variables (such as drug and alcohol abuse)…

Unburying Patriotism: Critical Lessons in Civics and Leadership Ten Years Later

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osanloo, Azadeh F.

2011-01-01

This manuscript provides a historical and pedagogical framework for American educational and sociopolitical responses after national tragedies (e.g., Pearl Harbor, 9/11). Moreover, this research explores the overt xenophobic and ethnocentric tendencies (exacerbated by media forums) after these events, which triggered resurgence in a sort of…

Thoracoscopic retrieval of a fractured thoracentesis catheter.

PubMed

Albrink, M H; McAllister, E W

1994-08-01

With the resurgence of laparoscopic surgical procedures, thorascopic procedures have followed close behind. Many procedures which in the past have required formal thoracotomy may now be performed via less invasive methods. Presented herein is a report and description of thoracoscopic retrieval of a fractured thoracentesis catheter.

Untethered Operations: Rapid Mobility and Forward Basing Are Keys to Airpower’s Success in the Antiaccess/Area-Denial Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

modern airfield damage repair capability is currently targeted for the Pacific theater. Given the urgency of the resurgent Russian threat, additional...DC, where he worked with the US Sen - ate on Air Force priorities and programs. General Spacy is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Marine Corps

How to Teach Contrastive (Intercultural) Rhetoric: Some Ideas for Pedagogical Application

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Deron

2011-01-01

Background: Despite years of intense criticism of contrastive (intercultural) rhetoric, theoretical debate, and controversy, there has been a recent resurgence in the number of high quality pedagogical studies concerning the teaching of intercultural rhetoric in university writing classes for East-Asian (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) writers.…

Security Implications of the National Debt of the United States

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-06-30

caused an ongoing exchange of harsh political words. A resurgence of Saddam’s stupidity or his attempts to biologically or chemically contaminate Saudi...Patricia Aburdene. Megatrends 2000; Ten New Directions For the 1990’s. New York: Avon Books, 1990. Naisbitt, John. Megatrends ; Ten New Directions

Serving Business in an Information Economy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

The Bookmark, 1988

1988-01-01

The 23 articles in this theme issue focus on various aspects of library services to business in an information economy: "Serving Business in an Information Economy" (C. Bain); "New York's Resurging Economy and State Economic Development Information" (R. G. Paolino); "Department of Economic Development Library: Services to…

Field evaluations of topical arthropod repellents in North, Central, and South America

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Recently, vector-borne diseases have been resurging in endemic areas and expanding their geographic range into non-endemic areas. This creates a major public health concern as naïve populations are exposed to pathogens that cause these diseases. Personal topical repellents, recommended by the CDC an...

Toward a Comprehensive Functional Analysis of Depressive Behavior: Five Environmental Factors and a Possible Sixth and Seventh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kanter, Jonathan W.; Cautilli, Joseph D.; Busch, Andrew M.; Baruch, David E.

2011-01-01

With recent advances in the behavioral treatment of depression and growing dissatisfaction with medical and cognitive interventions, a resurgence of interest in behavior analytic treatment of depression has occurred. Currently, several behavioral and cognitive behavioral models of depression exist. In reviewing these models, certain agreed upon…

The Battle of "The Normal Heart."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rottman, Larry

1990-01-01

The history of the controversy over Southwest Missouri State University's production of "The Normal Heart," a play about acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is chronicled and concern is expressed about the resurgence of bitterness and hatred in the debate over academic freedom, even within the academic community. (MSE)

Making Meaning of Student Activism: Student Activist and Administrator Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harrison, Laura M.; Mather, Peter C.

2017-01-01

College campuses have experienced a recent resurgence of student activism, particularly in response to some of President Donald Trump's executive orders as well as controversial speakers like Ann Coulter and Milo Yiannopoulous. Student activism presents both challenges and opportunities for higher education leaders seeking to engage productively…

Childhood Religious Conservatism and Adult Attainment among Black and White Women

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glass, Jennifer; Jacobs, Jerry

2005-01-01

The resurgence of conservative religious groups over the past several decades raises interesting questions about its effects on women's life chances. Conservative religious institutions promote a traditional understanding of gender within families. Women's beliefs about appropriate family roles, in turn, influence their preparation for market work…

Separation of Church and State: The Endless Struggle.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Klein, Joseph P.

1983-01-01

The author advocates his belief in the separation of church and state, considers the implications of complete separation, and discusses the "resurgence of religion in our public school system," as well as the "intrusion of religious authority into the privacy of personal bio-ethics issues." (JM)

Modern anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli attitudes.

PubMed

Cohen, Florette; Jussim, Lee; Harber, Kent D; Bhasin, Gautam

2009-08-01

Anti-Semitism is resurgent throughout much of the world. A new theoretical model of anti-Semitism is presented and tested in 3 experiments. The model proposes that mortality salience increases anti-Semitism and that anti-Semitism often manifests as hostility toward Israel. Study 1 showed that mortality salience led to greater levels of anti-Semitism and lowered support for Israel. This effect occurred only in a bogus pipeline condition, indicating that social desirability masks hostility toward Jews and Israel. Study 2 showed that mortality salience caused Israel, but no other country, to perceptually loom large. Study 3 showed that mortality salience increased punitiveness toward Israel's human rights violations more than it increased hostility toward the identical human rights violations committed by Russia or India. Collectively, results suggest that Jews constitute a unique cultural threat to many people's worldviews, that anti-Semitism causes hostility to Israel, and that hostility to Israel may feed back to increase anti-Semitism.

A Case of KCNQ2-Associated Movement Disorder Triggered by Fever.

PubMed

Dhamija, Radhika; Goodkin, Howard P; Bailey, Russell; Chambers, Chelsea; Brenton, J Nicholas

2017-12-01

The differential diagnosis of fever-induced movement disorders in childhood is broad. Whole exome sequencing has yielded new insights into those cases with a suspected genetic basis. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with a history of neonatal seizures who presented with near-continuous hyperkinetic movements of his limbs during a febrile illness. Initial diagnostic testing did not explain his abnormalities; however, given the suspicion for a channelopathy, whole exome sequencing was performed and it demonstrated a de novo pathogenic heterozygous variant in KCNQ2. There is an expanding phenotypic spectrum of heterozygous alterations in KCNQ2; however, this report provides the first description of a pathogenic KCNQ2 variant fever-induced hyperkinetic movement disorder in childhood. We also review the literature of cases previously published with the same pathogenic variant.

Development of improved vaccines against whooping cough: current status.

PubMed

Marzouqi, Ibrahim; Richmond, Peter; Fry, Scott; Wetherall, John; Mukkur, Trilochan

2010-07-01

Prior to the introduction of killed whole cell pertussis vaccine [wP] in the 1940s, whooping cough was a major cause of infant death worldwide. Widespread vaccination of children with this vaccine caused a significant reduction in mortality. However in the 1990s and now more recently, there has been a resurgence of pertussis in several countries even in populations previously vaccinated with an acellular pertussis vaccine [aP]. In this review, we describe the epidemiology of whooping cough, the vast array of virulence factors produced by this pathogen potentially contributing to the resurgence of pertussis even in previously vaccinated populations of infants and children, history of whooping cough prophylaxis, possible mechanisms of immunity, lack of availability of a suitable non-toxic adjuvant capable of inducing both arms of the immune response, and the current status of development of improved vaccines with potential to induce longer-lasting protection, than is currently possible with the wP or aP vaccines, against whooping cough.

Genome assembly reborn: recent computational challenges

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Research into genome assembly algorithms has experienced a resurgence due to new challenges created by the development of next generation sequencing technologies. Several genome assemblers have been published in recent years specifically targeted at the new sequence data; however, the ever-changing technological landscape leads to the need for continued research. In addition, the low cost of next generation sequencing data has led to an increased use of sequencing in new settings. For example, the new field of metagenomics relies on large-scale sequencing of entire microbial communities instead of isolate genomes, leading to new computational challenges. In this article, we outline the major algorithmic approaches for genome assembly and describe recent developments in this domain. PMID:19482960

"It's been a long road to acceptance": midwives in Rhode Island, 1970-2000.

PubMed

Caron, Simone M

2014-01-01

A resurgence of midwifery came to Rhode Island in the 1970s. Midwives acted as modern health care professionals to conserve a traditional woman-centered birth, but the battle was long and arduous, from Dr. Ellen Stone attempting to eliminate midwives in the state in 1912 to doctors using the death of 2 home birth infants in the 1980s to undermine the growing presence of professional nurse-midwives in the state. Midwives prevailed when the state legislature passed measures in 1988 and 1990 increasing the power and authority of midwives, and when a federal grant in 1993 allowed the University of Rhode Island to open the first training program for nurse-midwives in the state.

Hazards and benefits of in-vivo Raman spectroscopy of human skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, Elizabeth A.; Williams, Adrian C.; Barry, Brian W.; Edwards, Howell G.

1999-04-01

The resurgence of Raman spectroscopy, in the late 1980's has led to an increase in the use of the technique for the analysis of biological tissues. Consequently, Raman spectroscopy is now regarded to be a well-established non- invasive, non-destructive technique, which is used to obtain good quality spectra from biological tissues with minimal fluorescence. What is presently of interest to our group is to develop further and establish the technique for in vivo investigations of healthy and diseased skin. This presentation discusses some potentially valuable clinical applications of the technique, and also highlights some of the experimental difficulties that were encountered when examining patients who were receiving treatment for psoriasis.

Response-Time Tests of Logical-Rule Models of Categorization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Little, Daniel R.; Nosofsky, Robert M.; Denton, Stephen E.

2011-01-01

A recent resurgence in logical-rule theories of categorization has motivated the development of a class of models that predict not only choice probabilities but also categorization response times (RTs; Fific, Little, & Nosofsky, 2010). The new models combine mental-architecture and random-walk approaches within an integrated framework and…

Toxicity of selected essential oils, silicone oils, and paraffino oil against the common bed bug, cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) resurged in the U.S. and many other countries over the past decade. The need for safe and effective bed bug control products propelled the development of numerous “green pesticides”, mostly with essential oils listed as active ingredients. Various inorganic ...

Education and Social Change in China: Inequality in a Market Economy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Postiglione, Gerard A., Ed.

