Otolith marking of juvenile shortnose gar by immersion in oxytetracycline

USGS Publications Warehouse

Snow, Richard A.; Long, James M.

2017-01-01

Oxytetracycline (OTC) has been used to mark a variety of fish species at multiple developmental stages; however, there is little information on batch-marking Lepisosteidae. Juvenile Shortnose Gar Lepisosteus platostomus (53 ± 3 mm TL) were seined from an Oklahoma State University research pond and transported to the Oklahoma Fishery Research Lab. Juvenile Shortnose Gar were exposed to a range of OTC concentrations—0, 500, 600, and 700 mg/L—for 4, 5, or 6 h. Lapillus and sagitta otoliths were examined 14 d postexposure for mark presence and evaluation using fluorescent microscopy. Overall, 93.3% of otoliths exposed to OTC exhibited a mark. Concentration of OTC affected the mean mark quality, whereas duration and otolith type examined did not. However, as concentration increased, so did mortality, suggesting a balance is needed to achieve marking goals. Based on our findings, batch marking of Shortnose Gar can be successful at OTC concentrations from 500 to 700 mg/L for 4–6 h, although mark quality may vary and mortality rates increase at the higher concentrations and longer durations.

Comparative analysis of the organization of the cholinergic system in the brains of two holostean fishes, the Florida gar Lepisosteus platyrhincus and the bowfin Amia calva.

PubMed

Morona, Ruth; López, Jesús M; Northcutt, R Glenn; González, Agustín

2013-01-01

The cholinergic system in the brain has been widely studied in most vertebrate groups, but there is no information available about this neurotransmission system in the brains of holostean fishes, a primitive and poorly understood group of actinopterygian fishes. The present study provides the first detailed information on the distribution of cholinergic cell bodies and fibers in the central nervous system in two holostean species, the Florida gar, Lepisosteus platyrhincus, and the bowfin, Amia calva. Immmunohistochemistry against the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) revealed distinct groups of ChAT-immunoreactive (ChAT-ir) cells in the habenula, isthmic nucleus, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, octavolateral area, reticular formation, cranial nerve motor nuclei and the motor column of the spinal cord, all of which seem to be highly conserved among vertebrates. Some ChAT-ir cells were detected in the basal telencephalon that appear in actinopterygians for the first time in the evolution of this neurotransmission system, whereas the remarkable cholinergic population in the optic tectum is a peculiar characteristic, the presence of which varies throughout evolution, although it is present in all teleosts studied. Abundant cholinergic fibers were found in the pretectal region and optic tectum, where they probably modulate vision, and in the hypothalamus and the interpeduncular neuropil. Some interspecific differences were also observed, such as the presence of ChAT-ir cells in the supraoptoparaventricular band only in Lepisosteus and in in the nucleus subglomerulosus only in Amia. In addition, ChAT-ir fibers in the olfactory bulb were detected only in Amia. Comparison of these results with those from other classes of vertebrates, and a segmental analysis to correlate cell populations, reveal that the pattern of the cholinergic system in holosteans is very close to that in ancestral actinopterygian fishes, as recently described in the bichir (Cladistia), although

The development of the cucullaris muscle and the branchial musculature in the Longnose Gar, (Lepisosteus osseus, Lepisosteiformes, Actinopterygii) and its implications for the evolution and development of the head/trunk interface in vertebrates.

PubMed

Naumann, Benjamin; Warth, Peter; Olsson, Lennart; Konstantinidis, Peter

2017-11-01

The vertebrate head/trunk interface is the region of the body where the different developmental programs of the head and trunk come in contact. Many anatomical structures that develop in this transition zone differ from similar structures in the head or the trunk. This is best exemplified by the cucullaris/trapezius muscle, spanning the head/trunk interface by connecting the head to the pectoral girdle. The source of this muscle has been claimed to be either the unsegmented head mesoderm or the somites of the trunk. However most recent data on the development of the cucullaris muscle are derived from tetrapods and information from actinopterygian taxa is scarce. We used classical histology in combination with fluorescent whole-mount antibody staining and micro-computed tomography to investigate the developmental pattern of the cucullaris and the branchial muscles in a basal actinopterygian, the Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus). Our results show (1) that the cucullaris has been misidentified in earlier studies on its development in Lepisosteus. (2) Cucullaris development is delayed compared to other head and trunk muscles. (3) This developmental pattern of the cucullaris is similar to that reported from some tetrapod taxa. (4) That the retractor dorsalis muscle of L. osseus shows a delayed developmental pattern similar to the cucullaris. Our data are in agreement with an explanatory scenario for the cucullaris development in tetrapods, suggesting that these mechanisms are conserved throughout the Osteichthyes. Furthermore the developmental pattern of the retractor dorsalis, also spanning the head/trunk interface, seems to be controlled by similar mechanisms. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A comparison of lead lengths for mini-fyke nets to sample age-0 gar species

USGS Publications Warehouse

Long, James M.; Snow, Richard A.; Patterson, Chas P.

2016-01-01

Mini-fyke nets are often used to sample small-bodied fishes in shallow (<1 m depth) water, especially in vegetated shoreline habitats where seines are ineffective. Recent interest in gar (Lepisosteidae) ecology and conservation led us to explore the use of mini-fyke nets to capture age-0 gar and specifically how capture is affected by lead length of the fyke net. In the summers of 2012, 2013, and 2015, mini-fyke nets with two different lead lengths (4.57 m and 9.14 m) were set at random sites in backwaters and coves of the Red River arm of Lake Texoma, Oklahoma. Mean CPUE (catch-per-unit-effort; number per net night) was significantly lower for mini-fyke nets with short leads (0.52) compared to those with long leads (1.51). Additionally, Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) were captured at a higher rate than the other three gar species present in Lake Texoma, although this could have been an artifact of sampling location. We found that differences in length-frequency of captured gar between gear types were nearly significant, with total length ranging from 47mm to 590mm. Mini-fyke nets with longer leads increased the efficiency of sampling for age-0 gar by increasing catch rate without affecting estimates of other population parameters and appear to be useful for this purpose. 

Chloride inhibition of nitrite uptake for non-teleost Actinopterygiian fishes.

PubMed

Boudreaux, Perry J; Ferrara, Allyse M; Fontenot, Quenton C

2007-06-01

Fish that transport environmental chloride with a gill uptake mechanism (gill epithelial Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-)cotransport exchange system), also transport nitrite into plasma through the same mechanism. Because of the relationship between nitrite uptake and the gill chloride uptake mechanism, nitrite uptake can provide insight regarding the method of chloride uptake for fish. This study was designed to determine if non-teleost fishes concentrate nitrite in their plasma, and to determine if chloride inhibits nitrite uptake in non-teleost fish. To determine if bowfin Amia calva, spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus, alligator gar Atractosteus spatula, and paddlefish Polyodon spathula concentrate environmental nitrite in their plasma, individuals were exposed to concentrations of 0, 1, 10, or 100 mg/L nitrite-N. After exposure, all species had plasma nitrite-N concentrations greater than environmental levels. To determine if chloride inhibits nitrite uptake for spotted gar, alligator gar, and paddlefish, fish were exposed to 1 mg/L nitrite-N and 20 mg/L chloride as calcium chloride, or to 1 mg/L nitrite-N only. Chloride effectively prevented nitrite from being concentrated in the plasma of all species. It appears that non-teleost fish concentrate nitrite in their plasma via their chloride uptake mechanism and that this is an ancestral characteristic for teleost.

Age, differential growth and mortality rates in unexploited populations of Florida gar, an apex predator in the Florida Everglades

USGS Publications Warehouse

Murie, D.J.; Parkyn, D.C.; Nico, L.G.; Herod, J.J.; Loftus, W.F.

2009-01-01

Florida gar, Lepisosteus platyrhincus DeKay, were sampled in two canal systems in south Florida during 2000-2001 to estimate age, growth and mortality as part of the Everglades ecosystem-restoration effort. Tamiami (C-4) and L-31W canal systems had direct connections to natural wetlands of the Everglades and harboured large Florida gar populations. Of 476 fish aged, maximum ages were 19 and 10years for females and males, respectively. Maximum sizes were also larger for females compared with males (817 vs 602 mm total length). Overall, female Florida gar from both Tamiami and L-31W were larger at age than males from L-31W that, in turn, were larger at any given age than males from Tamiami. Females also had lower rates of annual mortality (Z = 0.21) than males from L-31W (Z = 0.31) or males from Tamiami (Z = 0.54). As a large and long-lived apex predator in the Everglades, Florida gar may structure lower trophic levels. Regional- and sex-specific population parameters for Florida gar will contribute to the simulation models designed to evaluate Everglades restoration alternatives. ?? 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Evaluation of liver and brain esterases in the spotted gar fish (Lepisosteus oculatus) as biomarkers of effect in the lower Mississippi River basin

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

Huang, T.L.; Obih, P.O.; Jaiswal, R.

1997-05-01

The responses of various xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in fish models are rapidly evolving as important biomarkers for monitoring unacceptable levels of environmental contaminants. Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, a specific cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase, is often used as an indicator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollution. Another class of enzymes which are potential biomarkers are the B-type esterases. These enzymes are sensitive to inhibition by organophosphates, and include the cholinesterases (ChE) and carboxylesterases. ChEs are further subdivided into acetylcholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase. Among fish, AChE is predominantly localized in the brain and muscle, whereas, BuChE activity is found mainly in liver and plasma. The precisemore » physiological role of BuChE is unknown, although it has been regarded as a marker enzyme for glial or supportive cells or other non-neuronal elements. Inhibition of ChE activity has often been associated with exposure to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and other neurotoxic xenobiotics. Chemicals other than carbarnates and organophosphates that are environmental contaminants can also affect the activity of ChEs. Carboxylesterases represent a heterogenous group of isozymes that can catalyze the hydrolysis of a wide range of xenobiotic esters, amides and thioesters. For most CaE, their natural substrates are unknown, therefore, their physiological functions remain to be elucidated. These enzymes (CaE) occur widely in most tissues and are generally found in high levels in the liver. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the liver and brain esterases in the spotted gar fish as biomarkers of effect to multiple contaminants in the lower Mississippi River basin. 15 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Cultural Resources Survey and Testing for Davis Pond Freshwater Diversion, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-01

Alligator mississippiensis) so biomass was not estimated for these groups. Standard Length was estimated for gar (Lepisosteus spp.), bowfin ( Amia calva ...interpretations of the role of the turtles, gar (Lepisosteus app.), and bowfin ( Amia calva ) in the subsistence strategies reflected in the Pump Canal...Sciaenidae 99 0.74 0.81 0.73 Atlas Width (mm) to Standard Length (mm) 0 Lepiaosteus app. 18 0.96 1.96 0.83 Amia calva 4 0.62 2.02 0.87 Centrarchidae 105

Presence and biomagnification of organochlorine chemical residues in oxbow lakes of northeastern Louisiana

USGS Publications Warehouse

Niethammer, K.R.; White, D.H.; Baskett, T.S.; Sayre, M.W.

1984-01-01

Samples (98) of 16 spp. of animals were collected at Lake Providence, 88 samples of 15 spp. at Lake Bruin and 21 samples of 5 spp. at Lake St. John, Louisiana, between July 15 and Sept. 25, 1980. Residues of 13 organochlorine compounds were identified in these samples. Substantial concentrations of many compounds throughout the food webs of all 3 lakes showed that the lakes acted as sumps, accumulating residues from nearby agricultural land. DDT and its metabolites (DDE, TDE and DDMU [1-chloro-2,2,-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene]), toxaphene and polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) were the principal organochloride residues detected. With few exceptions, biomagnification of the principal residues was clearly illustrated. Tertiary consumers such as green-backed heron (Butorides striatus), snakes, spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) contained the highest residues. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), blacktail shiner (Notropis venustus), yellow-crowned night heron (Nycticorax violaceus) and other secondary consumers contained lower levels of residues. Primary consumers, crayfish (Orconectes lancifer) and threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), contained relatively low residue levels of most compounds. Frogs contained lower residue levels than expected based on their position in the food web. Residue levels in immature green-backed herons and .gtoreq. 1 of the longer-lived predators, e.g., snakes, gars or largemouth bass could be monitored to evaluate levels of organochlorine chemical contaminants in aquatic habitats.

THE CONTAMINANT-ASSOCIATED STRESS RESPONSE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PLASMA STRESS AND SEX STERIOD CONCENTRATIONS IN THE FLORIDA GAR, LEPISOSTEUS PLATYRHINCUS

EPA Science Inventory

Contaminants can alter the stress response. This study examined the stress response, defined by plasma cortisol concentration, and its relationship to plasma estradiol-17b and testosterone concentrations in adult gar collected from Lake Apopka, Orange Lake and Lake Woodruff NWR, ...

Gene trees, species trees, and morphology converge on a similar phylogeny of living gars (Actinopterygii: Holostei: Lepisosteidae), an ancient clade of ray-finned fishes.

PubMed

Wright, Jeremy J; David, Solomon R; Near, Thomas J

2012-06-01

Extant gars represent the remaining members of a formerly diverse assemblage of ancient ray-finned fishes and have been the subject of multiple phylogenetic analyses using morphological data. Here, we present the first hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships among living gar species based on molecular data, through the examination of gene tree heterogeneity and coalescent species tree analyses of a portion of one mitochondrial (COI) and seven nuclear (ENC1, myh6, plagl2, S7 ribosomal protein intron 1, sreb2, tbr1, and zic1) genes. Individual gene trees displayed varying degrees of resolution with regards to species-level relationships, and the gene trees inferred from COI and the S7 intron were the only two that were completely resolved. Coalescent species tree analyses of nuclear genes resulted in a well-resolved and strongly supported phylogenetic tree of living gar species, for which Bayesian posterior node support was further improved by the inclusion of the mitochondrial gene. Species-level relationships among gars inferred from our molecular data set were highly congruent with previously published morphological phylogenies, with the exception of the placement of two species, Lepisosteus osseus and L. platostomus. Re-examination of the character coding used by previous authors provided partial resolution of this topological discordance, resulting in broad concordance in the phylogenies inferred from individual genes, the coalescent species tree analysis, and morphology. The completely resolved phylogeny inferred from the molecular data set with strong Bayesian posterior support at all nodes provided insights into the potential for introgressive hybridization and patterns of allopatric speciation in the evolutionary history of living gars, as well as a solid foundation for future examinations of functional diversification and evolutionary stasis in a "living fossil" lineage. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pattern of Nitrergic Neuronal System Organization in the Brain of Two Holostean Fishes (Actinopterygii: Ginglymodi).

PubMed

López, Jesús M; Lozano, Daniel; Morales, Lorena; González, Agustín

2017-01-01

The study of the nitrergic system, formed by the networks of neurons containing the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), has been extremely useful in unraveling neuroanatomical features of the organization of the central nervous system of vertebrates. Thus, data are available for representatives of most vertebrate classes and, in particular, several studies have detailed the organization of this system in teleosts. In contrast, no information is available regarding this neurotransmission system in the brains of holosteans, an early diverged and poorly understood group of actinopterygian fishes, currently considered a sister group of teleosts that contains only 8 species. The present study provides the first detailed information on the distribution of nitrergic cell bodies and fibers in 2 holostean species of the genus Lepisosteus, the spotted gar L. oculatus and the Florida gar L. platyrhincus. NOS immunohistochemistry and the NADPH diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemical reaction were used, and both techniques yielded identical results, with the exception of the primary olfactory and terminal nerve fibers, which only labeled for NADPH-d exclusively in L. oculatus. Double immunohistochemistry was conducted for the simultaneous detection of NOS with tyrosine hydroxylase, choline acetyltransferase, calbindin, calretinin, and serotonin to accurately establish the localization of the nitrergic neurons and fibers in the brain of holosteans, the neuroanatomy of which has been mostly neglected, and to assess possible interactions between these neuroactive substances. Distinct groups of nitrergic cells were located in subpallial areas, the basal hypothalamus, posterior tubercle, optic tectum and mesencephalic tegmentum, reticular formation, solitary tract nucleus, spinal cord, and amacrine cells in the retina. In addition, low numbers of nitrergic cells were observed in the pallium, suprachiasmatic nucleus, prethalamic and thalamic areas, torus lateralis and torus semicircularis

Constructing a 'Chromonome' of Yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) for Comparative Analysis of Chromosomal Rearrangements

PubMed Central

Kawase, Junya; Aoki, Jun-ya; Araki, Kazuo

2018-01-01

To investigate chromosome evolution in fish species, we newly mapped 181 markers that allowed us to construct a yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) radiation hybrid (RH) physical map with 1,713 DNA markers, which was far denser than a previous map, and we anchored the de novo assembled sequences onto the RH physical map. Finally, we mapped a total of 13,977 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) on a genome sequence assembly aligned with the physical map. Using the high-density physical map and anchored genome sequences, we accurately compared the yellowtail genome structure with the genome structures of five model fishes to identify characteristics of the yellowtail genome. Between yellowtail and Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), almost all regions of the chromosomes were conserved and some blocks comprising several markers were translocated. Using the genome information of the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) as a reference, we further documented syntenic relationships and chromosomal rearrangements that occurred during evolution in four other acanthopterygian species (Japanese medaka, zebrafish, spotted green pufferfish and three-spined stickleback). The evolutionary chromosome translocation frequency was 1.5-2-times higher in yellowtail than in medaka, pufferfish, and stickleback. PMID:29290830

Isolation and biological activity of [Trp5]bradykinin from the plasma of the phylogenetically ancient fish, the bowfin and the longnosed gar.

PubMed

Conlon, J M; Platzack, B; Marra, L E; Youson, J H; Olson, K R

1995-01-01

The holostean fish occupy an important position in vertebrate phylogeny as extant representatives of a ancient group of ray-finned fish with evolutionary connections to present-day teleosts. Incubation of heat-denatured plasma from the bowfin Amia calva with trypsin generated bradykinin-like immunoreactivity. The primary structure of bowfin bradykinin was established as Ala-Pro-Pro-Gly-Trp-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg. This amino acid sequence contains one amino acid substitution (Phe5 --> Trp) compared with mammalian bradykinin. The same peptide was generated in heat-denatured plasma from the longnosed gar Lepisosteus osseus. Treatment of plasma from either the bowfin or gar with glass beads under conditions previously shown to activate Factor XII in the plasma of mammals and reptiles did not generate bradykinin. Bolus injections of synthetic bowfin bradykinin (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 nmol/kg) into the bulbus arteriosus of unanesthetized bowfin resulted in an immediate fall in arterial blood pressure of 5-10 min duration that was followed by a dose-dependent rise in pressure that was sustained for 30-60 min. There was no change in heart rate following bradykinin administration. The data suggest that the kallikrein-kinin system may predate the appearance of teleosts and may play a role in cardiovascular regulation in holosteans.

Developmental pathways of Glossotermes oculatus (Isoptera, Serritermitidae): at the cross-roads of worker caste evolution in termites.

PubMed

Bourguignon, Thomas; Sobotník, Jan; Hanus, Robert; Roisin, Yves

2009-01-01

The onset of a specialized ("true") worker caste is a crucial step in the evolution of termite societies. Such workers, permanently excluded from wing development, repeatedly evolved from totipotent immatures, called "false" workers or pseudergates. In the family Rhinotermitidae, the presence of true workers and the level of specialization of this caste are highly variable, and key taxa illustrate transitional situations providing clues about worker evolution. Here we focused on the status of working immatures of Glossotermes oculatus, from the family Serritermitidae, now thought to represent either the sister-group of the Rhinotermitidae or a basal lineage nested within them. Contrary to previous assumptions, we show that the apterous immatures performing worker tasks in G. oculatus are the source of the single wing-budded nymphal instar preceding the alate. Consequently, they qualify as pseudergates rather than true workers. However, the sex ratio is strongly male biased in pseudergates and soldiers, which is a trait usually restricted to termites with true workers. We therefore argue that pseudergates of G. oculatus are close to a point where the species could easily shift toward the differentiation of a true worker caste, and that G. oculatus pinpoints a new possible route for the evolution of true workers from pseudergates.

Effect of environmental contaminants in the Mississippi River Basin on carboxylesterases from four aquatic species

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

Jaiswal, R.; Huang, T.; Obih, P.

1995-12-31

The objectives of this study are to investigate the sensitivity of different classes of esterases in various aquatic species to environmental contaminants and the possible use of these enzymes as biomarkers for monitoring the effects of pollutants. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and the non-specific carboxylesterases (CaE) were analyzed in three fish species, Ictiobus bubalus (small mouth buffalo), Ictiobus cyprinellus (big mouth buffalo) and Lepisosteus oculatus (spotted gar) and the green tree frog, Hyla cinerea. These samples were collected from the Devil`s Swamp Site (DSS), an industrial site known to be highly contaminated at the Mississippi River Basin, and Lake Tunica,more » a nonindustrial site. ACHE and BuChE activities in the subcellular fractions of liver and brain were significantly lower in fishes and frogs obtained from DSS when compared to the same species obtained from Tunica swamp site. The greatest decrease was observed with ACHE activity in the liver and brain of Ictiobus bubalus from DSS. CaE activity analyzed with p-nitrophenyl acetate was found to be significantly lower in the liver of all three fish species collected from DSS when compared to the same fish species obtained from the Tunica swamp site.« less

Cultural Resources Investigations of Larose to Golden Meadow Hurricane Protection Project Levee Section D, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-01

cyclopion), and banded water snake (Natrix fasciata). Fish include paddlefish (Polydon spathula), alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula), bowfin ( Amia ... calva ), blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis), largemouth bass (Micropterus

Large-Scale Operations Management Test of Use of the White Amur for Control of Problem Aquatic Plants. Selected Life History Information of Animal Species on Lake Conway, Florida.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

Name Management Information 2 Loplsostus i. Inhabits warm, sluggish waters. (Continued) platyrhincus Can live in very stagnant waters 3 Amia calva a...water with abundant vegetation. Amia calva can survive very stagnant water due to its ability to surface and ’breathe’ the air. Active at twilight and...Name Scientific Name FishSpecies 1 Longnose gar Loplsosteus osseus 2 Florida gar Lepisosteus platjrhincus 3 Bowf in Aula calva 4 American eel Anguilla

Detection of N-acetylated forms of alpha-MSH and beta-endorphin in the intermediate pituitary of the holostean fishes, Lepisosteus spatula, Lepisosteus osseus, and Amia calva.

PubMed

Dores, R M; Keller, H; White, Y; Marra, L E; Youson, J H

1994-01-01

Acid extracts of the intermediate pituitaries of the gars, L. spatula and L. osseus, were fractionated by Sephadex G-50 column chromatography and analyzed by radioimmunoassay. This procedure revealed that immunoreactive forms of N-acetylated beta-endorphin- and alpha-MSH-sized material were present in equimolar amounts and represented the major end products of the POMC biosynthetic pathway in these species. Cation-exchange chromatography indicated that multiple N-acetylated forms of beta-endorphin were present in the intermediate pituitaries of the two species of gar, and that these forms differed in their net positive charge and in their apparent molecular weight. Reversed-phase HPLC analysis of the alpha-MSH-related material indicated that up to 90% of the total MSH in the pituitary of the gar was N-acetylated. Furthermore, the predominant form of alpha-MSH in both species of gar was N,O-diacetyl-ACTH(1-13)-NH2. Nearly identical results were obtained following the analysis of alpha-MSH-related peptides in the intermediate pituitary of the bowfin, A. calva. The pattern of posttranslational processing of POMC observed in the intermediate pituitaries of holostean fishes is very similar to the processing events observed in lungfishes, turtles, and mammals; hence, the processing of POMC has been remarkably conserved during vertebrate evolution.

GAR Global Risk Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maskrey, Andrew; Safaie, Sahar

2015-04-01

Disaster risk management strategies, policies and actions need to be based on evidence of current disaster loss and risk patterns, past trends and future projections, and underlying risk factors. Faced with competing demands for resources, at any level it is only possible to priorities a range of disaster risk management strategies and investments with adequate understanding of realised losses, current and future risk levels and impacts on economic growth and social wellbeing as well as cost and impact of the strategy. The mapping and understanding of the global risk landscape has been greatly enhanced by the latest iteration of the GAR Global Risk Assessment and the objective of this submission is to present the GAR global risk assessment which contributed to Global Assessment Report (GAR) 2015. This initiative which has been led by UNISDR, was conducted by a consortium of technical institutions from around the world and has covered earthquake, cyclone, riverine flood, and tsunami probabilistic risk for all countries of the world. In addition, the risks associated with volcanic ash in the Asia-Pacific region, drought in various countries in sub-Saharan Africa and climate change in a number of countries have been calculated. The presentation will share thee results as well as the experience including the challenges faced in technical elements as well as the process and recommendations for the future of such endeavour.

Nonadecadienone, a new termite trail-following pheromone identified in Glossotermes oculatus (Serritermitidae).

PubMed

Hanus, Robert; Šobotník, Jan; Krasulová, Jana; Jiroš, Pavel; Žáček, Petr; Kalinová, Blanka; Dolejšová, Klára; Cvačka, Josef; Bourguignon, Thomas; Roisin, Yves; Lacey, Michael J; Sillam-Dussès, David

2012-01-01

Within the multitude of chemical signals used by termites, the trail marking by means of pheromones is ubiquitous. Chemistry and biology of the trail-following communication have been described in more than 60 species from all families except for the Neotropical Serritermitidae. The chemical ecology of Serritermitidae is of special interest not only as a missing piece of knowledge on the diversity and evolution of isopteran pheromones but also because it may contribute to the debate on the phylogenetic position of this family, which is still unresolved. Therefore, we aimed in this study to identify the trail-following pheromone of the serritermitid Glossotermes oculatus. Based on a combined approach of analytical chemistry, electrophysiology, and behavioral bioassays, we propose (10Z,13Z)-nonadeca-10,13-dien-2-one to be the trail-following pheromone of G. oculatus, secreted by the sternal gland of pseudergates. Thus, we report on a new termite trail-following pheromone of an unexpected chemical structure, a ketone with 19 carbons, contrasting with unsaturated alcohols containing 12 carbons as trail-following pheromones in other advanced termite families. In addition to this unique trail-following pheromone, we also describe the sternal gland in pseudergates as an organ of unusual shape, size, and structure when compared with other isopteran species. These results underline the peculiarity of the family Serritermitidae and prompt our interest in the chemistry of pheromones in the other genus of the family, Serritermes. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Deletion and site-specific mutagenesis of nucleolin's carboxy GAR domain.

PubMed

Pellar, Gregory J; DiMario, Patrick J

2003-04-01

Vertebrate nucleolin is an abundant RNA-binding protein in the dense fibrillar component of active nucleoli. Nucleolin is modular in composition. Its amino-terminal third contains alternating acidic and basic domains, its middle section contains four consensus RNA-binding domains (cRBDs), and its carboxy-terminus contains a distinctive glycine/arginine-rich (GAR) domain with several RGG motifs. The arginines within these motifs are asymmetrically dimethylated. Several laboratories have shown that the GAR domain is necessary but not sufficient for the efficient localization of nucleolin to nucleoli. We examined the distribution of endogenous fibrillarin, Nopp140, and B23 when full-length and DeltaGAR nucleolin were expressed exogenously as enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged fusions. Only B23 redistributed when DeltaGAR-EGFP was expressed at moderate to high levels, suggesting an in vivo interaction between nucleolin and B23. Next we substituted all ten arginines within the GAR domain of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) nucleolin with lysines to test the hypothesis that methylation of the carboxy GAR domain is necessary for the nucleolar association of nucleolin. The lysine-substituted mutant was not an in vitro substrate for the yeast protein methyltransferase, Hmt1p/Rmt1. It was, however, able to associate properly with interphase nucleoli and with interphase pre-nucleolar bodies upon recovery from hypotonic shock. We conclude, therefore, that although the GAR domain is necessary for the efficient localization of nucleolin to nucleoli, methylation of this domain is not required for proper nucleolar localization.

The transition in hemoglobin proton-binding characteristics within the basal actinopterygian fishes.

PubMed

Regan, Matthew Daniel; Brauner, Colin J

2010-04-01

Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) transport in the blood of fishes is aided by the proton-binding properties of hemoglobin (Hb) through either a high-intrinsic buffer value and small oxylabile proton binding (Haldane effect), or a low buffer value and large Haldane effect. Primitive species, such as elasmobranchs and sarcopterygians have been shown to rely on the former, while derived species, such as teleosts rely on the latter. Both strategies are effective in the transport of CO(2) in the blood. However, there is a paucity of information on the nature of the transition between these two strategies that appears to occur within the intermediate group of fishes, the basal actinopterygians. The objective of the present study was to simultaneously assess the intrinsic Hb buffer values and Haldane effects of species within the basal actinopterygian lineage to characterize the transition in Hb-proton-binding strategy seen among the fishes. Expressed in order of most basal to most derived, the species investigated included American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), bowfin (Amia calva), and mooneye (Hiodon tergisus). Hemolysates from these species were prepared and Hb titrations (under oxygenated and deoxygenated conditions) were performed in both the presence and absence of saturating levels of organic phosphates (GTP). The findings suggest that the nature of the Hb-proton-binding transition may have been punctuated rather than gradual, with the Hb buffer value decreasing and the Haldane effect increasing significantly in bowfin from fairly steady ancestral levels in the four more basal species. This change is coupled with the initial appearance of the choroid rete, as well as an increase in the magnitude and onset pH of the Root effect in bowfin, suggesting that the change in Hb-proton-binding strategy may be associated with the evolution of enhanced O(2) delivery to

Structure of the ACF7 EF-Hand-GAR Module and Delineation of Microtubule Binding Determinants.

PubMed

Lane, Thomas R; Fuchs, Elaine; Slep, Kevin C

2017-07-05

Spectraplakins are large molecules that cross-link F-actin and microtubules (MTs). Mutations in spectraplakins yield defective cell polarization, aberrant focal adhesion dynamics, and dystonia. We present the 2.8 Å crystal structure of the hACF7 EF1-EF2-GAR MT-binding module and delineate the GAR residues critical for MT binding. The EF1-EF2 and GAR domains are autonomous domains connected by a flexible linker. The EF1-EF2 domain is an EFβ-scaffold with two bound Ca 2+ ions that straddle an N-terminal α helix. The GAR domain has a unique α/β sandwich fold that coordinates Zn 2+ . While the EF1-EF2 domain is not sufficient for MT binding, the GAR domain is and likely enhances EF1-EF2-MT engagement. Residues in a conserved basic patch, distal to the GAR domain's Zn 2+ -binding site, mediate MT binding. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Primary structure of stanniocalcin in two basal Actinopterygii.

PubMed

Amemiya, Yutaka; Youson, John H

2004-01-15

The primary structure of stanniocalcin (STC), the principal product of the corpuscles of Stannius (CS) in ray-finned fishes, was deduced from STC cDNA clones for two species of holostean, the gar, Lepisosteus osseus and the bowfin, Amia calva. Overlapping partial cDNA clones were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from single-strand cDNA of the CS. Excluding the poly(A) tail, the cDNAs of 1863 base pairs [bp] (gar) and 914 bp (bowfin) contained the 5' untranslated region followed by the coding region and the 3' untranslated region. Both the gar and bowfin STC cDNA encode a prehormone of 252 amino acids (aa) with a signal peptide of 32 aa and a mature protein of 220 aa. The deduced aa sequence of gar STC shows 87% identity with bowfin STC, 60-72% identity with most vertebrate STCs and 26% identity with mouse STC2. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences support a view that the gar and bowfin form a monophyletic holostean clade. RT-PCR revealed in the gar and bowfin that, just as in mammals and rainbow trout, the expression of STC mRNA is widely spread in many tissues and organs. Since the gar and bowfin are representatives of the most ancient fishes known to possess CS, the corpuscular-derived STC molecule in fish has had a conserved evolution.

Accurate placement of substrate RNA by Gar1 in H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridylation.

PubMed

Wang, Peng; Yang, Lijiang; Gao, Yi Qin; Zhao, Xin Sheng

2015-09-03

H/ACA RNA-guided ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP), the most complicated RNA pseudouridylase so far known, uses H/ACA guide RNA for substrate capture and four proteins (Cbf5, Nop10, L7Ae and Gar1) for pseudouridylation. Although it was shown that Gar1 not only facilitates the product release, but also enhances the catalytic activity, the chemical role that Gar1 plays in this complicated machinery is largely unknown. Kinetics measurement on Pyrococcus furiosus RNPs at different temperatures making use of fluorescence anisotropy showed that Gar1 reduces the catalytic barrier through affecting the activation entropy instead of enthalpy. Site-directed mutagenesis combined with molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that V149 in the thumb loop of Cbf5 is critical in placing the target uridine to the right position toward catalytic D85 of Cbf5. The enzyme elegantly aligns the position of uridine in the catalytic site with the help of Gar1. In addition, conversion of uridine to pseudouridine results in a rigid syn configuration of the target nucleotide in the active site and causes Gar1 to pull out the thumb. Both factors guarantee the efficient release of the product. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

The German Version of the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS): Reliability and Validity

PubMed Central

Domes, Gregor; Marx, Lisa; Spenthof, Ines; Heinrichs, Markus

2016-01-01

Objective Fear of eye gaze and avoidance of eye contact are core features of social anxiety disorders (SAD). To measure self-reported fear and avoidance of eye gaze, the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS) has been developed and validated in recent years in its English version. The main objectives of the present study were to psychometrically evaluate the German translation of the GARS concerning its reliability, factorial structure, and validity. Methods Three samples of participants were enrolled in the study. (1) A non-patient sample (n = 353) completed the GARS and a set of trait questionnaires to assess internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factorial structure, and concurrent and divergent validity. (2) A sample of patients with SAD (n = 33) was compared to a healthy control group (n = 30) regarding their scores on the GARS and the trait measures. Results The German GARS fear and avoidance scales exhibited excellent internal consistency and high stability over 2 and 4 months, as did the original version. The English version’s factorial structure was replicated, yielding two categories of situations: (1) everyday situations and (2) situations involving high evaluative threat. GARS fear and avoidance displayed convergent validity with trait measures of social anxiety and were markedly higher in patients with GSAD than in healthy controls. Fear and avoidance of eye contact in situations involving high levels of evaluative threat related more closely to social anxiety than to gaze anxiety in everyday situations. Conclusions The German version of the GARS has demonstrated reliability and validity similar to the original version, and is thus well suited to capture fear and avoidance of eye contact in different social situations as a valid self-report measure of social anxiety and related disorders in the social domain for use in both clinical practice and research. PMID:26937638

The German Version of the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS): Reliability and Validity.

PubMed

Domes, Gregor; Marx, Lisa; Spenthof, Ines; Heinrichs, Markus

2016-01-01

Fear of eye gaze and avoidance of eye contact are core features of social anxiety disorders (SAD). To measure self-reported fear and avoidance of eye gaze, the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS) has been developed and validated in recent years in its English version. The main objectives of the present study were to psychometrically evaluate the German translation of the GARS concerning its reliability, factorial structure, and validity. Three samples of participants were enrolled in the study. (1) A non-patient sample (n = 353) completed the GARS and a set of trait questionnaires to assess internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factorial structure, and concurrent and divergent validity. (2) A sample of patients with SAD (n = 33) was compared to a healthy control group (n = 30) regarding their scores on the GARS and the trait measures. The German GARS fear and avoidance scales exhibited excellent internal consistency and high stability over 2 and 4 months, as did the original version. The English version's factorial structure was replicated, yielding two categories of situations: (1) everyday situations and (2) situations involving high evaluative threat. GARS fear and avoidance displayed convergent validity with trait measures of social anxiety and were markedly higher in patients with GSAD than in healthy controls. Fear and avoidance of eye contact in situations involving high levels of evaluative threat related more closely to social anxiety than to gaze anxiety in everyday situations. The German version of the GARS has demonstrated reliability and validity similar to the original version, and is thus well suited to capture fear and avoidance of eye contact in different social situations as a valid self-report measure of social anxiety and related disorders in the social domain for use in both clinical practice and research.

A Gateway for Phylogenetic Analysis Powered by Grid Computing Featuring GARLI 2.0

PubMed Central

Bazinet, Adam L.; Zwickl, Derrick J.; Cummings, Michael P.

2014-01-01

We introduce molecularevolution.org, a publicly available gateway for high-throughput, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis powered by grid computing. The gateway features a garli 2.0 web service that enables a user to quickly and easily submit thousands of maximum likelihood tree searches or bootstrap searches that are executed in parallel on distributed computing resources. The garli web service allows one to easily specify partitioned substitution models using a graphical interface, and it performs sophisticated post-processing of phylogenetic results. Although the garli web service has been used by the research community for over three years, here we formally announce the availability of the service, describe its capabilities, highlight new features and recent improvements, and provide details about how the grid system efficiently delivers high-quality phylogenetic results. [garli, gateway, grid computing, maximum likelihood, molecular evolution portal, phylogenetics, web service.] PMID:24789072

German Antarctic Receiving Station (GARS) O'Higgins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neidhardt, Alexander; Ploetz, Christian; Kluegel, Thomas

2013-01-01

In 2012, the German Antarctic Receiving Station (GARS) O'Higgins contributed to the IVS observing program with four observation sessions. Maintenance and upgrades were made, and a new replacement dewar is under construction in the observatory at Yebes, Spain.

The effect of recent competition between the native Anolis oculatus and the invasive A. cristatellus on display behavior.

PubMed

Dufour, Claire M S; Herrel, Anthony; Losos, Jonathan B

2018-01-01

Invasive species are a global threat to biodiversity. Cases where the invasion has been tracked since its beginning are rare, however, such that the first interactions between invasive and native species remain poorly understood. Communication behavior is an integral part of species identity and is subject to selection. Consequently, resource use and direct interference competition between native and invasive species may drive its evolution. Here, we tested the role of interactions between the recently introduced invasive lizard Anolis cristatellus and the native Anolis oculatus on variation in behavior and communication in Calibishie (Dominica). From May to June 2016, we filmed 122 adult males of both species displaying in banana farms under two contexts (allopatry and sympatry). We then recorded (i) the proportion of time spent displaying and (ii) the relative frequency of dewlap vs. push-up displays. To control for habitat variation, we measured and compared the habitat characteristics (canopy openness and habitat openness) of 228 males in allopatry and sympatry. While the habitat characteristics and total display-time did not differ between the contexts for the two species, the proportion of display-time spent dewlapping by A. cristatellus decreased in sympatry. The display of A. oculatus did not differ between the contexts, however. Shifts in microhabitat use, predation pressure, or interspecific interference are potential factors which might explain the behavioral changes in display observed in A. cristatellus . This study highlights the role of behavioral traits as a first response of an invasive species to recent competition with a closely related native species.

Factor Structure, Internal Consistency, and Screening Sensitivity of the GARS-2 in a Developmental Disabilities Sample

PubMed Central

Volker, Martin A.; Dua, Elissa H.; Lopata, Christopher; Thomeer, Marcus L.; Toomey, Jennifer A.; Smerbeck, Audrey M.; Rodgers, Jonathan D.; Popkin, Joshua R.; Nelson, Andrew T.; Lee, Gloria K.

2016-01-01

The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (GARS-2) is a widely used screening instrument that assists in the identification and diagnosis of autism. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure, internal consistency, and screening sensitivity of the GARS-2 using ratings from special education teaching staff for a sample of 240 individuals with autism or other significant developmental disabilities. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a correlated three-factor solution similar to that found in 2005 by Lecavalier for the original GARS. Though the three factors appeared to be reasonably consistent with the intended constructs of the three GARS-2 subscales, the analysis indicated that more than a third of the GARS-2 items were assigned to the wrong subscale. Internal consistency estimates met or exceeded standards for screening and were generally higher than those in previous studies. Screening sensitivity was .65 and specificity was .81 for the Autism Index using a cut score of 85. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for instrument revision. PMID:26981279

Effects of a growth check on daily age estimates of age-0 alligator gar

USGS Publications Warehouse

Snow, Richard A.; Long, James M.

2016-01-01

Accurate age and growth information is essential for a complete knowledge of life history, growth rates, age at sexual maturity, and average life span in fishes. Alligator gar are becoming increasingly managed throughout their range and because this species spawns in backwater flooded areas, their offspring are prone to stranding in areas with limited prey, potentially affecting their growth. Because fish growth is tightly linked with otolith growth and annulus formation, the ability to discern marks not indicative of annuli (age checks) in alligator gar would give managers some insight when estimating ages. Previous studies have suggested that checks are often present prior to the first annulus in otoliths of alligator gar, affecting age estimates. We investigated check formation in otoliths of alligator gar in relation to growth and food availability. Sixteen age-0 alligator gar were marked with oxytetracycline (OTC) to give a reference point and divided equitably into two groups: a control group with abundant prey and an experimental group with limited prey. The experimental group was given 2 g of food per week for 20 days and then given the same prey availability as the control group for the next 20 days. After 40 days, the gar were measured, sacrificed, and their sagittae removed to determine if checks were present. Checks were visible on 14 of the 16 otoliths in the experimental group, associated with low growth during the first 20 days when prey was limited and accelerated growth after prey availability was increased. No checks were observed on otoliths of the control group, where growth and prey availability were consistent. Age estimates of fish in the control group were more accurate than those in the experimental group, showing that fish growth as a function of prey availability likely induced the checks by compressing daily ring formation.

High Resolution Electron Microbeam Examination and 3D Reconstruction of Alligator Gar Scale

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-27

Distribution Unlimited UU UU UU UU 27-06-2016 15-Nov-2012 14-Nov-2015 Final Report: High Resolution Electron Microbeam Examination and 3D ...ADDRESS (ES) U.S. Army Research Office P.O. Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 Alligator Gar Fish, 3D characterization, Electron...Resolution Electron Microbeam Examination and 3D reconstruction of Alligator Gar Scale Report Title Engineered laminate composites have been widely used

Sex-specific differences in transcriptome profiles of brain and muscle tissue of the tropical gar.

PubMed

Cribbin, Kayla M; Quackenbush, Corey R; Taylor, Kyle; Arias-Rodriguez, Lenin; Kelley, Joanna L

2017-04-07

The tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) is the southernmost species of the seven extant species of gar fishes in the world. In Mexico and Central America, the species is an important food source due to its nutritional quality and low price. Despite its regional importance and increasing concerns about overexploitation and habitat degradation, basic genetic information on the tropical gar is lacking. Determining genetic information on the tropical gar is important for the sustainable management of wild populations, implementation of best practices in aquaculture settings, evolutionary studies of ancient lineages, and an understanding of sex-specific gene expression. In this study, the transcriptome of the tropical gar was sequenced and assembled de novo using tissues from three males and three females using Illumina sequencing technology. Sex-specific and highly differentially expressed transcripts in brain and muscle tissues between adult males and females were subsequently identified. The transcriptome was assembled de novo resulting in 80,611 transcripts with a contig N50 of 3,355 base pairs and over 168 kilobases in total length. Male muscle, brain, and gonad as well as female muscle and brain were included in the assembly. The assembled transcriptome was annotated to identify the putative function of expressed transcripts using Trinotate and SwissProt, a database of well-annotated proteins. The brain and muscle datasets were then aligned to the assembled transcriptome to identify transcripts that were differentially expressed between males and females. The contrast between male and female brain identified 109 transcripts from 106 genes that were significantly differentially expressed. In the muscle comparison, 82 transcripts from 80 genes were identified with evidence for significant differential expression. Almost all genes identified as differentially expressed were sex-specific. The differentially expressed transcripts were enriched for genes involved in

Effects of salinity on growth and ion regulation of juvenile alligator gar Atractosteus spatula.

PubMed

Schwarz, Daniel E; Allen, Peter J

2014-03-01

The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a primitive euryhaline fish, found primarily in estuaries and freshwater drainages associated with the northern Gulf of Mexico. The extent of its hypo-osmotic regulatory abilities is not well understood. In order to determine how salinity affects growth rates and ionic and osmoregulation, juvenile alligator gar (330 days after hatch; 185 g) were exposed to 4 different salinities (0, 8, 16, and 24 ppt) for a 30-day period. Specific growth rate, plasma osmolality and ion concentrations, gill and gastrointestinal tract Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities, and drinking rate were compared. Juvenile alligator gar were able to tolerate hyperosmotic salinities up to 24 ppt for a 30 day period, albeit with decreased growth resulting largely from decreased food consumption. Plasma osmolality and ionic concentrations were elevated in hyperosmotic salinities, and drinking rates and gastrointestinal tract Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities increased, particularly in the pyloric caeca, presumably the primary location of water absorption. Therefore, juvenile alligator gar<1 year of age are capable of prolonged exposure to hyperosmotic salinities, but, based on the inference of these data, require access to lower salinities for long-term survival. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A gateway for phylogenetic analysis powered by grid computing featuring GARLI 2.0.

PubMed

Bazinet, Adam L; Zwickl, Derrick J; Cummings, Michael P

2014-09-01

We introduce molecularevolution.org, a publicly available gateway for high-throughput, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis powered by grid computing. The gateway features a garli 2.0 web service that enables a user to quickly and easily submit thousands of maximum likelihood tree searches or bootstrap searches that are executed in parallel on distributed computing resources. The garli web service allows one to easily specify partitioned substitution models using a graphical interface, and it performs sophisticated post-processing of phylogenetic results. Although the garli web service has been used by the research community for over three years, here we formally announce the availability of the service, describe its capabilities, highlight new features and recent improvements, and provide details about how the grid system efficiently delivers high-quality phylogenetic results. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of the Society of Systematic Biologists.

cDNA sequences and organization of IgM heavy chain genes in two holostean fish.

PubMed

Wilson, M R; van Ravenstein, E; Miller, N W; Clem, L W; Middleton, D L; Warr, G W

1995-01-01

Immunoglobulin M heavy chain (mu) sequences of two holostean fish, the bowfin, Amia calva, and the longnose gar, Lepisosteus osseus, were amplified from spleen mRNA by RACE-PCR, cloned, and sequenced. Each mu chain showed the conserved four constant domain structure typical of a secreted mu chain. Southern blot analyses with specific heavy chain variable (VH) and constant (CH) region probes suggest that both fish possess an IgH locus that resembles that of the teleosts, amphibians, and mammals in its organization. The overall sequence similarity of gar and bowfin mu chains was 60% and 48% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively, while similarity to the mu chains of teleosts and elasmobranchs was lower. The bowfin mu chain possesses a distinctive proline-rich sequence at the C mu 1/C mu 2 boundary; a shorter proline-rich sequence is present at this position in the gar mu chain. Both gar and bowfin show, in their C mu 4 sequences, motifs that could serve as cryptic splice donor sites for the production of mRNA encoding the membrane-bound form of the mu chains, and the bowfin also shows a potential cryptic splice donor site in the C mu 3 exon.

Estimating spawning times of Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) in Lake Texoma, Oklahoma

USGS Publications Warehouse

Snow, Richard A.; Long, James M.

2015-01-01

In 2013, juvenile Alligator Gar were sampled in the reservoir-river interface of the Red River arm of Lake Texoma. The Red River, which flows 860 km along Oklahoma’s border with Texas, is the primary in-flow source of Lake Texoma, and is impounded by Denison Dam. Minifyke nets were deployed using an adaptive random cluster sampling design, which has been used to effectively sample rare species. Lapilli otoliths (one of the three pair of ear stones found within the inner ear of fish) were removed from juvenile Alligator Gar collected in July of 2013. Daily ages were estimated by counting the number of rings present, and spawn dates were back-calculated from date of capture and subtracting 8 days (3 days from spawn to hatch and 5 days from hatch to swimup when the first ring forms). Alligator Gar daily age estimation ranged from 50 to 63 days old since swim-up. Spawn dates corresponded to rising pool elevations of Lake Texoma and water pulses of tributaries.

The evolution of Root effect hemoglobins in the absence of intracellular pH protection of the red blood cell: insights from primitive fishes.

PubMed

Regan, Matthew D; Brauner, Colin J

2010-06-01

The Root effect, a reduction in blood oxygen (O(2)) carrying capacity at low pH, is used by many fish species to maximize O(2) delivery to the eye and swimbladder. It is believed to have evolved in the basal actinopterygian lineage of fishes, species that lack the intracellular pH (pH(i)) protection mechanism of more derived species' red blood cells (i.e., adrenergically activated Na(+)/H(+) exchangers; betaNHE). These basal actinopterygians may consequently experience a reduction in blood O(2) carrying capacity, and thus O(2) uptake at the gills, during hypoxia- and exercise-induced generalized blood acidoses. We analyzed the hemoglobins (Hbs) of seven species within this group [American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), bowfin (Amia calva), mooneye (Hiodon tergisus), and pirarucu (Arapaima gigas)] for their Root effect characteristics so as to test the hypothesis of the Root effect onset pH value being lower than those pH values expected during a generalized acidosis in vivo. Analysis of the haemolysates revealed that, although each of the seven species displayed Root effects (ranging from 7.3 to 40.5% desaturation of Hb with O(2), i.e., Hb O(2) desaturation), the Root effect onset pH values of all species are considerably lower (ranging from pH 5.94 to 7.04) than the maximum blood acidoses that would be expected following hypoxia or exercise (pH(i) 7.15-7.3). Thus, although these primitive fishes possess Hbs with large Root effects and lack any significant red blood cell betaNHE activity, it is unlikely that the possession of a Root effect would impair O(2) uptake at the gills following a generalized acidosis of the blood. As well, it was shown that both maximal Root effect and Root effect onset pH values increased significantly in bowfin over those of the more basal species, toward values of similar magnitude to those of most of the more derived

Migration, multiple sexual partnerships, and sexual concurrency in the Garífuna population of Honduras

PubMed Central

Gandhi, Anisha D.; Pettifor, Audrey; Barrington, Clare; Marshall, Stephen W.; Behets, Frieda; Guardado, Maria Elena; Farach, Nasim; Ardón, Elvia; Paz-Bailey, Gabriela

2015-01-01

The Garífuna, an ethnic minority group in Honduras, have been disproportionately affected by HIV. Previous research suggests that migration and high rates of multiple sexual partnerships are major drivers of the epidemic. Using data from a 2012 population-based survey, we assessed whether temporary migration was associated with 1) multiple sexual partnerships and 2) sexual concurrency among Garífuna men and women in Honduras. Among both men and women, temporary migration in the last year was associated with an increased likelihood of multiple sexual partnerships and with concurrency, though only the association between migration and multiple sexual partnerships among men was statistically significant (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4). Migration may contribute to HIV/STI vulnerability among Garífuna men and women via increases in these sexual risk behaviors. Research conducted among men and women at elevated risk of HIV should continue to incorporate measures of mobility, including history of internal migration. PMID:26242612

Migration, Multiple Sexual Partnerships, and Sexual Concurrency in the Garífuna Population of Honduras.

PubMed

Gandhi, Anisha D; Pettifor, Audrey; Barrington, Clare; Marshall, Stephen W; Behets, Frieda; Guardado, Maria Elena; Farach, Nasim; Ardón, Elvia; Paz-Bailey, Gabriela

2015-09-01

The Garífuna, an ethnic minority group in Honduras, have been disproportionately affected by HIV. Previous research suggests that migration and high rates of multiple sexual partnerships are major drivers of the epidemic. Using data from a 2012 population-based survey, we assessed whether temporary migration was associated with (1) multiple sexual partnerships and (2) sexual concurrency among Garífuna men and women in Honduras. Among both men and women, temporary migration in the last year was associated with an increased likelihood of multiple sexual partnerships and with concurrency, though only the association between migration and multiple sexual partnerships among men was statistically significant (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio 1.7, 95 % CI 1.2-2.4). Migration may contribute to HIV/STI vulnerability among Garífuna men and women via increases in these sexual risk behaviors. Research conducted among men and women at elevated risk of HIV should continue to incorporate measures of mobility, including history of internal migration.

The C. elegans VIG-1 and FRM-1 modulate carbachol-stimulated ERK1/2 activation in chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor GAR-3.

PubMed

Shin, Youngmi; Cho, Nam Jeong

2014-04-01

Many neurotransmitter receptors are known to interact with a variety of intracellular proteins that modulate signaling processes. In an effort to understand the molecular mechanism by which acetylcholine (ACh) signaling is modulated, we searched for proteins that interact with GAR-3, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of muscarinic ACh receptors. We isolated two proteins, VIG-1 and FRM-1, in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a C. elegans cDNA library using the third intracellular (i3) loop of GAR-3 as bait. To test whether these proteins regulate ACh signaling, we utilized Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing GAR-3 (GAR-3/CHO cells). Previously we have shown that the cholinergic agonist carbachol stimulates extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation in an atropine-sensitive manner in this cell line. When VIG-1 was transiently expressed in GAR-3/CHO cells, carbachol-stimulated ERK1/2 activation was substantially reduced. In contrast, transient expression of FRM-1 significantly enhanced carbachol-stimulated ERK1/2 activation. Neither VIG-1 nor FRM-1 expression appeared to alter the affinity between GAR-3 and carbachol. In support of this notion, expression of these proteins did not affect GAR-3-mediated phospholipase C activation. To verify the modulation of ERK1/2 activity by VIG-1 and FRM-1, we used an i3 loop deletion mutant of GAR-3 (termed GAR-3Δi3). Carbachol treatment evoked robust ERK1/2 activation in CHO cells stably expressing the deletion mutant (GAR-3Δi3/CHO cells). However, transient expression of either VIG-1 or FRM-1 had little effect on carbachol-stimulated ERK1/2 activation in GAR-3Δi3/CHO cells. Taken together, these results indicate that VIG-1 and FRM-1 regulate GAR-3-mediated ERK1/2 activation by interacting with the i3 loop of GAR-3.

Yolk-platelet crystals in three ancient bony fishes: Polypterus bichir (Polypteri), Amia calva L., and Lepisosteus osseus (L.) (Holostei).

PubMed

Lange, R H; Grodziński, Z; Kilarski, W

1982-01-01

Yolk-platelet crystals in Amia calva L., Lepisosteus osseus (L.) and Polypterus bichir have orthorhombic features with unit-cell dimensions a = 8.3 ... 8.8 nm, b = 16.4 ... 16.9 nm and c = 18.6 ... 19.8 nm as determined in electron-diffracted patterns of fixed, epoxy-resin embedded and thin-sectioned material. Electron-diffraction patterns, crystal projections and the above unit-cell data make them extremely similar to the orthorhombic yolk-platelet crystals known for amphibians and teleosts. This observation fills a gap in yolk-platelet research and supports the view that the general architecture of yolk platelets has been conserved for nearly 400 million years. It follows that the peculiar platelet architecture itself has physiological significance.

Potential interaction between the GARS-AIRS-GART Gene and CP2/LBP-1c/LSF transcription factor in Down syndrome-related Alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Banerjee, Disha; Nandagopal, Krishnadas

2007-12-01

(1) GARS-AIRS-GART is an important candidate gene in studies of Down syndrome (DS)-related Alzheimer's disease (AD), due to its chromosomal localization (21q22.1) in the Down syndrome critical region, involvement in de novo purine biosynthesis, and over-expression in DS brain. The aim of this study was to identify factor(s) likely to enhance transcription of GARS-AIRS-GART in DS-related AD. (2) Based on a bio-informatics approach, the PromoterInspector, Promoter Scan II, and EBI toolbox CpG plot software programs were used to identify GARS-AIRS-GART sequences important for gene transcription. Transcription factor binding motifs within these regions were mapped with the help of the MatInspector and TFSEARCH programs. Factors implicated in neurodevelopment or neurodegeneration were the focus of attention, and mining of human (T1Dbase) and murine (GNF) expression databases revealed information on the regional distribution of these factors and their relative abundance vis-a-vis GARS-AIRS-GART. (3) The Leader-binding protein 1-c (LBP-1c/CP2/LSF) emerged as a promising candidate from these studies, as MatInspector and TFSEARCH analyses revealed a total of four CP2 binding sites with potential for functional interaction(s) within the promoter and CpG islands of GARS-AIRS-GART. Furthermore, two of these sites harbor sequences for methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, which suggest that methylation status may, in part, regulate CP2-mediated transcription of GARS-AIRS-GART. A search of T1Dbase and GNF expression databases reveals co-expression of CP2 and GARS-AIRS-GART in brain regions relevant to DS-related AD. (4) The virtual screen identified CP2/LBP-1c/LSF as a factor that likely mediates enhanced transcription of GARS-AIRS-GART in DS-related AD.

A Test Review: Gilliam, J. E. (2014). "Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Third Edition (GARS-3)." Austin, TX: Pro-Ed

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karren, Benjamin C.

2017-01-01

The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Third Edition (GARS-3) is a norm-referenced tool designed to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in individuals between the ages of 3 and 22 (Gilliam, 2014). The GARS-3 test kit consists of three different components and includes an "Examiner's Manual," summary/response forms (50), and the…

Evolution of caudal fin ray development and caudal fin hypural diastema complex in spotted gar, teleosts, and other neopterygian fishes.

PubMed

Desvignes, Thomas; Carey, Andrew; Postlethwait, John H

2018-06-01

The caudal fin of actinopterygians transitioned from a heterocercal dorsoventrally asymmetrical fin to a homocercal externally symmetrical fin in teleosts through poorly understood evolutionary developmental mechanisms. We studied the caudal skeleton of major living actinopterygian lineages, including polypteriformes, acipenseriformes, Holostei (gars and bowfin), and teleosts, compared with reports of extinct neopterygians and basal teleosteans. We focused on the hypural diastema complex, which includes (1) a gap between hypurals 2 and 3, that (2) separates two plates of connective tissue at (3) the branching of caudal vasculature; these features had been considered as a shared, derived trait of teleosts, a synapomorphy. These studies revealed that gars and teleosts share all three features of the hypural diastema complex. Absence of a complex with these features from bowfin, fossil Holostei, and stem Teleostei argues in favor of repetitive, independent emergence in several neopterygian and basal Teleostei lineages, or less likely, many independent losses. We further observed that, in gars and teleosts, the earliest developing lepidotrichia align with the horizontal adult body axis, thus participating in external symmetry. These results suggest that the hypural diastema complex in teleosts and gars represents a homoplasy among neopterygians and that it emerged repeatedly by parallel evolution due to shared inherited underlying genetic and developmental programs (latent homology). Because the hypural diastema complex exists in gars with heterocercal tails, this complex is independent of homocercality. Developmental Dynamics 247:832-853, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ontogenetic development of otoliths in Alligator Gar

USGS Publications Warehouse

Long, James M.; Snow, Richard A.

2016-01-01

The Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula is a species of conservation concern throughout its range, and better definition of otoliths during early development would aid understanding its life history and ecology. We conducted X-ray computed tomography scans, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy to examine the three pairs of otoliths and how they developed over time in relation to fish size and age. The sagittae are the largest, possessing distinct dorsal and ventral lobes covered with small otoconia concentrated in the sulcul region. The sagittae exhibited allometric growth, increasing more rapidly in the ventral lobe than in the dorsal. The asterisci were smaller and also exhibited small otoconia on their surface, but much less than the sagittae. The lapilli were oriented laterally, in contrast to the sagittae and asterisci, which were oriented vertically, with a hump on the dorsum and very large otoconia on the lateral surface that appeared to fuse into the main otolith as the fish grew. Based on size measurements and ring counts in all three pairs of otoliths from 101 known-age Alligator Gar sampled weekly through 91 d after hatch, we developed regression models to examine otolith growth and predict age. All relationships were significant and highly explanatory, but the strongest relationships were between otolith and fish size (for measurements from sagittae) and for age predictions from the lapillus. Age prediction models all resulted in a slope near unity, indicating that ring deposition occurred approximately daily. The first ring in sagittae and lapilli corresponded to swim-up, whereas the first ring formed in asterisci approximately 8 d after swim-up. These results fill a gap in knowledge and can aid understanding of evolutionary processes as well as provide useful information for management and conservation.

The influence of floodplain geomorphology and hydrologic connectivity on alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) habitat along the embanked floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Most, Merel; Hudson, Paul F.

2018-02-01

The floodplain geomorphology of large lowland rivers is intricately related to aquatic ecosystems dependent upon flood pulse dynamics. The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is native to the Lower Mississippi River and dependent upon floodplain backwater areas for spawning. In this study we utilize a geospatial approach to develop a habitat suitability index for alligator gar that explicitly considers hydrologic connectivity and the floodplain geomorphology along a frequently inundated segment of the Lower Mississippi River. The data sets include Landsat imagery, a high-resolution LiDAR digital elevation model (DEM), National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), and hydrologic and geomorphic data. A habitat suitability index is created based on the extent and frequency of inundation, water depth, temperature, and vegetation. A comparison between the remote sensing approach and the NHD revealed substantial differences in the area and location of water bodies available for alligator gar spawning. The final habitat suitability index indicates that a modest proportion (19%) of the overall embanked floodplain is available for alligator gar spawning. Opportunities exist for management efforts to utilize engineered and natural geomorphic features to facilitate hydrologic connectivity at flow levels below flood stage that would expand the habitat of alligator gar across the floodplain. The study results have direct implications regarding environmental restoration of the Lower Mississippi, an iconic example of an embanked meandering river floodplain.

Immunocytochemical location of pituitary cells containing ACTH, alpha-MSH, and beta-endorphin in Acipenser transmontanus, Lepisosteus spatula, and Amia calva.

PubMed

Joss, J M; Dores, R M; Crim, J W; Beshaw, M

1990-06-01

This immunocytochemical study of the pituitaries of the primitive actinopterygians, Acipenser transmontanus, Lepisosteus spatula, and Amia calva, showed a strict delineation between the hormonal fragments of proopiomelanocorticotropin (POMC) produced by corticotropes of the pars distalis and the melanotropes of the pars intermedia. Corticotropes were immunoreactive only for ACTH and not to either of the further degradation products, alpha-MSH or beta-endorphin. Melanotropes were shown to be immunoreactive to all three antisera but it is argued that immunoreactivity of melanotropes to ACTH antiserum is due to that antiserum's cross-reactivity with the cleavage product corticotropin-like intermediate peptide. The PAS positivity of both the corticotropes and the melanotropes of all three primitive fish argues for an ancient origin of a carbohydrate component of POMC and for its loss or reduction in teleosts where these cells are PAS negative.

Digestive enzymatic activity on tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) larvae fed different diets.

PubMed

Aguilera, Carlos; Mendoza, Roberto; Iracheta, Israel; Marquez, Gabriel

2012-06-01

Digestive enzymatic activity and growth performance on tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) larvae fed Artemia nauplii (LF), frozen adult Artemia (AB), an artificial diet (AF) with 46% protein and 16% lipids and a starvation group (SG) from first feeding (5 days after hatching-5 DAH) to 34 DAH were studied. All larvae under starvation (SG) died at 15 DAH. By the end of the experimental period, morphological variables (total length, wet weight and specific growth rate) were significant in larvae fed AF compared to LF and AB. All enzymes studied in the experiment were present since the start of exogenous feeding (including pepsin) and the enzymatic activity varied with the diets. Low levels of enzymatic activity were observed until the 29 DAH; however, after this moment, there was a significant increase (eightfold), particularly for the AF treatment. In vitro protein digestibility tests performed with enzymatic extracts showed that artificial diets with 52% protein and 14% lipids were better digested by larvae before 30 DAH, while diets with 45% protein and 11% lipids were better digested after this age. Taking into account the better growth performance, higher enzymatic activity and better protein digestibility obtained, artificial diets can be used since the start of exogenous feeding on tropical gar larvae, as in other lepisosteids.

Un gars, une fille: plaidoyer pour la culture avec un "petit c" dans un cours de francais languae etrangere (Un gars, une fille: Culture with a "Litte c" in a French as a econd Language Course).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Black, Catherine

2001-01-01

Looks at the Quebecois TV show, "Un gars, Une fille" used in a university French course to teach the socio-cultural reality that underlies all linguistic utterances in a university-level French course. Attempts to identify what makes the show more authentic than videos and CD ROMs that accompany most language textbooks in French.…

GARS O'Higgins as a core station for geodesy in Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klügel, Thomas; Diedrich, Erhard; Falk, Reinhard; Hessels, Uwe; Höppner, Kathrin; Kühmstedt, Elke; Metzig, Robert; Plötz, Christian; Reinhold, Andreas; Schüler, Torben; Wojdziak, Reiner

2014-05-01

The German Antarctic Receiving Station GARS O'Higgins at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula is a dual purpose facility for Earth observation since more than 20 years. It serves as a satellite ground station for payload data downlink and telecommanding of remote sensing satellites as well as a geodetic observatory for global reference frames and global change. Both applications use the same 9m diameter radio telescope. For space geodesy and astrometry the radio telescope significantly improves the coverage on the southern hemisphere and plays an essential role within the global Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) network. In particular the determination of the Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) and the sky coverage of the International Celectial Reference Frame (ICRF) benefit from the location at high southern latitude. Further geodetic instrumentation includes different permanent GNSS receivers (since 1995), two SAR corner reflectors (since 2013) and in the past a PRARE system (1996 - 2004). In addition absolute gravity measurements were performed in 1997 and 2011. All geodetic reference points are tied together by a local survey network. The various geodetic instrumentation and the long time series at O'Higgins allow a reliable determination of crustal motions. VLBI station velocities, continuous GNSS time series and absolute gravity measurements consistently document an uplift rate of about 5 mm/a. A pressure gauge and a radar tide gauge being refererenced to space by a GNSS antenna on top allow the measurement of sea level changes independently from crustal motions, and the determination of the ellipsoidal height of the sea surface, which is, the geoid height plus the mean dynamic topography. The outstanding location on the Antarctic continent makes GARS O'Higgins also in future attractive for polar orbiting satellite missions and an essential station for the global VLBI network. Future plans envisage a development towards an observatory for

Does Parent Report of Behavior Differ across ADOS-G Classifications: Analysis of Scores from the CBCL and GARS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sikora, Darryn M.; Hall, Trevor A.; Hartley, Sigan L.; Gerrard-Morris, Aimee E.; Cagle, Sarah

2008-01-01

Behavior checklists are often utilized to screen for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) when comprehensive evaluations are unfeasible. The usefulness of two behavioral checklists, the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), in identifying ASDs was investigated among 109 children with Autism, 32 children with ASD, and…

Effects of APC De-targeting and GAr modification on the duration of luciferase expression from plasmid DNA delivered to skeletal muscle.

PubMed

Subang, Maria C; Fatah, Rewas; Wu, Ying; Hannaman, Drew; Rice, Jason; Evans, Claire F; Chernajovsky, Yuti; Gould, David

2015-01-01

Immune responses to expressed foreign transgenes continue to hamper progress of gene therapy development. Translated foreign proteins with intracellular location are generally less accessible to the immune system, nevertheless they can be presented to the immune system through both MHC Class I and Class II pathways. When the foreign protein luciferase was expressed following intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA in outbred mice, expression rapidly declined over 4 weeks. Through modifications to the expression plasmid and the luciferase transgene we examined the effect of detargeting expression away from antigen-presenting cells (APCs), targeting expression to skeletal muscle and fusion with glycine-alanine repeats (GAr) that block MHC-Class I presentation on the duration of luciferase expression. De-targeting expression from APCs with miR142-3p target sequences incorporated into the luciferase 3'UTR reduced the humoral immune response to both native and luciferase modified with a short GAr sequence but did not prolong the duration of expression. When a skeletal muscle specific promoter was combined with the miR target sequences the humoral immune response was dampened and luciferase expression persisted at higher levels for longer. Interestingly, fusion of luciferase with a longer GAr sequence promoted the decline in luciferase expression and increased the humoral immune response to luciferase. These studies demonstrate that expression elements and transgene modifications can alter the duration of transgene expression but other factors will need to overcome before foreign transgenes expressed in skeletal muscle are immunologically silent.

The Discriminative Ability and Diagnostic Utility of the ADOS-G, ADI-R, and GARS for Children in a Clinical Setting

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mazefsky, Carla A.; Oswald, Donald P.

2006-01-01

Recent years have seen a surge of interest in assessment instruments for diagnosing autism in children. Instruments have generally been developed and evaluated from a research perspective. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) have received…

Remote sensing applied in natural hazards mitigation - experiences from the international UNESCO/IUGS GARS-Program 1984 - 2002

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bannert, D.

Worldwide resources of arable land, water, groundwater, forest and expanding human habitat are under increasing pressure almost anywhere. Especially the non- industrialised countries with their rapidly increasing population are facing severe problems from natural catastrophes such as landslides, volcanic and seismic hazards, soil degradation and shortage of water or flooding. Geo-environmental research can help to identify the causes for these events, define the rehabilitation and can lead to early warning systems. Remote sensing adds considerable knowledge by providing a wide variety of sensors applied form airborne and space platforms, the data of which, once analysed, can provide completely new observations on natural risk areas. The UNESCO/IUGS sponsored GARS Program since 1984 is conducting- joint research with institutions in industrialised and developing countries. As of today, more than 40 institutes and individuals worldwide have joined the GARS- Program. Results of their research are among others contributions toLandslide assessment qVolcanic risk qCoastal hazards qDesertification processes q Space organisations and financing institutions serving developing nations are requested to help to deploy new sensors to monitor geo-dynamic processes, providing free and direct data reception in all parts of the world in order to allow national institutes to develop their own early warning capabilities.

X-ray crystal structure of GarR-tartronate semialdehyde reductase from Salmonella typhimurium.

PubMed

Osipiuk, J; Zhou, M; Moy, S; Collart, F; Joachimiak, A

2009-09-01

Tartronate semialdehyde reductases (TSRs), also known as 2-hydroxy-3-oxopropionate reductases, catalyze the reduction of tartronate semialdehyde using NAD as cofactor in the final stage of D-glycerate biosynthesis. These enzymes belong to family of structurally and mechanically related beta-hydroxyacid dehydrogenases which differ in substrate specificity and catalyze reactions in specific metabolic pathways. Here, we present the crystal structure of GarR a TSR from Salmonella typhimurium determined by the single-wavelength anomalous diffraction method and refined to 1.65 A resolution. The active site of the enzyme contains L-tartrate which most likely mimics a position of a glycerate which is a product of the enzyme reaction. The analysis of the TSR structure shows also a putative NADPH binding site in the enzyme.

X-Ray crystal structure of GarR—tartronate semialdehyde reductase from Salmonella typhimurium

PubMed Central

Osipiuk, J.; Zhou, M.; Moy, S.; Collart, F.

2009-01-01

Tartronate semialdehyde reductases (TSRs), also known as 2-hydroxy-3-oxopropionate reductases, catalyze the reduction of tartronate semialdehyde using NAD as cofactor in the final stage of D-glycerate biosynthesis. These enzymes belong to family of structurally and mechanically related β-hydroxyacid dehydrogenases which differ in substrate specificity and catalyze reactions in specific metabolic pathways. Here, we present the crystal structure of GarR a TSR from Salmonella typhimurium determined by the single-wavelength anomalous diffraction method and refined to 1.65 Å resolution. The active site of the enzyme contains L-tartrate which most likely mimics a position of a glycerate which is a product of the enzyme reaction. The analysis of the TSR structure shows also a putative NADPH binding site in the enzyme. PMID:19184529

The Gars Programme And The Integrated Global Observing Strategy For Geohazards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marsh, S.; Paganini, M.; Missotten, R.; Palazzo, F.

UNESCO and the IUGS have funded the Geological Applications of Remote Sensing Programme (GARS) since 1984. Its aim is to assess the value and utility of remotely sensed data for geoscience, whilst at the same time building capacity in developing countries. It has run projects in Africa on geological mapping, in Latin America on landslide hazards and in Asia on volcanic hazards. It is a main sponsor of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) for Geohazards. The societal impact of geological and related geophysical hazards is enormous. Every year volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides and subsidence claim thousands of lives, injure thousands more, devastate homes and destroy livelihoods. Damaged infrastructure and insurance premiums increase these costs. As population increases, more people live in hazardous areas and the impact grows. The World Summit on Sustainable Development recognised that systematic, joint international observations under initiatives like the Integrated Global Observing Strategy form the basis for an integrated approach to hazard mitigation and preparedness. In this context, the IGOS Partners developed this geohazards theme. Its goal is to integrate disparate, multidisciplinary, applied research into global, operational systems by filling gaps in organisation, observation and knowledge. It has four strategic objectives; building global capacity to mitigate geohazards; improving mapping, monitoring and forecasting, based on satellite and ground-based observations; increasing preparedness, using integrated geohazards information products and improved geohazards models; and promoting global take-up of local best practice in geohazards management. Gaps remain between what is known and the knowledge required to answer citizen's questions, what is observed and what must be observed to provide the necessary information for hazard mitigation and current data integration and the integration needed to make useful geohazard information products. An

Tissue PAH, blood cell and tissue changes following exposure to water accommodated fractions of crude oil in alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula.

PubMed

Omar-Ali, Ahmad; Hohn, Claudia; Allen, Peter J; Rodriguez, Jose; Petrie-Hanson, Lora

2015-07-01

Alligator gar Atractosteus spatula acclimated to brackish water (9 ppt) were exposed to water accommodated fraction oil loadings (surrogate to Macondo Deepwater Horizon, northern Gulf of Mexico) of 0.5 and 4.0 gm oil/L tank water for 48 h. The surrogate oil was approximately 98% alkanes and alkynes and 2% petroleum aromatic hydrocarbons. The 2% petroleum aromatic hydrocarbons were predominately naphthalene. After 48 h, naphthalene levels in fish liver exposed to 0.5 or 4 gm oil/L were 547.79 and 910.68 ppb, while muscle levels were 214.11 and 253.84 ppb. There was a significant decrease in peripheral blood lymphocyte numbers and a significant reduction of granulocytes in the kidney marrow of the same fish. Tissue changes included hepatocellular vacuolization and necrosis, necrotizing pancreatitis, renal eosinophilia, and splenic congestion. After 7 days recovery, liver naphthalene levels decreased to 43.59 and 43.20 ppb, while muscle levels decreased to 9.74, and 16.78 ppb for oil exposures of 0, 0.5 or 4 g/L. In peripheral blood and kidney marrow, blood cell counts returned to normal. The severity of liver and kidney lesions lessened after 7 days recovery in non-oiled water, but splenic congestion remained in all gar. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

A comparative analysis of somatolactin-related immunoreactivity in the pituitaries of four neopterygian fishes and one chondrostean fish: an immunohistochemical study.

PubMed

Dores, R M; Hoffman, N E; Chilcutt-Ruth, T; Lancha, A; Brown, C; Marra, L; Youson, J

1996-04-01

An antiserum to cod somatolactin (SL) was used for immunohistochemical screening for the pars intermedia of two teleosts (Oreochromis mossambicus and Gymothorax meleagris), two holostean fishes (Lepisosteus osseus and Amia calva), and a chondrostean fish (Acipenser fulvescens) for SL-immunopositive (SL-IR) cells. As expected, a subset of the epithelial cells in the pars intermedia of O. mossambicus (tilapia) was immunopositive for SL, and the remainder of the epithelial cells was immunopositive for alpha-MSH-specific antiserum (alpha-MSH-IR). SL-IR was not detected in any of the epithelial cells in the pars intermedia of the moray eel G. meleagris. To determine whether SL-IR could be detected in nonteleost fishes, immunohistochemical analyses were done on the pituitaries of two holostean fishes and one chondrostean fish. In the pars intermedia of the gar, L. osseus, a subset of cells was immunopositive for alpha-MSH only. However, in the pars intermedia of the bowfin, A. calva, all of the epithelial cells indicated the presence of both SL and alpha-MSH. Finally, no SL-positive cells were detected in the pars intermedia of the sturgeon, A. fulvescens.

Developmental cardiorespiratory physiology of the air-breathing tropical gar, Atractosteus tropicus.