2006-01-01

Market reform, financial decentralization, and economic globalization have greatly accentuated China's social and regional inequalities. Education is expected to address these inequalities in a context of rapid social change, including the rise of an urban middle class, changed status of women, resurgence of ethnic identities, growing rural to…

The African American Critique of White Supremacist Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jorgensen, Carl

1995-01-01

Excerpts writings of past African American intellectuals on the issue of presumptions of innate black mental inferiority, and applies their analyses to the scientific racism found in "The Bell Curve" (Herrnstein and Murray, 1994). Ideas for incorporating this critical tradition into current efforts, to prevent the resurgence of white…

Molecular Characterization of Podoviral Bacteriophages Virulent for Clostridium perfringens and Their Comparison with Members of the Picovirinae

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that plays a significant role in human food-borne disease as well as non-food-borne human, animal, and poultry diseases. There has been a resurgent interest in the use of bacteriophages or their gene products to control b...

Walking the Labyrinth: An Innovative Approach to Counseling Center Outreach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bigard, Michelle F.

2009-01-01

This article introduces the use of the labyrinth as one systemic approach counseling centers can use when conducting outreach targeting the college community. The author discusses the labyrinth's history and its recent resurgence in professional settings, summarizes the principles of walking the labyrinth, illustrates its introduction on one…

The Appeal(s) of Character Education in Threatening Times: Caring and Critical Democratic Responses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winton, Sue

2008-01-01

This article examines the resurgence in popularity of character education in the USA and Canada. It links this renewed interest to insecurities about academic achievement, economic competitiveness, civic engagement, personal safety, moral decline, and the loss of a common culture. Conceptualising policy as rhetoric, the article shows how character…

Characterization of Bacteriophages Virulent for Clostridium perfringens and Identification of Phage Lytic Enzymes as Alternatives to Antibiotics for Potential Control of the Bacterium

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that plays a significant role in human food-borne disease as well as non-food-borne human, animal, and poultry diseases. There has been a resurgent interest in the use of bacteriophages or their gene products to control b...

Characterization of Bacteriophages Virulent for Clostridium perfringens and Identification of Phage Lytic Enzymes as Alternatives to Antibiotics for Potential Control of the Bacterium.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that plays a significant role in human food-borne disease as well as non-food-borne human, animal, and poultry diseases. There has been a resurgent interest in the use of bacteriophages or their gene products to control b...

Molecular Characterization of Podoviridae Bacteriophages Virulent for Clostridium perfringens and Comparison of Their Predicted Lytic Proteins

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium that plays a significant role in human food-borne disease as well as non-food-borne human, animal and poultry diseases. There has been a resurgent interest in the use of bacteriophages or their gene products to control ba...

Putting "Structure within the Space": Spatially Un/Responsive Pedagogic Practices in Open-Plan Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saltmarsh, Sue; Chapman, Amy; Campbell, Matthew; Drew, Christopher

2015-01-01

Non-traditional open-plan schools and classrooms are currently enjoying a resurgence in Australia, with proponents arguing for the necessity of educational spaces that more readily accommodate the needs of twenty-first century learners. However, these learning environments can pose considerable pedagogic challenges for teachers who must balance…

Managerialism, Fundamentalism, and the Restructuring of Faith-Based Community Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herman, Chaya

2006-01-01

In this essay, Chaya Herman explores the interaction between two powerful global dynamics that have affected educational institutions and society at large: one is neoliberalism, with its attendant notions of marketization and managerialism; the other is the resurgence of ethnic and religious, often fundamentalist, communities in the search for…

Computer-Based Training: Capitalizing on Lessons Learned

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bedwell, Wendy L.; Salas, Eduardo

2010-01-01

Computer-based training (CBT) is a methodology for providing systematic, structured learning; a useful tool when properly designed. CBT has seen a resurgence given the serious games movement, which is at the forefront of integrating primarily entertainment computer-based games into education and training. This effort represents a multidisciplinary…

Must We Employ Behavioristic Theory to Have Students Evaluate Us as Teachers?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Helwig, Carl

The recent resurgence of judging teacher effectiveness is part of a revival of behavioristic attempts to find universal criteria empirically as the identification of the "good teacher" or "good teaching." Defenders of behaviorist psychology argue that any "educational objectives" which cannot be quantified are not "real educational objectives."…

Vampires and Witches Go to School: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction, Gender, and the Gothic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Michelle J.; Moruzi, Kristine

2018-01-01

In the twenty-first century, the Gothic has experienced a cultural resurgence in literature, film, and television for young adult audiences. Young adult readers, poised between childhood and adulthood, have proven especially receptive to the Gothic's themes of liminality, monstrosity, transgression, romance, and sexuality (James, 2009, p. 116). As…

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-02

25 Cruiser Modernization ...for the 47 additional ships 3 ); and to perform periodic maintenance and modernization work on the ships.  If defense spending in coming years is...viewed as a Navy response to, among other things, China’s continuing naval modernization effort; 4 resurgent Russian naval activity, particularly

New Rural Livelihoods or Museums of Production? Quality Food Initiatives in Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bowen, Sarah; De Master, Kathryn

2011-01-01

In recent years, the European Union's stated commitment to the principle of multifunctionality within its Common Agricultural Policy has fostered a resurgence of interest in recovering and protecting the heritage and traditions associated with local agricultural products. In spite of, or perhaps because of, the growing political and economic…

Marijuana: Modern Medical Chimaera

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lamarine, Roland J.

2012-01-01

Marijuana has been used medically since antiquity. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in medical applications of various cannabis preparations. These drugs have been cited in the medical literature as potential secondary treatment agents for severe pain, muscle spasticity, anorexia, nausea, sleep disturbances, and numerous…

Emerging Bordetella pertussis Strains Induce Enhanced Signaling of Human Pattern Recognition Receptors TLR2, NOD2 and Secretion of IL-10 by Dendritic Cells

PubMed Central

Hovingh, Elise S.; van Gent, Marjolein; Hamstra, Hendrik-Jan; Demkes, Marc; Mooi, Frits R.; Pinelli, Elena

2017-01-01

Vaccines against pertussis have been available for more than 60 years. Nonetheless, this highly contagious disease is reemerging even in countries with high vaccination coverage. Genetic changes of Bordetella pertussis over time have been suggested to contribute to the resurgence of pertussis, as these changes may favor escape from vaccine-induced immunity. Nonetheless, studies on the effects of these bacterial changes on the immune response are limited. Here, we characterize innate immune recognition and activation by a collection of genetically diverse B. pertussis strains isolated from Dutch pertussis patients before and after the introduction of the pertussis vaccines. For this purpose, we used HEK-Blue cells transfected with human pattern recognition receptors TLR2, TLR4, NOD2 and NOD1 as a high throughput system for screening innate immune recognition of more than 90 bacterial strains. Physiologically relevant human monocyte derived dendritic cells (moDC), purified from peripheral blood of healthy donors were also used. Findings indicate that, in addition to inducing TLR2 and TLR4 signaling, all B. pertussis strains activate the NOD-like receptor NOD2 but not NOD1. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in TLR2 and NOD2, but not TLR4, activation by strains circulating after the introduction of pertussis vaccines. When using moDC, we observed that the recently circulating strains induced increased activation of these cells with a dominant IL-10 production. In addition, we observed an increased expression of surface markers including the regulatory molecule PD-L1. Expression of PD-L1 was decreased upon blocking TLR2. These in vitro findings suggest that emerging B. pertussis strains have evolved to dampen the vaccine-induced inflammatory response, which would benefit survival and transmission of this pathogen. Understanding how this disease has resurged in a highly vaccinated population is crucial for the design of improved vaccines against pertussis

Return-to-Play in 2017 and the Role of Shared Decision-Making in Patients with Inherited and Acquired Channelopathies and Cardiomyopathies.

PubMed

Afshar, Kia; Bunch, T Jared

2017-09-14

Shared decision-making is based upon a physician-patient encounter in which there is adequate education using aids if needed, a mutual discussion of how to assist the patient in weighing risks and benefits, and a supportive environment that allows the patient to deliberate on the clinical decision and make their own choice. This decision-making paradigm centers on the principles of autonomy and self-determination. Physical activity is a critical part of healthy lifestyle choices that helps lower risk of cardiovascular disease or the progression of it. Exercise is also a significant contributor to quality of life in many patients in additional to the health benefits. In patients with inherited or acquired cardiovascular disease, exercise may increase risk of electrical and hemodynamic instability. There is a paucity of data to guide physicians and committees that create guidelines regarding athletic and fitness participation in these patients, particularly when the patient wants to participate in those activities that are considered moderate-severe in intensity. As a consequence, the principles of shared decision-making are critical for physicians to use to help patients with cardiovascular disease make the best decision regarding fitness participation that will minimize their risk of new disease or progression of their disease and enhance their quality of life.

Origin and emplacement of impactites in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Virginia, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Horton, J. Wright; Gohn, G.S.; Powars, D.S.; Edwards, L.E.

2007-01-01

The late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure, located on the Atlantic margin of Virginia, may be Earth's best-preserved large impact structure formed in a shallow marine, siliciclastic, continental-shelf environment. It has the form of an inverted sombrero in which a central crater ???40 km in diameter is surrounded by a shallower brim, the annular trough, that extends the diameter to ???85 km. The annular trough is interpreted to have formed largely by the collapse and mobilization of weak sediments. Crystalline-clast suevite, found only in the central crater, contains clasts and blocks of shocked gneiss that likely were derived from the fragmentation of the central-uplift basement. The suevite and entrained megablocks are interpreted to have formed from impact-melt particles and crystalline-rock debris that never left the central crater, rather than as a fallback deposit. Impact-modified sediments in the annular trough include megablocks of Cretaceous nonmarine sediment disrupted by faults, fluidized sands, fractured clays, and mixed-sediment intercalations. These impact-modified sediments could have formed by a combination of processes, including ejection into and mixing of sediments in the water column, rarefaction-induced fragmentation and clastic injection, liquefaction and fluidization of sand in response to acoustic-wave vibrations, gravitational collapse, and inward lateral spreading. The Exmore beds, which blanket the entire crater and nearby areas, consist of a lower diamicton member overlain by an upper stratified member. They are interpreted as unstratified ocean-resurge deposits, having depositional cycles that may represent stages of inward resurge or outward anti-resurge flow, overlain by stratified fallout of suspended sediment from the water column. ?? 2008 The Geological Society of America. All rights reserved.