PubMed

Burggren, Warren W; Bautista, Gil Martinez; Coop, Susana Camarillo; Couturier, Gabriel Márquez; Delgadillo, Salomón Páramo; García, Rafael Martínez; González, Carlos Alfonso Alvarez

2016-10-01

The physiological transition to aerial breathing in larval air-breathing fishes is poorly understood. We investigated gill ventilation frequency (f G ), heart rate (f H ), and air breathing frequency (f AB ) as a function of development, activity, hypoxia, and temperature in embryos/larvae from day (D) 2.5 to D30 posthatch of the tropical gar, Atractosteus tropicus, an obligate air breather. Gill ventilation at 28°C began at approximately D2, peaking at ∼75 beats/min on D5, before declining to ∼55 beats/min at D30. Heart beat began ∼36-48 h postfertilization and ∼1 day before hatching. f H peaked between D3 and D10 at ∼140 beats/min, remaining at this level through D30. Air breathing started very early at D2.5 to D3.5 at 1-2 breaths/h, increasing to ∼30 breaths/h at D15 and D30. Forced activity at all stages resulted in a rapid but brief increase in both f G and f H , (but not f AB ), indicating that even in these early larval stages, reflex control existed over both ventilation and circulation prior to its increasing importance in older fishes. Acute progressive hypoxia increased f G in D2.5-D10 larvae, but decreased f G in older larvae (≥D15), possibly to prevent branchial O 2 loss into surrounding water. Temperature sensitivity of f G and f H measured at 20°C, 25°C, 28°C and 38°C was largely independent of development, with a Q 10 between 20°C and 38°C of ∼2.4 and ∼1.5 for f G and f H , respectively. The rapid onset of air breathing, coupled with both respiratory and cardiovascular reflexes as early as D2.5, indicates that larval A. tropicus develops "in the fast lane." Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

A Cultural Resources Evaluation of the Pammel Creek Site (47Lc61): An Oneota Occupation at La Crosse, Wisconsin

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-01

1 1 chrysemys/Gratemys sp. 1 - Small turtle sp. 2 - Fishes Estimated Total Live Weipht(kg) Lepisosteus sp. 3 1 .5 Amia calva 1 1 - Esox sp. 1 1 .2...Amphib. Gastropods 4 4 Feature 3 Estimated Total Fishes Live Weight(kg) Amia calva 1 1 2.3 Ictaluridae 2 1 •9 Feature 4 4 Freshwater Mussels Quadrula...Remains by Feature Number of Elements MNI 6 F.9 (cont.) Estimated Total Fishes Live Weight(kg) Lepisosteus sp. 5 1 .5 Amia calva 3 - - Catosom6i ae 1

Efflux-Mediated Resistance to Tigecycline (GAR-936) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

PubMed Central

Dean, Charles R.; Visalli, Melissa A.; Projan, Steven J.; Sum, Phaik-Eng; Bradford, Patricia A.

2003-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are less susceptible to tigecycline (previously GAR-936; MIC, 8 μg/ml) than many other bacteria (P. J. Petersen, N. V. Jacobus, W. J. Weiss, P. E. Sum, and R. T. Testa, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43:738-744, 1999). To elucidate the mechanism of resistance to tigecycline, P. aeruginosa PAO1 strains defective in the MexAB-OprM and/or MexXY (OprM) efflux pumps were tested for susceptibility to tigecycline. Increased susceptibility to tigecycline (MIC, 0.5 to 1 μg/ml) was specifically associated with loss of MexXY. Transcription of mexX and mexY was also responsive to exposure of cells to tigecycline. To test for the emergence of compensatory efflux pumps in the absence of MexXY-OprM, mutants lacking MexXY-OprM were plated on medium containing tigecycline at 4 or 6 μg/ml. Resistant mutants were readily recovered, and these also had decreased susceptibility to several other antibiotics, suggesting efflux pump recruitment. One representative carbenicillin-resistant strain overexpressed OprM, the outer membrane channel component of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump. The mexAB-oprM repressor gene, mexR, from this strain contained a 15-bp in-frame deletion. Two representative chloramphenicol-resistant strains showed expression of an outer membrane protein slightly larger than OprM. The mexCD-OprJ repressor gene, nfxB, from these mutants contained a 327-bp in-frame deletion and an IS element insertion, respectively. Together, these data indicated drug efflux mediated by MexCD-OprJ. The MICs of the narrower-spectrum semisynthetic tetracyclines doxycycline and minocycline increased more substantially than did those of tigecycline and other glycylcyclines against the MexAB-OprM- and MexCD-OprJ-overexpressing mutant strains. This suggests that glycylcyclines, although they are subject to efflux from P. aeruginosa, are generally inferior substrates for P. aeruginosa efflux pumps than are narrower-spectrum tetracyclines. PMID:12604529

Health of Gullah families in South Carolina with Type 2 diabetes: Diabetes self-management analysis from Project SuGar

PubMed Central

Johnson-Spruill, Ida; Pamela, Hammond; Davis, Bertha; McGee, Zina; Louden, Dr. Delroy

2009-01-01

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe diabetes self-management practices and service utilization among Gullah families in South Carolina. Methods Data were obtained from 1,276 persons with type 2 diabetes through interviews using the Family Health History Questionnaire. This was a primary analysis of a project conducted in conjunction with a parent study (Project SuGar) which focused on the molecular aspects of diabetes. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results Diabetes self-management behaviors were not consistent with recommendations from the American Diabetes Association. Over half (55.6%) reported exercising, but only 27.7% reported self-glucose monitoring. Service utilization was poor, less than half, (41.1%) reported referral to a diabetic class/diet, 32.8% reported making yearly visits to the ophthalmologist; 22.3% reported visiting the dentist, and only 12.8% reported visiting the podiatrist. Conclusions Although some self-management behaviors were identified, Gullah family members remain at risk for preventable diabetes complications. Education must reflect behaviors and beliefs valued by Gullah individuals. Culturally appropriate educational programs may increase use of health care services aimed at decreasing preventable complications of type 2diabetes in the Gullah population. PMID:19244567

Cardiovascular Risk in Gullah African Americans with High Familial Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Project SuGAR

PubMed Central

Hunt, Kelly J.; Kistner-Griffin, Emily; Spruill, Ida; Teklehaimanot, Abeba A.; Garvey, W. Timothy; Sale, Michèle; Fernandes, Jyotika

2014-01-01

Objectives To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, levels of cardiovascular risk factors, and extent of preventive care in Gullah African Americans with a high familial risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Between 1995 and 2003, 1321 Gullah African Americans with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus from the South Carolina Sea Islands consented to and enrolled in the Sea Islands Genetic African American Registry (Project SuGAR). A cross-sectional analysis of cardiometabolic risk, preventive care, and self-reported cardiovascular disease was conducted. Results Cardiometabolic risk factor levels were high and vascular disease was prevalent. Among the subjects with diabetes mellitus, the mean disease duration was 10.5 years; approximately one-third reported reduced vision or blindness; and >80% reported numbness, pain, or burning in their feet. Preventive diabetes care was limited, with <60%, <25%, and <40% seeing an ophthalmologist, podiatrist, and dentist, respectively, within the past year. Only 54.4% of women and 39.3% of men reported daily glucose monitoring. Conclusions As the largest existing study of Gullah individuals, our study offers insight into not only the level of cardiovascular risk in this population but also the pathophysiological mechanisms central to ancestral differences in cardiometabolic risk in the broader African American population. PMID:25279862

Cardiovascular risk in Gullah African Americans with high familial risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: project SuGAR.

PubMed

Hunt, Kelly J; Kistner-Griffin, Emily; Spruill, Ida; Teklehaimanot, Abeba A; Garvey, W Timothy; Sale, Michèle; Fernandes, Jyotika

2014-10-01

To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, levels of cardiovascular risk factors, and extent of preventive care in Gullah African Americans with a high familial risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Between 1995 and 2003, 1321 Gullah African Americans with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus from the South Carolina Sea Islands consented to and enrolled in the Sea Islands Genetic African American Registry (Project SuGAR). A cross-sectional analysis of cardiometabolic risk, preventive care, and self-reported cardiovascular disease was conducted. Cardiometabolic risk factor levels were high and vascular disease was prevalent. Among the subjects with diabetes mellitus, the mean disease duration was 10.5 years; approximately one-third reported reduced vision or blindness; and >80% reported numbness, pain, or burning in their feet. Preventive diabetes care was limited, with <60%, <25%, and <40% seeing an ophthalmologist, podiatrist, and dentist, respectively, within the past year. Only 54.4% of women and 39.3% of men reported daily glucose monitoring. As the largest existing study of Gullah individuals, our study offers insight into not only the level of cardiovascular risk in this population but also the pathophysiological mechanisms central to ancestral differences in cardiometabolic risk in the broader African American population.

Analysis of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Barra do Garças, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, and the influence of environmental variables on the vector density of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912).

PubMed

Queiroz, Mirian Francisca Martins; Varjão, Jane Ramos; Moraes, Sinara Cristina de; Salcedo, Gladys Elena

2012-06-01

Leishmaniasis is an infectious and parasitic zoonotic, non-contagious, vector-borne disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In Brazil, the major vector of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi (Cunha & Chagas, 1934) is Lutzomyia longipalpis. Barra do Garças, State of Mato Grosso, was designated as a priority area by the Brazilian Ministry of Health for american visceral leishmaniasis, and it is important to identify the vector species present in this municipality. Our objective was to raise sandflies and study the influence of environmental variables on the vector density of Lutzomyia longipalpis. We performed entomological monitoring in 3 districts using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps and recorded human cases of american visceral leishmaniasis in the city. We calculated the relative frequency and richness of sandflies and applied a transfer function model to the vector density correlate with relative humidity. The sandfly population was composed of 2 genera and 27 species, totaling 8,097 individuals. Monitoring identified Lutzomyia longipalpis (44%), followed by Lutzomyia lenti (18.9%), Lutzomyia whitmani (13.9%), Lutzomyia carmelinoi (9.1%), Lutzomyia evandroi (5.1%), Lutzomyia termitophila (3.3%), Lutzomyia sordellii (1.9%), and 20 other species (<4%). The male:female ratio was 3.5:1. We observed high species diversity (Dα = 6.65). Lutzomyia longipalpis showed occurrence peaks during the rainy season; there was a temporal correlation with humidity, but not with frequency or temperature. The presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the urban area of Barra do Garças underscores the changing disease profile, which was previously restricted to the wild environment.

Rapid diversification of FoxP2 in teleosts through gene duplication in the teleost-specific whole genome duplication event.

PubMed

Song, Xiaowei; Wang, Yajun; Tang, Yezhong

2013-01-01

As one of the most conserved genes in vertebrates, FoxP2 is widely involved in a number of important physiological and developmental processes. We systematically studied the evolutionary history and functional adaptations of FoxP2 in teleosts. The duplicated FoxP2 genes (FoxP2a and FoxP2b), which were identified in teleosts using synteny and paralogon analysis on genome databases of eight organisms, were probably generated in the teleost-specific whole genome duplication event. A credible classification with FoxP2, FoxP2a and FoxP2b in phylogenetic reconstructions confirmed the teleost-specific FoxP2 duplication. The unavailability of FoxP2b in Danio rerio suggests that the gene was deleted through nonfunctionalization of the redundant copy after the Otocephala-Euteleostei split. Heterogeneity in evolutionary rates among clusters consisting of FoxP2 in Sarcopterygii (Cluster 1), FoxP2a in Teleostei (Cluster 2) and FoxP2b in Teleostei (Cluster 3), particularly between Clusters 2 and 3, reveals asymmetric functional divergence after the gene duplication. Hierarchical cluster analyses of hydrophobicity profiles demonstrated significant structural divergence among the three clusters with verification of subsequent stepwise discriminant analysis, in which FoxP2 of Leucoraja erinacea and Lepisosteus oculatus were classified into Cluster 1, whereas FoxP2b of Salmo salar was grouped into Cluster 2 rather than Cluster 3. The simulated thermodynamic stability variations of the forkhead box domain (monomer and homodimer) showed remarkable divergence in FoxP2, FoxP2a and FoxP2b clusters. Relaxed purifying selection and positive Darwinian selection probably were complementary driving forces for the accelerated evolution of FoxP2 in ray-finned fishes, especially for the adaptive evolution of FoxP2a and FoxP2b in teleosts subsequent to the teleost-specific gene duplication.

Rapid Diversification of FoxP2 in Teleosts through Gene Duplication in the Teleost-Specific Whole Genome Duplication Event

PubMed Central

Song, Xiaowei; Wang, Yajun; Tang, Yezhong

2013-01-01

As one of the most conserved genes in vertebrates, FoxP2 is widely involved in a number of important physiological and developmental processes. We systematically studied the evolutionary history and functional adaptations of FoxP2 in teleosts. The duplicated FoxP2 genes (FoxP2a and FoxP2b), which were identified in teleosts using synteny and paralogon analysis on genome databases of eight organisms, were probably generated in the teleost-specific whole genome duplication event. A credible classification with FoxP2, FoxP2a and FoxP2b in phylogenetic reconstructions confirmed the teleost-specific FoxP2 duplication. The unavailability of FoxP2b in Danio rerio suggests that the gene was deleted through nonfunctionalization of the redundant copy after the Otocephala-Euteleostei split. Heterogeneity in evolutionary rates among clusters consisting of FoxP2 in Sarcopterygii (Cluster 1), FoxP2a in Teleostei (Cluster 2) and FoxP2b in Teleostei (Cluster 3), particularly between Clusters 2 and 3, reveals asymmetric functional divergence after the gene duplication. Hierarchical cluster analyses of hydrophobicity profiles demonstrated significant structural divergence among the three clusters with verification of subsequent stepwise discriminant analysis, in which FoxP2 of Leucoraja erinacea and Lepisosteus oculatus were classified into Cluster 1, whereas FoxP2b of Salmo salar was grouped into Cluster 2 rather than Cluster 3. The simulated thermodynamic stability variations of the forkhead box domain (monomer and homodimer) showed remarkable divergence in FoxP2, FoxP2a and FoxP2b clusters. Relaxed purifying selection and positive Darwinian selection probably were complementary driving forces for the accelerated evolution of FoxP2 in ray-finned fishes, especially for the adaptive evolution of FoxP2a and FoxP2b in teleosts subsequent to the teleost-specific gene duplication. PMID:24349554

Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Communities in Waterways, and Contaminants in Fish, at the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Louisiana, 1999-2000

USGS Publications Warehouse

Swarzenski, Christopher M.; Mize, Scott V.; Thompson, Bruce A.; Peterson, Gary W.

2004-01-01

Fish and aquatic invertebrate communities in waterways of the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Louisiana, were surveyed from 1999 to 2000. An inventory of fish in the Barataria Preserve was established, and concentrations of selected organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and trace elements; iron; and manganese in fish tissue for selected species were determined. The fish and aquatic invertebrate sampling completed for this study indicated that abundant and diverse communities are present in the Barataria Preserve. Thirty-two species of fish were identified in the Barataria Preserve during this survey. The total number of species identified in a single sampling ranged from 20 to 26. Most of the fish sampled are designated as intermediate in their tolerance to poor water quality. Three species of fish designated as tolerant (common carp, Cyprinus carpio; golden shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas; and yellow bullhead, Ameiurus natalis), and one as intolerant (lake chubsucker, Erymizon sucetta), were identified. In November 1999, the average total weight of all fish collected by boat-mounted electroshocker from a single site was about 35,000 grams; in May and July 1999, the average total weight was between 9,000 and 10,000 grams. The contribution of spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) to the total weight of the fish averaged between 38 and 41 percent among the three sample periods. Members of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) contributed between 18 and 28 percent of the total weight. For each sampling period, 60 to 83 percent of the total weight from the sunfish family was contributed by bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Aquatic invertebrates were sampled at three sites. Most aquatic invertebrates identified were freshwater species, but some were brackish-water and marine species. About 234,000 organisms were identified and enumerated from the richest-targeted habitat (RTH

Purification and structural characterization of insulin and glucagon from the bichir Polypterus senegalis (Actinopterygii: Polypteriformes).

PubMed

Conlon, J M; Fan, H; Fritzsch, B

1998-01-01

The Polypteriformes (bichirs and reedfish) are a family of ray-finned fishes of ancient lineage. Insulin has been isolated from an extract of the pancreas and upper gastrointestinal tract of the bichir Polypterus senegalis and its primary structure established as A-chain: Gly-Ile-Val-Glu-Gln-Cys-Cys-Asp-Thr-Pro10-Cys-Ser- Leu-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Glu-Asn-Tyr-Cys20-Asn: B-chain: Ala-Ala-Asn-Arg-His-Leu-Cys-Gly-Ser-His10-Leu-Val- Glu-Ala-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Val-Cys-Gly20-Asn-Arg-Gly-Phe- Phe-Tyr-Ile-Pro-Ser-Lys30-Met. Despite the fact that Polypterus insulin contains several unusual structural features that are not found in insulins from other jawed fish (Asp at A-8, Thr at A-9, Arg at B-4, Asn at B-21, Ile at B-27, Met at B-31), all the residues in human insulin that are involved in receptor binding, dimerization, and hexamerization have been conserved. A comparison of the structures of insulins from a range of species indicates that Polypterus insulin most closely resembles paddlefish insulin II (seven amino acid substitutions). In contrast, Polypterus glucagon (His-Ser- Gln-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Asn-Asp-Tyr10-Thr-Lys-Tyr- Gln-Asp-Ser-Arg-Arg-Ala-Gln20-Asp-Phe-Val-Gln- Trp-Leu-Met-Ser-Asn) most closely resembles the glucagons from the gar Lepisosteus spatula and the bowfin Amia calva (four amino acid substitutions). The data are consistent with the conclusion based on comparison of morphological characteristics that the Polypterids are the most basal living group of the Actinopterygians with evolutionary connections to both the Acipenserids and the Neopterygians.

A fish bradykinin (Arg0, Trp5, Leu8-bradykinin) from the defensive skin secretion of the European edible frog, Pelophylax kl. esculentus: structural characterization; molecular cloning of skin kininogen cDNA and pharmacological effects on mammalian smooth muscle.

PubMed

Chen, Xiaole; Wang, Lei; Wang, He; Chen, Hang; Zhou, Mei; Chen, Tianbao; Shaw, Chris

2011-01-01

Extensive studies on bradykinin-related peptides (BRPs) generated from plasma kininogens in representative species of various vertebrate taxa, have confirmed that many amphibian skin BRPs reflect those present in putative vertebrate predators. For example, the (Val(1), Thr(6))-bradykinin, present in the defensive skin secretions of many ranids and phyllomedusines, can be generated from plasma kininogens in colubrid snakes-common predators of these frogs. Here, we report the presence of (Arg(0), Trp(5), Leu(8))-bradykinin in the skin secretion of the European edible frog, Pelophylax kl. esculentus, and have found it to be encoded in single copy by a kininogen with an open-reading frame of 68 amino acid residues. This peptide is the archetypal bony fish bradykinin that has been generated from plasma kininogens of the bowfin (Amia calva), the long-nosed gar (Lepisosteus oseus) and the rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss). More recently, this peptide has been shown to be encoded within cloned kininogens of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spotted wolf-fish (Anarichas minor), zebrafish (Danio rerio), pufferfish (Tetraodon nigroviridis) and Northern pike (Esox lucius). The latter species is regarded as a major predator of P. kl. esculentus. Synthetic (Arg(0), Trp(5), Leu(8))-bradykinin was previously reported as having multiphasic effects on arterial blood pressure in conscious trout and here we have demonstrated that it can antagonize the relaxation in rat arterial smooth muscle induced by canonical mammalian bradykinin. The discovery of (Arg(0), Trp(5), Leu(8))-bradykinin in the defensive skin secretion of this amphibian completes the spectrum of vertebrate taxon-specific BRPs identified from this source. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The modified gait abnormality rating scale in patients with a conversion disorder: a reliability and responsiveness study.

PubMed

Vandenberg, Justin M; George, Deanna R; O'Leary, Andrea J; Olson, Lindsay C; Strassburg, Kaitlyn R; Hollman, John H

2015-01-01

Individuals with conversion disorder have neurologic symptoms that are not identified by an underlying organic cause. Often the symptoms manifest as gait disturbances. The modified gait abnormality rating scale (GARS-M) may be useful for quantifying gait abnormalities in these individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability, responsiveness and concurrent validity of GARS-M scores in individuals with conversion disorder. Data from 27 individuals who completed a rehabilitation program were included in this study. Pre- and post-intervention videos were obtained and walking speed was measured. Five examiners independently evaluated gait performance according to the GARS-M criteria. Inter- and intrarater reliability of GARS-M scores were estimated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Responsiveness was estimated with the minimum detectable change (MDC). Pre- to post-treatment changes in GARS-M scores were analyzed with a dependent t-test. The correlation between GARS-M scores and walking speed was analyzed to assess concurrent validity. GARS-M scores were quantified with good-to-excellent inter- (ICC = 0.878) and intrarater reliability (ICC = 0.989). The MDC was 2 points. Mean GARS-M scores decreased from 7 ± 5 at baseline to 1 ± 2 at discharge (t26 = 7.411, p < 0.001) and 85% of patients improved beyond the MDC. Furthermore, GARS-M scores and walking speed measurements were moderately correlated (r = -0.582, p = 0.004), indicating that the GARS-M has acceptable concurrent validity. Our findings provide evidence that the GARS-M scores are reliable, valid and responsive for quantifying gait abnormalities in patients with conversion disorder. GARS-M scores provide objective measures upon which treatment effects can be assessed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Larval fish feeding ecology, growth and mortality from two basins with contrasting environmental conditions of an inner sea of northern Patagonia, Chile.

PubMed

Landaeta, Mauricio F; Bustos, Claudia A; Contreras, Jorge E; Salas-Berríos, Franco; Palacios-Fuentes, Pámela; Alvarado-Niño, Mónica; Letelier, Jaime; Balbontín, Fernando

2015-05-01

During austral spring 2011, a survey was carried out in the inland sea (41°30'-44°S) of north Patagonia, South Pacific, studying a northern basin (NB: Reloncaví Fjord, Reloncaví Sound and Ancud Gulf) characterized by estuarine regime with stronger vertical stratification and warmer (11-14 °C) and most productive waters, and a southern basin (SB: Corcovado Gulf and Guafo mouth), with more oceanic water influence, showed mixed conditions of the water column, colder (11-10.5 °C) and less productive waters. Otolith microstructure and gut content analysis of larval lightfish Maurolicus parvipinnis and rockfish Sebastes oculatus were studied. Larval M. parvipinnis showed similar growth rates in both regions (0.13-0.15 mm d(-1)), but in NB larvae were larger-at-age than in SB. Larval S. oculatus showed no differences in size-at-age and larval growth (0.16 and 0.11 mm d(-1) for NB and SB, respectively). M. parvipinnis larvae from NB had larger number of prey items (mostly invertebrate eggs), similar total volume in their guts and smaller prey size than larvae collected in SB (mainly calanoid copepods). Larval S. oculatus had similar number, volume and body width of prey ingested at both basins, although prey ingestion rate by size was 5 times larger in NB than in SB, and prey composition varied from nauplii in NB to copepodites in SB. This study provides evidence that physical-biological interactions during larval stages of marine fishes from Chilean Patagonia are species-specific, and that in some cases large size-at-age correspond to increasing foraging success. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A constitutively active G protein-coupled acetylcholine receptor regulates motility of larval Schistosoma mansoni.

PubMed

MacDonald, Kevin; Kimber, Michael J; Day, Tim A; Ribeiro, Paula

2015-07-01

The neuromuscular system of helminths controls a variety of essential biological processes and therefore represents a good source of novel drug targets. The neuroactive substance, acetylcholine controls movement of Schistosoma mansoni but the mode of action is poorly understood. Here, we present first evidence of a functional G protein-coupled acetylcholine receptor in S. mansoni, which we have named SmGAR. A bioinformatics analysis indicated that SmGAR belongs to a clade of invertebrate GAR-like receptors and is related to vertebrate muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Functional expression studies in yeast showed that SmGAR is constitutively active but can be further activated by acetylcholine and, to a lesser extent, the cholinergic agonist, carbachol. Anti-cholinergic drugs, atropine and promethazine, were found to have inverse agonist activity towards SmGAR, causing a significant decrease in the receptor's basal activity. An RNAi phenotypic assay revealed that suppression of SmGAR activity in early-stage larval schistosomulae leads to a drastic reduction in larval motility. In sum, our results provide the first molecular evidence that cholinergic GAR-like receptors are present in schistosomes and are required for proper motor control in the larvae. The results further identify SmGAR as a possible candidate for antiparasitic drug targeting. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Seasonal and spatial variations in fish and macrocrustacean assemblage structure in Mad Island Marsh estuary, Texas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akin, S.; Winemiller, K. O.; Gelwick, F. P.

2003-05-01

Fish and macrocrustacean assemblage structure was analyzed along an estuarine gradient at Mad Island Marsh (MIM), Matagorda Bay, TX, during March 1998-August 1999. Eight estuarine-dependent fish species accounted for 94% of the individual fishes collected, and three species accounted for 96% of macrocrustacean abundance. Consistent with evidence from other Gulf of Mexico estuarine studies, species richness and abundance were highest during late spring and summer, and lowest during winter and early spring. Sites near the bay supported the most individuals and species. Associations between fish abundance and environmental variables were examined with canonical correspondence analysis. The dominant gradient was associated with water depth and distance from the bay. The secondary gradient reflected seasonal variation and was associated with temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and vegetation cover. At the scales examined, estuarine biota responded to seasonal variation more than spatial variation. Estuarine-dependent species dominated the fauna and were common throughout the open waters of the shallow lake during winter-early spring when water temperature and salinity were low and dissolved oxygen high. During summer-early fall, sub-optimal environmental conditions (high temperature, low DO) in upper reaches accounted for strong spatial variation in assemblage composition. Small estuarine-resident fishes and the blue crab ( Callinectes sapidus) were common in warm, shallow, vegetated inland sites during summer-fall. Estuarine-dependent species were common at deeper, more saline locations near the bay during this period. During summer, freshwater species, such as gizzard shad ( Dorosoma cepedianum) and gars ( Lepisosteus spp.), were positively associated with water depth and proximity to the bay. The distribution and abundance of fishes in MIM appear to result from the combined effects of endogenous, seasonal patterns of reproduction and migration operating on large

Impacts of golden alga Prymnesium parvum on fish populations in reservoirs of the upper Colorado River and Brazos River basins, Texas

USGS Publications Warehouse

VanLandeghem, Matthew M.; Farooqi, Mukhtar; Farquhar, B.; Patino, Reynaldo

2013-01-01

Several reservoirs in the upper Colorado River and Brazos River basins in Texas have experienced toxic blooms of golden alga Prymnesium parvum and associated fish kills since 2001. There is a paucity of information, however, regarding the population-level effects of such kills in large reservoirs, species-specific resistance to or recovery from kills, or potential differences in the patterns of impacts among basins. We used multiple before-after, control-impact analysis to determine whether repeated golden alga blooms have led to declines in the relative abundance and size structure of fish populations. Sustained declines were noted for 9 of 12 fish species surveyed in the upper Colorado River, whereas only one of eight species was impacted by golden alga in the Brazos River. In the upper Colorado River, White Bass Morone chrysops, White Crappie Pomoxis annularis, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, River Carpsucker Carpiodes carpio, Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris, and Blue Catfish I. furcatus exhibited sustained declines in relative abundance, size structure, or both; Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum, Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus, and Common Carp Cyprinus carpio did not exhibit those declines. In the Brazos River, only the relative abundance of Blue Catfish was impacted. Overall, toxic golden alga blooms can negatively impact fish populations over the long-term, but the patterns of impact can vary considerably among river basins and species. In the Brazos River, populations of most fish species appear to be healthy, suggesting a positive angling outlook for this basin. In the upper Colorado River, fish populations have been severely impacted, and angling opportunities have been reduced. Basin-specific management plans aimed at improving water quality and quantity will likely reduce bloom intensity and allow recovery of fish populations to the

Garvicin A, a Novel Class IId Bacteriocin from Lactococcus garvieae That Inhibits Septum Formation in L. garvieae Strains

PubMed Central

Cárdenas, Nivia; Martínez, Beatriz; Ruiz-Barba, José Luis; Fernández-Garayzábal, José F.; Rodríguez, Juan M.; Gibello, Alicia

2013-01-01

Lactococcus garvieae 21881, isolated in a human clinical case, produces a novel class IId bacteriocin, garvicin A (GarA), which is specifically active against other L. garvieae strains, including fish- and bovine-pathogenic isolates. Purification from active supernatants, sequence analyses, and plasmid-curing experiments identified pGL5, one of the five plasmids found in L. garvieae [M. Aguado-Urda et al., PLoS One 7(6):e40119, 2012], as the coding plasmid for the structural gene of GarA (lgnA), its putative immunity protein (lgnI), and the ABC transporter and its accessory protein (lgnC and lgnD). Interestingly, pGL5-cured strains were still resistant to GarA. Other putative bacteriocins encoded by the remaining plasmids were not detected during purification, pointing to GarA as the main inhibitor secreted by L. garvieae 21881. Mode-of-action studies revealed a potent bactericidal activity of GarA. Moreover, transmission microscopy showed that GarA seems to act by inhibiting septum formation in L. garvieae cells. This potent and species-specific inhibition by GarA holds promise for applications in the prevention or treatment of infections caused by pathogenic strains of L. garvieae in both veterinary and clinical settings. PMID:23666326

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

Bogunovic, Hrvoje; Pozo, Jose Maria; Villa-Uriol, Maria Cruz

Purpose: To evaluate the suitability of an improved version of an automatic segmentation method based on geodesic active regions (GAR) for segmenting cerebral vasculature with aneurysms from 3D x-ray reconstruction angiography (3DRA) and time of flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA) images available in the clinical routine. Methods: Three aspects of the GAR method have been improved: execution time, robustness to variability in imaging protocols, and robustness to variability in image spatial resolutions. The improved GAR was retrospectively evaluated on images from patients containing intracranial aneurysms in the area of the Circle of Willis and imaged with two modalities: 3DRA andmore » TOF-MRA. Images were obtained from two clinical centers, each using different imaging equipment. Evaluation included qualitative and quantitative analyses of the segmentation results on 20 images from 10 patients. The gold standard was built from 660 cross-sections (33 per image) of vessels and aneurysms, manually measured by interventional neuroradiologists. GAR has also been compared to an interactive segmentation method: isointensity surface extraction (ISE). In addition, since patients had been imaged with the two modalities, we performed an intermodality agreement analysis with respect to both the manual measurements and each of the two segmentation methods. Results: Both GAR and ISE differed from the gold standard within acceptable limits compared to the imaging resolution. GAR (ISE) had an average accuracy of 0.20 (0.24) mm for 3DRA and 0.27 (0.30) mm for TOF-MRA, and had a repeatability of 0.05 (0.20) mm. Compared to ISE, GAR had a lower qualitative error in the vessel region and a lower quantitative error in the aneurysm region. The repeatability of GAR was superior to manual measurements and ISE. The intermodality agreement was similar between GAR and the manual measurements. Conclusions: The improved GAR method outperformed ISE qualitatively as well as

Effects of cinnamaldehyde and garlic oil on rumen microbial fermentation in a dual flow continuous culture.

PubMed

Busquet, M; Calsamiglia, S; Ferret, A; Cardozo, P W; Kamel, C

2005-07-01

Eight continuous culture fermentors inoculated with ruminal liquor from heifers fed a 50:50 alfalfa hay:concentrate diet (17.6% crude protein, 28.0% neutral detergent fiber) were used in 3 replicated periods to study the effects of cinnamaldehyde (CIN) and garlic oil (GAR) on rumen microbial fermentation. Treatments were no additive (negative control); 1.25 mg/L (MON) and 12.5 mg/L (MON10) of the ionophore antibiotic monensin (positive control); 31.2 mg/L CIN (CIN) and 312 mg/L (CIN10) of CIN; and 31.2 mg/L GAR (GAR) and 312 mg/L (GAR10) of GAR (Allium sativa). The MON10 caused expected changes in microbial fermentation patterns (a decrease in fiber digestion, ammonia N concentration, and proportions of acetate and butyrate; an increase in the proportion of propionate; and a trend to increase small peptide plus AA N concentration). The CIN decreased the proportion of acetate and branch-chained volatile fatty acids (VFA) and increased the proportion of propionate; CIN10 decreased the proportion of acetate and increased the proportion of butyrate compared with the control. The GAR10 increased the proportion of propionate and butyrate and decreased the proportion of acetate and branch-chained VFA compared with the control. The GAR10 also increased the small peptide plus amino acid N concentration, although no effects were observed on large peptides or ammonia N concentrations. The CIN and GAR10 resulted in similar effects as monensin, with the exception of the effects on the molar proportion of butyrate, which suggests that they might have a different mode of action in affecting in vitro microbial fermentation.

The effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance and blood parameters of growing calves.

PubMed

Gholipour, A; Foroozandeh Shahraki, A D; Tabeidian, S A; Nasrollahi, S M; Yang, W Z

2016-08-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing garlic powder and monensin supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance and blood metabolites of growing calves. Forty Holstein calves (BW = 100 ± 11 kg) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n = 10) in a complete randomized design. Experimental treatments consisted of the following: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet supplemented with 0.0003% of dietary dry matter (DM) sodium monensin, (iii) low level of garlic powder (Low-GAR; 0.5% of dietary DM) and (iv) high level of garlic powder (High-GAR; 1% of dietary DM). DM intake (DMI) and DM digestibility were (p < 0.05) decreased by High-GAR. However, calves supplemented with Low-GAR had a similar DMI to the control calves and similar DM digestibility to the control and monensin groups. The digestibility of other nutrients were not affected by the treatments. Although supplementing monensin relative to Low-GAR increased the DMI (p < 0.05), average daily gain was similar between Low-GAR and monensin supplemented calves, which were higher than the control and High-GAR groups (p < 0.05). As a result, feed conversion ratio was improved in the Low-GAR group versus other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Administrating garlic powder decreased the blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-esterified fatty acids (p < 0.05) without affecting the blood triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein and beta-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations. In conclusion, the calves fed the Low-GAR showed an improved FCR and blood metabolites without changing the DMI and nutrient digestibility. It suggests that garlic powder could be used as an alternative to monensin for growing calves under the current feeding conditions. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Archaeological Salvage Excavations at the Tibbee Creek Site (22Lo600) Lowndes County, Mississippi.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

Kinosternon subrubrum musk turtle Sternotherus sp. musk turtle Chyemys sp. pond turtle Trionyx sp. soft shelled turtle Fish Amia calva bowfin Lepisosteus sp...OSTEICHTHIES Amia calva - 1 pharyngeal mouth piece Scianidae (possibly Aplodinotus grunniens) - 2 teeth Osteichthies - (possibly catostomidae...Unidentified bird - 1 shaft fragment OSTEICHTHIES Amia calva - skull fragment Amia calva (?) - pharyngeal mouth fragment Micropterus sp. - 1 pharyngeal mouth

Mutations in glycyl-tRNA synthetase impair mitochondrial metabolism in neurons.

PubMed

Boczonadi, Veronika; Meyer, Kathrin; Gonczarowska-Jorge, Humberto; Griffin, Helen; Roos, Andreas; Bartsakoulia, Marina; Bansagi, Boglarka; Ricci, Giulia; Palinkas, Fanni; Zahedi, René P; Bruni, Francesco; Kaspar, Brian; Lochmüller, Hanns; Boycott, Kym M; Müller, Juliane S; Horvath, Rita

2018-06-15

The nuclear-encoded glycyl-tRNA synthetase gene (GARS) is essential for protein translation in both cytoplasm and mitochondria. In contrast, different genes encode the mitochondrial and cytosolic forms of most other tRNA synthetases. Dominant GARS mutations were described in inherited neuropathies, while recessive mutations cause severe childhood-onset disorders affecting skeletal muscle and heart. The downstream events explaining tissue-specific phenotype-genotype relations remained unclear. We investigated the mitochondrial function of GARS in human cell lines and in the GarsC210R mouse model. Human-induced neuronal progenitor cells (iNPCs) carrying dominant and recessive GARS mutations showed alterations of mitochondrial proteins, which were more prominent in iNPCs with dominant, neuropathy-causing mutations. Although comparative proteomic analysis of iNPCs showed significant changes in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex subunits, assembly genes, Krebs cycle enzymes and transport proteins in both recessive and dominant mutations, proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation were only altered by recessive mutations causing mitochondrial cardiomyopathy. In contrast, significant alterations of the vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) and its downstream pathways such as mitochondrial calcium uptake and autophagy were detected in dominant GARS mutations. The role of VAPB has been supported by similar results in the GarsC210R mice. Our data suggest that altered mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAM) may be important disease mechanisms leading to neuropathy in this condition.

A common bacterial metabolite elicits prion-based bypass of glucose repression

PubMed Central

Garcia, David M; Dietrich, David; Clardy, Jon; Jarosz, Daniel F

2016-01-01

Robust preference for fermentative glucose metabolism has motivated domestication of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This program can be circumvented by a protein-based genetic element, the [GAR+] prion, permitting simultaneous metabolism of glucose and other carbon sources. Diverse bacteria can elicit yeast cells to acquire [GAR+], although the molecular details of this interaction remain unknown. Here we identify the common bacterial metabolite lactic acid as a strong [GAR+] inducer. Transient exposure to lactic acid caused yeast cells to heritably circumvent glucose repression. This trait had the defining genetic properties of [GAR+], and did not require utilization of lactic acid as a carbon source. Lactic acid also induced [GAR+]-like epigenetic states in fungi that diverged from S. cerevisiae ~200 million years ago, and in which glucose repression evolved independently. To our knowledge, this is the first study to uncover a bacterial metabolite with the capacity to potently induce a prion. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.17978.001 PMID:27906649

Yeast proteins Gar1p, Nop1p, Npl3p, Nsr1p, and Rps2p are natively methylated and are substrates of the arginine methyltransferase Hmt1p.

PubMed

Yagoub, Daniel; Hart-Smith, Gene; Moecking, Jonas; Erce, Melissa A; Wilkins, Marc R

2015-09-01

The Hmt1 methyltransferase is the predominant arginine methyltransferase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. There are 18 substrate proteins described for this methyltransferase, however native sites of methylation have only been identified on two of these proteins. Here we used peptide immunoaffinity enrichment, followed by LC-ETD-MS/MS, to discover 21 native sites of arginine methylation on five putative Hmt1 substrate proteins, namely Gar1p (H/ACA ribonucleoprotein complex subunit 1), Nop1p (rRNA 2'-O-methyltransferase fibrillarin), Npl3p (nucleolar protein 3), Nsr1p (nuclear localization sequence-binding protein), and Rps2p (40S ribosomal protein S2). The sites, many of which were found to be mono- or di-methylated, were predominantly found in RGG (Arg-Gly-Gly) motifs. Heavy methyl-SILAC validated the majority of these peptides. The above proteins, and relevant sites of methylation, were subsequently validated by in vitro methylation with recombinant Hmt1. This brings the total of Hmt1 substrate proteins for which native methylation sites have been identified to five. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Archeological Testing at 16 cm 61, a Prehistoric Shell Midden in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-09

Crassostrea virginica Eastern oyster Littoridina sphinctogtoma(? Ep’iscynia inornata hairy vitrinella Fish Amia calva bowfin or choupique Aplodinotus...III Molluscs Rangia cuneata 1198 valves Crassostrea virginica 7 shell pieces Fish -’. Lepisosteus sp. 6 vertebrae, 53 scales Amia calva 2 vertebrae, 7... Amia calva vertebra, toothed bone Aploinots grunniens or Pogonias chromis 2 pharyngeal teeth unidentified teleost 4 vertebrae, ctenoid scale Mammal

Transcriptome-wide identification of salt-responsive members of the WRKY gene family in Gossypium aridum.

PubMed

Fan, Xinqi; Guo, Qi; Xu, Peng; Gong, YuanYong; Shu, Hongmei; Yang, Yang; Ni, Wanchao; Zhang, Xianggui; Shen, Xinlian

2015-01-01

WRKY transcription factors are plant-specific, zinc finger-type transcription factors. The WRKY superfamily is involved in abiotic stress responses in many crops including cotton, a major fiber crop that is widely cultivated and consumed throughout the world. Salinity is an important abiotic stress that results in considerable yield losses. In this study, we identified 109 WRKY genes (GarWRKYs) in a salt-tolerant wild cotton species Gossypium aridum from transcriptome sequencing data to elucidate the roles of these factors in cotton salt tolerance. According to their structural features, the predicted members were divided into three groups (Groups I-III), as previously described for Arabidopsis. Furthermore, 28 salt-responsive GarWRKY genes were identified from digital gene expression data and subjected to real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The expression patterns of most GarWRKY genes revealed by this analysis are in good agreement with those revealed by RNA-Seq analysis. RT-PCR analysis revealed that 27 GarWRKY genes were expressed in roots and one was exclusively expressed in roots. Analysis of gene orthology and motif compositions indicated that WRKY members from Arabidopsis, rice and soybean generally shared the similar motifs within the same subgroup, suggesting they have the similar function. Overexpression-GarWRKY17 and -GarWRKY104 in Arabidopsis revealed that they could positively regulate salt tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis during different development stages. The comprehensive data generated in this study provide a platform for elucidating the functions of WRKY transcription factors in salt tolerance of G. aridum. In addition, GarWRKYs related to salt tolerance identified in this study will be potential candidates for genetic improvement of cultivated cotton salt stress tolerance.

Immunohistochemical localization of urotensin I/corticotropin-releasing factor, urotensin II, and serotonin immunoreactivities in the caudal spinal cord of nonteleost fishes.

PubMed

Onstott, D; Elde, R

1986-07-08

Neurosecretory cells in the caudal spinal cord of fishes were first discovered in elasmobranches. However, most of the subsequent work on the caudal neurosecretory system has emphasized its morphology and function in teleosts. Two major peptides, urotensins I and II (UI and UII), have been isolated from this system in teleosts and their amino acid sequences have been determined. We have used immunohistochemical techniques to confirm and expand previous morphological and pharmacological findings regarding the phylogenetic occurrence and the anatomical organization of the caudal neurosecretory system and to localize putative neurohormonal products within its structural elements. UII-immunoreactive neuronal structures were found in the holocephalan, Hydrolagus collei; the elasmobranches, Squalus acanthias, Dasyatis sabina, and Raja binoculata; the dipnoan, Protopterus annectens; the brachiopterygian, Erpetoichthys calabaricus; the chondrostean, Polyodon spathula; and the holosteans Lepisosteus platyrhinchus and Amia calva. UI/corticotropin-releasing-factor immunoreactive elements were detected in the caudal spinal cords of Petromyzon marinus, Raja binoculata, Polydon spathula, Lepisosteus platyrhinchus, L. osseus, L. platostomus, and Amia calva. In addition, in several of these species, immunohistochemical techniques have provided evidence for serotoninergic input to the caudal neurosecretory system.

Usefulness of the plasma glucose concentration-to-HbA1c ratio in predicting clinical outcomes during acute illness with extreme hyperglycaemia.

PubMed

Su, Y-W; Hsu, C-Y; Guo, Y-W; Chen, H-S

2017-02-01

To evaluate the correlation between the plasma glucose-to-glycated haemoglobin ratio (GAR) and clinical outcome during acute illness. This retrospective observational cohort study enrolled 661 patients who visited the emergency department of our hospital between 1 July 2008 and 30 September 2010 with plasma glucose concentrations>500mg/dL. Systolic blood pressure, heart rate, white blood cells, neutrophils, haematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, liver function and plasma glucose concentration were recorded at the initial presentation to the emergency department. Data on glycated haemoglobin over the preceding 6 months were reviewed from our hospital database. The glucose-to-HbA 1c ratio (GAR) was calculated as the plasma glucose concentration divided by glycated haemoglobin. The GAR of those who died was significantly higher than that of the survivors (81.0±25.9 vs 67.6±25.0; P<0.001). There was a trend towards a higher 90-day mortality rate in patients with higher GARs (log-rank test P<0.0001 for trend). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, the GAR was significantly related to 90-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] for 1 standard deviation [SD] change: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-1.63; P<0.001), but not to plasma glucose (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.70-1.13; P=0.328). Rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilator use were also higher in those with higher GARs. GAR independently predicted 90-day mortality, ICU admission and use of mechanical ventilation. It was also a better predictor of patient outcomes than plasma glucose alone in patients with extremely high glucose levels. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

A yeast-based assay identifies drugs that interfere with immune evasion of the Epstein-Barr virus.

PubMed

Voisset, Cécile; Daskalogianni, Chrysoula; Contesse, Marie-Astrid; Mazars, Anne; Arbach, Hratch; Le Cann, Marie; Soubigou, Flavie; Apcher, Sébastien; Fåhraeus, Robin; Blondel, Marc

2014-04-01

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is tightly associated with certain human cancers, but there is as yet no specific treatment against EBV-related diseases. The EBV-encoded EBNA1 protein is essential to maintain viral episomes and for viral persistence. As such, EBNA1 is expressed in all EBV-infected cells, and is highly antigenic. All infected individuals, including individuals with cancer, have CD8(+) T cells directed towards EBNA1 epitopes, yet the immune system fails to detect and destroy cells harboring the virus. EBV immune evasion depends on the capacity of the Gly-Ala repeat (GAr) domain of EBNA1 to inhibit the translation of its own mRNA in cis, thereby limiting the production of EBNA1-derived antigenic peptides presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway. Here we establish a yeast-based assay for monitoring GAr-dependent inhibition of translation. Using this assay we identify doxorubicin (DXR) as a compound that specifically interferes with the GAr effect on translation in yeast. DXR targets the topoisomerase-II-DNA complexes and thereby causes genomic damage. We show, however, that the genotoxic effect of DXR and various analogs thereof is uncoupled from the effect on GAr-mediated translation control. This is further supported by the observation that etoposide and teniposide, representing another class of topoisomerase-II-DNA targeting drugs, have no effect on GAr-mediated translation control. DXR and active analogs stimulate, in a GAr-dependent manner, EBNA1 expression in mammalian cells and overcome GAr-dependent restriction of MHC class I antigen presentation. These results validate our approach as an effective high-throughput screening assay to identify drugs that interfere with EBV immune evasion and, thus, constitute candidates for treating EBV-related diseases, in particular EBV-associated cancers.

Garlic capsule and selenium-vitamins ACE combination therapy modulate key antioxidant proteins and cellular adenosine triphosphate in lisinopril-induced lung damage in rats.

PubMed

Akintunde, Jacob K; Bolarin, Olakunle Enock; Akintunde, Daniel G

2016-03-01

Garlic capsule (GAR) and/or selenium- vitamin A, C, E (S-VACE) might be useful in the treatment of lung diseases. The present study evaluated the toxicity of lisinopril (LIS) in the lungs of male rats and the reversal effect of GAR and/or selenium-vitamins A, C, and E (S-VACE). Group I served as the control, whereas animals in groups II, III, IV, and V received 28 mg of LIS/kg body weight by gavage. Group III was co-treated with GAR at a therapeutic dosage of 250 mg/kg body weight per day. Group IV was co-treated with S-VACE at dosage of 500 mg/kg body weight per day. Lastly, group V was co-treated with GAR and S-VACE at dosages of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 days (sub-acute exposure). Administration of therapeutic dose of LIS to male rats depleted enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and cellular adenosine triphosphate content with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation. Histopathology examination showed damage to the epithelial cells of the airways. These effects were prevented by both single and combination treatment of GAR and S-VACE in male rats with LIS-induced lung toxicity. We therefore concluded that the combination of GAR and S-VACE can be a novel therapy for the management of lung diseases in humans.

Adverse reactions to skin prick testing in children - prevalence and possible risk factors.

PubMed

Norrman, Gunilla; Fälth-Magnusson, Karin

2009-05-01

Skin prick test (SPT) is usually considered to be a safe procedure, but recently there have been occasional case reports of generalized allergic reactions. This study was performed to delineate the prevalence of, and evaluate possible risk factors for, adverse reactions to SPT in a prospective study. Altogether 5,908 patients aged < or =18 yr from 11 different pediatric settings were included. The adverse reactions were classified into two groups: (1) Generalized allergic reactions (GAR), (2) Vasovagal reactions (VVR). Adverse reactions were observed in 14 out of 5,908 children examined with SPT. Seven of the adverse reactions were GARs and required medication, yielding a 0.12% risk for GAR. Seven of 14 were VVRs, giving the same risk, 0.12%. Identified risk factors for GAR were low age (<1 yr) (RR 6.28) and active eczema (RR 16.98). For VVR, the risk factors were female sex (RR 7.32) and multiple skin pricks performed on a single patient (p < 0.05). We conclude that GARs do occur, albeit rarely, so the need for proper emergency handling should always be acknowledged. The risk factors suggested may help to identify patients who need extra attention.

Human H/ACA Small Nucleolar RNPs and Telomerase Share Evolutionarily Conserved Proteins NHP2 and NOP10

PubMed Central

Pogacic, Vanda; Dragon, François; Filipowicz, Witold

2000-01-01

The H/ACA small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are involved in pseudouridylation of pre-rRNAs. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, four common proteins are associated with H/ACA snoRNAs: Gar1p, Cbf5p, Nhp2p, and Nop10p. In vitro reconstitution studies showed that four proteins also specifically interact with H/ACA snoRNAs in mammalian cell extracts. Two mammalian proteins, NAP57/dyskerin (the ortholog of Cbf5p) and hGAR1, have been characterized. In this work we describe properties of hNOP10 and hNHP2, human orthologs of yeast Nop10p and Nhp2p, respectively, and further characterize hGAR1. hNOP10 and hNHP2 complement yeast cells depleted of Nhp2p and Nop10p, respectively. Immunoprecipitation experiments with extracts from transfected HeLa cells indicated that epitope-tagged hNOP10 and hNHP2 specifically associate with hGAR1 and H/ACA RNAs; they also interact with the RNA subunit of telomerase, which contains an H/ACA-like domain in its 3′ moiety. Immunofluorescence microscopy experiments showed that hGAR1, hNOP10, and hNHP2 are localized in the dense fibrillar component of the nucleolus and in Cajal (coiled) bodies. Deletion analysis of hGAR1 indicated that its evolutionarily conserved core domain contains all the signals required for localization, but progressive deletions from either the N or the C terminus of the core domain abolish localization in the nucleolus and/or the Cajal bodies. PMID:11074001

TRPV2 ion channels expressed in inhibitory motor neurons of gastric myenteric plexus contribute to gastric adaptive relaxation and gastric emptying in mice.

PubMed

Mihara, Hiroshi; Suzuki, Nobuhiro; Yamawaki, Hidemoto; Tominaga, Makoto; Sugiyama, Toshiro

2013-02-01

Gastric adaptive relaxation (GAR) is impaired in ~40% of functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, and nitric oxide (NO) released from inhibitory motor neurons plays an important role in this relaxation. Although the underlying molecular mechanism of GAR is poorly understood, transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) mechano- and chemoreceptors are expressed in mouse intestinal inhibitory motor neurons and are involved in intestinal relaxation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of TRPV2 in inhibitory motor neurons throughout the mouse gastrointestinal tract and the contribution of TRPV2 to GAR. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses were used to detect TRPV2 mRNA and protein, respectively. Intragastric pressure was determined with an isolated mouse stomach. Gastric emptying (GE) in vivo was determined using a test meal. TRPV2 mRNA was detected throughout the mouse gastrointestinal tract, and TRPV2 immunoreactivity was detected in 84.3% of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-expressing myenteric neurons in the stomach. GAR, which was expressed as the rate of decline of intragastric pressure in response to volume stimuli, was significantly enhanced by the TRPV2 activator probenecid, and the enhancement was inhibited by the TRPV2 inhibitor tranilast. GE was significantly accelerated by TRPV2 agonist applications, and the probenecid-induced enhancement was significantly inhibited by tranilast coapplication. Mechanosensitive TRPV2 was expressed in inhibitory motor neurons in the mouse stomach and contributed to GAR and GE. TRPV2 may be a promising target for FD patients with impaired GAR.

Immunization delivery in the second year of life in Ghana: the need for a multi-faceted approach.

PubMed

Nyaku, Mawuli; Wardle, Melissa; Eng, Jodi Vanden; Ametewee, Lynnette; Bonsu, George; Larbi Opare, Joseph Kwadwo; Conklin, Laura

2017-01-01

in 2012, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus vaccine and a second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) were introduced into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Ghana. According to Ghana's EPI schedule, PCV and rotavirus vaccine are given in the first year of life and MCV2 in the second year of life (2YL) at 18 months. Although coverage with the last doses of PCV and rotavirus vaccine reached almost 90% coverage within four years of introduction, MCV2 coverage did not rise above 70%. The World Health Organization Global Measles and Rubella Strategic Plan established a 2020 milestone to achieve at least 95% coverage with the first and second doses of measles-containing vaccine in each district and nationally. We developed a project to address challenges to delivery of immunizations and other child health services at the 18-month visit and throughout the 2YL. from March to April 2016, we conducted a cluster survey of households (HHs) with children 24-35 months of age in three regions in Ghana to assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among caregivers about immunization during the 2YL and to collect childhood vaccination history data using vaccination cards. Three independent samples were selected from the Northern (NR), Volta (VR), and Greater Accra (GAR) regions. A survey and direct observations were performed a ta representative sample of health facilities (HFs) providing immunization services in the same regions to further characterize barriers to immunization access, utilization and delivery in the 2YL. data on a total of 464 children ages 24-35 months were collected in the HH survey: 211 in NR, 153 in VR, and 100 in GAR (response rate > 99%). First dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) coverage was (NR: 87%, VR: 96%, GAR: 99%); however, MCV2 coverage was lower (NR: 60%, VR: 83%, GAR: 70%). MCV1 to MCV2 dropout was 32% in NR, 14% in VR, and 31% in GAR. Caregiver awareness of immunization against measles was 69% in NR, 75% in VR, and

Global antioxidant response of meat.

PubMed

Carrillo, Celia; Barrio, Ángela; Del Mar Cavia, María; Alonso-Torre, Sara

2017-06-01

The global antioxidant response (GAR) method uses an enzymatic digestion to release antioxidants from foods. Owing to the importance of digestion for protein breakdown and subsequent release of bioactive compounds, the aim of the present study was to compare the GAR method for meat with the existing methodologies: the extraction-based method and QUENCHER. Seven fresh meats were analyzed using ABTS and FRAP assays. Our results indicated that the GAR of meat was higher than the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assessed with the traditional extraction-based method. When evaluated with GAR, the thermal treatment led to an increase in the TAC of the soluble fraction, contrasting with a decreased TAC after cooking measured using the extraction-based method. The effect of thermal treatment on the TAC assessed by the QUENCHER method seemed to be dependent on the assay applied, since results from ABTS differed from FRAP. Our results allow us to hypothesize that the activation of latent bioactive peptides along the gastrointestinal tract should be taken into consideration when evaluating the TAC of meat. Therefore, we conclude that the GAR method may be more appropriate for assessing the TAC of meat than the existing, most commonly used methods. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Recombinant expression of Garlic virus C (GARV-C) capsid protein in insect cells and its potential for the production of specific antibodies.

PubMed

Alves-Júnior, Miguel; Menezes Marraccini, Fernanda; Melo Filho, Péricles de Albuquerque; Nepomuceno Dusi, André; Pio-Ribeiro, Gilvan; Morais Ribeiro, Bergmann

2008-01-01

Garlic cultivars in Brazil are infected by a complex of viruses and for some virus species, such as the allexivirus, purification of the virions is sometimes cumbersume. To overcome this problem, recombinant expression of viral proteins in heterologous systems is an alternative method for producing antibodies. The capsid gene from Garlic virus C (GarV-C), an Allexivirus, was inserted into the genome of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) generating the recombinant virus vSynGarV-C. The recombinant protein expression was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western-blot of extracts from recombinant virus infected insect cells, where a protein band of approximately 32KDa was observed only in extracts from recombinant infected cells. This protein corresponded to the predicted size of the capsid protein of the GarV-C. A rabbit polyclonal antibody was raised against this protein, shown to be specific for the GarV-C protein in western-blot and dot-Elisa, however with a low titer.

Immunization delivery in the second year of life in Ghana: the need for a multi-faceted approach

PubMed Central

Nyaku, Mawuli; Wardle, Melissa; Eng, Jodi Vanden; Ametewee, Lynnette; Bonsu, George; Larbi Opare, Joseph Kwadwo; Conklin, Laura

2017-01-01

Introduction in 2012, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), rotavirus vaccine and a second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) were introduced into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Ghana. According to Ghana’s EPI schedule, PCV and rotavirus vaccine are given in the first year of life and MCV2 in the second year of life (2YL) at 18 months. Although coverage with the last doses of PCV and rotavirus vaccine reached almost 90% coverage within four years of introduction, MCV2 coverage did not rise above 70%. The World Health Organization Global Measles and Rubella Strategic Plan established a 2020 milestone to achieve at least 95% coverage with the first and second doses of measles-containing vaccine in each district and nationally. We developed a project to address challenges to delivery of immunizations and other child health services at the 18-month visit and throughout the 2YL. Methods from March to April 2016, we conducted a cluster survey of households (HHs) with children 24-35 months of age in three regions in Ghana to assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among caregivers about immunization during the 2YL and to collect childhood vaccination history data using vaccination cards. Three independent samples were selected from the Northern (NR), Volta (VR), and Greater Accra (GAR) regions. A survey and direct observations were performed a ta representative sample of health facilities (HFs) providing immunization services in the same regions to further characterize barriers to immunization access, utilization and delivery in the 2YL. Results data on a total of 464 children ages 24-35 months were collected in the HH survey: 211 in NR, 153 in VR, and 100 in GAR (response rate > 99%). First dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) coverage was (NR: 87%, VR: 96%, GAR: 99%); however, MCV2 coverage was lower (NR: 60%, VR: 83%, GAR: 70%). MCV1 to MCV2 dropout was 32% in NR, 14% in VR, and 31% in GAR. Caregiver awareness of immunization against

Metabolite profile of a mouse model of Charcot–Marie–Tooth type 2D neuropathy: implications for disease mechanisms and interventions

PubMed Central

Bais, Preeti; Beebe, Kirk; Morelli, Kathryn H.; Currie, Meagan E.; Norberg, Sara N.; Evsikov, Alexei V.; Miers, Kathy E.; Seburn, Kevin L.; Guergueltcheva, Velina; Kremensky, Ivo; Jordanova, Albena; Bult, Carol J.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease encompasses a genetically heterogeneous class of heritable polyneuropathies that result in axonal degeneration in the peripheral nervous system. Charcot–Marie–Tooth type 2D neuropathy (CMT2D) is caused by dominant mutations in glycyl tRNA synthetase (GARS). Mutations in the mouse Gars gene result in a genetically and phenotypically valid animal model of CMT2D. How mutations in GARS lead to peripheral neuropathy remains controversial. To identify putative disease mechanisms, we compared metabolites isolated from the spinal cord of Gars mutant mice and their littermate controls. A profile of altered metabolites that distinguish the affected and unaffected tissue was determined. Ascorbic acid was decreased fourfold in the spinal cord of CMT2D mice, but was not altered in serum. Carnitine and its derivatives were also significantly reduced in spinal cord tissue of mutant mice, whereas glycine was elevated. Dietary supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine improved gross motor performance of CMT2D mice, but neither acetyl-L-carnitine nor glycine supplementation altered the parameters directly assessing neuropathy. Other metabolite changes suggestive of liver and kidney dysfunction in the CMT2D mice were validated using clinical blood chemistry. These effects were not secondary to the neuromuscular phenotype, as determined by comparison with another, genetically unrelated mouse strain with similar neuromuscular dysfunction. However, these changes do not seem to be causative or consistent metabolites of CMT2D, because they were not observed in a second mouse Gars allele or in serum samples from CMT2D patients. Therefore, the metabolite ‘fingerprint’ we have identified for CMT2D improves our understanding of cellular biochemical changes associated with GARS mutations, but identification of efficacious treatment strategies and elucidation of the disease mechanism will require additional studies. PMID:27288508

Effects of garlic and juniper berry essential oils on ruminal fermentation and on the site and extent of digestion in lactating cows.

PubMed

Yang, W Z; Benchaar, C; Ametaj, B N; Chaves, A V; He, M L; McAllister, T A

2007-12-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding essential oils from garlic (GAR) and juniper berry (JUN), or monensin (MO) on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, the site and extent of digestion, microbial protein synthesis, milk production, and immune status in dairy cows. Four midlactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods and 4 treatments: control (no additive), MO (330 mg/cow per d), GAR (5 g/cow per d), and JUN (2 g/cow per d). Cows were fed ad libitum a TMR consisting of 40% forage and 60% barley-based concentrate. Dry matter intake averaged 20.4 kg/d and was not affected by dietary additives. Total tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, fiber, and starch were not affected by experimental treatments. However, ruminal digestibilities of dry matter and organic matter were higher (+13%) for GAR and JUN than for the control diet, mainly because of increased crude protein digestion in the rumen. Feeding GAR and JUN increased ruminal digestion of dietary protein by 11% as compared with the control. In contrast, ruminal digestion of dietary protein was reduced by 11% with MO as compared with the control. Milk fat content was lower for MO (2.68%) than for the GAR (3.46%), JUN (3.40%), and control (3.14%) diets. No effects of GAR, JUN, or MO were observed on milk production, ruminal microbial protein synthesis, ruminal pH, and ruminal concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia N. The total and differential numbers of white blood cells as well as serum amyloid A and haptoglobin were not affected by the treatments, suggesting that additives had no effect on the immune status of cows. Results of this study indicate that supplementing dairy cows with GAR (5 g/d) and JUN (2 g/d) essential oils improved feed digestibility in the rumen, but possibly at the expense of a reduction in the flow of bypass protein to the small intestine. Feeding monensin could

Binding effect of fluorescence labeled glycyrrhetinic acid with GA receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

PubMed

Sun, Yu-Qi; Dai, Chun-Mei; Zheng, Yan; Shi, Shu-Dan; Hu, Hai-Yang; Chen, Da-Wei

2017-11-01

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is a natural active component from licorice, which is broadly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Lots of glycyrrhetinic acid receptors (GA-R) are proved to locate on the surface of liver cells. Many reports about the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment were dependent on GA modified carriers. However, the reality of GA-R in HCC cells was not clear. In this paper, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) was labeled with fluorescence (FITC) by chemical synthesis. Together with the binding effect of fluorescence labeled glycyrrhetinic acid (FITC-GA), the competitive action of 18β-GA with GA-R was investigated in HCC cells. The results showed that in HepG2 cells, 18β-GA and FITC-GA presented similar cytotoxicity. The specific binding saturation of GA showed the dissociation constant (K d ) was 7.457±2.122pmol/L and the maximum binding counts (B max ) was 2.385±0.175pmol/2.5×10 6 cells, respectively. FITC-GA bound to cytomembrane specifically and 18β-GA competed to bind the sites significantly in HepG2 cells. Therefore, there is binding effect between fluorescence labeled GA and GA-R. The GA-R on HCC cells is confirmed as expected, which provides a useful reference of active target modified by GA and a novel approach for receptors and ligands study. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Temperature-Dependent Function of the Glutamine Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate Amidotransferase Ammonia Channel and Coupling with Glycinamide Ribonucleotide Synthetase in a Hyperthermophile†

PubMed Central

Bera, Aloke Kumar; Chen, Sihong; Smith, Janet L.; Zalkin, Howard

2000-01-01

Genes encoding glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase (GPAT) and glycinamide ribonucleotide synthetase (GARS) from Aquifex aeolicus were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzymes were purified to near homogeneity. Both enzymes were maximally active at a temperature of at least 90°C, with half-lives of 65 min for GPAT and 60 h for GARS at 80°C. GPAT activity is known to depend upon channeling of NH3 from a site in an N-terminal glutaminase domain to a distal phosphoribosylpyrophosphate site in a C-terminal domain where synthesis of phosphoribosylamine (PRA) takes place. The efficiency of channeling of NH3 for synthesis of PRA was found to increase from 34% at 37°C to a maximum of 84% at 80°C. The mechanism for transfer of PRA to GARS is not established, but diffusion between enzymes as a free intermediate appears unlikely based on a calculated PRA half-life of approximately 0.6 s at 90°C. Evidence was obtained for coupling between GPAT and GARS for PRA transfer. The coupling was temperature dependent, exhibiting a transition between 37 and 50°C, and remained relatively constant up to 90°C. The calculated PRA chemical half-life, however, decreased by a factor of 20 over this temperature range. These results provide evidence that coupling involves direct PRA transfer through GPAT-GARS interaction rather than free diffusion. PMID:10850988

Temperature-dependent function of the glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase ammonia channel and coupling with glycinamide ribonucleotide synthetase in a hyperthermophile.

PubMed

Bera, A K; Chen, S; Smith, J L; Zalkin, H

2000-07-01

Genes encoding glutamine phosphoribosylpyrophosphate amidotransferase (GPAT) and glycinamide ribonucleotide synthetase (GARS) from Aquifex aeolicus were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzymes were purified to near homogeneity. Both enzymes were maximally active at a temperature of at least 90 degrees C, with half-lives of 65 min for GPAT and 60 h for GARS at 80 degrees C. GPAT activity is known to depend upon channeling of NH(3) from a site in an N-terminal glutaminase domain to a distal phosphoribosylpyrophosphate site in a C-terminal domain where synthesis of phosphoribosylamine (PRA) takes place. The efficiency of channeling of NH(3) for synthesis of PRA was found to increase from 34% at 37 degrees C to a maximum of 84% at 80 degrees C. The mechanism for transfer of PRA to GARS is not established, but diffusion between enzymes as a free intermediate appears unlikely based on a calculated PRA half-life of approximately 0.6 s at 90 degrees C. Evidence was obtained for coupling between GPAT and GARS for PRA transfer. The coupling was temperature dependent, exhibiting a transition between 37 and 50 degrees C, and remained relatively constant up to 90 degrees C. The calculated PRA chemical half-life, however, decreased by a factor of 20 over this temperature range. These results provide evidence that coupling involves direct PRA transfer through GPAT-GARS interaction rather than free diffusion.

Simultaneous detection of four garlic viruses by multiplex reverse transcription PCR and their distribution in Indian garlic accessions.

PubMed

Majumder, S; Baranwal, V K

2014-06-01

Indian garlic is infected with Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV), Shallot latent virus (SLV), Garlic common latent virus (GarCLV) and allexiviruses. Identity and distribution of garlic viruses in various garlic accessions from different geographical regions of India were investigated. OYDV and allexiviruses were observed in all the garlic accessions, while SLV and GarCLV were observed only in a few accessions. A multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method was developed for the simultaneous detection and identification of OYDV, SLV, GarCLV and Allexivirus infecting garlic accessions in India. This multiplex protocol standardized in this study will be useful in indexing of garlic viruses and production of virus free seed material. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of garlic oil and four of its compounds on rumen microbial fermentation.

PubMed

Busquet, M; Calsamiglia, S; Ferret, A; Carro, M D; Kamel, C

2005-12-01

Different concentrations (3, 30, 300, and 3000 mg/L of culture fluid) of garlic oil (GAR), diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DAD), allicin (ALL), and allyl mercaptan (ALM) were incubated for 24 h in diluted ruminal fluid with a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet (17.7% crude protein; 30.7% neutral detergent fiber) to evaluate their effects on rumen microbial fermentation. Garlic oil (30 and 300 mg/L), DAD (30 and 300 mg/L), and ALM (300 mg/L) resulted in lower molar proportion of acetate and higher proportions of propionate and butyrate. In contrast, at 300 mg/L, DAS only increased the proportion of butyrate, and ALL had no effects on volatile fatty acid proportions. In a dual-flow continuous culture of rumen fluid fed the same 50:50 forage:concentrate diet, addition of GAR (312 mg/L), DAD (31.2 and 312 mg/L), and ALM (31.2 and 312 mg/L) resulted in similar changes to those observed in batch culture, with the exception of the lack of effect of DAD on the proportion of propionate. In a third in vitro study, the potential of GAR (300 mg/L), DAD (300 mg/L), and ALM (300 mg/L) to decrease methane production was evaluated. Treatments GAR, DAD, and ALM resulted in a decrease in methane production of 73.6, 68.5, and 19.5%, respectively, compared with the control. These results confirm the ability of GAR, DAD, and ALM to decrease methane production, which may help to improve the efficiency of energy use in the rumen.

Targeting functional fitness, hearing and health-related quality of life in older adults with hearing loss: Walk, Talk 'n' Listen, study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Lambert, Justin; Ghadry-Tavi, Rouzbeh; Knuff, Kate; Jutras, Marc; Siever, Jodi; Mick, Paul; Roque, Carolyn; Jones, Gareth; Little, Jonathan; Miller, Harry; Van Bergen, Colin; Kurtz, Donna; Murphy, Mary Ann; Jones, Charlotte Ann

2017-01-28

Hearing loss (HL) is a disability associated with poorer health-related quality of life including an increased risk for loneliness, isolation, functional fitness declines, falls, hospitalization and premature mortality. The purpose of this pilot trial is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a novel intervention to reduce loneliness, improve functional fitness, social connectedness, hearing and health-related quality of life in older adults with HL. This 10-week, single-blind, pilot randomized control trial (RCT) will include a convenience sample of ambulatory adults aged 65 years or older with self-reported HL. Following baseline assessments, participants will be randomized to either intervention (exercise, health education, socialization and group auditory rehabilitation (GAR)) or control (GAR only) groups. The intervention group will attend a local YMCA twice a week and the control group once a week. Intervention sessions will include 45 min of strengthening, balance and resistance exercises, 30 min of group walking at a self-selected pace and 60 min of interactive health education or GAR. The control group will attend 60-min GAR sessions. GAR sessions will include education about hearing, hearing technologies, enhancing communication skills, and psychosocial support. Pre-post trial data collection and measures will include: functional fitness (gait speed, 30-s Sit to Stand Test), hearing and health-related quality of life, loneliness, depression, social participation and social support. At trial end, feasibility (recruitment, randomization, retention, acceptability) and GAR will be evaluated. Despite evidence suggesting that HL is associated with declines in functional fitness, there are no studies aimed at addressing functional fitness declines associated with the disability of HL. This pilot trial will provide knowledge about the physical, mental and social impacts on health related to HL as a disability. This will inform the feasibility of a

Caractéristiques cliniques des jeunes déprimés en pédopsychiatrie

PubMed Central

Breton, Jean-Jacques; Labelle, Réal; Huynh, Christophe; Berthiaume, Claude; St-Georges, Marie; Guilé, Jean-Marc

2012-01-01

Résumé Objectif Décrire le profil clinique de jeunes déprimés selon le groupe d’âge et le sexe. Méthodologie L’étude a été réalisée à l’aide d’une grille d’analyse sur 75 dossiers de jeunes de 6–17 ans enregistrés en pédopsychiatrie en 2002–2003 et présentant un diagnostic de trouble dépressif. Des statistiques descriptives et des tests d’association pour comparer les garçons 6–11 ans, les garçons 12–17 ans et les filles 12–17 ans ont été complétés. Résultats Un jeune sur deux à l’adolescence a doublé une année scolaire. Près de 60% des garçons de 6–11 ans déprimés sont dirigés en pédopsychiatrie pour des difficultés comportementales et 71% des garçons de ce groupe d’âge présentent un trouble dépressif en comorbidité avec un trouble du comportement perturbateur. Les filles et garçons à l’adolescence présentent en plus grande proportion une symptomatologie intériorisée. Les idées suicidaires sont cependant aussi présentes chez les enfants (71%) que chez les adolescents (72%) et les adolescentes (85%). Les problèmes parent-enfant se retrouvent chez la majorité des jeunes, particulièrement chez les adolescentes. Conclusion Il est tout aussi important d’évaluer la dépression et l’idéation suicidaire chez les jeunes garçons avec troubles de comportement que chez les adolescents et les adolescentes et la dimension familiale est importante à considérer dans l’évaluation et le traitement. PMID:22299011

Evolutionary appearance of genes encoding proteins associated with box H/ACA snoRNAs: Cbf5p in Euglena gracilis, an early diverging eukaryote, and candidate Gar1p and Nop10p homologs in archaebacteria

PubMed Central

Watanabe, Yoh-ichi; Gray, Michael W.

2000-01-01

A reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) approach was used to clone a cDNA encoding the Euglena gracilis homolog of yeast Cbf5p, a protein component of the box H/ACA class of snoRNPs that mediate pseudouridine formation in eukaryotic rRNA. Cbf5p is a putative pseudouridine synthase, and the Euglena homolog is the first full-length Cbf5p sequence to be reported for an early diverging unicellular eukaryote (protist). Phylogenetic analysis of putative pseudouridine synthase sequences confirms that archaebacterial and eukaryotic (including Euglena) Cbf5p proteins are specifically related and are distinct from the TruB/Pus4p clade that is responsible for formation of pseudouridine at position 55 in eubacterial (TruB) and eukaryotic (Pus4p) tRNAs. Using a bioinformatics approach, we also identified archaebacterial genes encoding candidate homologs of yeast Gar1p and Nop10p, two additional proteins known to be associated with eukaryotic box H/ACA snoRNPs. These observations raise the possibility that pseudouridine formation in archaebacterial rRNA may be dependent on analogs of the eukaryotic box H/ACA snoRNPs, whose evolutionary origin may therefore predate the split between Archaea (archaebacteria) and Eucarya (eukaryotes). Database searches further revealed, in archaebacterial and some eukaryotic genomes, two previously unrecognized groups of genes (here designated ‘PsuX’ and ‘PsuY’) distantly related to the Cbf5p/TruB gene family. PMID:10871366

Spatial and Temporal Population Genetics at Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents Along the East Pacific Rise and Galapagos Rift

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

locality and moment in time. The present composition of alleles within a population establishes its future course of persistence or extinction, adaptation ...Calyptogena magnified NEPR, GAR 3,340 17,n,c 0.016 No5’’ nonplanktotrophic"’ short Gastropods Eulepetop.si.s vilrea NEPR, GAR 3,340 10 0.059 No...Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA. Adams DK, Mullineaux LS (2008) Supply of gastropod larvae to hydrothermal vents

Aluminum powder metallurgy processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flumerfelt, Joel Fredrick

In recent years, the aluminum powder industry has expanded into non-aerospace applications. However, the alumina and aluminum hydroxide in the surface oxide film on aluminum powder require high cost powder processing routes. A driving force for this research is to broaden the knowledge base about aluminum powder metallurgy to provide ideas for fabricating low cost aluminum powder components. The objective of this dissertation is to explore the hypothesis that there is a strong linkage between gas atomization processing conditions, as-atomized aluminum powder characteristics, and the consolidation methodology required to make components from aluminum powder. The hypothesis was tested with pure aluminum powders produced by commercial air atomization commercial inert gas atomization and gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS). The commercial atomization methods are bench marks of current aluminum powder technology. The GARS process is a laboratory scale inert gas atomization facility. A benefit of using pure aluminum powders is an unambiguous interpretation of the results without considering the effects of alloy elements. A comparison of the GARS aluminum powders with the commercial aluminum powders showed the former to exhibit superior powder characteristics. The powders were compared in terms of size and shape, bulk chemistry, surface oxide chemistry and structure, and oxide film thickness. Minimum explosive concentration measurements assessed the dependence of explosibility hazard on surface area, oxide film thickness, and gas atomization processing conditions. The GARS aluminum powders were exposed to different relative humidity levels, demonstrating the effect of atmospheric conditions on post-atomization oxidation of aluminum powder. An Al-Ti-Y GARS alloy exposed in ambient air at different temperatures revealed the effect of reactive alloy elements on post-atomization powder oxidation. The pure aluminum powders were consolidated by two different routes, a

The psychometric properties of three self-report screening instruments for identifying frail older people in the community

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Frailty is highly prevalent in older people. Its serious adverse consequences, such as disability, are considered to be a public health problem. Therefore, disability prevention in community-dwelling frail older people is considered to be a priority for research and clinical practice in geriatric care. With regard to disability prevention, valid screening instruments are needed to identify frail older people in time. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the psychometric properties of three screening instruments: the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and the Sherbrooke Postal Questionnaire (SPQ). For validation purposes the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) was added. Methods A questionnaire was sent to 687 community-dwelling older people (≥ 70 years). Agreement between instruments, internal consistency, and construct validity of instruments were evaluated and compared. Results The response rate was 77%. Prevalence estimates of frailty ranged from 40% to 59%. The highest agreement was found between the GFI and the TFI (Cohen's kappa = 0.74). Cronbach's alpha for the GFI, the TFI and the SPQ was 0.73, 0.79 and 0.26, respectively. Scores on the three instruments correlated significantly with each other (GFI - TFI, r = 0.87; GFI - SPQ, r = 0.47; TFI - SPQ, r = 0.42) and with the GARS (GFI - GARS, r = 0.57; TFI - GARS, r = 0.61; SPQ - GARS, r = 0.46). The GFI and the TFI scores were, as expected, significantly related to age, sex, education and income. Conclusions The GFI and the TFI showed high internal consistency and construct validity in contrast to the SPQ. Based on these findings it is not yet possible to conclude whether the GFI or the TFI should be preferred; data on the predictive values of both instruments are needed. The SPQ seems less appropriate for postal screening of frailty among community-dwelling older people. PMID:20353611

In Vitro Assembly of Human H/ACA Small Nucleolar RNPs Reveals Unique Features of U17 and Telomerase RNAs

PubMed Central

Dragon, François; Pogačić, Vanda; Filipowicz, Witold

2000-01-01

The H/ACA small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are involved in pseudouridylation of pre-rRNAs. They usually fold into a two-domain hairpin-hinge-hairpin-tail structure, with the conserved motifs H and ACA located in the hinge and tail, respectively. Synthetic RNA transcripts and extracts from HeLa cells were used to reconstitute human U17 and other H/ACA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) in vitro. Competition and UV cross-linking experiments showed that proteins of about 60, 29, 23, and 14 kDa interact specifically with U17 RNA. Except for U17, RNPs could be reconstituted only with full-length H/ACA snoRNAs. For U17, the 3′-terminal stem-loop followed by box ACA (U17/3′st) was sufficient to form an RNP, and U17/3′st could compete other full-length H/ACA snoRNAs for assembly. The H/ACA-like domain that constitutes the 3′ moiety of human telomerase RNA (hTR), and its 3′-terminal stem-loop (hTR/3′st), also could form an RNP by binding H/ACA proteins. Hence, the 3′-terminal stem-loops of U17 and hTR have some specific features that distinguish them from other H/ACA RNAs. Antibodies that specifically recognize the human GAR1 (hGAR1) protein could immunoprecipitate H/ACA snoRNAs and hTR from HeLa cell extracts, which demonstrates that hGAR1 is a component of H/ACA snoRNPs and telomerase in vivo. Moreover, we show that in vitro-reconstituted RNPs contain hGAR1 and that binding of hGAR1 does not appear to be a prerequisite for the assembly of the other H/ACA proteins. PMID:10757788

210Po in Nevada groundwater and its relation to gross alpha radioactivity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Seiler, R.L.