Moral Development at the Crossroads: New Trends and Possible Futures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lapsley, Daniel; Carlo, Gustavo

2014-01-01

This article introduces a special section on moral development. We claim that the field is now undergoing a resurgence of theoretical and methodological innovation after the eclipse of paradigmatic moral stage theory. Although research on prosocial development, moral emotions, and social domain theory has sustained interest in moral development,…

Contextualizing the Tools of a Classical and Christian Homeschooling Mother-Teacher

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sherfinski, Melissa

2014-01-01

This article reports on the resurgence of classical and Christian education in the United States. This education has been especially popular with evangelical homeschooling mother-teachers. It seeks to cultivate the biblical virtues of truth, goodness, and beauty through contemplating scripture. The curriculum relies on the ancient Trivium tools of…

Thinking Relationally about Studying "Up"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stich, Amy E.; Colyar, Julia E.

2015-01-01

In this paper, the authors argue that despite a resurgence of elite studies, the majority of existing scholarship works to reify and legitimize social inequality through its language and method. In particular, the authors utilize Pierre Bourdieu's concept of relational thinking to review and critique contemporary research on elite education and…

Seeding the Edge of Career and Technical Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mojkowski, Charles; Washor, Elliot

2007-01-01

There is a resurging interest in career and technical education (CTE) from business leaders, policymakers and educators who have discovered, and in some cases rediscovered, the benefits of authentic applied learning embedded in career pathways that combine a robust mixture of relationships, relevance and rigor. Despite the growing interest, many…

Putting the Radical Notion of Equality in the Service of Disrupting Inequality in Education: Research Findings and Conceptual Advances on the Infinity of Human Potential

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stetsenko, Anna

2017-01-01

Research on disrupting inequality in education can benefit from situating it within the debates on varying and often conflicting meanings of equality and its perils and promises. Especially in the wake of achievement testing and resurgent biological determinism, researchers continue to equivocate between commitment to the idea that "all"…

In Practice: Virtual Job Club--A Social Support Network for Recent Graduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maietta, Heather N.

2012-01-01

Searching for employment during this recession-battered market has proven difficult for many new college graduates. As unemployment trends and hiring outlooks continue their slow resurgence, the competition for jobs remains fierce, and the students are feeling the pressure. In this article, the author describes Nichols College's new, web-based…

Concurrent Schedules of Reinforcement as "Challenges" to Maintenance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Stephanie M.; Frieder, Jessica E.; Quigley, Shawn P.; Kestner, Kathryn M.; Goyal, Manish; Smith, Shilo L.; Dayton, Elizabeth; Brower-Breitwieser, Carrie

2017-01-01

One measure of success for interventions treating problem behavior is the effects achieved in the face of a challenge (e.g., changes in reinforcement schedules, lapses in treatment integrity); one hopes to demonstrate persistence of appropriate alternatives and the absence of resurgence of target behaviors. The present study successfully treated…

After the Gold Rush: Questioning the "Gold Standard" and Reappraising the Status of Experiment and Randomized Controlled Trials in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Gary

2016-01-01

The past few years have seen a resurgence of faith in experimentation in education inquiry, and particularly in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Proponents of such research have succeeded in bringing into common parlance the term "gold standard," which suggests that research emerging from any other design frame fails to achieve the…

Intellectualist Aristotelian Character Education: An Outline and Assessment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ferkany, Matt; Creed, Benjamin

2014-01-01

Since its resurgence in the 1990s, character education has been subject to a bevy of common criticisms, including that it is didactic and crudely behaviorist; premised on a faulty trait psychology; victim-blaming; culturally imperialist, racist, religious, or ideologically conservative; and many other horrible things besides. Matt Ferkany and…

Toward a Structural Assessment: Analyzing the Merits of an Assessment Tool for a Student with E/BD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stichter, Janine P.; Lewis, Timothy J.; Johnson, Nanci; Trussell, Robert

2004-01-01

The past decade has given rise to a resurgence of interest in the investigation of antecedent events that "set the stage" for the occurrence of problem behaviors and, correspondingly, the role of these antecedents in developing preventative interventions. A growing literature supports the impact of teacher interactions and classroom structure on…

After the Holocaust

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hymovitz, Leon

1978-01-01

A number of recent statements, occurrences, and reflections are presented to indicate a resurgence of Nazism. The author states that the facts of the Holocaust should be taught and suggests some curriculum activities to teach them and also to distinguish and expose similar acts today and in the future. (MF)

Mapping Environmental Suitability for Malaria Transmission, Greece

PubMed Central

Sudre, Bertrand; Rossi, Massimiliano; Van Bortel, Wim; Danis, Kostas; Baka, Agoritsa; Vakalis, Nikos

2013-01-01

During 2009–2012, Greece experienced a resurgence of domestic malaria transmission. To help guide malaria response efforts, we used spatial modeling to characterize environmental signatures of areas suitable for transmission. Nonlinear discriminant analysis indicated that sea-level altitude and land-surface temperature parameters are predictive in this regard. PMID:23697370

Connecting Past, Present and Future: How African American Teacher Candidates' School Experiences Inform Their Motivations to Teach, Educational Philosophies, and Identities as Future Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Brandy

2012-01-01

The stories of students and teacher candidates of Color hold powerful lessons and tremendous insight for educational reform efforts. Yet, rarely do educators and policymakers solicit or critically engage the educational narratives of students of Color. Indeed, despite resurgence in a four-decade long conversation regarding the shortage of teachers…

The World Indigenous Research Alliance (WIRA): Mediating and Mobilizing Indigenous Peoples' Educational Knowledge and Aspirations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitinui, Paul; McIvor, Onowa; Robertson, Boni; Morcom, Lindsay; Cashman, Kimo; Arbon, Veronica

2015-01-01

There is an Indigenous resurgence in education occurring globally. For more than a century Euro-western approaches have controlled the provision and quality of education to, and for Indigenous peoples. The World Indigenous Research Alliance (WIRA) established in 2012, is a grass-roots movement of Indigenous scholars passionate about making a…

Signal Event Context: Trace Technologies of the habit@online

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luke, Robert

2003-01-01

Web portals--those online environments that encourage users to trade personal information for the opportunity to personalise the information space--are experiencing a considerable resurgence in popularity. Web portals are web sites that allow users to log on with a username and password and create their very own datastructure. This datastructure…

States Eye Looser Rein on Districts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacobson, Linda

2008-01-01

The push to give school districts greater operating flexibility--a grassroots rallying cry eclipsed in recent years by the charter school movement--is seeing a resurgence, as states seek to spur innovation that will help raise student achievement. In Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue is proposing "performance contracts" that would free…

Schooling in Capitalism: Navigating the Bleak Pathways of Structural Fate

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, Kevin; Liston, Daniel P.

2015-01-01

In this review essay Kevin Murray and Dan Liston examine three texts in what this symposium has deemed the recent resurgence in neo-Marxist accounts of schooling: David Blacker's "The Falling Rate of Learning and the Neoliberal Endgame," Mike Cole's "Marxism and Educational Theory," and John Marsh's "Class Dismissed."…

Researching Assessment as Social Practice: Implications for Research Methodology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shay, Suellen

2008-01-01

Recent educational journals on both sides of the Atlantic have seen a resurgence of debate about the nature of educational research. As a contribution to these debates, this paper draws on theoretical and methodological "thinking tools" of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. Specifically, the paper explores what Jenkins [Jenkins, R.…

Housing Is an Epicenter for Change: A Narrative of Students and Staff Championing Campus Social Change Movements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Otchere, Kimberly; Bankhead, Tekita; Williams, Ayanna

2017-01-01

The resurgence of student activism has yielded dynamic change within university housing departments and beyond on college campuses across the country. In higher education, the social, cultural, and political environment continues to be highly racialized and characterized by a string of protests and public displays of student angst. The threat of…

The Molecular Autopsy: Should the Evaluation Continue After the Funeral?

PubMed Central

Tester, David J.; Ackerman, Michael J.

2012-01-01

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the most common causes of death in developed countries, with most SCDs involving the elderly, and structural heart disease evident at autopsy. Each year, however, thousands of sudden deaths involving individuals younger than 35 years of age remain unexplained after a comprehensive medicolegal investigation that includes an autopsy. In fact, several epidemiologic studies have estimated that at least 3% and up to 53% of sudden deaths involving previously healthy children, adolescents, and young adults show no morphologic abnormalities identifiable at autopsy. Cardiac channelopathies associated with structurally normal hearts such as long QT syndrome (LQTS), catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), and Brugada syndrome (BrS) yield no evidence to be found at autopsy, leaving coroners, medical examiners, and forensic pathologists only to speculate that a lethal arrhythmia might lie at the heart of a sudden unexplained death (SUD). In cases of autopsy-negative SUD, continued investigation through either a cardiologic and genetic evaluation of first- or second-degree relatives or a molecular autopsy may elucidate the underlying mechanism contributing to the sudden death and allow for identification of living family members with the pathogenic substrate that renders them vulnerable, with an increased risk for cardiac events including syncope, cardiac arrest, and sudden death. PMID:22307399

The Role of Spatial Dispersion of Repolarization in Inherited and Acquired Sudden Cardiac Death Syndromes

PubMed Central

Antzelevitch, Charles

2007-01-01

This review examines the role of spatial electrical heterogeneity within ventricular myocardium on the function of the heart in health and disease. The cellular basis for transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) is reviewed and the hypothesis that amplification of spatial dispersion of repolarization underlies the development of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias associated with inherited ion channelopathies is evaluated. The role of TDR in the long QT, short QT and Brugada syndromes as well as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are critically examined. In the long QT Syndrome, amplification of TDR is often secondary to preferential prolongation of the action potential duration (APD) of M cells, whereas in the Brugada Syndrome, it is thought to be due to selective abbreviation of the APD of right ventricular (RV) epicardium. Preferential abbreviation of APD of either endocardium or epicardium appears to be responsible for amplification of TDR in the short QT syndrome. In catecholaminergic polymorphic VT, reversal of the direction of activation of the ventricular wall is responsible for the increase in TDR. In conclusion, the long QT, short QT, Brugada and catecholaminergic polymorphic VT syndromes are pathologies with very different phenotypes and etiologies, but which share a common final pathway in causing sudden cardiac death. PMID:17586620

Utilising Virtual Reality in Alcohol Studies: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Durl, James; Dietrich, Timo; Pang, Bo; Potter, Leigh-Ellen; Carter, Lewis

2018-01-01

Background: The resurgence of interest in virtual reality (VR) in recent years has been exciting for health educators and researchers, yet little is known about VR's effectiveness. This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of the prevalence of VR in alcohol studies and assess its effectiveness. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles…

Chapter 16: Soy Proteins as Wood Adhesives

Treesearch

Charles R. Frihart; Christopher G. Hunt; Michael J. Birkeland

2014-01-01

Protein adhesives allowed the development of bonded wood products such as plywood and glulam in the early 20th century. Petrochemical-based adhesives replaced proteins in most wood bonding applications because of lower cost, improved production efficiencies, and enhanced durability. However, several technological and environmental factors have led to a resurgence of...