2011-01-01

Polonium-210 (210Po) is a highly toxic alpha emitter that is rarely found in groundwater at activities exceeding 1 pCi/L. 210Po activities in 63 domestic and public-supply wells in Lahontan Valley in Churchill County in northern Nevada, United States, ranged from 0.01 ± 0.005 to 178 ± 16 pCi/L with a median activity of 2.88 pCi/L. Wells with high 210Po activities had low dissolved oxygen concentrations (less than 0.1 mg/L) and commonly had pH greater than 9. Lead-210 activities are low and aqueous 210Po is unsupported by 210Pb, indicating that the 210Po is mobilized from aquifer sediments. The only significant contributors to alpha particle activity in Lahontan Valley groundwater are 234/238U, 222Rn, and 210Po. Radon-222 activities were below 1000 pCi/L and were uncorrelated with 210Po activity. The only applicable drinking water standard for 210Po in the United States is the adjusted gross alpha radioactivity (GAR) standard of 15 pCi/L. 210Po was not volatile in a Nevada well, but volatile 210Po has been reported in a Florida well. Additional information on the volatility of 210Po is needed because GAR is an inappropriate method to screen for volatile radionuclides. About 25% of the samples had 210Po activities that exceed the level associated with a lifetime total cancer risk of 1× 10−4 (1.1 pCi/L) without exceeding the GAR standard. In cases where the 72-h GAR exceeds the uranium activity by more than 5 to 10 pCi/L, an analysis to rule out the presence of 210Po may be justified to protect human health even though the maximum contaminant level for adjusted GAR is not exceeded.

Identification and Characterization of miRNA Transcriptome in Asiatic Cotton (Gossypium arboreum) Using High Throughput Sequencing

PubMed Central

Farooq, Muhammad; Mansoor, Shahid; Guo, Hui; Amin, Imran; Chee, Peng W.; Azim, M. Kamran; Paterson, Andrew H.

2017-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small 20–24nt molecules that have been well studied over the past decade due to their important regulatory roles in different cellular processes. The mature sequences are more conserved across vast phylogenetic scales than their precursors and some are conserved within entire kingdoms, hence, their loci and function can be predicted by homology searches. Different studies have been performed to elucidate miRNAs using de novo prediction methods but due to complex regulatory mechanisms or false positive in silico predictions, not all of them express in reality and sometimes computationally predicted mature transcripts differ from the actual expressed ones. With the availability of a complete genome sequence of Gossypium arboreum, it is important to annotate the genome for both coding and non-coding regions using high confidence transcript evidence, for this cotton species that is highly resistant to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Here we have analyzed the small RNA transcriptome of G. arboreum leaves and provided genome annotation of miRNAs with evidence from miRNA/miRNA∗ transcripts. A total of 446 miRNAs clustered into 224 miRNA families were found, among which 48 families are conserved in other plants and 176 are novel. Four short RNA libraries were used to shortlist best predictions based on high reads per million. The size, origin, copy numbers and transcript depth of all miRNAs along with their isoforms and targets has been reported. The highest gene copy number was observed for gar-miR7504 followed by gar-miR166, gar-miR8771, gar-miR156, and gar-miR7484. Altogether, 1274 target genes were found in G. arboreum that are enriched for 216 KEGG pathways. The resultant genomic annotations are provided in UCSC, BED format. PMID:28663752

210Po in nevada groundwater and its relation to gross alpha radioactivity.

PubMed

Seiler, Ralph L

2011-01-01

Polonium-210 ((210) Po) is a highly toxic alpha emitter that is rarely found in groundwater at activities exceeding 1 pCi/L. (210) Po activities in 63 domestic and public-supply wells in Lahontan Valley in Churchill County in northern Nevada, United States, ranged from 0.01 ± 0.005 to 178 ± 16 pCi/L with a median activity of 2.88 pCi/L. Wells with high (210) Po activities had low dissolved oxygen concentrations (less than 0.1 mg/L) and commonly had pH greater than 9. Lead-210 activities are low and aqueous (210) Po is unsupported by (210) Pb, indicating that the (210) Po is mobilized from aquifer sediments. The only significant contributors to alpha particle activity in Lahontan Valley groundwater are (234/238) U, (222) Rn, and (210) Po. Radon-222 activities were below 1000 pCi/L and were uncorrelated with (210) Po activity. The only applicable drinking water standard for (210) Po in the United States is the adjusted gross alpha radioactivity (GAR) standard of 15 pCi/L. (210) Po was not volatile in a Nevada well, but volatile (210) Po has been reported in a Florida well. Additional information on the volatility of (210) Po is needed because GAR is an inappropriate method to screen for volatile radionuclides. About 25% of the samples had (210) Po activities that exceed the level associated with a lifetime total cancer risk of 1× 10(-4) (1.1 pCi/L) without exceeding the GAR standard. In cases where the 72-h GAR exceeds the uranium activity by more than 5 to 10 pCi/L, an analysis to rule out the presence of (210) Po may be justified to protect human health even though the maximum contaminant level for adjusted GAR is not exceeded. Journal compilation © 2010 National Ground Water Association. No claim to original US government works.

Phenotypic Suppression of the Gibberellin-Insensitive Mutant (gai) of Arabidopsis.

PubMed Central

Wilson, R. N.; Somerville, C. R.

1995-01-01

The semidominant gibberellin-insensitive (gai) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana shows impairment in multiple responses to the plant hormone gibberellin A3, which include effects on seed germination, stem elongation, apical dominance, and rapid flowering in short days. Results presented here show that the gai mutation also interferes with development of fertile flowers in continuous light. Mu-tagenesis of the gai mutant resulted in recovery of 17 independent mutants in which the gibberellin-insensitive phenotype is partially or completely suppressed. Sixteen of the suppressor mutations act semidominantly to restore gibberellin responsiveness. One representative of this class, the gar1 mutation, could not be genetically separated from the gai locus and is proposed to cause inactivation of the gai gene. The exceptional gar2 mutation partially suppresses the gai phenotype, is completely dominant, and is not linked to the gai locus. The gar2 mutation may define a new gene involved in gibberellin signaling. A recessive allele of the spindly (SPY) locus, spy-5, was also found to partially suppress the gai mutant phenotype. PMID:12228487

Effectiveness of post‐match recovery strategies in rugby players

PubMed Central

Gill, N D; Beaven, C M; Cook, C

2006-01-01

Objectives To examine the effectiveness of four interventions on the rate and magnitude of muscle damage recovery, as measured by creatine kinase (CK). Methods 23 elite male rugby players were monitored transdermally before, immediately after, 36 hours after, and 84 hours after competitive rugby matches. Players were randomly assigned to complete one of four post‐match strategies: contrast water therapy (CWT), compression garment (GAR), low intensity active exercise (ACT), and passive recovery (PAS). Results Significant increases in CK activity in transdermal exudate were observed as a result of the rugby match (p<0.01). The magnitude of recovery in the PAS intervention was significantly worse than in the ACT, CWT, and GAR interventions at the 36 and 84 hour time points (p<0.05). Conclusions An enhanced rate and magnitude of recovery was observed in the ACT, CWT, and GAR treatment groups when compared with the PAS group. Low impact exercise immediately post‐competition, wearing compression garments, or carrying out contrast water therapy enhanced CK clearance more than passive recovery in young male athletes. PMID:16505085

Bathymetric contour maps of lakes surveyed in Iowa in 2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Linhart, S. Mike; Lund, Kris D.

2006-01-01

Bathymetric data were collected using a boat-mounted, differential global positioning system, echo depth-sounding equipment, and computer software. Data were processed with commercial hydrographic software and exported into a geographic information system for mapping and calculating area and volume. Lake volume estimates ranged from 83,924,000 cubic feet (1,930 acre-feet) at Lake Darling to 5,967,000 cubic feet (140 acre-feet) at Upper Gar Lake. Surface area estimates ranged from 10,660,000 square feet (240 acres) at Lake Darling to 1,557,000 square feet (36 acres) at Upper Gar Lake.

Revealing the underlying drivers of disaster risk: a global analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peduzzi, Pascal

2017-04-01

Disasters events are perfect examples of compound events. Disaster risk lies at the intersection of several independent components such as hazard, exposure and vulnerability. Understanding the weight of each component requires extensive standardisation. Here, I show how footprints of past disastrous events were generated using GIS modelling techniques and used for extracting population and economic exposures based on distribution models. Using past event losses, it was possible to identify and quantify a wide range of socio-politico-economic drivers associated with human vulnerability. The analysis was applied to about nine thousand individual past disastrous events covering earthquakes, floods and tropical cyclones. Using a multiple regression analysis on these individual events it was possible to quantify each risk component and assess how vulnerability is influenced by various hazard intensities. The results show that hazard intensity, exposure, poverty, governance as well as other underlying factors (e.g. remoteness) can explain the magnitude of past disasters. Analysis was also performed to highlight the role of future trends in population and climate change and how this may impacts exposure to tropical cyclones in the future. GIS models combined with statistical multiple regression analysis provided a powerful methodology to identify, quantify and model disaster risk taking into account its various components. The same methodology can be applied to various types of risk at local to global scale. This method was applied and developed for the Global Risk Analysis of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR). It was first applied on mortality risk in GAR 2009 and GAR 2011. New models ranging from global assets exposure and global flood hazard models were also recently developed to improve the resolution of the risk analysis and applied through CAPRA software to provide probabilistic economic risk assessments such as Average Annual Losses (AAL

Dysregulation of H/ACA ribonucleoprotein components in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Patricia Carolina; Panero, Julieta; Stanganelli, Carmen; Palau Nagore, Virginia; Stella, Flavia; Bezares, Raimundo; Slavutsky, Irma

2017-01-01

Telomeres are protective repeats of TTAGGG sequences located at the end of human chromosomes. They are essential to maintain chromosomal integrity and genome stability. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex containing an internal RNA template (hTR) and a catalytic subunit (hTERT). The human hTR gene consists of three major domains; among them the H/ACA domain is essential for telomere biogenesis. H/ACA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex is composed of four evolutionary conserved proteins, including dyskerin (encoded by DKC1 gene), NOP10, NHP2 and GAR1. In this study, we have evaluated the expression profile of the H/ACA RNP complex genes: DKC1, NOP10, NHP2 and GAR1, as well as hTERT and hTR mRNA levels, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Results were correlated with the number and type of genetic alteration detected by conventional cytogenetics and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization), IGHV (immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region) mutational status, telomere length (TL) and clinico-pathological characteristics of patients. Our results showed significant decreased expression of GAR1, NOP10, DKC1 and hTR, as well as increased mRNA levels of hTERT in patients compared to controls (p≤0.04). A positive correlation between the expression of GAR1-NHP2, GAR1-NOP10, and NOP10-NHP2 (p<0.0001), were observed. The analysis taking into account prognostic factors showed a significant increased expression of hTERT gene in unmutated-IGHV cases compared to mutated-CLL patients (p = 0.0185). The comparisons among FISH groups exhibited increased expression of DKC1 in cases with two or more alterations with respect to no abnormalities, trisomy 12 and del13q14, and of NHP2 and NOP10 compared to those with del13q14 (p = 0.03). The analysis according to TL showed a significant increased expression of hTERT (p = 0.0074) and DKC1 (p = 0.0036) in patients with short telomeres compared to those with long TL. No association between gene expression and clinical

The orphan G protein-coupled receptor 25 (GPR25) is activated by Apelin and Apela in non-mammalian vertebrates.

PubMed

Zhang, Jiannan; Wan, Yiping; Fang, Chao; Chen, Junan; Ouyang, Wangan; Li, Juan; Wang, Yajun

2018-06-22

G protein-coupled receptor 25 (GPR25) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor in vertebrates, that has been implicated to be associated with autoimmune diseases and regulate blood pressure in humans. However, the endogenous ligand of GPR25 remains unknown in vertebrates. Here, we reported that in non-mammalian vertebrates (zebrafish, spotted gars, and pigeons), GPR25 could be activated by Apelin and Apela peptides, which are also the two endogenous ligands of vertebrate Apelin receptor (APLNR). Using the pGL3-CRE-luciferase reporter assay and confocal microscopy, we first demonstrated that like APLNR, zebrafish GPR25 expressing in HEK293 cells could be effectively activated by zebrafish Apelin and Apela peptides, leading to the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP production and receptor internalization. Like zebrafish GPR25, pigeon and spotted gar GPR25 could also be activated by Apelin and Apela, and their activation could inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. Interestingly, unlike zebrafish (/spotted gar/pigeon) GPR25, human GPR25 could not be activated by Apelin and Apela under the same experimental conditions. RNA-seq analysis further revealed that GPR25 is expressed in a variety of tissues, including the testes and intestine of zebrafish/spotted gars/humans, implying the potential roles of GPR25 signaling in many physiological processes in vertebrates. Taken together, our data not only provides the first proof that the orphan receptor GPR25 possesses two potential ligands 'Apelin and Apela' and its activation decreases intracellular cAMP levels in non-mammalian vertebrates, but also facilitates to unravel the physiological roles of GPR25 signaling in vertebrates. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiple Arginine Residues Are Methylated in Drosophila Mre11 and Required for Survival Following Ionizing Radiation.

PubMed

Yuan, Qing; Tian, Ran; Zhao, Haiying; Li, Lijuan; Bi, Xiaolin

2018-05-31

Mre11 is a key player for DNA double strand break repair. Previous studies have shown that mammalian Mre11 is methylated at multiple arginines in its C-terminal Glycine-Arginine-Rich motif (GAR) by protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT1. Here, we found that the Drosophila Mre11 is methylated at arginines 559, 563, 565, and 569 in the GAR motif by DART1, the Drosophila homolog of PRMT1. Mre11 interacts with DART1 in S2 cells, and this interaction does not require the GAR motif. Arginines methylated Mre11 localizes exclusively in the nucleus as soluble nuclear protein or chromatin-binding protein. To study the in vivo functions of methylation, we generated the single Arg-Ala and all Arginines mutated flies. We found these mutants were sensitive to ionizing radiation. Furthermore, Arg-Ala mutated flies had no irradiation induced G2/M checkpoint defect in wing disc and eye disc. Thus, we provided evidence that arginines in Drosophila Mre11 are methylated by DART1 methytransferase and flies loss of arginine methylation are sensitive to irradiation. Copyright © 2018 Yuan et al.

RAxML-VI-HPC: maximum likelihood-based phylogenetic analyses with thousands of taxa and mixed models.

PubMed

Stamatakis, Alexandros

2006-11-01

RAxML-VI-HPC (randomized axelerated maximum likelihood for high performance computing) is a sequential and parallel program for inference of large phylogenies with maximum likelihood (ML). Low-level technical optimizations, a modification of the search algorithm, and the use of the GTR+CAT approximation as replacement for GTR+Gamma yield a program that is between 2.7 and 52 times faster than the previous version of RAxML. A large-scale performance comparison with GARLI, PHYML, IQPNNI and MrBayes on real data containing 1000 up to 6722 taxa shows that RAxML requires at least 5.6 times less main memory and yields better trees in similar times than the best competing program (GARLI) on datasets up to 2500 taxa. On datasets > or =4000 taxa it also runs 2-3 times faster than GARLI. RAxML has been parallelized with MPI to conduct parallel multiple bootstraps and inferences on distinct starting trees. The program has been used to compute ML trees on two of the largest alignments to date containing 25,057 (1463 bp) and 2182 (51,089 bp) taxa, respectively. icwww.epfl.ch/~stamatak

Urinary fluoride levels and prevalence of dental fluorosis in three Brazilian cities with different fluoride concentrations in the drinking water.

PubMed

Heintze, S D; Bastos, J R; Bastos, R

1998-10-01

Urine samples from three daytime periods were collected from 545 5-50-year-old residents of three different Brazilian cities: Garça had fluoridated drinking water since 1973, Bauru since 1975 and Itápolis was not fluoridated. Dental fluorosis was examined in 985 5-24-year-olds using the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index (TF). The subjects were asked to estimate their daily intake of liquids and frequency of beverage consumption. The analysis of 94 water samples showed high variations in the fluoride content of the drinking water. The mean fluoride concentration of the water samples in Garça was 0.9 mg/L (range 0.75-1.2), in Bauru 0.64 mg/L (range 0.01-1.3), and in Itápolis 0.02 mg/L. Mean urinary fluoride concentration was 1.31 mg/L (s 0.61) in Garça, 0.88 mg/L (s 0.49) in Bauru, and 0.39 mg/L (s 0.21) in Itápolis. Self-reported daily liquid intake was not related to urinary fluoride concentration. The mean prevalence of fluorosis was 13.3% in Garça, 6.8% in Bauru, and 1.7% in Itápolis, with mainly categories TF 1 and TF 2 being recorded. Subjects with dental fluorosis tended to show a higher mean urinary fluoride concentration but the difference was not statistically significant. The study showed that fluoride exposure measured by urinary fluoride excretion was within the range expected for the level of fluoride concentration in the drinking water. However, enamel fluorosis tended to be markedly lower than expected. This study revealed that fluoride levels in the two cities with fluoridated drinking water were variable. To optimise anticaries benefits and minimise the risk of fluorosis greater control of the fluoride dosing of the drinking water is required.

Folate-Dependent Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis in Humans.

PubMed

Baggott, Joseph E; Tamura, Tsunenobu

2015-09-01

Purine nucleotide biosynthesis de novo (PNB) requires 2 folate-dependent transformylases-5'-phosphoribosyl-glycinamide (GAR) and 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICAR) transformylases-to introduce carbon 8 (C8) and carbon 2 (C2) into the purine ring. Both transformylases utilize 10-formyltetrahydrofolate (10-formyl-H4folate), where the formyl-carbon sources include ring-2-C of histidine, 3-C of serine, 2-C of glycine, and formate. Our findings in human studies indicate that glycine provides the carbon for GAR transformylase (exclusively C8), whereas histidine and formate are the predominant carbon sources for AICAR transformylase (C2). Contrary to the previous notion, these carbon sources may not supply a general 10-formyl-H4folate pool, which was believed to equally provide carbons to C8 and C2. To explain these phenomena, we postulate that GAR transformylase is in a complex with the trifunctional folate-metabolizing enzyme (TFM) and serine hydroxymethyltransferase to channel carbons of glycine and serine to C8. There is no evidence for channeling carbons of histidine and formate to AICAR transformylase (C2). GAR transformylase may require the TFM to furnish 10-formyl-H4folate immediately after its production from serine to protect its oxidation to 10-formyldihydrofolate (10-formyl-H2folate), whereas AICAR transformylase can utilize both 10-formyl-H2folate and 10-formyl-H4folate. Human liver may supply AICAR to AICAR transformylase in erythrocytes/erythroblasts. Incorporation of ring-2-C of histidine and formate into C2 of urinary uric acid presented a circadian rhythm with a peak in the morning, which corresponds to the maximum DNA synthesis in the bone marrow, and it may be useful in the timing of the administration of drugs that block PNB for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. © 2015 American Society for Nutrition.

Fermentative production of l-galactonate by using recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing the endogenous galacturonate reductase gene from Cryptococcus diffluens.

PubMed

Matsubara, Takeo; Hamada, Shohei; Wakabayashi, Ayaka; Kishida, Masao

2016-11-01

The GAR1 gene, encoding d-galacturonate reductase in Cryptococcus diffluens, was isolated, and the GAR1-expression plasmid was constructed by insertion of GAR1 downstream of the yeast constitutive promoter in the yeast-integrating vector. Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing C. diffluensd-galacturonate reductase from a genome integrated copy of the gene was cultured for use the conversion of d-galacturonic acid to l-galactonic acid. The optimum conditions for l-galactonic acid production were determined in terms of the initial concentration of d-galacturonic acid, fermentation pH, and mixed sugars. The following conditions yielded high efficiency in the conversion of d-galacturonic acid to l-galactonic acid in large-scale cultures: 0.1% initial d-galacturonic acid concentration, pH 3.5, and glucose as additional sugar. The aerobic condition was necessary for the conversion of d-galacturonic acid. Subculture of that recombinant was not showing to decrease of the d-galacturonic acid conversion rate even though it was repeated in ten generations. Culturing in scale-up, the conversion rate of d-galacturonic acid to l-galactonic acid was increased. Copyright © 2016 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Behavioral impact of neurotransmitter-activated GPCRs: Muscarinic and GABAB receptors regulate C. elegans locomotion

PubMed Central

Dittman, Jeremy S; Kaplan, Joshua M

2008-01-01

Neurotransmitter released from presynaptic terminals activates both ligand-gated ion channels (ionotropic receptors) and a variety of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These neurotransmitter receptors are expressed on both pre- and postsynaptic cells. Thus, each neurotransmitter acts on multiple receptor classes, generating a large repertoire of physiological responses. The impact of many ionotropic receptors on neuronal activity and behavior has been clearly elucidated; however, much less is known about how neurotransmitter-gated GPCRs regulate neurons and circuits. In C. elegans, both Acetylcholine (ACh) and GABA are released in the nerve cord and mediate fast neuromuscular excitation and inhibition during locomotion. Here we identify a muscarinic receptor (GAR-2) and the GABAB receptor dimer (GBB-1/2) that detect synaptically released ACh and GABA, respectively. Both GAR-2 and GBB-1/2 inhibited cholinergic motor neurons when ACh and GABA levels were enhanced. Loss of either GPCR resulted in movement defects, suggesting that these receptors are activated during locomotion. When the negative feedback provided by GAR-2 was replaced with positive feedback, animals became highly sensitive to ACh levels and locomotion was severely impaired. Thus, conserved GPCRs act in the nematode motor circuit to provide negative feedback and to regulate locomotory behaviors that underlie navigation. PMID:18614679

Characterization of the microtubule binding domain of microtubule actin crosslinking factor (MACF): identification of a novel group of microtubule associated proteins.

PubMed

Sun, D; Leung, C L; Liem, R K

2001-01-01

MACF (microtubule actin cross-linking factor) is a large, 608-kDa protein that can associate with both actin microfilaments and microtubules (MTs). Structurally, MACF can be divided into 3 domains: an N-terminal domain that contains both a calponin type actin-binding domain and a plakin domain; a rod domain that is composed of 23 dystrophin-like spectrin repeats; and a C-terminal domain that includes two EF-hand calcium-binding motifs, as well as a region that is homologous to two related proteins, GAR22 and Gas2. We have previously demonstrated that the C-terminal domain of MACF binds to MTs, although no homology was observed between this domain and other known microtubule-binding proteins. In this report, we describe the characterization of this microtubule-binding domain of MACF by transient transfection studies and in vitro binding assays. We found that the C-terminus of MACF contains at least two microtubule-binding regions, a GAR domain and a domain containing glycine-serine-arginine (GSR) repeats. In transfected cells, the GAR domain bound to and partially stabilized MTs to depolymerization by nocodazole. The GSR-containing domain caused MTs to form bundles that are still sensitive to nocodazole-induced depolymerization. When present together, these two domains acted in concert to bundle MTs and render them stable to nocodazole treatment. Recently, a study has shown that the N-terminal half of the plakin domain (called the M1 domain) of MACF also binds MTs. We therefore examined the microtubule binding ability of the M1 domain in the context of the entire plakin domain with and without the remaining N-terminal regions of two different MACF isoforms. Interestingly, in the presence of the surrounding sequences, the M1 domain did not bind MTs. In addition to MACF, cDNA sequences encoding the GAR and GSR-containing domains are also found in the partial human EST clone KIAA0728, which has high sequence homology to the 3' end of the MACF cDNA; hence, we refer to

Profil pressionnel de l’adolescent en milieu scolaire à Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo

PubMed Central

Kakoma, Placide Kambola; Muyumba, Emmanuel Kiyana; Mukeng, Clarence Kaut; Musung, Jaques Mbaz; Kakisingi, Christian Ngama; Mukuku, Olivier; Nkulu, Dophra Ngoy

2018-01-01

Introduction L'objectif de cette étude était de donner le profil de la pression artérielle (PA) des adolescents âgés de 15 à 19 ans en milieu scolaire à Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo. Méthodes il s'agit d'une étude transversale, portant sur les adolescents âgés de 15 à 19 ans au moyen d'un échantillonnage aléatoire des écoles secondaires de Lubumbashi durant les années scolaires 2013-2014, 2014-2015 et 2015-2016. Trois mesures de PA étaient effectuées le même jour. Résultats 1766 adolescents âgés de 15-19 ans ont été inclus parmi eux 995 étaient de sexe féminin et 771 garçons. Les garçons avaient significativement une pression artérielle systolique élevée que les filles dans les tranches d'âges de 17, 18 et 19 ans. La pression artérielle diastolique n'était pas différente statistiquement dans toutes les tranches d'âges dans les deux sexes. Par contre, dans les deux sexes, la pression artérielle systolique été en corrélation significative avec le poids, la taille, l'indice de masse corporelle, le tour de taille et la fréquence cardiaque. Quant à la pression artérielle diastolique, des corrélations significatives étaient retrouvées avec le poids et l'indice de masse corporelle chez les filles alors que la fréquence cardiaque était en corrélation significative dans les deux sexes. Discussion Au cours de notre étude, il était question de déterminer les valeurs moyennes de PA et sa corrélation avec les paramètres anthropométriques, la FC et le poids de naissance chez les adolescents d'âge compris entre 15 et 19 ans. Notre étude a révélé des valeurs moyennes de PAS chez les garçons qui étaient plus élevées que les filles statistiquement significatives dans les tranches d'âges de 17, 18 et 19 ans alors que les valeurs moyennes de PAD n'avait pas de différence statistiquement significative dans toutes les tranches d'âges dans les deux sexes. Harrabi et al. [16], dans leur étude incluant

Basal teleosts and the question of elopomorph monophyly. Morphological and molecular approaches.

PubMed

Filleul, A; Lavoué, S

2001-04-01

The methodology used by previous authors to resolve the relationships of the elopomorphan taxa is criticized. The morphological characters that have been proposed to support the monophyly of the Elopomorpha are reviewed and it is shown that most of them are weak. A new hypothesis of relationships is proposed on the basis of nucleotidic sequences of ribosomal RNA 18S, 16S and 12S. In order to really test all the possible relationships, the monophyly of the Elopomorpha was not considered a priori. The tree was rooted on Amia calva and Lepisosteus osseus and the ingroup taxa sampling was subsequently increased. The obtained topology shows that the Elopomorpha is a non-monophyletic taxon. Elopiforms, anguilliforms, albuliforms and notacanthiforms are considered here as four monophyletic, incertae sedis taxa among basal teleosts.

Arthropod parasites of springbok, gemsbok, kudus, giraffes and Burchell's and Hartmann's zebras in the Etosha and Hardap Nature Reserves, Namibia.

PubMed

Horak, I G; Anthonissen, M; Krecek, R C; Boomker, J

1992-12-01

A total of 48 springbok, 48 gemsbok, 23 kudus and 6 giraffes were examined for ticks and lice, while 9 Burchell's zebras and 6 Hartmann's mountain zebras were examined only for ticks. Springbok and gemsbok were shot in both the Etosha National Park in the north and the Hardap Nature Reserve in the south of Namibia. All the other animals were shot in the Etosha National Park. A total of 7 ixodid tick species and 8 lice species were recovered. The springbok carried few ticks. The adults of a Rhipicephalus sp. (near R. oculatus) were most numerous on the gemsbok, especially during November. The kudus were the only animals harbouring Rhipicephalus zambeziensis. Adult Hyalomma truncatum, followed by adult Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, were most abundant on the giraffes and adult Rhipicephalus evertsi mimeticus were commonest on the zebras.

A yeast model for the mechanism of the Epstein-Barr virus immune evasion identifies a new therapeutic target to interfere with the virus stealthiness.

PubMed

Lista, María José; Martins, Rodrigo Prado; Angrand, Gaelle; Quillévéré, Alicia; Daskalogianni, Chrysoula; Voisset, Cécile; Teulade-Fichou, Marie-Paule; Fåhraeus, Robin; Blondel, Marc

2017-08-31

The oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) evades the immune system but has an Achilles heel: its genome maintenance protein EBNA1. Indeed, EBNA1 is essential for viral genome replication and maintenance but also highly antigenic. Hence, EBV evolved a system in which the glycine-alanine repeat (GAr) of EBNA1 limits the translation of its own mRNA at a minimal level to ensure its essential function thereby, at the same time, minimizing immune recognition. Defining intervention points where to interfere with EBNA1 immune evasion is an important step to trigger an immune response against EBV-carrying cancers. Thanks to a yeast-based assay that recapitulates all the aspects of EBNA1 self-limitation of expression, a recent study by Lista et al. [Nature Communications (2017) 7, 435-444] has uncovered the role of the host cell nucleolin (NCL) in this process via a direct interaction of this protein with G-quadruplexes (G4) formed in GAr-encoding sequence of EBNA1 mRNA. In addition, the G4 ligand PhenDC3 prevents NCL binding on EBNA1 mRNA and reverses GAr-mediated repression of translation and antigen presentation. This shows that the NCL-EBNA1 mRNA interaction is a relevant therapeutic target to unveil EBV-carrying cancers to the immune system and that the yeast model can be successfully used for uncovering drugs and host factors that interfere with EBV stealthiness.

The microstructure-processing-property relationships in an aluminum matrix composite system reinforced by aluminum-copper-iron alloy particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Fei

Solid state vacuum sintering was studied in tap densified Al powder and in hot quasi-isostatically forged samples composed of commercial inert gas atomized or high purity Al powder, generated by a gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) technique. The GARS process results in spherical Al powder with a far thinner surface oxide. The overall results indicated the enhanced ability of GARS-processed Al and Al alloy powders for solid state sintering, which may lead to simplification of current Al powder consolidation processing methods. Elemental Al-based composites reinforced with spherical Al-Cu-Fe alloy powders were produced by quasi-isostatic forging and vacuum hot pressing (VHP) consolidation methods. It was proved that spherical Al-Cu-Fe alloy powders can serve as an effective reinforcement particulate for elemental Al-based composites, because of their high hardness and a preferred type of matrix/reinforcement interfacial bonding, with reduced strain concentration around the particles. Ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the composites were increased over the corresponding Al matrix values, far beyond typical observations. This remarkable strengthening was achieved without precipitation hardening and without severe strain hardening during consolidation because of the matrix choice (elemental Al) and the "low shear" consolidation methods utilized. This reinforcement effectiveness is further evidenced by elastic modulus measurements of the composites that are very close to the upper bound predictions of the rule of mixtures. The load partitioning measurements by neutron diffraction showed that composite samples made from GARS powders present significantly higher load transfer efficiency than the composites made from commercially atomized powders. Further analysis of the load sharing measurements and the calculated values of the mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) effects suggest that

Recyclable catalysts methods of making and using the same

DOEpatents

Dioumaev, Vladimir K.; Bullock, R. Morris

2006-02-28

Organometallic complexes are provided, which include a catalyst containing a transition metal, a ligand and a component having the formula GAr.sup.F. Ar.sup.F is an aromatic ring system selected from phenyl, naphthalenyl, anthracenyl, fluorenyl, or indenyl. The aromatic ring system has at least a substituent selected from fluorine, hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or fluorinated hydrocarbyl, G is substituted or unsubstituted (CH.sub.2).sub.n or (CF.sub.2).sub.n, wherein n is from 1 to 30, wherein further one or more CH.sub.2 or CF.sub.2 groups are optionally replaced by NR, PR, SiR.sub.2, BR, O or S, or R is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, GAr.sup.F being covalently bonded to either said transition metal or said ligand of said catalyst, thereby rendering said cationic organometallic complex liquid. The catalyst of the organometallic complex can be [CpM(CO).sub.2(NHC)L.sub.k].sup.+A.sup.-, wherein M is an atom of molybdenum or tungsten, Cp is substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl radical represented by the formula [C.sub.5Q.sup.1Q.sup.2Q.sup.3Q.sup.4Q.sup.5], wherein Q.sup.1 to Q.sup.5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H radical, GAr.sup.F C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl radical, substituted hydrocarbyl radical, substituted hydrocarbyl radical substituted by GAr.sup.F, halogen radical, halogen-substituted hydrocarbyl radical, --OR, --C(O)R', --CO.sub.2R', --SiR'.sub.3 and --NR'R'', wherein R' and R'' are independently selected from the group consisting of H radical, C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl radical, halogen radical, and halogen-substituted hydrocarbyl radical, wherein said Q.sup.1 to Q.sup.5 radicals are optionally linked to each other to form a stable bridging group, NHC is any N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, L is either any neutral electron donor ligand, wherein k is a number from 0 to 1 or L is an anionic ligand wherein k is 2, and A.sup.- is an anion. Processes using the organometallic complexes as catalysts in catalytic reactions, such as for

Trans-Metal-Trapping Meets Frustrated-Lewis-Pair Chemistry: Ga(CH2SiMe3)3-Induced C–H Functionalizations

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Merging two topical themes in main-group chemistry, namely, cooperative bimetallics and frustrated-Lewis-pair (FLP) activity, this Forum Article focuses on the cooperativity-induced outcomes observed when the tris(alkyl)gallium compound GaR3 (R = CH2SiMe3) is paired with the lithium amide LiTMP (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide) or the sterically hindered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3-bis(tert-butyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (ItBu). When some previously published work are drawn together with new results, unique tandem reactivities are presented that are driven by the steric mismatch between the individual reagents of these multicomponent reagents. Thus, the LiTMP/GaR3 combination, which on its own fails to form a cocomplex, functions as a highly regioselective base (LiTMP)/trap (GaR3) partnership for the metalation of N-heterocycles such as diazines, 1,3-benzoazoles, and 2-picolines in a trans-metal-trapping (TMT) process that stabilizes the emerging sensitive carbanions. Taking advantage of related steric incompatibility, a novel monometallic FLP system pairing GaR3 with ItBu has been developed for the activation of carbonyl compounds (via C=O insertion) and other molecules with acidic hydrogen atoms such as phenol and phenylacetylene. Shedding new light on how these non-cocomplexing partnerships operate and showcasing the potential of gallium reagents to engage in metalation reactions or FLP activations, areas where the use of this group 13 metal is scant, this Forum Article aims to stimulate more interest and activity toward the advancement of organogallium chemistry. PMID:28485929

Capturing Requirements for Autonomous Spacecraft with Autonomy Requirements Engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vassev, Emil; Hinchey, Mike

2014-08-01

The Autonomy Requirements Engineering (ARE) approach has been developed by Lero - the Irish Software Engineering Research Center within the mandate of a joint project with ESA, the European Space Agency. The approach is intended to help engineers develop missions for unmanned exploration, often with limited or no human control. Such robotics space missions rely on the most recent advances in automation and robotic technologies where autonomy and autonomic computing principles drive the design and implementation of unmanned spacecraft [1]. To tackle the integration and promotion of autonomy in software-intensive systems, ARE combines generic autonomy requirements (GAR) with goal-oriented requirements engineering (GORE). Using this approach, software engineers can determine what autonomic features to develop for a particular system (e.g., a space mission) as well as what artifacts that process might generate (e.g., goals models, requirements specification, etc.). The inputs required by this approach are the mission goals and the domain-specific GAR reflecting specifics of the mission class (e.g., interplanetary missions).

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Neurobiology and Current Assessment Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allen, Ryan A.; Robins, Diana L.; Decker, Scott L.

2008-01-01

This study reviews recent research related to the neurobiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) an provides an empirical analysis of current assessment practices. Data were collected through a survey of 117 school psychologists. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS), and Gilliam Asperger's Disorder Scale…

Relative Contribution of Mutations in Genes for Autosomal Dominant Distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathies: A Genotype-Phenotype Correlation Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dierick, Ines; Baets, Jonathan; Irobi, Joy; Jacobs, An; De Vriendt, Els; Deconinck, Tine; Merlini, Luciano; Van den Bergh, Peter; Rasic, Vedrana Milic; Robberecht, Wim; Fischer, Dirk; Morales, Raul Juntas; Mitrovic, Zoran; Seeman, Pavel; Mazanec, Radim; Kochanski, Andrzej; Jordanova, Albena; Auer-Grumbach, Michaela; Helderman-van den Enden, A. T. J. M.; Wokke, John H. J.; Nelis, Eva; De Jonghe, Peter; Timmerman, Vincent

2008-01-01

Distal hereditary motor neuropathy (HMN) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders affecting spinal alpha-motor neurons. Since 2001, mutations in six different genes have been identified for autosomal dominant distal HMN; "glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS)," "dynactin 1 (DCTN1)," "small heat shock 27 kDa…

"Holostei versus Halecostomi" Problem: Insight from Cytogenetics of Ancient Nonteleost Actinopterygian Fish, Bowfin Amia calva.

PubMed

Majtánová, Zuzana; Symonová, Radka; Arias-Rodriguez, Lenin; Sallan, Lauren; Ráb, Petr

2017-11-01

Bowfin belongs to an ancient lineage of nonteleost ray-finned fishes (actinopterygians) and is the only extant survivor of a once diverged group, the Halecomorphi or Amiiformes. Owing to the scarcity of extant nonteleost ray-finned lineages, also referred as "living fossils," their phylogenetic interrelationships have been the target of multiple hypotheses concerning their sister group relationships. Molecular and morphological data sets have produced controversial results; bowfin is considered as either the sister group to genome-duplicated teleosts (together forming the group of Halecostomi) or to gars (Lepisosteiformes; together forming the group of Holostei). However, any detailed cytogenetic analysis of bowfin chromosomes has never been performed to address this issue. Here we examined bowfin chromosomes by conventional (Giemsa-staining, C-banding, base-specific fluorescence and silver staining) and molecular (FISH with rDNA probes) cytogenetic protocols. We identified diploid chromosome number 2n = 46 with a middle-sized submetacentric chromosome pair as the major ribosomal DNA-bearing (45S rDNA), GC-positive and silver-positive element. The minor rDNA (5S rDNA) sites were localized in the pericentromeric region of one middle-sized acrocentric chromosome pair. Comparison with available cytogenetic data of other nonteleost actinopterygians (bichirs, sturgeons, gars) and teleost species including representative of basally branching lineages showed bowfin chromosomal characteristics more similar to the teleost type than to any other nonteleosts. Particularly striking differences were identified between bowfin and gars, the latter of which were found to mimic mammalian AT/GC genomic organisation. Such conclusion however contradicts the most recent phylogenomic results and raises the question what states are ancestral and what are derived. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Parasite infection and immune and health-state in wild fish exposed to marine pollution.

PubMed

Sueiro, María Cruz; Bagnato, Estefanía; Palacios, María Gabriela

2017-06-15

Association between parasitism and immunity and health-state was investigated in wild Sebastes oculatus after having determined that pollution exposure is associated with altered immune and health-state parameters. Given the importance of the immune system in antiparasite defense we predicted: (i) parasite infection would be higher in pollution-exposed than in control fish and (ii) fish with lower immune and health-state parameters would show higher parasitism than fish in better condition. Metazoan parasite fauna was compared between pollution-exposed and non-exposed fish and parasitic indices were correlated with integrated measures of immunity and health-state. Results provided little support for the predictions; some parasite taxa increased, some decreased, and some were not affected in pollution-exposed fish despite their altered health and immunity. Furthermore, there was no link between individual immune and health-state parameters and parasitism. These findings highlight the complexity of host-parasite-environment interactions in relation to pollution in natural marine ecosystems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental and Water Quality Operational Studies. Water Quality, Macroinvertebrates, Larval Fishes, and Fishes of the Lower Mississippi River - A Synthesis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-01

ing in the abandoned channels and seldom being encountered elsewhere. These fishes include the spotted gar, bowfin ( Amia calva ), black bull- head...two individuals of the bowfin ( Amia calva ) were collected in the 1979-1980 study, one by electroshocking in April 1979 at a re- vetted bank and one in a

44 CFR 206.374 - Loan application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 44 Emergency Management and Assistance 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Loan application. 206.374... HOMELAND SECURITY DISASTER ASSISTANCE FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE Community Disaster Loans § 206.374 Loan... Disaster Loan through the GAR. The loan must be justified on the basis of need and shall be based on the...

The Global Trade in Fresh Produce and the Vagility of Plant Viruses: A Case Study in Garlic

PubMed Central

Wylie, Stephen J.; Li, Hua; Saqib, Muhammad; Jones, Michael G. K.

2014-01-01

As cuisine becomes globalized, large volumes of fresh produce are traded internationally. The potential exists for pathogens infecting fresh produce to hitchhike to new locations and perhaps to establish there. It is difficult to identify them using traditional methods if pathogens are novel, scarce, and/or unexpected. In an attempt to overcome this limitation, we used high-throughput sequencing technology as a means of detecting all RNA viruses infecting garlic (Allium sativum L.) bulbs imported into Australia from China, the USA, Mexico, Argentina and Spain, and those growing in Australia. Bulbs tested were grown over multiple vegetative generations and all were stably infected with one or more viruses, including two species not previously recorded in Australia. Present in various combinations from 10 garlic bulbs were 41 virus isolates representing potyviruses (Onion yellow dwarf virus, Leek yellow stripe virus), carlaviruses (Shallot latent virus, Garlic common latent virus) and allexiviruses (Garlic virus A, B, C, D, and X), for which 19 complete and 22 partial genome sequences were obtained, including the first complete genome sequences of two isolates of GarVD. The most genetically distinct isolates of GarVA and GarVX described so far were identified from Mexico and Argentina, and possible scenarios explaining this are presented. The complete genome sequence of an isolate of the potexvirus Asparagus virus 3 (AV3) was obtained in Australia from wild garlic (A. vineale L.), a naturalized weed. This is first time AV3 has been identified from wild garlic and the first time it has been identified beyond China and Japan. The need for routine generic diagnosis and appropriate legislation to address the risks to primary production and wild plant communities from pathogens spread through the international trade in fresh produce is discussed. PMID:25133543

Taxonomic Composition and Trophic Structure of the Continental Bony Fish Assemblage from the Early Late Cretaceous of Southeastern Morocco

PubMed Central

Cavin, Lionel; Boudad, Larbi; Tong, Haiyan; Läng, Emilie; Tabouelle, Jérôme; Vullo, Romain

2015-01-01

The mid-Cretaceous vertebrate assemblage from south-eastern Morocco is one of the most diversified continental vertebrate assemblages of this time worldwide. The bony fish component (coelacanths, lungfishes and ray-finned fishes) is represented by relatively complete specimens and, mostly, by fragmentary elements scattered along 250 kilometres of outcrops. Here we revisit the bony fish assemblage by studying both isolated remains collected during several fieldtrips and more complete material kept in public collections. The assemblage comprises several lungfish taxa, with the first mention of the occurrence of Arganodus tiguidiensis, and possibly two mawsoniid coelacanths. A large bichir cf. Bawitius, is recorded and corresponds to cranial elements initially referred to ‘Stromerichthys’ from coeval deposits in Egypt. The ginglymodians were diversified with a large ‘Lepidotes’ plus two obaichthyids and a gar. We confirm here that this gar belongs to a genus distinctive from Recent gars, contrary to what was suggested recently. Teleosteans comprise a poorly known ichthyodectiform, a notopterid, a probable osteoglossomorph and a large tselfatiiform, whose cranial anatomy is detailed. The body size and trophic level for each taxon are estimated on the basis of comparison with extant closely related taxa. We plotted the average body size versus average trophic level for the Kem Kem assemblage, together with extant marine and freshwater assemblages. The Kem Kem assemblage is characterized by taxa of proportionally large body size, and by a higher average trophic level than the trophic level of the extant compared freshwater ecosystems, but lower than for the extant marine ecosystems. These results should be regarded with caution because they rest on a reconstructed assemblage known mostly by fragmentary remains. They reinforce, however, the ecological oddities already noticed for this mid-Cretaceous vertebrate ecosystem in North Africa. PMID:26018561

Zooanthroponotic transmission of rotavirus in Haryana State of Northern India.

PubMed

Choudhary, P; Minakshi, P; Ranjan, K; Basanti, B

Rotaviruses are the major cause of severe gastroenteritis and mortality in young children and animals. Due to segmented nature of dsRNA genome and wide host range, vast genetic and antigenic diversity exists amongst different isolates of rotaviruses. A total of 230 fecal ovine and caprine samples collected from organized farms and villages in Haryana were screened for rotavirus detection. Samples were screened by latex agglutination test and RNA-PAGE followed by RT-PCR and nucleic acid sequencing. The latex agglutination test showed 25 newborn lamb and 4 kid fecal samples positive for rotavirus. However, RNA-PAGE showed only 9 lamb fecal samples positive for rotavirus. All the samples were subjected to RT-PCR employing vp4 and vp7 gene specific primers of group A rotavirus of ovine, bovine and human origin. Only two samples from lamb (Sheep18/Hisar/2013 and Sheep22/Hisar/2013) showed vp4 and vp7 gene specific amplification with human group A rotavirus (GAR) specific primer. However, they did not show any amplification with ovine and bovine rotavirus specific primers. The nucleotide as well as deduced amino acid sequence analysis of vp4 gene of these isolates showed >98/97% and vp7 gene >95/94% nt/aa identity with human GAR from different regions of the world. Based on nucleotide similarity search, Sheep18/Hisar/2013 and Sheep22/Hisar/2013 isolates were genotyped as G1P[8] and G1P[4]. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed that these isolates were clustered closely with human rotaviruses from different regions of the world. Earlier, higher prevalence of human rotaviruses was reported from the sample collecting area. The amplification of ovine samples with human rotavirus gene specific primers, sequence identity and phylogenetic analysis strongly suggests the zoonotic transmission of human GAR to sheep.

Assessment of Nutritional Quality and Global Antioxidant Response of Banana (Musa sp. CV. Nanjangud Rasa Bale) Pseudostem and Flower.

PubMed

Ramu, Ramith; Shirahatti, Prithvi S; Anilakumar, K R; Nayakavadi, Shivasharanappa; Zameer, Farhan; Dhananjaya, B L; Nagendra Prasad, M N

2017-12-01

The assessment of the nutritional composition and phytochemical screening of banana pseudostem (PB) and flower (FB) advocate this nonconventional food source for routine consumption, considering its various health benefits. The aim is to assess the proximate nutrient composition, fatty acids, minerals, amino acid profile, and global antioxidant response (GAR) of PB and FB. Standard analytical procedures were used to determine the nutritional quality and GAR of PB and FB. The chemical analysis illustrated that functional profile (water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, swelling power, and solubility), and proximate (ash, moisture, protein, fat, dietary fiber, and carbohydrate) contents were substantially high in FB than PB. With a well-proportionate amino acid profile, PB (0.56) and FB (0.54) comprised of a high ratio of essential to nonessential amino acids than those of FAO/WHO requirement (0.38). The mineral analysis revealed that PB and FB were rich in macro and micro minerals in the order K > Ca > Mg > P > Na and K > Mg > Na > Ca > P, respectively. Linoleic acid was found to be the major component in PB and FB. Besides, total antioxidant activity conducted for PB and FB by GAR method, measuring both bio-accessible and insoluble fractions, revealed that the soluble fraction fared better than the chemical extracts. The results revealed high nutritional qualities of the byproducts of banana and the low cost of its production promotes their use as a prospective nonconventional food resource with high nutraceutical value. AOAC: Association of Analytical CommunitiesFAO/WHO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World health organization Abbreviations Used: Banana flower was more potent than banana pseudostem in terms of its nutritional quality and total antioxidant capacity affirming their usefulness (of both the secondary products) in the pharmaceutical sector as a nutritional supplement due to the health-related properties of dietary fibre

Extensive Karyotype Reorganization in the Fish Gymnotus arapaima (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae) Highlighted by Zoo-FISH Analysis.

PubMed

Machado, Milla de Andrade; Pieczarka, Julio C; Silva, Fernando H R; O'Brien, Patricia C M; Ferguson-Smith, Malcolm A; Nagamachi, Cleusa Y

2018-01-01

The genus Gymnotus (Gymnotiformes) contains over 40 species of freshwater electric fishes exhibiting a wide distribution throughout Central and South America, and being particularly prevalent in the Amazon basin. Cytogenetics has been an important tool in the cytotaxonomy and elucidation of evolutionary processes in this genus, including the unraveling the variety of diploid chromosome number (2 n = from 34 to 54), the high karyotype diversity among species with a shared diploid number, different sex chromosome systems, and variation in the distribution of several Repetitive DNAs and colocation and association between those sequences. Recently whole chromosome painting (WCP) has been used for tracking the chromosomal evolution of the genus, showing highly reorganized karyotypes and the conserved synteny of the NOR bearing par within the clade G. carapo . In this study, painting probes derived from the chromosomes of G. carapo (GCA, 2 n = 42, 30 m/sm + 12 st/a) were hybridized to the mitotic metaphases of G. arapaima (GAR, 2 n = 44, 24 m/sm + 20 st/a). Our results uncovered chromosomal rearrangements and a high number of repetitive DNA regions. From the 12 chromosome pairs of G. carapo that can be individually differentiated (GCA1-3, 6, 7, 9, 14, 16, and 18-21), six pairs (GCA 1, 9, 14, 18, 20, 21) show conserved homology with GAR, five pairs (GCA 1, 9, 14, 20, 21) are also shared with cryptic species G. carapo 2 n = 40 (34 m/sm + 6 st/a) and only the NOR bearing pair (GCA 20) is shared with G. capanema (GCP 2 n = 34, 20 m/sm + 14 st/a). The remaining chromosomes are reorganized in the karyotype of GAR. Despite the close phylogenetic relationships of these species, our chromosome painting studies demonstrate an extensive reorganization of their karyotypes.

Taxonomic composition and trophic structure of the continental bony fish assemblage from the early late cretaceous of Southeastern Morocco.

PubMed

Cavin, Lionel; Boudad, Larbi; Tong, Haiyan; Läng, Emilie; Tabouelle, Jérôme; Vullo, Romain

2015-01-01

The mid-Cretaceous vertebrate assemblage from south-eastern Morocco is one of the most diversified continental vertebrate assemblages of this time worldwide. The bony fish component (coelacanths, lungfishes and ray-finned fishes) is represented by relatively complete specimens and, mostly, by fragmentary elements scattered along 250 kilometres of outcrops. Here we revisit the bony fish assemblage by studying both isolated remains collected during several fieldtrips and more complete material kept in public collections. The assemblage comprises several lungfish taxa, with the first mention of the occurrence of Arganodus tiguidiensis, and possibly two mawsoniid coelacanths. A large bichir cf. Bawitius, is recorded and corresponds to cranial elements initially referred to 'Stromerichthys' from coeval deposits in Egypt. The ginglymodians were diversified with a large 'Lepidotes' plus two obaichthyids and a gar. We confirm here that this gar belongs to a genus distinctive from Recent gars, contrary to what was suggested recently. Teleosteans comprise a poorly known ichthyodectiform, a notopterid, a probable osteoglossomorph and a large tselfatiiform, whose cranial anatomy is detailed. The body size and trophic level for each taxon are estimated on the basis of comparison with extant closely related taxa. We plotted the average body size versus average trophic level for the Kem Kem assemblage, together with extant marine and freshwater assemblages. The Kem Kem assemblage is characterized by taxa of proportionally large body size, and by a higher average trophic level than the trophic level of the extant compared freshwater ecosystems, but lower than for the extant marine ecosystems. These results should be regarded with caution because they rest on a reconstructed assemblage known mostly by fragmentary remains. They reinforce, however, the ecological oddities already noticed for this mid-Cretaceous vertebrate ecosystem in North Africa.

The role of collagen on the structural response of dermal layers in mammals and fish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherman, Vincent Robert

We study in depth the role of collagen in the protective layers of mammals (skin) and fish (scales) in depth to reveal its contribution to their mechanical performance. In order to gain an understanding of the structure property relations, we investigate its hierarchical arrangement and how it results in a specialized response. For rabbit skin, chosen as a model material for the dermis of vertebrates, deformation is expressed in terms of four mechanisms of collagen fibril activity that virtually eliminate the possibility of tearing in notched samples: fibril straightening, fibril reorientation towards the tensile direction, elastic stretching, and interfibrillar sliding. A model reflecting the in vivo shape of collagen is derived. The model incorporates the effects of its elasticity, viscoelasticity, and orientation. For arapaima and alligator gar scales, we investigate their protective function and identify key features which result in their resistance to failure. For the elasmoid scales of the arapaima, we show that the scale has a Bouligand-like arrangement of collagen layers which stretch, rotate, and delaminate to dissipate energy and arrest cracking prior to catastrophic failure. Atop the foundation are mineral ridges; this arrangement provides high toughness and resistance to penetration by predator teeth. We show that the ganoid scales of the alligator gar have a boney composite foundation of collagen and hydroxyapatite as well as an external surface of pure hydroxyapatite. Failure averting features of the gar scale include: crack inhibiting mineral decussation in the external ganoine layer; mineral crystals and tubules which deflect cracks in the bony region; and saw-tooth ridges along the interface between the two scale layers which direct cracks away from the weak interface. Furthermore, the scale's geometry is optimized to provide full coverage while accommodating physiological motion. Key features of the scale morphology are replicated in a bioinspired

Extensive Karyotype Reorganization in the Fish Gymnotus arapaima (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae) Highlighted by Zoo-FISH Analysis

PubMed Central

Machado, Milla de Andrade; Pieczarka, Julio C.; Silva, Fernando H. R.; O'Brien, Patricia C. M.; Ferguson-Smith, Malcolm A.; Nagamachi, Cleusa Y.

2018-01-01

The genus Gymnotus (Gymnotiformes) contains over 40 species of freshwater electric fishes exhibiting a wide distribution throughout Central and South America, and being particularly prevalent in the Amazon basin. Cytogenetics has been an important tool in the cytotaxonomy and elucidation of evolutionary processes in this genus, including the unraveling the variety of diploid chromosome number (2n = from 34 to 54), the high karyotype diversity among species with a shared diploid number, different sex chromosome systems, and variation in the distribution of several Repetitive DNAs and colocation and association between those sequences. Recently whole chromosome painting (WCP) has been used for tracking the chromosomal evolution of the genus, showing highly reorganized karyotypes and the conserved synteny of the NOR bearing par within the clade G. carapo. In this study, painting probes derived from the chromosomes of G. carapo (GCA, 2n = 42, 30 m/sm + 12 st/a) were hybridized to the mitotic metaphases of G. arapaima (GAR, 2n = 44, 24 m/sm + 20 st/a). Our results uncovered chromosomal rearrangements and a high number of repetitive DNA regions. From the 12 chromosome pairs of G. carapo that can be individually differentiated (GCA1–3, 6, 7, 9, 14, 16, and 18–21), six pairs (GCA 1, 9, 14, 18, 20, 21) show conserved homology with GAR, five pairs (GCA 1, 9, 14, 20, 21) are also shared with cryptic species G. carapo 2n = 40 (34 m/sm + 6 st/a) and only the NOR bearing pair (GCA 20) is shared with G. capanema (GCP 2n = 34, 20 m/sm + 14 st/a). The remaining chromosomes are reorganized in the karyotype of GAR. Despite the close phylogenetic relationships of these species, our chromosome painting studies demonstrate an extensive reorganization of their karyotypes. PMID:29434621

The Interrater Reliability of the Modified Gait Abnormality Rating Scale for Use with People with Intellectual Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hale, Leigh; McIlraith, Lucy; Miller, Clare; Stanley-Clarke, Terri; George, Rebecca

2010-01-01

Background: Researching falls in persons with ID is limited by difficulties in applying standardised balance outcome measures. The modified Gait Abnormality Rating Scale (GARS-M), developed to identify falls risk in older adults, requires only that the participant walks and thus may be a feasible falls research tool to use with people with ID. In…

Shock Wave Propagation in Functionally Graded Mineralized Tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelms, Matthew; Hodo, Wayne; Livi, Ken; Browning, Alyssa; Crawford, Bryan; Rajendran, A. M.

2017-06-01

In this investigation, the effects of shock wave propagation in bone-like biomineralized tissue was investigated. The Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) exoskeleton is comprised of many disparate scales that provide a biological analog for potential design of flexible protective material systems. The gar scale is identified as a two-phase, (1) hydroxyapatite mineral and (2) collagen protein, biological composite with two distinct layers where a stiff, ceramic-like ganoine overlays a soft, highly ductile ganoid bone. Previous experimentations has shown significant softening under compressive loading and an asymmetrical stress-strain response for analogous mineralized tissues. The structural features, porosity, and elastic modulus were determined from high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, 3D micro-tomography, and dynamic nanoindentation experiments to develop an idealized computational model for FE simulations. The numerical analysis employed Gurson's yield criterion to determine the influence of porosity and pressure on material strength. Functional gradation of elastic moduli and certain structural features, such as the sawtooth interface, are explicitly modeled to study the plate impact shock profile for a full 3-D analysis using ABAQUS finite element software.

Numerical Investigation of Shock Wave Propagation in Bone-Like Tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelms, Matt; Rajendran, Arunachalam

In this investigation, the effects of shock wave propagation in bone-like biomineralized tissue was investigated. The Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) exoskeleton is comprised of many disparate scales that provide a biological analog for potential design of flexible protective material systems. The penetration resistant fish scale was modeled by simulating a plate impact test configuration using ABAQUS®finite element (FE) software. The gar scale is identified as a two-phase, (1) hydroxyapatite mineral and (2) collagen protein, biological composite with two distinct layers where a stiff, ceramic-like ganoine overlays a soft, highly ductile bone. The geometry and variation of elastic modulus were determined from high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and dynamic nanoindentation experimentation to develop an idealized computational model for RVE-based FE simulations. The numerical analysis shows the effects of different functional material property variations on the stress histories and energy dissipation generated by wave propagation. Given the constitutive behaviors of the two layers are distinctly different, a brittle tensile damage model was employed to describe the ganoine and Drucker-Prager plasticity was used for the nonlinear response of the bone.

Garlic virus X 11-kDa protein granules move within the cytoplasm and traffic a host protein normally found in the nucleolus.

PubMed

Lu, Yuwen; Yan, Fei; Guo, Wei; Zheng, Hongying; Lin, Lin; Peng, Jiejun; Adams, Michael J; Chen, Jianping

2011-09-01

The subcellular localization of the 11-kDa protein (p11) encoded by ORF3 of Garlic virus X (GarVX; genus Allexivirus, family Alphaflexiviridae) was examined by confocal microscopy. Granules with intense fluorescence were visible on the endoplasmic reticulum when p11 fused with green or red fluorescent protein (GFP or RFP) was expressed in epidermal cells of Nicotiana benthamiana. Moreover, the p11-RFP granules moved in the cytoplasm, along the cell periphery and through the cell membranes to adjacent cells. A 17-kDa protein (p17) of garlic interacting with p11 was identified by yeast two-hybridization and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay. When p17 fused to GFP was expressed in epidermal cells of N. benthamiana, it localized to the nucleolus. However, in the presence of GarVX p11, the distribution of p17 changed to that of p11, but did not appear to affect the pattern of movement of p11. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY © 2011 BSPP AND BLACKWELL PUBLISHING LTD. NO CLAIM TO ORIGINAL US GOVERNMENT WORKS.

Validity and Reliability of Turkish Version of Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2: Results of Preliminary Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diken, Ibrahim H.; Diken, Ozlem; Gilliam, James E.; Ardic, Avsar; Sweeney, Dwight

2012-01-01

The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the validity and reliability of Turkish Version of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2 (TV-GARS-2). Participants included 436 children diagnosed with autism (331 male and 105 female, mean of ages was 8.01 with SD = 3.77). Data were also collected from individuals diagnosed with intellectual…

Extreme flood estimation by the SCHADEX method in a snow-driven catchment: application to Atnasjø (Norway)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paquet, Emmanuel; Lawrence, Deborah

2013-04-01

The SCHADEX method for extreme flood estimation was developed by Paquet et al. (2006, 2013), and since 2008, it is the reference method used by Electricité de France (EDF) for dam spillway design. SCHADEX is a so-called "semi-continuous" stochastic simulation method in that flood events are simulated on an event basis and are superimposed on a continuous simulation of the catchment saturation hazard usingrainfall-runoff modelling. The MORDOR hydrological model (Garçon, 1999) has thus far been used for the rainfall-runoff modelling. MORDOR is a conceptual, lumped, reservoir model with daily areal rainfall and air temperature as the driving input data. The principal hydrological processes represented are evapotranspiration, direct and indirect runoff, ground water, snow accumulation and melt, and routing. The model has been intensively used at EDF for more than 15 years, in particular for inflow forecasts for French mountainous catchments. SCHADEX has now also been applied to the Atnasjø catchment (463 km²), a well-documented inland catchment in south-central Norway, dominated by snowmelt flooding during spring/early summer. To support this application, a weather pattern classification based on extreme rainfall was first established for Norway (Fleig, 2012). This classification scheme was then used to build a Multi-Exponential Weather Pattern distribution (MEWP), as introduced by Garavaglia et al. (2010) for extreme rainfall estimation. The MORDOR model was then calibrated relative to daily discharge data for Atnasjø. Finally, a SCHADEX simulation was run to build a daily discharge distribution with a sufficient number of simulations for assessing the extreme quantiles. Detailed results are used to illustrate how SCHADEX handles the complex and interacting hydrological processes driving flood generation in this snow driven catchment. Seasonal and monthly distributions, as well as statistics for several thousand simulated events reaching a 1000 years return level

Novel Magnetic Fluids for Breast Cancer Therapy

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-01

synthesis and characterization efforts concerning nickel-based alloys have been reported previously [5]. Nano-material has been obtained using an inverse...gar gel d ork his task regularly accompanies the synthesis work. Characterization analysis includes size, composition, magnetic pro perties. The...currently available magnetic fluids used in hyperthermia. The specific goals are: 1. Develop a synthesis process to fabricate magnetic nano

Architecture of the integument in lower teleostomes: functional morphology and evolutionary implications.

PubMed

Gemballa, Sven; Bartsch, Peter

2002-09-01

A bony ganoid squamation is the plesiomorphic type in actinopterygians. During evolution, it was replaced by weak and more flexible elasmoid scales. We provide a comparative description of the integument of "ganoid" fishes and "nonganoid" fishes that considers all dermal components of mechanical significance (stratum compactum, morphology of ganoid scales, and their regional differences) in order to develop a functional understanding of the ganoid integument as a whole. Data were obtained for the extant "ganoid" fishes (Polypteridae and Lepisosteidae) and for closely related "lower" actinopterygians (Acipenser ruthenus, Amia calva) and "lower" sarcopterygians (Latimeria chalumnae, Neoceratodus forsteri). Body curvatures during steady undulatory locomotion, sharp turns, prey-strikes, and fast starts in "ganoid" fishes were measured from videotapes. Extreme body curvatures as measured in anesthetized specimens are never reached during steady swimming, but are sometimes closely approached in certain situations (sharp turns, prey-strike). During extreme body curvatures we measured high values of lateral strain on the convex and on the concave side of the body. Scale overlap changes considerably (66-127% in Lepisosteus, 42-140% in Polypterus). The ganoid squamation forms a protective coat, but at the same time it permits extreme body curvatures. This is reflected in characteristic morphological features of the ganoid scales, such as an anterior process, concave anterior margin, and peg-and-socket articulation. These characters are most pronounced in the anterior body region, where maximum changes in scale overlap are required. The anterior processes and anterior concave margin, together with the attached stratum compactum, guide movements in a horizontal plane during bending. Displacements of scales relative to each other are possible for scales of different scale rows, but are impeded in scales of the same scale row due to the peg-and-socket articulation. Furthermore

An artifact caused by undersampling optimal trees in supermatrix analyses of locally sampled characters.

PubMed

Simmons, Mark P; Goloboff, Pablo A

2013-10-01

Empirical and simulated examples are used to demonstrate an artifact caused by undersampling optimal trees in data matrices that consist mostly or entirely of locally sampled (as opposed to globally, for most or all terminals) characters. The artifact is that unsupported clades consisting entirely of terminals scored for the same locally sampled partition may be resolved and assigned high resampling support-despite their being properly unsupported (i.e., not resolved in the strict consensus of all optimal trees). This artifact occurs despite application of random-addition sequences for stepwise terminal addition. The artifact is not necessarily obviated with thorough conventional branch swapping methods (even tree-bisection-reconnection) when just a single tree is held, as is sometimes implemented in parsimony bootstrap pseudoreplicates, and in every GARLI, PhyML, and RAxML pseudoreplicate and search for the most likely tree for the matrix as a whole. Hence GARLI, RAxML, and PhyML-based likelihood results require extra scrutiny, particularly when they provide high resolution and support for clades that are entirely unsupported by methods that perform more thorough searches, as in most parsimony analyses. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Decreased microRNA levels lead to deleterious increases in neuronal M2 muscarinic receptors in Spinal Muscular Atrophy models

PubMed Central

O'Hern, Patrick J; do Carmo G. Gonçalves, Inês; Brecht, Johanna; López Soto, Eduardo Javier; Simon, Jonah; Chapkis, Natalie; Lipscombe, Diane; Kye, Min Jeong; Hart, Anne C

2017-01-01

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is caused by diminished Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, leading to neuromuscular junction (NMJ) dysfunction and spinal motor neuron (MN) loss. Here, we report that reduced SMN function impacts the action of a pertinent microRNA and its mRNA target in MNs. Loss of the C. elegans SMN ortholog, SMN-1, causes NMJ defects. We found that increased levels of the C. elegans Gemin3 ortholog, MEL-46, ameliorates these defects. Increased MEL-46 levels also restored perturbed microRNA (miR-2) function in smn-1(lf) animals. We determined that miR-2 regulates expression of the C. elegans M2 muscarinic receptor (m2R) ortholog, GAR-2. GAR-2 loss ameliorated smn-1(lf) and mel-46(lf) synaptic defects. In an SMA mouse model, m2R levels were increased and pharmacological inhibition of m2R rescued MN process defects. Collectively, these results suggest decreased SMN leads to defective microRNA function via MEL-46 misregulation, followed by increased m2R expression, and neuronal dysfunction in SMA. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20752.001 PMID:28463115

BRITE/EURAM: Third Technological Days for the Basic Research in Industrial Technologies in Europe/European Research in Advanced Materials 1990, Held in Brussels, Belgium on May 21-22, 1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-29

characterized by a end, and a risk assessment. multifaceted midsurface of varying thickness. Briefly, the ideal BRITE/EURAM project solves a A specific...sists of selecting, at the outset, a well-behaved mesh strengthens all participants, yet preserves their identity. covering the whole midsurface . During...developing sion in the gar direction, heat advection in the midsurface software for the manufacturing industry. The company is dirccltin, and viscous

Challenges for Scientists in Latin America.

PubMed

Kalergis, Alexis M; Lacerda, Marcus; Rabinovich, Gabriel A; Rosenstein, Yvonne

2016-09-01

Despite political turmoil and economical crisis, research in Latin America has considerably advanced over recent decades. The present 'Point of View' outlines our perspectives on the working conditions, successes, difficulties, limitations, and challenges of biomedical scientific communities in four Latin American countries: Argentina (G.A.R.), Brazil (M.L.), Chile (A.K.), and Mexico (Y.R.). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Ginglymodian Fishes (Actinopterygii: Neopterygii)

PubMed Central

López-Arbarello, Adriana

2012-01-01

The Ginglymodi is one of the most common, though poorly understood groups of neopterygians, which includes gars, macrosemiiforms, and “semionotiforms.” In particular, the phylogenetic relationships between the widely distributed “semionotiforms,” and between them and other ginglymodians have been enigmatic. Here, the phylogenetic relationships between eight of the 11 “semionotiform” genera, five genera of living and fossil gars and three macrosemiid genera, are analysed through cladistic analysis, based on 90 morphological characters and 37 taxa, including 7 out-group taxa. The results of the analysis show that the Ginglymodi includes two main lineages: Lepisosteiformes and †Semionotiformes. The genera †Pliodetes, †Araripelepidotes, †Lepidotes, †Scheenstia, and †Isanichthys are lepisosteiforms, and not semionotiforms, as previously thought, and these taxa extend the stratigraphic range of the lineage leading to gars back up to the Early Jurassic. A monophyletic †Lepidotes is restricted to the Early Jurassic species, whereas the strongly tritoral species previously referred to †Lepidotes are referred to †Scheenstia. Other species previously referred to †Lepidotes represent other genera or new taxa. The macrosemiids are well nested within semionotiforms, together with †Semionotidae, here restricted to †Semionotus, and a new family including †Callipurbeckia n. gen. minor (previously referred to †Lepidotes), †Macrosemimimus, †Tlayuamichin, †Paralepidotus, and †Semiolepis. Due to the numerous taxonomic changes needed according to the phylogenetic analysis, this article also includes formal taxonomic definitions and diagnoses for all generic and higher taxa, which are new or modified. The study of Mesozoic ginglymodians led to confirm Patterson’s observation that these fishes show morphological affinities with both halecomorphs and teleosts. Therefore, the compilation of large data sets including the Mesozoic

Assessment of Nutritional Quality and Global Antioxidant Response of Banana (Musa sp. CV. Nanjangud Rasa Bale) Pseudostem and Flower

PubMed Central

Ramu, Ramith; Shirahatti, Prithvi S.; Anilakumar, K. R.; Nayakavadi, Shivasharanappa; Zameer, Farhan; Dhananjaya, B. L.; Nagendra Prasad, M. N.

2017-01-01

Background: The assessment of the nutritional composition and phytochemical screening of banana pseudostem (PB) and flower (FB) advocate this nonconventional food source for routine consumption, considering its various health benefits. Objectives: The aim is to assess the proximate nutrient composition, fatty acids, minerals, amino acid profile, and global antioxidant response (GAR) of PB and FB. Methods: Standard analytical procedures were used to determine the nutritional quality and GAR of PB and FB. Results: The chemical analysis illustrated that functional profile (water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, swelling power, and solubility), and proximate (ash, moisture, protein, fat, dietary fiber, and carbohydrate) contents were substantially high in FB than PB. With a well-proportionate amino acid profile, PB (0.56) and FB (0.54) comprised of a high ratio of essential to nonessential amino acids than those of FAO/WHO requirement (0.38). The mineral analysis revealed that PB and FB were rich in macro and micro minerals in the order K > Ca > Mg > P > Na and K > Mg > Na > Ca > P, respectively. Linoleic acid was found to be the major component in PB and FB. Besides, total antioxidant activity conducted for PB and FB by GAR method, measuring both bio-accessible and insoluble fractions, revealed that the soluble fraction fared better than the chemical extracts. Conclusion: The results revealed high nutritional qualities of the byproducts of banana and the low cost of its production promotes their use as a prospective nonconventional food resource with high nutraceutical value. SUMMARY AOAC: Association of Analytical CommunitiesFAO/WHO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World health organization Abbreviations Used: Banana flower was more potent than banana pseudostem in terms of its nutritional quality and total antioxidant capacity affirming their usefulness (of both the secondary products) in the pharmaceutical sector as a nutritional

Phylogenetic interrelationships of ginglymodian fishes (Actinopterygii: Neopterygii).

PubMed

López-Arbarello, Adriana

2012-01-01

The Ginglymodi is one of the most common, though poorly understood groups of neopterygians, which includes gars, macrosemiiforms, and "semionotiforms." In particular, the phylogenetic relationships between the widely distributed "semionotiforms," and between them and other ginglymodians have been enigmatic. Here, the phylogenetic relationships between eight of the 11 "semionotiform" genera, five genera of living and fossil gars and three macrosemiid genera, are analysed through cladistic analysis, based on 90 morphological characters and 37 taxa, including 7 out-group taxa. The results of the analysis show that the Ginglymodi includes two main lineages: Lepisosteiformes and †Semionotiformes. The genera †Pliodetes, †Araripelepidotes, †Lepidotes, †Scheenstia, and †Isanichthys are lepisosteiforms, and not semionotiforms, as previously thought, and these taxa extend the stratigraphic range of the lineage leading to gars back up to the Early Jurassic. A monophyletic †Lepidotes is restricted to the Early Jurassic species, whereas the strongly tritoral species previously referred to †Lepidotes are referred to †Scheenstia. Other species previously referred to †Lepidotes represent other genera or new taxa. The macrosemiids are well nested within semionotiforms, together with †Semionotidae, here restricted to †Semionotus, and a new family including †Callipurbeckia n. gen. minor (previously referred to †Lepidotes), †Macrosemimimus, †Tlayuamichin, †Paralepidotus, and †Semiolepis. Due to the numerous taxonomic changes needed according to the phylogenetic analysis, this article also includes formal taxonomic definitions and diagnoses for all generic and higher taxa, which are new or modified. The study of Mesozoic ginglymodians led to confirm Patterson's observation that these fishes show morphological affinities with both halecomorphs and teleosts. Therefore, the compilation of large data sets including the Mesozoic ginglymodians and the re

Multibiometric Systems: Fusion Strategies and Template Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

Biometric authentication, or simply biometrics, offers a natural and reliable solution to the problem of identity determination by establishing the identity...applications [99]. Therefore, there is no universally best biometric trait and the choice of biometric depends on the nature and requirements of the...result in a significant reduction in the GAR of a biometric system [72,204]. • Non-universality: If every individual in the target population is able

Remote Sensing Survey for the Grand Isle Re-Evaluation Study and the Dredging of the Bayou Rigaud and Marsh Creation Areas, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

undated] .................. 70 Figure 28. "Dancing the shrimp," the traditional method of removing the dried meat from the shells, gave way to...adornment. Ducks, geese, quail (Phasiani- ied widely, gar, bowfin, catfish, alligator, turtles, dae), partridge, and pigeon were food sources, muskrat...Actually, there and the masses of shells and dried meat are were two seasons: the "first fishing" lasted from thrown against these. A man pushes them

Analysis and Interpretation of Artifact Collections from four Archaeological Sites within the Country Club Gardens Permit Area, West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

Excavation at Chucallssa (40SY1). Laboratory work at C.H. Nash Museum. Testing of suspected mound site near Reelfoot Lake , Obion County, Tennessee...Ferguson 1974:2). The county has many streams, bayov s, and lakes . Major drainages in Crittenden County include the Tyronza River, Fifteenmile Bayou...Branta canadensis). Fish from the larger streams, oxbow lakes and beaver ponds, such as the flathead catfish, alligator gar, drum, buffalo, largemouth

Archaeological Investigations at 3SF332: An Early Mississippian and Tenant Period Site on Cutoff Bayou, St. Francis County, Arkansas

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-01

Chucalissa (40SY1). Laboratory work at C.H. Nash Museum. Testing of suspected mound site near Reelfoot Lake , Obion County, Tennessee. Archaeological...geese (Branta canadensis). Fish from the larger streams, oxbow lakes , and beaver ponds, such as the flathead catfish, alligator gar, drum, buffalo...Zebree site in northeast Arkansas (Morse and Morse 1980), which is the type site for the Big Lake phase. Similar components have been recently

Analysis and Interpretation of Artifact Collections from Site 3CT271, Randolph Estate Development, Crittenden County, Arkansas

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-01

The county has many streams, bayous, and lakes . Major drainages in Crittenden County include the Tyronza River, Fifteenmile Bayou, Tenmile Bayou, and...and canadian geese (Bra nta canadensis). -Fish from the larger streams, oxbow lakes , and beaver ponds, U such as the flathead catfish, alligator gar...type site for the Big Lake phase., Similar components have been recently recognized along the Mississippi River drainage just east of the project area

OPERATION HARDTACK. Project 3.3. Shock Loading in Ships from Underwater Bursts and Response of Shipboard Equipment

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-01

ke l aBit porn of ceeturlifie (atofer md) Sleeelig Gar Room 1iI ¶1 Fitt’ Natfore eck 7 3IMao hlie 01 A VVi Bolkifuad otiffteel2i 1~ Zn ft ov SIS frst...stiffener flange 33 Too of hull Centerline "R SS A Hull stiffener flange 33 Top of hull Centerline 9 R VM Hull stiffener flange 33 45 dog port from top 45 deg

Dispersal barriers and isolation among deep-sea mussel populations (Mytilidae: Bathymodiolus) from eastern Pacific hydrothermal vents.