"State of the Art" or Dismal Science? The Economic Debate in South Africa since 1994

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fryer, David

2016-01-01

Both the loss of prestige caused to mainstream economics by the global financial crisis and the resurgence of heterodox economics have proved to be superficial. "Where it counts" (in the teaching of economics, in the most important policy circles, and in the most prestigious journals) neoliberal economics has proven resilient to dissent.…

Proper Names: Reference and Attribution

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maumus, Michael Fletcher

2012-01-01

In the wake of Saul Kripke's landmark "Naming and Necessity," the claim that proper names are directly referential expressions devoid of descriptive content has come to verge on philosophical commonplace. Nevertheless, the return to a purely referential semantics for proper names has coincided with the resurgence of the very puzzles…

The True Growth Rate and the Inflation Balancing Principle.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Robert C.

1983-01-01

The demise of mathematics of finance as a subject is discussed and a resurgence is seen as possible, but the traditional instructional presentation is seen as in need of modernization. Financial mathematics is referred to as a beautiful subject when inflation is incorporated, provided that calculators are used in computations. (Author/MP)

Content and Process in Education for Democracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patrick, John J.

2005-01-01

We live in a global era of transcendent democracy. According to recent surveys by Freedom House, most peoples of the world favor democracy over other types of government. A global revival of education for democratic citizenship accompanies the worldwide resurgence of democracy. Diverse peoples in various parts of the world commonly understand that…

Return of the Wetback

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Portes, Alejandro

1974-01-01

Examines the wetback migration, and legal migration from Mexico which have had a vigorous resurgence in the years following the termination of the bracero program in 1964: the migrants, their methods and the making of the structural forces promoting and sustaining this migration do not conform to commonly held beliefs. (Author/JM)

The Correlation of Critical Thinking Disposition and Approaches to Learning among Baccalaureate Nursing Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kabeel, Abeer Refaat; Eisa, Sahar Abd El-Mohsen Mosa

2016-01-01

Background: Part of the 21st century skills is critical thinking and learning approaches of students. A part of that resurgence can be attributable to several studies on critical thinking, logic, and thinking skills. Health care professionals are challenged by the complexities of the health care environment. The practice of nursing requires…

The Meaning of the "Public Interest" in Communications Policy--Part I: Its Origins in State and Federal Regulation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rowland, Willard D., Jr.

The late 1980s' resurgent appeal to public interest standards entails a misunderstanding of the real meaning of "public interest" and, whatever the merits of the critique of the deficiencies during the recent regulatory period, the standard still contains within it the seeds of its own compromise, if not destruction. Even among its…

Essays on Classical Rhetoric and Modern Discourse.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Connors, Robert J., Ed.; And Others

Noting the rediscovery by composition scholars of the tradition of classical rhetoric, this collection of essays explores the resurgence in the teaching of written discourse in college English departments. The 18 articles and their authors are as follows: (1) "The Revival of Rhetoric in America," by Robert Connors, Lisa Ede, and Andrea…

Dilemmas of Leading National Curriculum Reform in a Global Era: A Chinese Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yin, Hongbiao; Lee, John Chi-Kin; Wang, Wenlan

2014-01-01

Since the mid-1980s, a global resurgence of large-scale reform in the field of education has been witnessed. Implementing these reforms has created many dilemmas for change leaders. Following a three-year qualitative research project, the present study explores the dilemmas leaders faced during the implementation of the national curriculum reform…

Slavs in America: A Selected Bibliography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goy, Peter

This bibliography provides a survey of the literature on Slavic American ethnic groups. Material is included on the immigrant life experience, political and social development, and the contemporary resurgence of ethnic awareness. The first chapter cites materials on ethnicity in general, with special emphasis on Slavic groups. Chapters 2 through 5…

Another Postmodern Report on Knowledge: Positivism and Its Others

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

St. Pierre, Elizabeth Adams

2012-01-01

During the first decade of the twenty-first century, neopositivist claims made about the nature and validity of knowledge in the debates about scientifically based research were countered by educators who, decades earlier, had made various turns away from positivism and were surprised by its resurgence. In those debates, positivists often used…

Dress Codes in Post-Apartheid South African Workplaces

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Terri; Nodoba, Gaontebale

2009-01-01

There are many factors that influence dress code decision making in formal and informal business arenas. In South Africa, with its colonial and apartheid history followed by an exuberant resurgence of Africanism, factors such as diversity of race, ethnicity, religion, and culture play a critical role in lifestyle and worldview. These many and…

Readin', Writin', an' 'Rithmetic: Literacy Strategies in High School Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Principato, Angela M.

2017-01-01

Stagnant growth on national standardized tests in mathematics and reading and a focus on disciplinary literacy in the Common Core State Standards in ELA, history/social studies, science, and technical subjects has prompted a resurgence in utilizing literacy strategies in the content areas in high school. While literacy standards in mathematics are…

A Comparison of Single-Gender Classes and Traditional, Coeducational Classes on Student Academic Achievement, Discipline Referrals, and Attitudes toward Subjects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Debra Messenger

2010-01-01

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in single gender education. Emerging science has proven that boys and girls learn differently. This study compared fifth grade single-gender classes to fifth grade traditional, coeducational classes in the same urban middle school. The following were compared: students' academic achievement;…

Association between neurosyphilis and diabetes mellitus: resurgence of an old problem.

PubMed

Yang, Tianci; Tong, Manli; Xi, Ya; Guo, Xiaojing; Chen, Yuyan; Zhang, Yafeng; Zhang, Qiao; Liu, Long; Chen, Fuyi; Huang, Songjie; Zhang, Huilin; Zheng, Weihong; Lin, Lirong; Liu, Lili; Jiang, Jie

2014-09-01

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is commonly referred to as the "great imitator" because of its wide-ranging clinical presentations. Recently, we noticed that patients with neurosyphilis (NS) seemed to be more susceptible to complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). This is an interesting phenomenon, but it also puzzles clinicians because of scant knowledge about this situation. A case-control study was conducted to explore the association between NS and DM. Clinical data and the prevalence of DM among NS patients, patients with syphilis but not NS (syphilis/non-NS), non-syphilis patients, and healthy controls were analyzed. In addition, we explored the time of occurrence of NS and DM. Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels in NS patients were significantly higher than in syphilis/non-NS patients, non-syphilis patients, and healthy controls (P < 0.05). In all, 45 of 149 NS patients (30.2%) were diagnosed with DM. The prevalence of DM in NS patients was significantly higher than in the other three groups (P < 0.05). There was no relationship between the prevalence of DM and the type of NS (e.g. asymptomatic NS, syphilitic meningitis, meningovascular NS, general paresis, and tabes dosalis). In the study population, 57.8% of NS patients were diagnosed with DM at the same time, whereas 80.0% were diagnosed with DM within 5 years of their diagnosis of NS. Based on the results of the present study, DM is not merely an occasional chance occurrence in NS patients. There is an association between NS and DM. © 2014 Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Islamic Resurgence in Algeria: The Rise of the Islamic Salvation Front

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-05-01

Julien, Histolre de l’Afrique du Nord: Tunisie-Alg~rie- Maroc de la conqufte arabe A 1830, 2 ed., Roger LeTourneau ed., Paris, Payot, 1956. 4Jamil M...Nord. Tunisie-Alg~rie- Maroc de la conqu~te arabe A 1830. 2 ed. Roger LeTourneau, ed., Paris, Payot, 1956. El-Kenz, Ali. Algerian Reflections on Arab

A Resurgence of United Kingdom Nuclear Power Research (2011 EFRC Forum)

ScienceCinema

Grimes, Robin W.

2018-02-06

Robin W. Grimes, Professor at Imperial College, London,was the third speaker in the the May 26, 2011 EFRC Forum session, "Global Perspectives on Frontiers in Energy Research." In his presentation, Professor Grimes discussed recent research endeavors in advanced nuclear energy systems being pursued in the UK. The 2011 EFRC Summit and Forum brought together the EFRC community and science and policy leaders from universities, national laboratories, industry and government to discuss "Science for our Nation's Energy Future." In August 2009, the Office of Science established 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers. The EFRCs are collaborative research efforts intended to accelerate high-risk, high-reward fundamental research, the scientific basis for transformative energy technologies of the future. These Centers involve universities, national laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit firms, singly or in partnerships, selected by scientific peer review. They are funded at $2 to $5 million per year for a total planned DOE commitment of $777 million over the initial five-year award period, pending Congressional appropriations. These integrated, multi-investigator Centers are conducting fundamental research focusing on one or more of several “grand challenges” and use-inspired “basic research needs” recently identified in major strategic planning efforts by the scientific community. The purpose of the EFRCs is to integrate the talents and expertise of leading scientists in a setting designed to accelerate research that transforms the future of energy and the environment.