PubMed

Won, Y; Young, C R; Lutz, R A; Vrijenhoek, R C

2003-01-01

Deep-sea hydrothermal vent species are widely dispersed among habitat islands found along the global mid-ocean ridge system. We examine factors that affect population structure, gene flow and isolation in vent-endemic mussels of the genus Bathymodiolus from the eastern Pacific Ocean. Mussels were sampled from localities including the Galapagos Rift (GAR, 0 degrees 48' N; 86 degrees 10' W) and the East Pacific Rise (EPR, 13 degrees N to 32 degrees S latitude) across a maximum distance of 4900 km. The sampled range crossed a series of topographical features that interrupt linear aspects of the ridge system, and it encompassed regions of strong cross-axis currents that could impede along-axis dispersal of mussel larvae. Examinations of mitochondrial DNA sequences and allozyme variation revealed significant barriers to gene flow along the ridge axis. All populations from the GAR and EPR from 13 degrees N to 11 degrees S were homogeneous genetically and appeared to experience unimpeded high levels of interpopulational gene flow. In contrast, mussels from north and south of the Easter Microplate were highly divergent (4.4%), possibly comprising sister-species that diverged after formation of the microplate approximately 4.5 Ma. Strong cross-axis currents associated with inflated bathymetry of the microplate region may reinforce isolation across this region.

Salivary Platelet Activating Factor Levels in Periodontal Disease

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-05-01

Factor Levels in Periodontal Disease 6. AUTHOR(S) Martha L. Garito, Major 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATO;N...ABSTRACT 98 0801 SALIVARY PLATELET ACTIVATING FACTOR LEVELS IN PERIODONTAL DISEASE A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The University of Texas Graduate...B.S., D.M.D. San Antonio, Texas May 1991 SALIVARY PLATELET ACTIVATING FACTOR LEVELS IN PERIODONTAL DISEASE Martha Laura Gar’to APPROVED: - Supervising

Teilchenphysik Pentaquarks - existieren sie wirklich?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegler, Thomas

2005-07-01

Für viel Wirbel sorgte vor zwei Jahren die Entdeckung eines Pentaquarks, eines bis dahin unbekannten Teilchens, das aus vier Quarks und einem Antiquark besteht. Seitdem hat es jedoch Experimente gegeben, welche die Messung nicht bestätigen konnten. Physiker vom Jefferson-Laboratorium in den USA haben nun kürzlich die Ergebnisse eines Experimentes mit sehr hoher Statistik vorgestellt. Auch sie fanden das Pentaquark nicht. Gibt es das Teilchen also gar nicht?

USSR Report Political and Sociological Affairs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-15

on USSR Council of Ministers resolutions. Under the first subhead "On the Development of Collective Horticulture " the report deals with the resolu...tion "on measures to further develop collective horticulture and market gar- dening," stipulating the provision of "enterprises, organizations, and... children are brought by the stork and men never cheat on their wives... By avoiding or keeping silent in our prose about what in journalism is

Mantle Evolution Beneath The Colorado Palteau: Interpreta-tion of The Study of Mineral Concentrate From Kimberlite Pipe Kl-1 Colorado.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashchepkov, I.; Vladykin, N.; Mitchell, R.; Coopersmith, H.; Garanin, V.; Saprykin, A. I.; Khmelnikova, O. S.

Mineral grains and their intergrowth from the concentrate form the KL1- kimberlite pipe Colorado plateau was analyzed by EPMA and LAM ICP MS in Analytic Center of UIGGM. Garnets reveal nearly continuous trend of the compositions divided into 5 intervals. 1 cumulates from the crust and Sp facie mantle; 2. Gar-Sp lherzolites; 3- Gar- wehrlites, lherzolites and harzburgites; 4- Gar lherzolites and harzburgites; 4. Pyroxenites and Il peri-dotites . They reveal three trend of Ti decrease with the ris- ing Cr content. Those in the inter-growth with the pyroxenes are less in Tio2 as well as the pyroxenes. Discrete large Cpx grains are richer in Na, Al, Cr. TP conditions determined for the clinopyroxenes with Nimis- Taylor, 2001 thermobarometer and barometer Ashchepkov, 2001 reveal the heating from 35 to 40-42 mv/m2 in 30-50kbar interval. The spinels show two compositional intervals 64-50% Cr2O3 and 47-30%. The branch with the essential enrichment to 8% TiO2with the Cr decrease what also suppose the peridotite alteration due to rising of evolving Ti-rich melts. Two descend- ing crystallization lines for the ilmenites suggest the (polybaric) differentiation in two magmatic chambers. The Cr-rich ilmenites and most Cr-rich subcalcis garnets were found in the serpentinized ilmenite harzburgites that probably surround the most deep mag-matic chamber. The Ilm -Q (coesite) intergrowth suggests the deep differenti- ation. Several ilmenites contain up to 11%MnO. Trace elements determined for the clinopyroxenes suppose small decree melting possibly under influence of subducted- related melts having definite U peak and Ta-Nb minimums. Their reaction with peri- dotites with garnet dissolution according to AFC model decrease La/Ybn ration as well as the Pb* and U peak. Two stages of the Ti-rich melt percolations suggested to be accompanied the plum- re-lated melts influence on the peridotite of Wyoming craton keel which was followed with fur-ther followed by submelting of the subducted

Distinct patterns of genetic differentiation among annelids of eastern Pacific hydrothermal vents.

PubMed

Hurtado, L A; Lutz, R A; Vrijenhoek, R C

2004-09-01

Population genetic and phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial COI from five deep-sea hydrothermal vent annelids provided insights into their dispersal modes and barriers to gene flow. These polychaetes inhabit vent fields located along the East Pacific Rise (EPR) and Galapagos Rift (GAR), where hundreds to thousands of kilometers can separate island-like populations. Long-distance dispersal occurs via larval stages, but larval life histories differ among these taxa. Mitochondrial gene flow between populations of Riftia pachyptila, a siboglinid worm with neutrally buoyant lecithothrophic larvae, is diminished across the Easter Microplate region, which lies at the boundary of Indo-Pacific and Antarctic deep-sea provinces. Populations of the siboglinid Tevnia jerichonana are similarly subdivided. Oasisia alvinae is not found on the southern EPR, but northern EPR populations of this siboglinid are subdivided across the Rivera Fracture Zone. Mitochondrial gene flow of Alvinella pompejana, an alvinellid with large negatively buoyant lecithotrophic eggs and arrested embryonic development, is unimpeded across the Easter Microplate region. Gene flow in the polynoid Branchipolynoe symmytilida also is unimpeded across the Easter Microplate region. However, A. pompejana populations are subdivided across the equator, whereas B. symmitilida populations are subdivided between the EPR and GAR axes. The present findings are compared with similar evidence from codistributed species of annelids, molluscs and crustaceans to identify potential dispersal filters in these eastern Pacific ridge systems.

Unusual intraindividual variation of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene is widespread within the Acipenseridae.

PubMed

Krieger, Jeannette; Hett, Anne Kathrin; Fuerst, Paul A; Birstein, Vadim J; Ludwig, Arne

2006-01-01

Significant intraindividual variation in the sequence of the 18S rRNA gene is unusual in animal genomes. In a previous study, multiple 18S rRNA gene sequences were observed within individuals of eight species of sturgeon from North America but not in the North American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, in two species of Polypterus (Polypterus delhezi and Polypterus senegalus), in other primitive fishes (Erpetoichthys calabaricus, Lepisosteus osseus, Amia calva) or in a lungfish (Protopterus sp.). These observations led to the hypothesis that this unusual genetic characteristic arose within the Acipenseriformes after the presumed divergence of the sturgeon and paddlefish families. In the present study, a survey of nearly all Eurasian acipenseriform species was conducted to examine 18S rDNA variation. Intraindividual variation was not found in the polyodontid species, the Chinese paddlefish, Psephurus gladius, but variation was detected in all Eurasian acipenserid species. The comparison of sequences from two major segments of the 18S rRNA gene and identification of sites where insertion/deletion events have occurred are placed in the context of evolutionary relationships within the Acipenseriformes and the evolution of rDNA variation in this group.

A Phylogenomic Perspective on the Radiation of Ray-Finned Fishes Based upon Targeted Sequencing of Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs)

PubMed Central

Sorenson, Laurie; Santini, Francesco

2013-01-01

Ray-finned fishes constitute the dominant radiation of vertebrates with over 32,000 species. Although molecular phylogenetics has begun to disentangle major evolutionary relationships within this vast section of the Tree of Life, there is no widely available approach for efficiently collecting phylogenomic data within fishes, leaving much of the enormous potential of massively parallel sequencing technologies for resolving major radiations in ray-finned fishes unrealized. Here, we provide a genomic perspective on longstanding questions regarding the diversification of major groups of ray-finned fishes through targeted enrichment of ultraconserved nuclear DNA elements (UCEs) and their flanking sequence. Our workflow efficiently and economically generates data sets that are orders of magnitude larger than those produced by traditional approaches and is well-suited to working with museum specimens. Analysis of the UCE data set recovers a well-supported phylogeny at both shallow and deep time-scales that supports a monophyletic relationship between Amia and Lepisosteus (Holostei) and reveals elopomorphs and then osteoglossomorphs to be the earliest diverging teleost lineages. Our approach additionally reveals that sequence capture of UCE regions and their flanking sequence offers enormous potential for resolving phylogenetic relationships within ray-finned fishes. PMID:23824177

The State of Kuwait

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-14

descen- GDP : exchange rate conversion-S8.75 Civil air: 9 major trans!ort aircraft .its at age 21: note--out of all citizens, billion, per capita S6.200...GNEHM. desalination, food processing, building version-tS9.17 bilion. 20.47 of GDP f 1992 fr.: Embassy at Bneid al-Gar (opposite the materials, salt...km total track length government revenues and contributed about (1990): over 700 km double track: govern- 40% to GDP . Most of the nonoil sector has

Parameters for Quantitative Comparison of Two-, Three-, and Four-level Laser Media, Operating Wavelengths, and Temperatures

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-08-01

S) AND ADDRESS(ES) U.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL-SEE-O 2800 Powder Mill Road Adelphi, MD 20783-1197 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION...Kudryashov, and D. Gar - buzov, “Resonant pumping and upconversion in 1.6 m Er lasers,” J. Opt. Soc. Amer. B., vol. 24, pp. 2454–2460, Sep. 2007. [4] A...1 DIRECTOR US ARMY RESEARCH LAB IMNE ALC HRR 2800 POWDER MILL RD ADELPHI MD 20783-1197 1 DIRECTOR US ARMY RESEARCH LAB RDRL CIM

Energetic Ionic Liquids Based on Lanthanide Nitrate Complex Anions (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

calculated nitrogen content for CO-balanced aluminum -con- taining ionic liquids is 28%,[3] while the nitrogen content of CO-balanced salts 11 and 12 is...1 mg of 11 was heated to 200 8C in a micro melting point apparatus, gases rapidly evolved to leave white lanthanum oxide powder . The decomposition...Iyen- gar , J. Tomasi, V. Barone, B. Mennucci, M. Cossi, G. Scalmani, N. Rega, G. A. Petersson, H. Nakatsuji, M. Hada, M. Ehara, K. Toyota, R. Fukuda, J

USSR Report, Military Affairs, No. 1794

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-14

by the rifle were developed by the Dinamit Nobel firm. The cartridge consists of a bullet, powder charge, anvil, and primer. The powder charge is...made from powder with higher ignition temper- ature (100 degrees centigrade higher than gun cotton powder ). It is made in the form of a 21 mm high...seat A-10B trainers. Deployment of the wing at Eielson, which is located near the gar - risons of the main forces of the U. S. Army contingent in Alaska

The Effect of Muzzle Jet Asymmetry on Projectile Motion

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-01-01

fixture was designed to provide invariant mechanical support to the gun tube while allowing control of the symmetry of the muzzle gar flow field...Figure 4. A 2S4mm diameter by 12.7mm thick (non-metric dimensions: 10 in x 1/2 in) aluminum base plate is press fit onto the muzzle of a 6.71mm...indicated by the opaque regions of concentrated powder particles. The muzzle flow at a considerably later time, Figure 1, shows the projectile to be

Detection of Capsule Tampering by Near-Infrared Reflectance Analysis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-08-01

22b. TELEPHONE (Include Area Code) I 22c OFFICE SYM "!f Gar H. HieftJe (812) 335-2189 DO FORM 1473,84 MAR 83 APR edition may be used until exhausted...500 to S0 mg of KCN, and the KCN consisted of fairly large crystals while the analgesic was a powder of small particle size (4,12). Potassium cyanide...10) usually necessary, so NIRA instruments are relatively inexpensive. Little or no ample preparation is required in NIRA, and powders can be directly

A Propposition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-04-29

of this paper. And most importantly to my lovely wife Pat I offer a sincere apology for the neglect she has suffered at the hands of a rugby playing...daughters go walking ( 3), overstay in the gar- den (61). A dragon kidnaps them (A1 ). A call for aid ( B1 ). Quest of three heroes (Cl). Three battles with...34 Information is provided to Dupin by B4 , announcement newspapers and depositions of misfortune (147-152). "...and besides, Le Bon once rendered B1

Novel Group of Leaderless Multipeptide Bacteriocins from Gram-Positive Bacteria.

PubMed

Ovchinnikov, Kirill V; Chi, Hai; Mehmeti, Ibrahim; Holo, Helge; Nes, Ingolf F; Diep, Dzung B

2016-09-01

From raw milk we found 10 Lactococcus garvieae isolates that produce a new broad-spectrum bacteriocin. Though the isolates were obtained from different farms, they turned out to possess identical inhibitory spectra, fermentation profiles of sugars, and repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) DNA patterns, indicating that they produce the same bacteriocin. One of the isolates (L. garvieae KS1546) was chosen for further assessment. Purification and peptide sequencing combined with genome sequencing revealed that the antimicrobial activity was due to a bacteriocin unit composed of three similar peptides of 32 to 34 amino acids. The three peptides are produced without leader sequences, and their genes are located next to each other in an operon-like structure, adjacent to the genes normally involved in bacteriocin transport (ABC transporter) and self-immunity. The bacteriocin, termed garvicin KS (GarKS), showed sequence homology to four multipeptide bacteriocins in databases: the known staphylococcal aureocin A70, consisting of four peptides, and three unannotated putative multipeptide bacteriocins produced by Bacillus cereus All these multipeptide bacteriocin loci show conserved genetic organization, including being located adjacent to conserved genetic determinants (Cro/cI and integrase) which are normally associated with mobile genetic elements or genome rearrangements. The antimicrobial activity of all multipeptide bacteriocins was confirmed with synthetic peptides, and all were shown to have broad antimicrobial spectra, with GarKS being the most active of them. The inhibitory spectrum of GarKS includes important pathogens belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Listeria, and Enterococcus Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a very serious global problem. There are no new antibiotics with novel antimicrobial mechanisms in clinical trials. Bacteriocins use antimicrobial mechanisms different from those of antibiotics and can kill antibiotic

Novel Group of Leaderless Multipeptide Bacteriocins from Gram-Positive Bacteria

PubMed Central

Chi, Hai; Mehmeti, Ibrahim; Holo, Helge; Nes, Ingolf F.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT From raw milk we found 10 Lactococcus garvieae isolates that produce a new broad-spectrum bacteriocin. Though the isolates were obtained from different farms, they turned out to possess identical inhibitory spectra, fermentation profiles of sugars, and repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) DNA patterns, indicating that they produce the same bacteriocin. One of the isolates (L. garvieae KS1546) was chosen for further assessment. Purification and peptide sequencing combined with genome sequencing revealed that the antimicrobial activity was due to a bacteriocin unit composed of three similar peptides of 32 to 34 amino acids. The three peptides are produced without leader sequences, and their genes are located next to each other in an operon-like structure, adjacent to the genes normally involved in bacteriocin transport (ABC transporter) and self-immunity. The bacteriocin, termed garvicin KS (GarKS), showed sequence homology to four multipeptide bacteriocins in databases: the known staphylococcal aureocin A70, consisting of four peptides, and three unannotated putative multipeptide bacteriocins produced by Bacillus cereus. All these multipeptide bacteriocin loci show conserved genetic organization, including being located adjacent to conserved genetic determinants (Cro/cI and integrase) which are normally associated with mobile genetic elements or genome rearrangements. The antimicrobial activity of all multipeptide bacteriocins was confirmed with synthetic peptides, and all were shown to have broad antimicrobial spectra, with GarKS being the most active of them. The inhibitory spectrum of GarKS includes important pathogens belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Listeria, and Enterococcus. IMPORTANCE Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a very serious global problem. There are no new antibiotics with novel antimicrobial mechanisms in clinical trials. Bacteriocins use antimicrobial mechanisms different from those of antibiotics and can kill

Plasma Levels of Nitrite and Nitrate in Early and Recent Classes of Fish

PubMed Central

Williams, Donna A; Flood, Mary H; Lewis, Debra A; Miller, Virginia M; Krause, William J

2008-01-01

The stable metabolite of nitric oxide in plasma is NOx, the sum of nitrite plus nitrate. Measures of plasma NOx may provide information about the nitric oxide tonus of the entire endothelium including capillary microvessels. Although data are available for mammalian species, plasma NOx measurements in early vertebrate species are scarce. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that plasma NOx would be similar to the NOx in the water environment for fish in early classes (Agnatha and Chondrichthye) and would exceed water NOx levels in the known nitrite-sensitive fish (Osteichthye). Plasma samples were obtained from 18 species of adult fish (n = 167) and from their housing or natural water environment. NOx was measured by using chemiluminescence. Plasma NOx was detected in all species and ranged from 0.5 nmol/ml (skate) to 453.9 nmol/ml (shortnose gar). Average plasma NOx was significantly higher in sea lamprey than in Atlantic hagfish whereas that of little skate was 3-fold lower than in spiny dogfish shark. Plasma NOx differed significantly among early bony fish (paddlefish, pallid sturgeon, gar) yet was similar among modern bony fish, with the exception of rainbow trout. Plasma NOx reflected water NOx in only 2 species (hagfish and shark), and levels did not coincide with nitrite sensitivity. This study provides an expanded comparative view of plasma NOx levels across 3 groups of early fish. The data obtained suggest a nitric oxide system in early and modern fish. PMID:19004368

Construction of an alternative glycerol-utilization pathway for improved β-carotene production in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Guo, Jin-Ying; Hu, Kun-Le; Bi, Chang-Hao; Li, Qing-Yan; Zhang, Xue-Li

2018-05-11

Glycerol, which is an inevitable by-product of biodiesel production, is an ideal carbon source for the production of carotenoids due to its low price, good availability and chemically reduced status, which results in a low requirement for additional reducing equivalents. In this study, an alternative carbon-utilization pathway was constructed in Escherichia coli to enable more efficient β-carotene production from glycerol. An aldehyde reductase gene (alrd) and an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (aldH) from Ralstonia eutropha H16 were integrated into the E. coli chromosome to form a novel glycerol-utilization pathway. The β-carotene specific production value was increased by 50% after the introduction of alrd and aldH. It was found that the glycerol kinase gene (garK), alrd and aldH were the bottleneck of the alternative glycerol metabolic pathway, and modulation of garK gene with an mRS library further increased the β-carotene specific production value by 13%. Finally, co-modulation of genes in the introduced aldH-alrd operon led to 86% more of β-carotene specific production value than that of the strain without the alternative glycerol-utilization pathway and the glycerol-utilization rate was also increased. In this work, β-carotene production of E. coli was significantly improved by constructing and optimizing an alternative glycerol-utilization pathway. This strategy can potentially be used to improve the production of other isoprenoids using glycerol as a cheap and abundant substrate, and therefore has industrial relevance.

[Caregiver's health: adaption and validation in a Spanish population of the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI)].

PubMed

Crespo-Maraver, Mariacruz; Doval, Eduardo; Fernández-Castro, Jordi; Giménez-Salinas, Jordi; Prat, Gemma; Bonet, Pere

2018-04-04

To adapt and to validate the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) in a Spanish population, providing empirical evidence of its internal consistency, internal structure and validity. Psychometric validation of the adapted version of the ECI. One hundred and seventy-two caregivers (69.2% women), mean age 57.51 years (range: 21-89) participated. Demographic and clinical data, standardized measures (ECI, suffering scale of SCL-90-R, Zarit burden scale) were used. The two scales of negative evaluation of the ECI most related to serious mental disorders (disruptive behaviours [DB] and negative symptoms [NS]) and the two scales of positive appreciation (positive personal experiences [PPE], and good aspects of the relationship [GAR]) were analyzed. Exploratory structural equation modelling was used to analyze the internal structure. The relationship between the ECI scales and the SCL-90-R and Zarit scores was also studied. The four-factor model presented a good fit. Cronbach's alpha (DB: 0.873; NS: 0.825; PPE: 0.720; GAR: 0.578) showed a higher homogeneity in the negative scales. The SCL-90-R scores correlated with the negative ECI scales, and none of the ECI scales correlated with the Zarit scale. The Spanish version of the ECI can be considered a valid, reliable, understandable and feasible self-report measure for its administration in the health and community context. Copyright © 2018 SESPAS. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

A 20-liter test stand with gas purification for liquid argon research

DOE PAGES

Li, Y.; Thorn, C.; Tang, W.; ...

2016-06-06

Here, we describe the design of a 20-liter test stand constructed to study fundamental properties of liquid argon (LAr). Moreover, this system utilizes a simple, cost-effective gas argon (GAr) purification to achieve high purity, which is necessary to study electron transport properties in LAr. An electron drift stack with up to 25 cm length is constructed to study electron drift, diffusion, and attachment at various electric fields. Finally, a gold photocathode and a pulsed laser are used as a bright electron source. The operational performance of this system is reported.

A 20-liter test stand with gas purification for liquid argon research

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

Li, Y.; Thorn, C.; Tang, W.

Here, we describe the design of a 20-liter test stand constructed to study fundamental properties of liquid argon (LAr). Moreover, this system utilizes a simple, cost-effective gas argon (GAr) purification to achieve high purity, which is necessary to study electron transport properties in LAr. An electron drift stack with up to 25 cm length is constructed to study electron drift, diffusion, and attachment at various electric fields. Finally, a gold photocathode and a pulsed laser are used as a bright electron source. The operational performance of this system is reported.

Protein kinase G confers survival advantage to Mycobacterium tuberculosis during latency-like conditions.

PubMed

Khan, Mehak Zahoor; Bhaskar, Ashima; Upadhyay, Sandeep; Kumari, Pooja; Rajmani, Raju S; Jain, Preeti; Singh, Amit; Kumar, Dhiraj; Bhavesh, Neel Sarovar; Nandicoori, Vinay Kumar

2017-09-29

Protein kinase G (PknG), a thioredoxin-fold-containing eukaryotic-like serine/threonine protein kinase, is a virulence factor in Mycobacterium tuberculosis , required for inhibition of phagolysosomal fusion. Here, we unraveled novel functional facets of PknG during latency-like conditions. We found that PknG mediates persistence under stressful conditions like hypoxia and abets drug tolerance. PknG mutant displayed minimal growth in nutrient-limited conditions, suggesting its role in modulating cellular metabolism. Intracellular metabolic profiling revealed that PknG is necessary for efficient metabolic adaptation during hypoxia. Notably, the PknG mutant exhibited a reductive shift in mycothiol redox potential and compromised stress response. Exposure to antibiotics and hypoxic environment resulted in higher oxidative shift in mycothiol redox potential of PknG mutant compared with the wild type. Persistence during latency-like conditions required kinase activity and thioredoxin motifs of PknG and is mediated through phosphorylation of a central metabolic regulator GarA. Finally, using a guinea pig model of infection, we assessed the in vivo role of PknG in manifestation of disease pathology and established a role for PknG in the formation of stable granuloma, hallmark structures of latent tuberculosis. Taken together, PknG-mediated GarA phosphorylation is important for maintenance of both mycobacterial physiology and redox poise, an axis that is dispensable for survival under normoxic conditions but is critical for non-replicating persistence of mycobacteria. In conclusion, we propose that PknG probably acts as a modulator of latency-associated signals. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Beneficial effects of garlic on learning and memory deficits and brain tissue damages induced by lead exposure during juvenile rat growth is comparable to the effect of ascorbic acid.

PubMed

Ghasemi, Simagol; Hosseini, Mahmoud; Feizpour, Azadeh; Alipour, Fatemeh; Sadeghi, Akram; Vafaee, Farzaneh; Mohammadpour, Toktam; Soukhtanloo, Mohammad; Ebrahimzadeh Bideskan, Alireza; Beheshti, Farimah

2017-04-01

The neuroprotective effects of both garlic and ascorbic acid (AA) have been documented. In this study the effects of garlic and ascorbic acid on memory deficits and brain tissue oxidative damages induced by lead exposure was investigated. The juvenile rats were divided and treated: (1) Control, (2) Lead (lead acetate in drinking water, 8 weeks), (3) Lead - Ascorbic Acid (Lead-AA), (4)  Lead - Garlic (100 mg/kg, daily, gavage) (Lead-Gar). In Morris water maze (MWM), the escape latency and traveled path in the Lead group were significantly higher while, the time spent in the target quadrant (Q1) was lower than Control. Both Lead-Gar and Lead-AA groups spent more times in Q1than to lead group. There were no significant differences in swimming speed between the groups. In passive avoidance (PA) test, the time latency for entering the dark compartment by Lead group was lower than Control. Treatment of the animals by AA and garlic significantly increased the time latency. In Lead group, the total thiol concentration in brain tissues was significantly lower while, MDA was higher than Control. Treatment by both garlic and AA increased total thiol concentrations and decreased MDA. Both garlic and AA decreased the lead content of brain tissues. It is suggested that treatment with garlic attenuates the learning and memory impairments due to lead exposure during juvenile rat growth which is comparable to AA. The possible mechanism may be due to its protective effects against brain tissues oxidative damage as well the lowering effects of brain lead content.

Alkalinized lidocaine and heparin provide immediate relief of pain and urgency in patients with interstitial cystitis.

PubMed

Parsons, C Lowell; Zupkas, Paul; Proctor, Jeffrey; Koziol, James; Franklin, Amie; Giesing, Dennis; Davis, Edward; Lakin, Charles M; Kahn, Bruce S; Garner, William J

2012-01-01

It has been reported in an open-label study that the combination of alkalinized lidocaine and heparin can immediately relieve the symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, and pain associated with interstitial cystitis (IC). This combination has also been reported to relieve pain associated with sex in patients with IC. The aim of this study was to corroborate these findings in a multicenter setting. The study design was a multicenter prospective, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial. Each participant met all of the clinical National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria (excluding cystoscopy) for IC. Each patient received drug and control, in random order, within 48 hours of enrolling in the study. The primary outcome measure was percent change in pain score (11-point analog pain scale) 12 hours after receiving the drug or control. Secondary measures were the global assessment response (GAR) of symptoms and 12-hour average urgency reduction determined from 11-point urgency scales. Eighteen (18) patients completed the trial. The average reduction of pain over 12 hours was 21% for control and 42% for active drug (P = 0.0363). GAR was 13% for control and 50% for drug (P = 0.0137). Average urgency reduction was 13% for control and 35% for drug (P = 0.0328). The combination of alkalinized lidocaine and heparin provides up to 12 hours of relief from urgency and pain associated with IC. This combination provides significant immediate relief of symptoms for patients with IC. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Utilisation de la mélatonine pour le sommeil chez les enfants en bonne santé

PubMed Central

Janjua, Irvin; Goldman, Ran D.

2016-01-01

Résumé Question Une maman a amené son garçon de 12 ans me consulter à mon bureau. Elle s’inquiète, car il a de la difficulté à s’endormir presque tous les soirs. Elle travaille par quarts et elle prend elle-même de la mélatonine pour l’aider à s’endormir. Elle m’a demandé si son garçon pouvait aussi prendre de la mélatonine. Quels sont les recommandations et les éléments à considérer avant d’utiliser la mélatonine chez les enfants et les adolescents en bonne santé? Réponse L’insomnie est rapportée chez jusqu’à un quart des enfants en bonne santé et chez les trois quarts des enfants atteints d’une affection psychiatrique ou neurodéveloppementale, ce qui entraîne des conséquences négatives. Pour les enfants atteints du syndrome de retard de phase du sommeil, la mélatonine pourrait s’avérer utile lorsque jumelée à une évaluation de l’insomnie et à un suivi régulier. La mélatonine pourrait être envisagée pour des enfants sans diagnostic d’insomnie qui ont une bonne hygiène du sommeil. Bien qu’elle semble sans danger, il n’existe pas de données probantes en faveur de l’emploi systématique de la mélatonine chez les enfants en bonne santé.

Subcontract Competition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

McAreavy Advanced Attack Helicopter, ATTN;. DRCPM-AAH Target Acquisition Designation System/Pilot Night Vision System, ATTN; nRCPM-AAH-TP USA Aviation...Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, ATTN: DRCPM-NG USA Communications-Electronics Command, ATTN: DRCPM-GARS SMOKE/OBSCURANTS, ATTN; DRCPM...LI~ C.’ t4 oo C) ON )~ al C a;- n en𔃾D 9- C% L In C) c! o c5 4o Lo’ w - 0) ’. co L t~0 0l C)O~L 1,.- ool *.- # 0 t; -, j CC -J tmj Li -00 0 0 C 0*J

Inorganic Polymers and the Elimination-Condensation Reaction.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-04-29

studies of the elimination reaction will involve the reaction of an organoindium compound with a phosphine . The system, InMe 3-PMePhH, would be ideal. We...deprotonating reagents and potential amphoteric ligands. The compound C5H5GaMe2 reacts readily with FeCI2 to form ferrocene and with Fe2(CO)9 to...organogallium derivatives of ferrocene Fe(C5H4GaR2 )2 are being investigated by studying the reactions of Li2 (C5H4 )2Fe with two moles of GaMe2 CI or Ga(CH2SiMe3

Identification of novel proteins associated with yeast snR30 small nucleolar RNA

PubMed Central

Lemay, Vincent; Hossain, Ahmed; Osheim, Yvonne N.; Beyer, Ann L.; Dragon, François

2011-01-01

H/ACA small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs) that guide pseudouridylation reactions are comprised of one small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) and four common proteins (Cbf5, Gar1, Nhp2 and Nop10). Unlike other H/ACA snoRNPs, snR30 is essential for the early processing reactions that lead to the production of 18S ribosomal RNA in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To determine whether snR30 RNP contains specific proteins that contribute to its unique functional properties, we devised an affinity purification strategy using TAP-tagged Gar1 and an RNA aptamer inserted in snR30 snoRNA to selectively purify the RNP. Northern blotting and pCp labeling experiments showed that S1-tagged snR30 snoRNA can be selectively purified with streptavidin beads. Protein analysis revealed that aptamer-tagged snR30 RNA was associated with the four H/ACA proteins and a number of additional proteins: Nop6, ribosomal proteins S9 and S18 and histones H2B and H4. Using antibodies raised against Nop6 we show that endogenous Nop6 localizes to the nucleolus and that it cosediments with snR30 snoRNA in sucrose density gradients. We demonstrate through primer extension experiments that snR30 snoRNA is required for cleavages at site A0, A1 and A2, and that the absence of Nop6 decreases the efficiency of cleavage at site A2. Finally, electron microscopy analyses of chromatin spreads from cells depleted of snR30 snoRNA show that it is required for SSU processome assembly. PMID:21893585

Insight into the rupture process of a rare tsunami earthquake from near-field high-rate GPS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macpherson, K. A.; Hill, E. M.; Elosegui, P.; Banerjee, P.; Sieh, K. E.

2011-12-01

We investigated the rupture duration and velocity of the October 25, 2010 Mentawai earthquake by examining high-rate GPS displacement data. This Mw=7.8 earthquake appears to have ruptured either an up-dip part of the Sumatran megathrust or a fore-arc splay fault, and produced tsunami run-ups on nearby islands that were out of proportion with its magnitude. It has been described as a so-called "slow tsunami earthquake", characterised by a dearth of high-frequency signal and long rupture duration in low-strength, near-surface media. The event was recorded by the Sumatran GPS Array (SuGAr), a network of high-rate (1 sec) GPS sensors located on the nearby islands of the Sumatran fore-arc. For this study, the 1 sec time series from 8 SuGAr stations were selected for analysis due to their proximity to the source and high-quality recordings of both static displacements and dynamic waveforms induced by surface waves. The stations are located at epicentral distances of between 50 and 210 km, providing a unique opportunity to observe the dynamic source processes of a tsunami earthquake from near-source, high-rate GPS. We estimated the rupture duration and velocity by simulating the rupture using the spectral finite-element method SPECFEM and comparing the synthetic time series to the observed surface waves. A slip model from a previous study, derived from the inversion of GPS static offsets and tsunami data, and the CRUST2.0 3D velocity model were used as inputs for the simulations. Rupture duration and velocity were varied for a suite of simulations in order to determine the parameters that produce the best-fitting waveforms.

Human body temperature (37degrees C) increases the expression of iron, carbohydrate, and amino acid utilization genes in Escherichia coli K-12.

PubMed

White-Ziegler, Christine A; Malhowski, Amy J; Young, Sarah

2007-08-01

Using DNA microarrays, we identified 126 genes in Escherichia coli K-12 whose expression is increased at human body temperature (37 degrees C) compared to growth at 23 degrees C. Genes involved in the uptake and utilization of amino acids, carbohydrates, and iron dominated the list, supporting a model in which temperature serves as a host cue to increase expression of bacterial genes needed for growth. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we investigated the thermoregulatory response for representative genes in each of these three categories (hisJ, cysP, srlE, garP, fes, and cirA), along with the fimbrial gene papB. Increased expression at 37 degrees C compared to 23 degrees C was retained in both exponential and stationary phases for all of the genes and in most of the various media tested, supporting the relative importance of this cue in adapting to changing environments. Because iron acquisition is important for both growth and virulence, we analyzed the regulation of the iron utilization genes cirA and fes and found that growth in iron-depleted medium abrogated the thermoregulatory effect, with high-level expression at both temperatures, contrasting with papB thermoregulation, which was not greatly altered by limiting iron levels. A positive role for the environmental regulator H-NS was found for fes, cirA, hisJ, and srlE transcription, whereas it had a primarily negative effect on cysP and garP expression. Together, these studies indicate that temperature is a broadly used cue for regulating gene expression in E. coli and that H-NS regulates iron, carbohydrate, and amino acid utilization gene expression.

Amblyomma dissimile Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) attacking Primolius maracana Vieillot (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) in the Amazon region, State of Pará, Brazil.

PubMed

Scofield, A; Bahia, M; Martins, A L; Góes-Cavalcante, G; Martins, T F; Labruna, M B

2011-01-01

The tick Amblyomma dissimile Koch feeds preferentially on reptiles (Squamata), although amphibians (Anura) also seem to be important hosts. We report an A. dissimile nymph infesting a blue-winged macaw, Primolius maracana, held in captivity in the Mangal das Garças Park, State of Pará, Brazil. Environmental observations suggest that free-living iguanas (Iguana iguana), which used to walk on the bird enclosure in the park, were the source of the A. dissimile tick that infested the blue-winged macaw. We provide the second world record of a bird host for A. dissimile, and the first bird record for this species in South America.

The Revised AFGL (Air Force Geophysics Laboratory) Infrared Sky Survey Catalog

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-16

REPRODUCE LEGIBLY. BEST AVAILABLE COPY Z!The Revised AFGL Infrared SlKy Survey C ~k I STEPHAN D. PRICE THO ’MAS L. MURADOCK 16 June 1983 ApprŖve f ,:, rd cwi...dii ut~un -jELE/:TE:j’ OCT 251MS3 ~ P ~CA PH3~ C D~/IS~~i\\PRO)JECT 767C AR F C R r, ;G,EQP IY i C S A6 QR A C , l, Y ’ AN5CIAND U : (,AF 1~’A SOt 3...34 . GAR , Direct r Infrared Physics Branch Iial Phy c Division Qualified requestors may obtain additional copies from the Defense Technical

Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS): molecular neurogenetic evidence for predisposition to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS).

PubMed

Blum, Kenneth; Oscar-Berman, Marlene; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Barh, Debmalya; Gold, Mark S

2014-12-01

We have published extensively on the neurogenetics of brain reward systems with reference to the genes related to dopaminergic function in particular. In 1996, we coined "Reward Deficiency Syndrome" (RDS), to portray behaviors found to have gene-based association with hypodopaminergic function. RDS as a useful concept has been embraced in many subsequent studies, to increase our understanding of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), addictions, and other obsessive, compulsive, and impulsive behaviors. Interestingly, albeit others, in one published study, we were able to describe lifetime RDS behaviors in a recovering addict (17 years sober) blindly by assessing resultant Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS™) data only. We hypothesize that genetic testing at an early age may be an effective preventive strategy to reduce or eliminate pathological substance and behavioral seeking activity. Here, we consider a select number of genes, their polymorphisms, and associated risks for RDS whereby, utilizing GWAS, there is evidence for convergence to reward candidate genes. The evidence presented serves as a plausible brain-print providing relevant genetic information that will reinforce targeted therapies, to improve recovery and prevent relapse on an individualized basis. The primary driver of RDS is a hypodopaminergic trait (genes) as well as epigenetic states (methylation and deacetylation on chromatin structure). We now have entered a new era in addiction medicine that embraces the neuroscience of addiction and RDS as a pathological condition in brain reward circuitry that calls for appropriate evidence-based therapy and early genetic diagnosis and that requires further intensive investigation.