Islamic Resurgence in Turkey? An Analysis of Political and Social Elements

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-01

groups 199 "’ Radical Right ’ Preparing For Clashes With PKK," Paris AFP, FBIS, 9 Jul 92, and "Youth Organization Prepares To Clash With PKK," SABAH...Party Leader." Ankara Turkiye Radyolari Network. Foreian Broadcast Information Service. 21 Oct 91. "’ Radical Right ’ Preparing For Clashes With PKK...the nature of these murders. First, the targets for this violence are essentially all ethnic Kurds. Second, they are all considered by the radical

Resurgence of Colistin: A Review of Resistance, Toxicity, Pharmacodynamics, and Dosing

PubMed Central

Lim, Lauren M.; Ly, Neang; Anderson, Dana; Yang, Jenny C.; Macander, Laurie; Jarkowski, Anthony; Forrest, Alan; Bulitta, Jurgen B.; Tsuji, Brian T.

2011-01-01

Colistin is a polymyxin antibiotic that was discovered in the late 1940s for the treatment of gram-negative infections. After several years of clinical use, its popularity diminished because of reports of significant nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Recently, the antibiotic has resurfaced as a last-line treatment option for multidrug-resistant organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The need for antibiotics with coverage of these gram-negative pathogens is critical because of their high morbidity and mortality, making colistin a very important treatment option. Unfortunately, however, resistance to colistin has been documented among all three of these organisms in case reports. Although the exact mechanism causing colistin resistance has not been defined, it is hypothesized that the PmrA-PmrB and PhoP-PhoQ genetic regulatory systems may play a role. Colistin dosages must be optimized, as colistin is a last-line treatment option; in addition, suboptimal doses have been linked to the development of resistance. The lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies and no universal harmonization of dose units, however, have made it difficult to derive optimal dosing regimens and specific dosing guidelines for colistin. In critically ill patients who may have multiorgan failure, renal insufficiency may alter colistin pharmacokinetics. Therefore, dosage alterations in this patient population are imperative to achieve maximal efficacy and minimal toxicity. With regard to colistin toxicity, most studies show that nephrotoxicity is reversible and less frequent than once thought, and neurotoxicity is rare. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact that the two regulatory systems have on resistance, as well as the dosages of colistin needed to inhibit and overcome these developing patterns. PMID:21114395

Strategic Landpower and a Resurgent Russia: An Operational Approach to Deterrence

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-01

conducted by the author on November 4, 2015. 58. Nathan Friesel, “Hybrid Warfare; Four Challenges,” lec- ture to the Defense Advanced Research ... research discussions with NATO International staff for policy member and a NATO staff officer on November 3 and 4, 2015. 35 61. Colby and Solomon , p. 23... experimental , classroom, or field settings. The CBCC uses open source data to compute platform combat values, then, groups them into units. Opposing units

Implications of a Resurgent Russian Federation for U.S. European Command

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-10

Slovakia, Hungary, Romania , and Moldova. It also has a substantial coastline along the Black Sea. A map of Ukraine is located in Appendix A. Seventy...and is currently experiencing its longest run of sovereign independence.95 Ukraine declared independence from the Russian Empire in 1918 following...after until 1991 from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Georgia gained independence briefly in 1918 following the Russian Revolution and established a

Deterrence and Engagement: A Blended Strategic Approach to a Resurgent Russia

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-15

Expansionism “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” – Sun Tzu , The Art of War. An analysis...55 Bibliography ...the U.S. and its European allies, could achieve greater stability and security for Europe. 57 Bibliography Adamsky, Dmitry. “If War Comes

Trends in ophthalmic antimicrobial utilization pattern in Bahrain between 1993 and 2000: a resurgence of chloramphenicol?

PubMed

Jassim Al Khaja, K A; Sequeira, R R; Mathur, V S

2003-01-01

The occurrence of aplastic anemia following topical administration of ophthalmic chloramphenicol is controversial and debated internationally. We have determined the influence of such debate on the utilization of ophthalmic chloramphenicol in Bahrain, through studying the utilization patterns of ophthalmic antimicrobial preparations by the Ministry of Health, with an emphasis on chloramphenicol, between 1993 and 2000. Cost-implications of these patterns are examined. Information on the annual purchase of ophthalmic antimicrobial drug preparations and their unit price was obtained from the Directorate of Materials Management, Ministry of Health, and analyzed. In 1993, the 3 most commonly purchased ophthalmic antibacterial preparations were oxytetracycline 1% eye ointment (40.1%); sulfacetamide 10% and 20% eye drops (25.3%); and chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops and 1% eye ointment (10.8%). In 2000, oxytetracycline remained the most frequently purchased preparation (33%), followed by chloramphenicol (21.2%). Between 1993 and 1999, chloramphenicol purchases fluctuated between 10% to 16.4% with a remarkable increase to 21.2%, in 2000. Chloramphenicol accounted for 8.6% and 15.1% of cost of total ophthalmic preparations purchased in 1993 and 2000, respectively. Despite continued concerns of potential risks of ophthalmic chloramphenicol, this preparation is extensively utilized in Bahrain. We are of the opinion that for minor infections, chloramphenicol ophthalmic preparations should be replaced by safer alternatives. Further, we recommend that their use be reserved for ocular infections that are resistant to other antimicrobials, and that ophthalmologists, at the secondary care level, should supervise such treatment.

Outbreaks of syphilis among men who have sex with men attending STI clinics between 2007 and 2015 in the Netherlands: a space-time clustering study.

PubMed

van Aar, F; den Daas, C; van der Sande, M A B; Soetens, L C; de Vries, H J C; van Benthem, B H B

2017-09-01

Infectious syphilis (syphilis) is diagnosed predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands and is a strong indicator for sexual risk behaviour. Therefore, an increase in syphilis can be an early indicator of resurgence of other STIs, including HIV. National and worldwide outbreaks of syphilis, as well as potential changes in sexual networks were reason to explore syphilis trends and clusters in more depth. National STI/HIV surveillance data were used, containing epidemiological, behavioural and clinical data from STI clinics. We examined syphilis positivity rates stratified by HIV status and year. Additionally, we performed space-time cluster analysis on municipality level between 2007 and 2015, using SaTScan to evaluate whether or not there was a higher than expected syphilis incidence in a certain area and time period, using the maximum likelihood ratio test statistic. Among HIV-positive MSM, the syphilis positivity rate decreased between 2007 (12.3%) and 2011 (4.5%), followed by an increasing trend (2015: 8.0%). Among HIV-negative MSM, the positivity rate decreased between 2007 (2.8%) and 2011 also (1.4%) and started to increase from 2013 onwards (2015: 1.8%). In addition, we identified three geospatial clusters. The first cluster consisted of MSM sex workers in the South of the Netherlands (July 2009-September 2010, n=10, p<0.001). The second cluster were mostly HIV-positive MSM (58.5%) (Amsterdam; July 2011-December 2015; n=1123, p<0.001), although the proportion of HIV-negative MSM increased over time. The third cluster was large in space (predominantly the city of Rotterdam; April-September 2015, n=72, p=0.014) and were mostly HIV-negative MSM (62.5%). Using SaTScan analysis, we observed several not yet recognised outbreaks and a rapid resurgence of syphilis among known HIV-positive MSM first, but more recently, also among HIV-negative MSM. The three identified clusters revealed locations, periods and specific characteristics of the

From selection hits to clinical leads: progress in aptamer discovery

PubMed Central

Maier, Keith E; Levy, Matthew

2016-01-01

Aptamers were discovered more than 25 years ago, yet only one has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to date. With some noteworthy advances in their chemical design and the enzymes we use to make them, aptamers and aptamer-based therapeutics have seen a resurgence in interest. New aptamer drugs are being approved for clinical evaluation, and it is certain that we will see increasingly more aptamers and aptamer-like drugs in the future. In this review, we will discuss the production of aptamers with an emphasis on the advances and modifications that enabled early aptamers to succeed in clinical trials as well as those that are likely to be important for future generations of these drugs. PMID:27088106

Significance of Penicillium ochrochloron chitinase as a biocontrol agent against pest Helicoverpa armigera.

PubMed

Patil, Nilambari S; Jadhav, Jyoti P

2015-06-01

Penicillium ochrochloron chitinase purified by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography was evaluated for its antifeedant and growth inhibitory activities against Helicoverpa armigera at different concentrations of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 100 U mL(-1). It reduced the successful pupation and increased larval and pupal mortality, adult emergence in a dosage-dependent manner when applied topically. The highest mortalities were recorded for groups treated with 2000 U mL(-1) chitinase activity. The studies showed P.ochrochloron chitinase can affect the growth of H.armigera larvae. Since this insect pest species has developed resistance and resurgence to chemical insecticides, only alternate is the usage of enzyme-based pesticide formulations as an environmentally friendly pest management tool. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Asymptomatic urethral lymphogranuloma venereum: a case report.

PubMed

Charest, Louise; Fafard, Judith; Greenwald, Zoë R

2018-07-01

Since 2003, there has been a resurgence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), a variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), among men who have sex with men (MSM) in several urban areas of Europe and North America. LGV infection occurs most often at anal sites causing proctitis. Urethral and oropharyngeal infections are rare. In Quebec, LGV incidence has been increasing exponentially in recent years and the current guidelines support systematic LGV genotype testing among anorectal CT-positive samples only. This case report describes a patient with a urethral LGV infection, remarkable due to its prolonged asymptomatic development prior to the manifestation of an inguinal bubo. Physicians should be vigilant of potential cases of LGV and forward CT-positive samples occurring among individuals with LGV risk factors for genotype testing.

The Responsible Uncertainty of Pedagogy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sellar, Sam

2009-01-01

In our current moment there is a resurgence of interest in pedagogy as an object of research and policy. In this context the Redesigning Pedagogies in the North (RPiN) project sought to improve educational outcomes for students from low-socioeconomic status communities by researching teachers' efforts to develop more connected pedagogies. However,…

Proceedings: Atlantic white-cedar: ecology and management symposium; 1997 August 6-7; Newport News, VA.

Treesearch

Theodore H. Shear; K.O. Summerville; [Editors

1999-01-01

As the past decade has seen a resurgence of interest in Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B.S.P.), a conference was convened in August 1997 to present the latest information in the research and management of the species. New information included, among other things: natural and artificial regeneration and growth after harvesting;...

Preparing Young Hispanic Dual Language Learners for a Knowledge Economy. Preschool Policy Brief. Issue 24

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Figueras-Daniel, Alexandra; Barnett, W. Steven

2013-01-01

As the United States works to reclaim economic prosperity, the Hispanic population--with the largest growth in population over the last decade--will likely play a key role in any economic resurgence. Educational success is a crucial part of economic recovery. While statistics on the educational success of Hispanic children are hardly encouraging,…

Lifting the Lid on Disabled People against Cuts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams-Findlay, Robert

2011-01-01

Against the backdrop of severe austerity measures sweeping across Europe, in this article I report upon the resurgence of activism among disabled people in the United Kingdom. My starting point is the creation of a new campaigning group called Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) formed by disabled people with and without a history of engagement…

Mario Bunge's Materialist Theory of Mind and Contemporary Cognitive Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Slezak, Peter

2012-01-01

Bunge's writings on the mind-body problem provide a rigorous, analytical antidote to the persistent anti-materialist tendency that has characterized the history of philosophy and science. Bunge gives special attention to dualism and its shortcomings, and this attention is welcome in view of the resurgence of the doctrine today. However, I focus my…

The Nativistic Legacy of the Americanization Era in the Education of Mexican Immigrant Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Galindo, Rene

2011-01-01

Nativism is a forgotten ideology which nevertheless operates in the current era as illustrated by the resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment and restrictionistic policies in response to growing Latino/a immigration. This response to Latino/a immigration recalls a historic era from the early 1900s known as the Americanization period which was also…

Integrating fuel and forest management: developing prescriptions for the Central Hardwood Region

Treesearch

Edward F. Loewenstein; Keith W. Grabner; George W. Hartman; Erin R. McMurry

2003-01-01

The oak dominated forests in the Ozarks of southern Missouri evolved under the influence of fire for thousands of years. However, fire exclusion and timber harvests have changed historical fuel loads and modified vegetative structure. The resurgent interest in restoration of fire dependent ecosystems in conjunction with the needs of resource managers to control fuel...

The Challenge of Infectious Diseases to the Biomedical Paradigm

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foladori, Guillermo

2005-01-01

The resurgence of infectious diseases and the emergence of infectious diseases raise questions on how to cope with the situation. The germ or clinical approach is the hegemonic biomedical paradigm. In this article, the author argues that the spread of infectious diseases has posted a challenge to the biomedical paradigm and shows how lock-in…

77 FR 59488 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Grotto Sculpin and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-27

... Resurgence. Grotto sculpin tend to be associated with a high availability of invertebrate prey, deeper cave... sculpin was assigned an LPN of 2 due to imminent threats of a high magnitude. On May 11, 2004, we received.... 5; Day 2008, p. 12). Overall recapture rates were highest in fall and winter (32 percent each) and...

What's Wrong with Youth Service? Occasional Papers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halperin, Samuel

The resurgence of national interest in youth service is due, in large part, to the national organizations that have grown so vigorously in recent years. Some explanations for the almost sudden reappearance of youth service as a nationwide issue are: (1) many Americans are fed up with narcissism, personal gratification, and me-centered pursuits;…

Demystifying the Electoral College: 12 Frequently Asked Questions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Middleton, Tiffany

2012-01-01

As the presidential election of 2012 draws closer, Americans will witness a resurgence of references to the Electoral College in news reports. Here, "Looking at the Law" hopes to demystify the Electoral College, and refresh many social studies memories--just in time for the next election--with some frequently asked questions about electing the…

"Dilettantes and Over-Specialization": Diagnosing and Treating Nazism at West German Universities after World War II

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pepin, Craig K.

2005-01-01

After 1945, the words "anti-fascist education" appeared much less frequently in the western zones of occupied Germany than in the Soviet zone, but the concerns expressed by the phrase were shared by all occupying powers: How could education help prevent a resurgence of Nazism? For the American and British occupation authorities, and to a…

Lambs to the Slaughter? Young Francophones and the Role of English in Quebec Today

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oakes, Leigh

2010-01-01

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of fears concerning the status of English in Quebec. Unlike in the past, many now claim that it is francophones themselves who risk undermining the achievements of 30 years of successful status planning. The finger is pointed in particular at young francophones, accused of adopting an unfettered…

Masculinities and Resistance: High School Boys (Un)doing Boy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kehler, Michael D.

2004-01-01

In Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom there has been a resurgence in attention directed at boys and schooling. The media and public discourse describes it as a burgeoning moral panic. Mainly grounded in public concerns about achievement levels and violence in schools, the response has been to develop quick fixes and…

Lessons from the Past: The Importance of Educational History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillard, Derek

2009-01-01

For the past twenty years, the training of teachers in England has consisted of little more than instruction in 'delivering' the National Curriculum. In this piece, Derek Gillard argues that there are now encouraging signs of a resurgence of interest in the history of education. He reviews the new edition of Clyde Chitty's "Education Policy…

Impact of Classroom Design on Teacher Pedagogy and Student Engagement and Performance in Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Imms, Wesley; Byers, Terry

2017-01-01

A resurgence in interest in classroom and school design has highlighted how little we know about the impact of learning environments on student and teacher performance. This is partly because of a lack of research methods capable of controlling the complex variables inherent to space and education. In a unique study that overcame such difficulties…

MDRC's Career and Technical Education Projects. Issue Focus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MDRC, 2017

2017-01-01

The past decade has seen a resurgence of interest in career and technical education (CTE) as a way to engage students, help people build the skills necessary to succeed in a technologically advanced economy, and meet employer demand for workers. MDRC--which has a two-decade history of developing and evaluating CTE programs, including their…

What Good Is World Literature?: World Literature Pedagogy and the Rhetoric of Moral Crisis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Karen R.

2011-01-01

The past decade has seen a resurgence of scholarship on world literature. The best-selling successes of "Great Books" arguments contained in Azar Nafisi's memoir "Reading Lolita in Tehran" and in Dai Sijie's novel "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress" seem to mirror, on the popular front, this scholarly return to the question of world…

The Condition of American Liberal Education: Pragmatism and a Changing Tradition. An Essay with Commentaries and Responses.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kimball, Bruce A.; Orrill, Robert, Ed.

This book presents an essay on U.S. liberal education and 24 commentaries on it. The essay, "Toward Pragmatic Liberal Education" by Bruce A. Kimball suggests that a consensus is emerging in reform efforts that a new and distinctly American version of liberal education is emerging which owes much to the current resurgence of American…

Mapping Malaria Transmission Risk in Northern Morocco Using Entomological and Environmental Data

PubMed Central

Adlaoui, E.; Faraj, C.; El Bouhmi, M.; El Aboudi, A.; Ouahabi, S.; Tran, A.; Fontenille, D.; El Aouad, R.

2011-01-01

Malaria resurgence risk in Morocco depends, among other factors, on environmental changes as well as the introduction of parasite carriers. The aim of this paper is to analyze the receptivity of the Loukkos area, large wetlands in Northern Morocco, to quantify and to map malaria transmission risk in this region using biological and environmental data. This risk was assessed on entomological risk basis and was mapped using environmental markers derived from satellite imagery. Maps showing spatial and temporal variations of entomological risk for Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum were produced. Results showed this risk to be highly seasonal and much higher in rice fields than in swamps. This risk is lower for Afrotropical P. falciparum strains because of the low infectivity of Anopheles labranchiae, principal malaria vector in Morocco. However, it is very high for P. vivax mainly during summer corresponding to the rice cultivation period. Although the entomological risk is high in Loukkos region, malaria resurgence risk remains very low, because of the low vulnerability of the area. PMID:22312566

[Investigative police work in relation to youth homicides in Belo Horizonte].

PubMed

Zilli, Luís Felipe; Vargas, Joana Domingues

2013-03-01

Over the course of the past 30 years, Brazil has experienced an exponential increase in its homicide rates, which is a problem that has been aggravated by the slaughter of young nonwhite, poor, males living in the shantytowns and communities. Given the complexity and the resurgence of the homicide phenomenon in Brazil, this article seeks to discuss some of the main effects that these trends have had on investigative police work. For this purpose, a long process of ethnographic research in six Specialized Homicide Police Units of Belo Horizonte (BH) was conducted between the years 2009 and 2010. During this period, researchers accompanied the daily routine of these units and conducted several in-depth interviews with investigators and civil police chiefs. Among the results, the mismatch between the increasing complexity of the homicide phenomenon and the legal procedures established for investigating the problem in BH should be stressed.

Usefulness of Chinese Herbal Medicines as Host-Directed Therapeutics against Mycobacterial Infections: A Review.

PubMed

Tomioka, Haruaki

2017-01-01

The high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries, the resurgence of TB in industrialized countries, and the worldwide increase in the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium complex infections have prompted the quest for new antimycobacterial drugs. However, the development of such chemotherapeutics is currently making very slow progress. It therefore appears that devising improved administration protocols for clinical treatment against intractable mycobacteriosis using existing chemotherapeutics is more practical than awaiting the development of novel antimycobacterial drugs. The modulation of host immune responses using immunoadjunctive agents may increase the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment against mycobacteriosis. Particularly, the mild and long-term up-regulation of host immune reactions against mycobacterial pathogens using Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) may be beneficial for immunoadjunctive therapy. This review focuses on the current status and future prospects regarding the development of CHMs that can be useful for the clinical control of intractable mycobacterial infections.

Students' Regulation of Their Emotions in a Science Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tomas, Louisa; Rigano, Donna; Ritchie, Stephen M.

2016-01-01

Research aimed at understanding the role of the affective domain in student learning in classrooms has undergone a recent resurgence due to the need to understand students' affective response to science instruction. In a case study of a year 8 science class in North Queensland, students worked in small groups to write, film, edit, and produce…

Fleas, hosts and habitat: What can we predict about the spread of vector-borne zoonotic diseases?

Treesearch

Megan M. Friggens

2010-01-01

Vector-borne diseases of humans and wildlife are experiencing resurgence across the globe. I examine the dynamics of flea borne diseases through a comparative analysis of flea literature and analyses of field data collected from three sites in New Mexico: The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, the Sandia Mountains and the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP). My...

Potential for Biobased Adhesives in Wood Bonding

Treesearch

Charles R. Frihart

2016-01-01

There has been a resurgence of interest and research on using bio-based materials as wood adhesives; however, they have achieved only limited market acceptance. To better understand this low level of replacement, it is important to understand why adhesives work or fail in moisture durability tests. A holistic model for wood adhesives has been developed that clarifies...

Leadership and Creativity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brundrett, Mark

2004-01-01

There has been a growing resurgence of interest in creativity in primary schools which has acted as a counterpoint to some of the more reductivist elements of the introduction of the National Curriculum and associated methods of testing. This article reports on a study of one primary school that has had some significant success in enhancing the…

Being Careful about Character

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rose, Mike

2013-01-01

In this essay the author argues that today's resurgent focus on noncognitive skills, especially for low-income students, may unfairly mask cognitive deficiencies and work to relieve our society of its duty, at which we are currently failing, to help low-income children improve their lives by improving their cognitive skills. The author points to a…

The New Localism in the UK: Local Governance amid National Goals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Storey, Valerie A.; Farrar, Maggie

2009-01-01

Both in the United States and the United Kingdom there has been a recent resurgence of interest and support for "new localism" in response to the need to provide local solutions to national complex problems. In this paper, the authors begin by exploring the contextual framework in the U.S. and the UK, explaining recent policy reform and…

Creativity Is Life: A Commentary on the Special Issue

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaufman, James C.

2015-01-01

In this commentary on the papers in the special issue, I discuss how many of the standard questions and debates in the field of creativity research tend to focus on the individual creator. The welcome recent resurgence of interest in questions of context, interaction, culture, and audience--as on full display in this special issue--is cause to…

Bed Bug Education for School Maintenance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henriksen, Missy

2012-01-01

Bed bugs are a growing problem, not only in homes and hotels, but also in schools and colleges. Facility administrators and staff need to understand the bed bug resurgence and develop best practices to deal with an infestation. In this article, the author offers tips for preventing and treating bed bugs in school and university settings.

76 FR 550 - Second National Bed Bug Summit; Notice of Public Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-05

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0190; FRL-8858-4] Second National Bed Bug Summit... planning the second National Bed Bug Summit to be held February 1 and 2, 2011, on the topic of the bed bug resurgence in the United States. The goal of this meeting is to review the current bed bug problem and...

Internationalization, Regionalization, and Soft Power: China's Relations with ASEAN Member Countries in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Rui

2012-01-01

Since the late 1980s, there has been a resurgence of regionalism in world politics. Prospects for new alliances are opened up often on a regional basis. In East and Southeast Asia, regionalization is becoming evident in higher education, with both awareness and signs of a rising ASEAN+3 higher education community. The quest for regional influence…

Gathering in the city: an annotated bibliography and review of the literature about human-plant interactions in urban ecosystems

Treesearch

R.J. McLain; K. MacFarland; L. Brody; J. Hebert; P. Hurley; M. Poe; L.P. Buttolph; N. Gabriel; M. Dzuna; M.R. Emery; S. Charnley

2012-01-01

The past decade has seen resurgence in interest in gathering wild plants and fungi in cities. In addition to gathering by individuals, dozens of groups have emerged in U.S., Canadian, and European cities to facilitate access to nontimber forest products (NTFPs), particularly fruits and nuts, in public and private spaces. Recent efforts within cities to encourage public...

Fragments, extinction, and recolonization: The genetics of metapopulations

Treesearch

Michael F. Antolin; Anna W. Schoettle

2001-01-01

The idea of a metapopulation - a group of local populations in a patchy habitat - recurs in both ecology and evolutionary biology. Although the metapopulation concept is at least 50-75 years old, it has recently resurged, as natural habitats become fragmented and are lost because of humans' use of resources. However, fragmentation is not the same as...

Fairy Tales and Foreign Languages: Ever the Twain Shall Meet

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidheiser, James C.

2007-01-01

Fairy tales are not new to foreign language instructors, but on occasion they have been considered wither exoteric or unworthy of class time. Yet today there is a resurgence of interest in fairy tales and a rebirth of their use in the arts, which may serve foreign language instructors. This article presents historical background to inform…

Stereotyping in "Damals war es Friedrich" and "Brandstiftung."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moffit, Gisela

2000-01-01

Discusses the use of young adult books in teaching high school and college-level German, particularly "Damals war es Friedrich" and "Brandstiftung." The didactic intentions of these books are to inform younger adults about the Nazi periods of the past and the Neo-nazi resurgence of the present, encourage them to confront the issues, and to take a…

Form, Experience and the Centrality of Rhetoric to Pedagogy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brummett, Barry

2015-01-01

This essay notes a resurgence of interest in rhetorical studies on the appeal of form, grounded in the work of rhetorical theorist Kenneth Burke. The essay argues that form is not only a way to structure discourses, it is a way to structure experience. Form is foundational in creating perceptions and thus experiences. Form is also highly…

Knitting: A Craft Makes a Comeback

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntosh, Phyllis

2011-01-01

Hand knitting is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States. Once considered the province of grannies and expectant mothers stitching layettes, knitting is enjoying a 21st century resurgence, especially among young people. Knitting, it turns out, is a trendy, often eco-friendly pastime with a wide range of appeals. And, thanks to the…

Planificacion linguistica y constitucion de un bloque regional: El caso del Mercosur (Argentina, Brasil, Paraguay y Uraguay) y de Chile (Language Planning and the Constitution of a Regional Bloc: The Case of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and Chile.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chareille, Samantha

2003-01-01

The common market of the South is a new linguistic and cultural area. The resurgence of innermost identities within member states proves that Mercosur identity can neither be universal nor specific. The outcome of this quest for identity will depend on the ability to carefully handle an area of cultural diversity and a place of common allegiance…

When VR really hits the streets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morie, Jacquelyn F.

2014-02-01

Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) technology, while popular in the late part of the 20th Century, seemed to disappear from public view as social media took its place and captured the attention of millions. Now that a new generation of entrepreneurs and crowd-sourced funding campaigns have arrived, perhaps virtual reality is poised for a resurgence.

Pathologizing the Language and Culture of Poor Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dudley-Marling, Curt; Lucas, Krista

2009-01-01

There has been a resurgence of deficit discourses that implicate deficiencies in the language and culture of poor students as the cause of their academic failures. An influential study by Betty Hart and Todd Risley concludes that high levels of academic failure among poor children can be linked to the quantity and quality of language interactions…

The Rhetoric of the Know-Nothing Party: Nativism as a Response to the Rhetorical Situation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, A. Cheree

The Know-Nothing party of the 1850s was the first nativist party in American politics to gain importance and serves as an exemplar of how cultural nativism may be captured and turned toward political goals. The resurgence of nativist sentiment in the Know-Nothing era provides an excellent example of a rhetorical situation which seriously…

How to Help Your Child Make a Difference in the World through Service-Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Terry, Alice W.

2012-01-01

How can parents help their children develop the sensitivity and compassion of people like Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi, Rachel Carson, and Martin Luther King, Jr.? Participation for gifted students in service-learning programs, both in and out of school, may be one helpful method. In the last two decades, there has been a resurgence of…

Science: The Islamic Legacy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lunde, Paul; And Others

1986-01-01

In the wake of the first space voyage and in-flight experiments by a Muslim astronaut, this document focuses upon the story of Islamic science through the ages. It is intended to demonstrate the resurgence of scientific research and technological development in the Muslim world. The booklet contains chapters on: (1) science: the Islamic legacy;…

Recent research on the Chesapeake Bay impact structure, USA - Impact debris and reworked ejecta

USGS Publications Warehouse

Horton, J. Wright; Aleinikoff, John N.; Kunk, Michael J.; Gohn, Gregory S.; Edwards, Lucy E.; Self-Trail, Jean M.; Powars, David S.; Izett, Glen A.

2005-01-01

Four new coreholes in the western annular trough of the buried, late Eocene Chesapeake Bay impact structure provide samples of shocked minerals, cataclastic rocks, possible impact melt, mixed sediments, and damaged microfossils. Parautochthonous Cretaceous sediments show an upward increase in collapse, sand fluidization, and mixed sediment injections. These impact-modified sediments are scoured and covered by the upper Eocene Exmore beds, which consist of highly mixed Cretaceous to Eocene sediment clasts and minor crystalline-rock clasts in a muddy quartz-glauconite sand matrix. The Exmore beds are interpreted as seawater-resurge debris flows. Shocked quartz is found as sparse grains and in rock fragments at all four sites in the Exmore, where these fallback remnants are mixed into the resurge deposit. Crystalline-rock clasts that exhibit shocked quartz or cataclastic fabrics include felsites, granitoids, and other plutonic rocks. Felsite from a monomict cataclasite boulder has a sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U-Pb zircon age of 613 ± 4 Ma. Leucogranite from a polymict cataclasite boulder has a similar Neoproterozoic age based on muscovite 40Ar/39Ar data. Potassium-feldspar 40Ar/39Ar ages from this leucogranite show cooling through closure (∼150 °C) at ca. 261 Ma without discernible impact heating. Spherulitic felsite is under investigation as a possible impact melt. Types of crystalline clasts, and exotic sediment clasts and grains, in the Exmore vary according to location, which suggests different provenances across the structure. Fractured calcareous nannofossils and fused, bubbled, and curled dinoflagellate cysts coexist with shocked quartz in the Exmore, and this damage may record conditions of heat, pressure, and abrasion due to impact in a shallow-marine environment.

Monitoring progress towards the elimination of measles in China: an analysis of measles surveillance data

PubMed Central

Ma, Chao; Hao, Lixin; Zhang, Yan; Su, Qiru; Rodewald, Lance; An, Zhijie; Yu, Wenzhou; Ma, Jing; Wen, Ning; Wang, Huiling; Liang, Xiaofeng; Wang, Huaqing; Yang, Weizhong; Li, Li

2014-01-01

Abstract Objective To analyse the epidemiology of measles in China and determine the progress made towards the national elimination of the disease. Methods We analysed measles surveillance data – on the age, sex, residence and vaccination status of each case and the corresponding outcome, dates of onset and report and laboratory results – collected between January 2005 and October 2013. Findings Between 2005 and October 2013, 596 391 measles cases and 368 measles-related deaths were reported in China. Annual incidence, in cases per 100 000 population, decreased from 9.95 in 2008 to 0.46 in 2012 but then rose to more than 1.96 in 2013. The number of provinces that reported an annual incidence of less than one case per million population increased from one in 2009 to 15 in 2012 but fell back to one in 2013. Median case age decreased from 83 months in 2005 to 14 months in 2012 and 11 months in January to October 2013. Between 2008 and 2012, the incidence of measles in all age groups, including those not targeted for vaccination, decreased by at least 93.6%. However, resurgence started in late 2012 and continued into 2013. Of the cases reported in January to October 2013, 40% were aged 8 months to 6 years. Conclusion Although there is evidence of progress towards the elimination of measles from China, resurgence in 2013 indicated that many children were still not being vaccinated on time. Routine immunization must be strengthened and the remaining immunity gaps need to be identified and filled. PMID:24839323

Increasing point-count duration increases standard error

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, W.P.; Twedt, D.J.; Hamel, P.B.; Ford, R.P.; Wiedenfeld, D.A.; Cooper, R.J.

1998-01-01

We examined data from point counts of varying duration in bottomland forests of west Tennessee and the Mississippi Alluvial Valley to determine if counting interval influenced sampling efficiency. Estimates of standard error increased as point count duration increased both for cumulative number of individuals and species in both locations. Although point counts appear to yield data with standard errors proportional to means, a square root transformation of the data may stabilize the variance. Using long (>10 min) point counts may reduce sample size and increase sampling error, both of which diminish statistical power and thereby the ability to detect meaningful changes in avian populations.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Arrhythmia

PubMed Central

Wacker-Gussmann, Annette; Strasburger, Janette F.; Cuneo, Bettina F.; Wakai, Ronald T.

2014-01-01

Detection and careful stratification of fetal heart rate (FHR) is extremely important in all pregnancies. The most lethal cardiac rhythm disturbances occur during apparently normal pregnancies where FHR and rhythmare regular and within normal or low-normal ranges. These hidden depolarization and repolarization abnormalities, associated with genetic ion channelopathies cannot be detected by echocardiography, and may be responsible for up to 10% of unexplained fetal demise, prompting a need for newer and better fetal diagnostic techniques. Other manifest fetal arrhythmias such as premature beats, tachycardia, and bradycardia are commonly recognized. Heart rhythm diagnosis in obstetrical practice is usually made by M-mode and pulsed Doppler fetal echocardiography, but not all fetal cardiac time intervals are captured by echocardiographic methods. This article reviews different types of fetal arrhythmias, their presentation and treatment strategies, and gives an overview of the present and future diagnostic techniques. PMID:24858320

Clinical review of genetic epileptic encephalopathies

PubMed Central

Noh, Grace J.; Asher, Y. Jane Tavyev; Graham, John M.

2012-01-01

Seizures are a frequently encountered finding in patients seen for clinical genetics evaluations. The differential diagnosis for the cause of seizures is quite diverse and complex, and more than half of all epilepsies have been attributed to a genetic cause. Given the complexity of such evaluations, we highlight the more common causes of genetic epileptic encephalopathies and emphasize the usefulness of recent technological advances. The purpose of this review is to serve as a practical guide for clinical geneticists in the evaluation and counseling of patients with genetic epileptic encephalopathies. Common syndromes will be discussed, in addition to specific seizure phenotypes, many of which are refractory to anti-epileptic agents. Divided by etiology, we overview the more common causes of infantile epileptic encephalopathies, channelopathies, syndromic, metabolic, and chromosomal entities. For each condition, we will outline the diagnostic evaluation and discuss effective treatment strategies that should be considered. PMID:22342633

The History of Bordetella pertussis Genome Evolution Includes Structural Rearrangement

PubMed Central

Peng, Yanhui; Loparev, Vladimir; Batra, Dhwani; Bowden, Katherine E.; Burroughs, Mark; Cassiday, Pamela K.; Davis, Jamie K.; Johnson, Taccara; Juieng, Phalasy; Knipe, Kristen; Mathis, Marsenia H.; Pruitt, Andrea M.; Rowe, Lori; Sheth, Mili; Tondella, M. Lucia; Williams, Margaret M.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Despite high pertussis vaccine coverage, reported cases of whooping cough (pertussis) have increased over the last decade in the United States and other developed countries. Although Bordetella pertussis is well known for its limited gene sequence variation, recent advances in long-read sequencing technology have begun to reveal genomic structural heterogeneity among otherwise indistinguishable isolates, even within geographically or temporally defined epidemics. We have compared rearrangements among complete genome assemblies from 257 B. pertussis isolates to examine the potential evolution of the chromosomal structure in a pathogen with minimal gene nucleotide sequence diversity. Discrete changes in gene order were identified that differentiated genomes from vaccine reference strains and clinical isolates of various genotypes, frequently along phylogenetic boundaries defined by single nucleotide polymorphisms. The observed rearrangements were primarily large inversions centered on the replication origin or terminus and flanked by IS481, a mobile genetic element with >240 copies per genome and previously suspected to mediate rearrangements and deletions by homologous recombination. These data illustrate that structural genome evolution in B. pertussis is not limited to reduction but also includes rearrangement. Therefore, although genomes of clinical isolates are structurally diverse, specific changes in gene order are conserved, perhaps due to positive selection, providing novel information for investigating disease resurgence and molecular epidemiology. IMPORTANCE Whooping cough, primarily caused by Bordetella pertussis, has resurged in the United States even though the coverage with pertussis-containing vaccines remains high. The rise in reported cases has included increased disease rates among all vaccinated age groups, provoking questions about the pathogen's evolution. The chromosome of B. pertussis includes a large number of repetitive mobile

Three-Dimensional P-wave Velocity Structure Beneath Long Valley Caldera, California, Using Local-Regional Double-Difference Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menendez, H. M.; Thurber, C. H.

2011-12-01

Eastern California's Long Valley Caldera (LVC) and the Mono-Inyo Crater volcanic systems have been active for the past ~3.6 million years. Long Valley is known to produce very large silicic eruptions, the last of which resulted in the formation of a 17 km by 32 km wide, east-west trending caldera. Relatively recent unrest began between 1978-1980 with five ML ≥ 5.7 non-double-couple (NDC) earthquakes and associated aftershock swarms. Similar shallow seismic swarms have continued south of the resurgent dome and beneath Mammoth Mountain, surrounding sites of increased CO2 gas emissions. Nearly two decades of increased volcanic activity led to the 1997 installation of a temporary three-component array of 69 seismometers. This network, deployed by the Durham University, the USGS, and Duke University, recorded over 4,000 high-frequency events from May to September. A local tomographic inversion of 283 events surrounding Mammoth Mountain yielded a velocity structure with low Vp and Vp/Vs anomalies at 2-3 km bsl beneath the resurgent dome and Casa Diablo hot springs. These anomalies were interpreted to be CO2 reservoirs (Foulger et al., 2003). Several teleseismic and regional tomography studies have also imaged low Vp anomalies beneath the caldera at ~5-15 km depth, interpreted to be the underlying magma reservoir (Dawson et al., 1990; Weiland et al., 1995; Thurber et al., 2009). This study aims to improve the resolution of the LVC regional velocity model by performing tomographic inversions using the local events from 1997 in conjunction with regional events recorded by the Northern California Seismic Network (NCSN) between 1980 and 2010 and available refraction data. Initial tomographic inversions reveal a low velocity zone at ~2 to 6 km depth beneath the caldera. This structure may simply represent the caldera fill. Further iterations and the incorporation of teleseismic data may better resolve the overall shape and size of the underlying magma reservoir.

Librarians, Publishers, and Vendors Revisit E-Books: OeBF-Sponsored Gathering Tackles Content, Delivery, Usage, Economics, and the Dire Need for Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rogers, Michael

2004-01-01

The resurgence of interest in e-books, who uses them, and where the technology is headed were among the issues discussed March 16 at the eBooks in the Public Library Conference in New York, sponsored by the Open eBook Forum (OeBF). Roughly 200 librarians, publishers, and vendors braved a winter squall to share their expertise and experiences.…

American Historian Arthur Schlesinger's Challenge to Women Historians and Scholars.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peterson, Barbara Bennett

In 1922, Arthur Schlesinger urged his fellow historians to write women into the history books. He recognized that the size and sweep of women's history offered scholars and students the opportunity of a new major field. His call failed to arouse skeptical minds through the 1940s and 1950s as feminism fell into disrepute. But with the resurgence of…

Geomorphological assemblages in Arcadia Planitia: clues about a global scale event?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Toffoli, B.; Pozzobon, R.; Mazzarini, F.; Massironi, M.; Cremonese, G.

2017-09-01

Mound-like features have been detected in the Arcadia Planitia region in the Northern hemisphere of Mars. Particularly, we investigated landforms that, due to their morphological characteristics and surface distribution, could be interpreted as water related features, such as mud volcanoes or spring vents. Additionally, the collected evidence suggests that a putative single phenomenon acted as trigger to such resurgences on global scale.

Political Influence on Japanese Nuclear and Security Policy: New Forces Face Large Obstacles

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-01

Fukushima incident immediately triggered a resurgence of the anti- nuclear power movement in Japan, and quickly enlarged it to national scale.80...Bottom-up Activism,” Asia-Pacific Issues 103 (January 2012). 57 time passes after the Fukushima incidents. Anti- nuclear -power sentiment in Japan...spread well beyond the areas immediately affected by either the Fukushima disasters themselves or by other nuclear plants

Contrasting Policies towards (Mainly) Christian Education in Different Contexts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watson, Keith

2010-01-01

During the past 10 to 15 years there has been a renewed interest in the place of religion, religious education and religious schools in different parts of the world. This began in the USA and Europe with the development of private Christian schools. It was later followed by the resurgence of religious schools in the former parts of the Soviet…

Re-discovering ancient wheat varieties as functional foods.

PubMed

Cooper, Raymond

2015-07-01

With the gluten-free food market worth almost $1.6 bn in 2011, there is every reason for renewed interest in ancient grains. This resurgent interest is expressed in re-discovering ancient varieties as functional foods. In particular, people affected by celiac disease have to avoid all gluten in their diet and several ancient grains may offer an important alternative.

EL2-Medium Education in a Largely Monolingual Society: The Case of Hong Kong.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bruce, Nigel J.

1990-01-01

English is used as a second-language (EL2) medium of instruction in a wide range of developing countries, notably in East and South Asia, the Middle East, and many parts of Africa, often in the face of a vigorous resurgence of indigenous and regional cultures and languages. A discussion of this situation illustrates some of the social, political,…