Gas atomized precursor alloy powder for oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic stainless steel

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

Rieken, Joel

Gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) was employed as a simplified method for producing precursor powders for oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic stainless steels (e.g., Fe-Cr-Y-(Ti,Hf)-O), departing from the conventional mechanical alloying (MA) process. During GARS processing a reactive atomization gas (i.e., Ar-O 2) was used to oxidize the powder surfaces during primary break-up and rapid solidification of the molten alloy. This resulted in envelopment of the powders by an ultra-thin (t < 150 nm) metastable Cr-enriched oxide layer that was used as a vehicle for solid-state transport of O into the consolidated microstructure. In an attempt to better understand themore » kinetics of this GARS reaction, theoretical cooling curves for the atomized droplets were calculated and used to establish an oxidation model for this process. Subsequent elevated temperature heat treatments, which were derived from Rhines pack measurements using an internal oxidation model, were used to promote thermodynamically driven O exchange reactions between trapped films of the initial Cr-enriched surface oxide and internal Y-enriched intermetallic precipitates. This novel microstructural evolution process resulted in the successful formation of nano-metric Y-enriched dispersoids, as confirmed using high energy X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), equivalent to conventional ODS alloys from MA powders. The thermal stability of these Y-enriched dispersoids was evaluated using high temperature (1200°C) annealing treatments ranging from 2.5 to 1,000 hrs of exposure. In a further departure from current ODS practice, replacing Ti with additions of Hf appeared to improve the Y-enriched dispersoid thermal stability by means of crystal structure modification. Additionally, the spatial distribution of the dispersoids was found to depend strongly on the original rapidly solidified microstructure. To exploit this, ODS microstructures were engineered from

The Global Tsunami Model (GTM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thio, H. K.; Løvholt, F.; Harbitz, C. B.; Polet, J.; Lorito, S.; Basili, R.; Volpe, M.; Romano, F.; Selva, J.; Piatanesi, A.; Davies, G.; Griffin, J.; Baptista, M. A.; Omira, R.; Babeyko, A. Y.; Power, W. L.; Salgado Gálvez, M.; Behrens, J.; Yalciner, A. C.; Kanoglu, U.; Pekcan, O.; Ross, S.; Parsons, T.; LeVeque, R. J.; Gonzalez, F. I.; Paris, R.; Shäfer, A.; Canals, M.; Fraser, S. A.; Wei, Y.; Weiss, R.; Zaniboni, F.; Papadopoulos, G. A.; Didenkulova, I.; Necmioglu, O.; Suppasri, A.; Lynett, P. J.; Mokhtari, M.; Sørensen, M.; von Hillebrandt-Andrade, C.; Aguirre Ayerbe, I.; Aniel-Quiroga, Í.; Guillas, S.; Macias, J.

2016-12-01

The large tsunami disasters of the last two decades have highlighted the need for a thorough understanding of the risk posed by relatively infrequent but disastrous tsunamis and the importance of a comprehensive and consistent methodology for quantifying the hazard. In the last few years, several methods for probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis have been developed and applied to different parts of the world. In an effort to coordinate and streamline these activities and make progress towards implementing the Sendai Framework of Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) we have initiated a Global Tsunami Model (GTM) working group with the aim of i) enhancing our understanding of tsunami hazard and risk on a global scale and developing standards and guidelines for it, ii) providing a portfolio of validated tools for probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk assessment at a range of scales, and iii) developing a global tsunami hazard reference model. This GTM initiative has grown out of the tsunami component of the Global Assessment of Risk (GAR15), which has resulted in an initial global model of probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk. Started as an informal gathering of scientists interested in advancing tsunami hazard analysis, the GTM is currently in the process of being formalized through letters of interest from participating institutions. The initiative has now been endorsed by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Bank's Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). We will provide an update on the state of the project and the overall technical framework, and discuss the technical issues that are currently being addressed, including earthquake source recurrence models, the use of aleatory variability and epistemic uncertainty, and preliminary results for a probabilistic global hazard assessment, which is an update of the model included in UNISDR GAR15.

Basal jawed vertebrate phylogeny inferred from multiple nuclear DNA-coded genes

PubMed Central

Kikugawa, Kanae; Katoh, Kazutaka; Kuraku, Shigehiro; Sakurai, Hiroshi; Ishida, Osamu; Iwabe, Naoyuki; Miyata, Takashi

2004-01-01

Background Phylogenetic analyses of jawed vertebrates based on mitochondrial sequences often result in confusing inferences which are obviously inconsistent with generally accepted trees. In particular, in a hypothesis by Rasmussen and Arnason based on mitochondrial trees, cartilaginous fishes have a terminal position in a paraphyletic cluster of bony fishes. No previous analysis based on nuclear DNA-coded genes could significantly reject the mitochondrial trees of jawed vertebrates. Results We have cloned and sequenced seven nuclear DNA-coded genes from 13 vertebrate species. These sequences, together with sequences available from databases including 13 jawed vertebrates from eight major groups (cartilaginous fishes, bichir, chondrosteans, gar, bowfin, teleost fishes, lungfishes and tetrapods) and an outgroup (a cyclostome and a lancelet), have been subjected to phylogenetic analyses based on the maximum likelihood method. Conclusion Cartilaginous fishes have been inferred to be basal to other jawed vertebrates, which is consistent with the generally accepted view. The minimum log-likelihood difference between the maximum likelihood tree and trees not supporting the basal position of cartilaginous fishes is 18.3 ± 13.1. The hypothesis by Rasmussen and Arnason has been significantly rejected with the minimum log-likelihood difference of 123 ± 23.3. Our tree has also shown that living holosteans, comprising bowfin and gar, form a monophyletic group which is the sister group to teleost fishes. This is consistent with a formerly prevalent view of vertebrate classification, although inconsistent with both of the current morphology-based and mitochondrial sequence-based trees. Furthermore, the bichir has been shown to be the basal ray-finned fish. Tetrapods and lungfish have formed a monophyletic cluster in the tree inferred from the concatenated alignment, being consistent with the currently prevalent view. It also remains possible that tetrapods are more closely

The Global Tsunami Model (GTM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorito, S.; Basili, R.; Harbitz, C. B.; Løvholt, F.; Polet, J.; Thio, H. K.

2017-12-01

The tsunamis occurred worldwide in the last two decades have highlighted the need for a thorough understanding of the risk posed by relatively infrequent but often disastrous tsunamis and the importance of a comprehensive and consistent methodology for quantifying the hazard. In the last few years, several methods for probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis have been developed and applied to different parts of the world. In an effort to coordinate and streamline these activities and make progress towards implementing the Sendai Framework of Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) we have initiated a Global Tsunami Model (GTM) working group with the aim of i) enhancing our understanding of tsunami hazard and risk on a global scale and developing standards and guidelines for it, ii) providing a portfolio of validated tools for probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk assessment at a range of scales, and iii) developing a global tsunami hazard reference model. This GTM initiative has grown out of the tsunami component of the Global Assessment of Risk (GAR15), which has resulted in an initial global model of probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk. Started as an informal gathering of scientists interested in advancing tsunami hazard analysis, the GTM is currently in the process of being formalized through letters of interest from participating institutions. The initiative has now been endorsed by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Bank's Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). We will provide an update on the state of the project and the overall technical framework, and discuss the technical issues that are currently being addressed, including earthquake source recurrence models, the use of aleatory variability and epistemic uncertainty, and preliminary results for a probabilistic global hazard assessment, which is an update of the model included in UNISDR GAR15.

The Global Tsunami Model (GTM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Løvholt, Finn

2017-04-01

The large tsunami disasters of the last two decades have highlighted the need for a thorough understanding of the risk posed by relatively infrequent but disastrous tsunamis and the importance of a comprehensive and consistent methodology for quantifying the hazard. In the last few years, several methods for probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis have been developed and applied to different parts of the world. In an effort to coordinate and streamline these activities and make progress towards implementing the Sendai Framework of Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) we have initiated a Global Tsunami Model (GTM) working group with the aim of i) enhancing our understanding of tsunami hazard and risk on a global scale and developing standards and guidelines for it, ii) providing a portfolio of validated tools for probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk assessment at a range of scales, and iii) developing a global tsunami hazard reference model. This GTM initiative has grown out of the tsunami component of the Global Assessment of Risk (GAR15), which has resulted in an initial global model of probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk. Started as an informal gathering of scientists interested in advancing tsunami hazard analysis, the GTM is currently in the process of being formalized through letters of interest from participating institutions. The initiative has now been endorsed by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Bank's Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). We will provide an update on the state of the project and the overall technical framework, and discuss the technical issues that are currently being addressed, including earthquake source recurrence models, the use of aleatory variability and epistemic uncertainty, and preliminary results for a probabilistic global hazard assessment, which is an update of the model included in UNISDR GAR15.

A baculovirus-mediated strategy for full-length plant virus coat protein expression and purification.

PubMed

Ardisson-Araújo, Daniel Mendes Pereira; Rocha, Juliana Ribeiro; da Costa, Márcio Hedil Oliveira; Bocca, Anamélia Lorenzetti; Dusi, André Nepomuceno; de Oliveira Resende, Renato; Ribeiro, Bergmann Morais

2013-08-15

Garlic production is severely affected by virus infection, causing a decrease in productivity and quality. There are no virus-free cultivars and garlic-infecting viruses are difficult to purify, which make specific antibody production very laborious. Since high quality antisera against plant viruses are important tools for serological detection, we have developed a method to express and purify full-length plant virus coat proteins using baculovirus expression system and insects as bioreactors. In this work, we have fused the full-length coat protein (cp) gene from the Garlic Mite-borne Filamentous Virus (GarMbFV) to the 3'-end of the Polyhedrin (polh) gene of the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). The recombinant baculovirus was amplified in insect cell culture and the virus was used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda larvae. Thus, the recombinant fused protein was easily purified from insect cadavers using sucrose gradient centrifugation and analyzed by Western Blotting. Interestingly, amorphous crystals were produced in the cytoplasm of cells infected with the recombinant virus containing the chimeric-protein gene but not in cells infected with the wild type and recombinant virus containing the hexa histidine tagged Polh. Moreover, the chimeric protein was used to immunize rats and generate antibodies against the target protein. The antiserum produced was able to detect plants infected with GarMbFV, which had been initially confirmed by RT-PCR. The expression of a plant virus full-length coat protein fused to the baculovirus Polyhedrin in recombinant baculovirus-infected insects was shown to produce high amounts of the recombinant protein which was easily purified and efficiently used to generate specific antibodies. Therefore, this strategy can potentially be used for the development of plant virus diagnostic kits for those viruses that are difficult to purify, are present in low titers or are present in mix infection in

Accurate localization and relative quantification of arginine methylation using nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled to electron transfer dissociation and orbitrap mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Wang, Hao; Straubinger, Robert M; Aletta, John M; Cao, Jin; Duan, Xiaotao; Yu, Haoying; Qu, Jun

2009-03-01

Protein arginine (Arg) methylation serves an important functional role in eucaryotic cells, and typically occurs in domains consisting of multiple Arg in close proximity. Localization of methylarginine (MA) within Arg-rich domains poses a challenge for mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods; the peptides are highly charged under electrospray ionization (ESI), which limits the number of sequence-informative products produced by collision induced dissociation (CID), and loss of the labile methylation moieties during CID precludes effective fragmentation of the peptide backbone. Here the fragmentation behavior of Arg-rich peptides was investigated comprehensively using electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) and CID for both methylated and unmodified glycine-/Arg-rich peptides (GAR), derived from residues 679-695 of human nucleolin, which contains methylation motifs that are widely-represented in biological systems. ETD produced abundant information for sequencing and MA localization, whereas CID failed to provide credible identification for any available charge state (z = 2-4). Nevertheless, CID produced characteristic neutral losses that can be employed to distinguish among different types of MA, as suggested by previous works and confirmed here with product ion scans of high accuracy/resolution by an LTQ/Orbitrap. To analyze MA-peptides in relatively complex mixtures, a method was developed that employs nano-LC coupled to alternating CID/ETD for peptide sequencing and MA localization/characterization, and an Orbitrap for accurate precursor measurement and relative quantification of MA-peptide stoichiometries. As proof of concept, GAR-peptides methylated in vitro by protein arginine N-methyltransferases PRMT1 and PRMT7 were analyzed. It was observed that PRMT1 generated a number of monomethylated (MMA) and asymmetric-dimethylated peptides, while PRMT7 produced predominantly MMA peptides and some symmetric-dimethylated peptides. This approach and the results may advance

Accurate Localization and Relative Quantification of Arginine Methylation Using Nanoflow Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Electron Transfer Dissociation and Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Wang, Hao; Straubinger, Robert M.; Aletta, John M.; Cao, Jin; Duan, Xiaotao; Yu, Haoying; Qu, Jun

2012-01-01

Protein arginine (Arg) methylation serves an important functional role in eukaryotic cells, and typically occurs in domains consisting of multiple Arg in close proximity. Localization of methylarginine (MA) within Arg-rich domains poses a challenge for mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods; the peptides are highly-charged under electrospray ionization (ESI), which limits the number of sequence-informative products produced by collision induced dissociation (CID), and loss of the labile methylation moieties during CID precludes effective fragmentation of the peptide backbone. Here the fragmentation behavior of Arg-rich peptides was investigated comprehensively using electron transfer dissociation (ETD) and CID for both methylated and unmodified glycine-/Arg-rich peptides (GAR), derived from residues 679-695 of human nucleolin, which contains methylation motifs that are widely-represented in biological systems. ETD produced abundant information for sequencing and MA localization, whereas CID failed to provide credible identification for any available charge state (z=2-4). Nevertheless, CID produced characteristic neutral losses that can be employed to distinguish among different types of MA, as suggested by previous works and confirmed here with product ion scans of high accuracy/resolution by an LTQ/Orbitrap. To analyze MA-peptides in relatively complex mixtures, a method was developed that employs nano-LC coupled to alternating CID/ETD for peptide sequencing and MA localization/characterization, and an Orbitrap for accurate precursor measurement and relative quantification of MA-peptide stoichiometries. As proof of concept, GAR-peptides methylated in vitro by protein arginine N-methyltransferases PRMT1 and PRMT7 were analyzed. It was observed that PRMT1 generated a number of monomethylated (MMA) and asymmetric-dimethylated peptides, while PRMT7 produced predominantly MMA peptides and some symmetric-dimethylated peptides. This approach and the results may advance

Combining heuristic and statistical techniques in landslide hazard assessments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cepeda, Jose; Schwendtner, Barbara; Quan, Byron; Nadim, Farrokh; Diaz, Manuel; Molina, Giovanni

2014-05-01

As a contribution to the Global Assessment Report 2013 - GAR2013, coordinated by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction - UNISDR, a drill-down exercise for landslide hazard assessment was carried out by entering the results of both heuristic and statistical techniques into a new but simple combination rule. The data available for this evaluation included landslide inventories, both historical and event-based. In addition to the application of a heuristic method used in the previous editions of GAR, the availability of inventories motivated the use of statistical methods. The heuristic technique is largely based on the Mora & Vahrson method, which estimates hazard as the product of susceptibility and triggering factors, where classes are weighted based on expert judgment and experience. Two statistical methods were also applied: the landslide index method, which estimates weights of the classes for the susceptibility and triggering factors based on the evidence provided by the density of landslides in each class of the factors; and the weights of evidence method, which extends the previous technique to include both positive and negative evidence of landslide occurrence in the estimation of weights for the classes. One key aspect during the hazard evaluation was the decision on the methodology to be chosen for the final assessment. Instead of opting for a single methodology, it was decided to combine the results of the three implemented techniques using a combination rule based on a normalization of the results of each method. The hazard evaluation was performed for both earthquake- and rainfall-induced landslides. The country chosen for the drill-down exercise was El Salvador. The results indicate that highest hazard levels are concentrated along the central volcanic chain and at the centre of the northern mountains.

Atomic Basic Blocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheler, Fabian; Mitzlaff, Martin; Schröder-Preikschat, Wolfgang

Die Entscheidung, einen zeit- bzw. ereignisgesteuerten Ansatz für ein Echtzeitsystem zu verwenden, ist schwierig und sehr weitreichend. Weitreichend vor allem deshalb, weil diese beiden Ansätze mit äußerst unterschiedlichen Kontrollflussabstraktionen verknüpft sind, die eine spätere Migration zum anderen Paradigma sehr schwer oder gar unmöglich machen. Wir schlagen daher die Verwendung einer Zwischendarstellung vor, die unabhängig von der jeweils verwendeten Kontrollflussabstraktion ist. Für diesen Zweck verwenden wir auf Basisblöcken basierende Atomic Basic Blocks (ABB) und bauen darauf ein Werkzeug, den Real-Time Systems Compiler (RTSC) auf, der die Migration zwischen zeit- und ereignisgesteuerten Systemen unterstützt.

Slip-rate measurements on the Karakorum Fault may imply secular variations in fault motion.

PubMed

Chevalier, M-L; Ryerson, F J; Tapponnier, P; Finkel, R C; Van Der Woerd, J; Haibing, Li; Qing, Liu

2005-01-21

Beryllium-10 surface exposure dating of offset moraines on one branch of the Karakorum Fault west of the Gar basin yields a long-term (140- to 20-thousand-year) right-lateral slip rate of approximately 10.7 +/- 0.7 millimeters per year. This rate is 10 times larger than that inferred from recent InSAR analyses ( approximately 1 +/- 3 millimeters per year) that span approximately 8 years and sample all branches of the fault. The difference in slip-rate determinations suggests that large rate fluctuations may exist over centennial or millennial time scales. Such fluctuations would be consistent with mechanical coupling between the seismogenic, brittle-creep, and ductile shear sections of faults that reach deep into the crust.

First Report of Microfaunal Remains from Lignitic Sequences of Bhavnagar Lignite Mine (khadsaliya Formation), Gujarat, India: Implication to Depositional Environments and Age

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maurya, A. S.

2016-12-01

FIRST REPORT OF MICROFAUNAL REMAINS FROM LIGNITIC SEQUENCES OF BHAVNAGAR LIGNITE MINE (KHADSALIYA FORMATION), GUJARAT, INDIA: IMPLICATION TO DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENTS AND AGEABHAYANAND SINGH MAURYA1*, SANJAY KUMAR VERMA1, PRAGYA PANDEY11Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee Moderately preserved fish otoliths, fish vertebra, bivalves, pteropods, ostracods and foraminifereral remains were recovered from the grey to greenish-grey clays of Khadsaliya Formation, Bhavnagar Lignite Mine (western India) and quantitatively analyzed to understand the depositional environment. The bio-facies assemblage is diverse and dominated by fauna Fishes, Bivalve, Pteropods and with rare occurrences of Ostracoda and Foraminifera. Fish fauna includes otoliths represented by Ambassidarum, Apogonidarum, Percoideorum and Gobiidarum vastani, out of which Gobiidarum vastani is possibly representing Ypresian (early Eocene). The Globanomalina ovalis a smaller planktic foraminifer is known to be a very short ranged species corresponds to Planktic Foranimiferal Zone 5 to 6 (P5-P6) i.e late Thanetian to early Yepresian. Presence of both fresh water (Lepisosteus, Osteoglossidae), fresh water (Cypridopsis) ostracods and shallow marine fauna (Enchodus, Egertonia and Stephanodus) of fish vertebra; (Cardita) bivalve, , marine water (Globanomalina, Eggrella, Pyrulinoides) foraminifer suggests that Bhavnagar lignite mine have an assemblage of admixed fauna and rocks of Khaldsiya formation at Bhavnagar Lignite mine deposited under marine transgressive-regressive cycles. Some of the microfauna from Bhavnagar lignite mine show close affinities with microfaunal assemblages of the Vastan lignite mine of Gujarat, India which is stated to be of Ypresian (early Eocene).

Infrared spectrum, NBO, HOMO-LUMO, MEP and molecular docking studies (2E)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-1-[4-piperidin-1-yl]prop-2-en-1-one.

PubMed

Panicker, C Yohannan; Varghese, Hema Tresa; Nayak, Prakash S; Narayana, B; Sarojini, B K; Fun, H K; War, Javeed Ahamad; Srivastava, S K; Van Alsenoy, C

2015-09-05

FT-IR spectrum of (2E)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-1-[4-piperidin-1-yl]prop-2-en-1-one was recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed using HF and DFT quantum chemical calculations. The data obtained from wavenumber calculations are used to assign IR bands. Potential energy distribution was done using GAR2PED software. The geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with the XRD results. NBO analysis, HOMO-LUMO, first and second hyperpolarizability and molecular electrostatic potential results are also reported. The possible electrophile attacking sites of the title molecule is identified using MEP surface plot study. Molecular docking results predicted the anti-leishmanic activity for the compound. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

An efficient routing strategy for traffic dynamics on two-layer complex networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Jinlong; Wang, Huiling; Zhang, Zhuxi; Zhang, Yi; Duan, Congwen; Qi, Zhaohui; Liu, Yu

2018-05-01

In order to alleviate traffic congestion on multilayer networks, designing an efficient routing strategy is one of the most important ways. In this paper, a novel routing strategy is proposed to reduce traffic congestion on two-layer networks. In the proposed strategy, the optimal paths in the physical layer are chosen by comprehensively considering the roles of nodes’ degrees of the two layers. Both numerical and analytical results indicate that our routing strategy can reasonably redistribute the traffic load of the physical layer, and thus the traffic capacity of two-layer complex networks are significantly enhanced compared with the shortest path routing (SPR) and the global awareness routing (GAR) strategies. This study may shed some light on the optimization of networked traffic dynamics.

Culpabilité chez les enfants victimes d’agression sexuelle : Le rôle médiateur des stratégies d’évitement sur l’anxiété et l’estime de soi

PubMed Central

Gauthier-Duchesne, Amélie; Hébert, Martine; Daspe, Marie-Ève

2017-01-01

Résumé Des études antérieures relèvent que le sentiment de culpabilité est un facteur associé aux répercussions de l’agression sexuelle (AS) chez les survivants adultes (Cantón-Cortés, Cantón, Justicia et Cortés, 2011). Toutefois, très peu d’études ont exploré le rôle potentiel du sentiment de culpabilité sur les symptômes chez les enfants victimes. L’objectif de cette recherche est d’étudier le rôle médiateur de l’évitement dans la relation entre le sentiment de culpabilité et les symptômes associés à l’AS (anxiété et estime de soi). L’échantillon est composé de 447 enfants victimes d'AS (319 filles et 128 garçons), âgés de 6 à 12 ans. Les résultats des analyses acheminatoires indiquent que les enfants révélant davantage de culpabilité par rapport à la situation d’AS présentent un niveau plus élevé d’anxiété et une plus faible estime d’eux-mêmes. Un effet indirect a également été observé et montre que le sentiment de culpabilité est lié à l’utilisation de stratégies d’évitement, qui en retour exacerbent les symptômes d’anxiété et contribuent à une plus faible estime de soi. Le modèle, qui s’ajuste aux données de manière équivalente pour les filles et les garçons, permet d’expliquer 24,4 % de la variance des symptômes d’anxiété et 11,2 % de la variance de l’estime de soi. Ces résultats laissent entendre que le sentiment de culpabilité pourrait constituer une cible d’intervention pertinente pour les enfants victimes d’AS. PMID:29445251

Changes on protein expression associated with salinity tolerance in Brassica cell cultures.

PubMed

Martín, J P; Elavummoottil, O C; Moreno, M L

1993-09-01

The synthesis of proteins from salt-tolerant Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L. subvar. cauliflora (Gars.) DC. (cauliflower) cell cultures is modified in relation to controls in several features. There are nine newly induced polypeptides in tolerant cultures (absent in control conditions). Some of them are only present under low salt levels (85 mM NaCl). Another group seems to be representative of moderate and high salt levels (170 and 255 mM NaCl), and a third group is present in all the salt conditions tested. On the other hand, the synthesis of most of the polypeptides present in control conditions is modified in salt-tolerant cultures by increasing, decreasing or stopping their synthesis in any of the tested conditions. The relationship between these changes in Brassica and other plant systems is discussed.

Airport Landside. Volume II. The Airport Landside Simulation Model (ALSIM) Description and Users Guide.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

liii i i E-- .!ju a’sh " al !i 1. 5535 U, ;, , ,i l 0i I-J I I l l l l . . .... . . .. . .. i TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1. INTRODUCTION...1Mti34S.GATZa34.SAGal?.tNTut.- ARY PLTPI~s9lO,ACaII. PAXvITI .TPAX.,I. AftRLNu9*T!M~vl1t4,GAT~u?1, SAGeS, ARRY FLT?4Ca3O,ACv74?.PAXw36S.TPAA.GO. AzIf ...tKTsl.PAX*T7. ,PA~fG. AIRLtZNuI2.TtIMEUli2I.SAGai7.0AT1522. ACmg. AMR PL’ axI2.4Tat .PAAa2Q0.TPAXsO. AlRLl~s12.TIMEnt240.IA~ al ?.GAr~o25, ACaI. ARR

Multi-catchment rainfall-runoff simulation for extreme flood estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paquet, Emmanuel

2017-04-01

The SCHADEX method (Paquet et al., 2013) is a reference method in France for the estimation of extreme flood for dam design. The method is based on a semi-continuous rainfall-runoff simulation process: hundreds of different rainy events, randomly drawn up to extreme values, are simulated independently in the hydrological conditions of each day when a rainy event has been actually observed. This allows generating an exhaustive set of crossings between precipitation and soil saturation hazards, and to build a complete distribution of flood discharges up to extreme quantiles. The hydrological model used within SCHADEX, the MORDOR model (Garçon, 1996), is a lumped model, which implies that hydrological processes, e.g. rainfall and soil saturation, are supposed to be homogeneous throughout the catchment. Snow processes are nevertheless represented in relation with altitude. This hypothesis of homogeneity is questionable especially as the size of the catchment increases, or in areas of highly contrasted climatology (like mountainous areas). Conversely, modeling the catchment with a fully distributed approach would cause different problems, in particular distributing the rainfall-runoff model parameters trough space, and within the SCHADEX stochastic framework, generating extreme rain fields with credible spatio-temporal features. An intermediate solution is presented here. It provides a better representation of the hydro-climatic diversity of the studied catchment (especially regarding flood processes) while keeping the SCHADEX simulation framework. It consists in dividing the catchment in several, more homogeneous sub-catchments. Rainfall-runoff models are parameterized individually for each of them, using local discharge data if available. A first SCHADEX simulation is done at the global scale, which allows assigning a probability to each simulated event, mainly based on the global areal rainfall drawn for the event (see Paquet el al., 2013 for details). Then the

The invisible fish: hydrodynamic constraints for predator-prey interaction in fossil fish Saurichthys compared to recent actinopterygians

PubMed Central

Kogan, Ilja; Pacholak, Steffen; Licht, Martin; Schneider, Jörg W.; Brücker, Christoph; Brandt, Sebastian

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Recent pike-like predatory fishes attack prey animals by a quick strike out of rest or slow movement. This fast-start behaviour includes a preparatory, a propulsive and a final phase, and the latter is crucial for the success of the attack. To prevent prey from escape, predators tend to minimise the duration of the interaction and the disturbance caused to surrounding water in order to not be detected by the prey's lateral line sensory system. We compared the hydrodynamic properties of the earliest fossil representative of the pike-like morphotype, the Triassic actinopterygian Saurichthys, with several recent pike-like predators by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Rainbow trout has been used as a control example of a fish with a generalist body shape. Our results show that flow disturbance produced by Saurichthys was low and similar to that of the recent forms Belone and Lepisosteus, thus indicative of an effective ambush predator. Drag coefficients are low for all these fishes, but also for trout, which is a good swimmer over longer distances but generates considerable disturbance of flow. Second-highest flow disturbance values are calculated for Esox, which compensates the large disturbance with its extremely high acceleration performance (i.e. attacks at high speeds) and the derived teleostean protrusible mouth that allows prey catching from longer distances compared to the other fishes. We show CFD modelling to be a useful tool for palaeobiological reconstruction of fossil fishes, as it allows quantification of impacts of body morphology on a hypothesised lifestyle. PMID:26603471

Improved efficient routing strategy on two-layer complex networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Jinlong; Han, Weizhan; Guo, Qing; Zhang, Shuai; Wang, Junfang; Wang, Zhihao

2016-10-01

The traffic dynamics of multi-layer networks has become a hot research topic since many networks are comprised of two or more layers of subnetworks. Due to its low traffic capacity, the traditional shortest path routing (SPR) protocol is susceptible to congestion on two-layer complex networks. In this paper, we propose an efficient routing strategy named improved global awareness routing (IGAR) strategy which is based on the betweenness centrality of nodes in the two layers. With the proposed strategy, the routing paths can bypass hub nodes of both layers to enhance the transport efficiency. Simulation results show that the IGAR strategy can bring much better traffic capacity than the SPR and the global awareness routing (GAR) strategies. Because of the significantly improved traffic performance, this study is helpful to alleviate congestion of the two-layer complex networks.

Activities of tigecycline (GAR-936) against Legionella pneumophila in vitro and in guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia.

PubMed

Edelstein, Paul H; Weiss, William J; Edelstein, Martha A C

2003-02-01

The activities of tigecycline (Wyeth Research) against extracellular and intracellular Legionella pneumophila and for the treatment of guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia were studied. The tigecycline MIC at which 50% of strains are inhibited for 101 different Legionella sp. strains was 4 micro g/ml versus 0.125 and 0.25 micro g/ml for azithromycin and erythromycin, respectively. Tigecycline was about as active as erythromycin (tested at 1 micro g/ml) against the F889 strain of L. pneumophila grown in guinea pig alveolar macrophages and more active than erythromycin against the F2111 strain. Azithromycin (0.25 micro g/ml) was more active than (F889) or as active as (F2111) tigecycline (1 micro g/ml) in the macrophage model. When tigecycline was given (7.5 mg/kg of body weight subcutaneously once) to guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia, the mean peak serum and lung levels were 2.3 and 1.8 micro g/ml (1.2 and 1.5 micro g/g) at 1 and 2 h postinjection, respectively. The serum and lung areas under the concentration time curve from 0 to 24 h were 13.7 and 15.8 micro g. h/ml, respectively. Thirteen of 16 guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia treated with tigecycline (7.5 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily for 5 days) survived for 7 days post-antimicrobial therapy, as did 11 of 12 guinea pigs treated with azithromycin (15 mg/kg intraperitoneally once daily for 2 days). None of 12 guinea pigs treated with saline survived. Tigecycline-treated guinea pigs had average end of therapy lung counts of 1 x 10(6) CFU/g (range, 2.5 x 10(4) to 3.2 x 10(6) CFU/g) versus <1 x 10(2) CFU/g for azithromycin (range, undetectable to 100 CFU/g). A second guinea pig study examined the ability of tigecycline to clear L. pneumophila from the lung after 5 to 9 days of therapy; bacterial concentrations 1 day posttherapy ranged from log(10) 4.2 to log(10) 5.5 CFU/g for four different dosing regimens. Tigecycline is about as effective as erythromycin against intracellular L. pneumophila, but tigecycline inactivation by the test media confounded the interpretation of susceptibility data. Tigecycline was effective at preventing death from pneumonia in an animal model of Legionnaires' disease, warranting human clinical trials of the drug for the disease.

Activities of Tigecycline (GAR-936) against Legionella pneumophila In Vitro and in Guinea Pigs with L. pneumophila Pneumonia

PubMed Central

Edelstein, Paul H.; Weiss, William J.; Edelstein, Martha A. C.

2003-01-01

The activities of tigecycline (Wyeth Research) against extracellular and intracellular Legionella pneumophila and for the treatment of guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia were studied. The tigecycline MIC at which 50% of strains are inhibited for 101 different Legionella sp. strains was 4 μg/ml versus 0.125 and 0.25 μg/ml for azithromycin and erythromycin, respectively. Tigecycline was about as active as erythromycin (tested at 1 μg/ml) against the F889 strain of L. pneumophila grown in guinea pig alveolar macrophages and more active than erythromycin against the F2111 strain. Azithromycin (0.25 μg/ml) was more active than (F889) or as active as (F2111) tigecycline (1 μg/ml) in the macrophage model. When tigecycline was given (7.5 mg/kg of body weight subcutaneously once) to guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia, the mean peak serum and lung levels were 2.3 and 1.8 μg/ml (1.2 and 1.5 μg/g) at 1 and 2 h postinjection, respectively. The serum and lung areas under the concentration time curve from 0 to 24 h were 13.7 and 15.8 μg · h/ml, respectively. Thirteen of 16 guinea pigs with L. pneumophila pneumonia treated with tigecycline (7.5 mg/kg subcutaneously once daily for 5 days) survived for 7 days post-antimicrobial therapy, as did 11 of 12 guinea pigs treated with azithromycin (15 mg/kg intraperitoneally once daily for 2 days). None of 12 guinea pigs treated with saline survived. Tigecycline-treated guinea pigs had average end of therapy lung counts of 1 × 106 CFU/g (range, 2.5 × 104 to 3.2 × 106 CFU/g) versus <1 × 102 CFU/g for azithromycin (range, undetectable to 100 CFU/g). A second guinea pig study examined the ability of tigecycline to clear L. pneumophila from the lung after 5 to 9 days of therapy; bacterial concentrations 1 day posttherapy ranged from log10 4.2 to log10 5.5 CFU/g for four different dosing regimens. Tigecycline is about as effective as erythromycin against intracellular L. pneumophila, but tigecycline inactivation by the test media confounded the interpretation of susceptibility data. Tigecycline was effective at preventing death from pneumonia in an animal model of Legionnaires' disease, warranting human clinical trials of the drug for the disease. PMID:12543655

Evolution of behavior and neural control of the fast-start escape response.

PubMed

Hale, Melina E; Long, John H; McHenry, Matthew J; Westneat, Mark W

2002-05-01

The fast-start startle behavior is the primary mechanism of rapid escape in fishes and is a model system for examining neural circuit design and musculoskeletal function. To develop a dataset for evolutionary analysis of the startle response, the kinematics and muscle activity patterns of the fast-start were analyzed for four fish species at key branches in the phylogeny of vertebrates. Three of these species (Polypterus palmas, Lepisosteus osseus, and Amia calva) represent the base of the actinopterygian radiation. A fourth species (Oncorhynchus mykiss) provided data for a species in the central region of the teleost phylogeny. Using these data, we explored the evolution of this behavior within the phylogeny of vertebrates. To test the hypothesis that startle features are evolutionarily conservative, the variability of motor patterns and kinematics in fast-starts was described. Results show that the evolution of the startle behavior in fishes, and more broadly among vertebrates, is not conservative. The fast-start has undergone substantial change in suites of kinematics and electromyogram features, including the presence of either a one- or a two-stage kinematic response and change in the extent of bilateral muscle activity. Comparative methods were used to test the evolutionary hypothesis that changes in motor control are correlated with key differences in the kinematics and behavior of the fast-start. Significant evolutionary correlations were found between several motor pattern and behavioral characters. These results suggest that the startle neural circuit itself is not conservative. By tracing the evolution of motor pattern and kinematics on a phylogeny, it is shown that major changes in the neural circuit of the startle behavior occur at several levels in the phylogeny of vertebrates.

Profil épidémiologique des pathologies respiratoires chez l’enfant à l’Hôpital d’Enfants de Rabat, Maroc

PubMed Central

Benchekroun, Ilham; Boubkraoui, Mohamed El Mahdi; Mekaoui, Nour; Karboubi, Lamia; Mahraoui, Chafiq; Dakhama, Badr Sououd Benjelloun

2017-01-01

Introduction Les pathologies respiratoires représentent un motif fréquent d'hospitalisation en pédiatrie. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer le profil épidémiologique des pathologies respiratoires chez l'enfant à l'hôpital d'enfants de Rabat, Maroc. Méthodes Il s'agit d'une étude observationnelle transversale qui a concerné tous les cas d'enfants âgés de 3 mois à 15 ans hospitalisés pour une pathologie respiratoire au service de pneumoallergologie et infectiologie pédiatriques de l'hôpital d'enfants de Rabat sur une période d'une année, du 1 janvier 2014 au 31 décembre 2014. Résultats Sur 3537 patients hospitalisés, 2493 (70,5%) l'ont été pour une pathologie respiratoire. Les hospitalisations pour exacerbation d'asthme (p < 0,001), bronchiolite aigüe (p < 0,001) et dyspnée laryngée (p = 0,004) étaient plus fréquentes chez le garçon alors que les hospitalisations pour pneumopathie aigüe (p = 0,005), pour inhalation de corps étranger (p = 0,007) et pour coqueluche (p = 0,020) étaient plus fréquentes chez la fille. Les hospitalisations pour pneumopathie aigüe (p < 0,001), exacerbation de séquelles graves de virose (p < 0,001) et pour coqueluche (p < 0,001) étaient plus fréquentes chez le nourrisson. Les hospitalisations pour pneumopathie aigüe (p < 0,001) et pour coqueluche (p = 0,015) étaient plus fréquentes en période automnohivernale. Conclusion Les motifs d'hospitalisation étaient dominés par les exacerbations d'asthme et la bronchiolite aigüe, lesquelles étaient plus fréquentes chez le garçon. Les infections respiratoires, représentées par les pneumopathies aigües et la coqueluche, étaient plus fréquentes en période automnohivernale et touchaient plus le nourrisson. PMID:29675122

Développement d’un programme multidisciplinaire de diagnostic de l’adrénoleucodystrophie liée à l’X au Maroc: résultats de la mise en œuvre du programme de diagnostic clinique et biologique

PubMed Central

Benjelloun, Fatima-Zohra Madani; Chabraoui, Layachi; Kriouile, Yamna

2017-01-01

Introduction L'adrénoleucodystrophie liée à l'X (X-ALD) est une maladie neurodégénérative sévère, due à des mutations du gène ABCD1. Elle se manifeste par une atteinte du système nerveux central et périphérique, une insuffisance surrénalienne et une atteinte des testicules chez le garçon. Son diagnostic repose sur le dosage des Acides Gras à Très Longue Chaine. Le diagnostic précoce est d'une grande importance puisque il définit l'accessibilité aux traitements selon le stage de la maladie. Méthodes Nous avons mis en place un programme de diagnostic de l'X-ALD au Maroc au niveau de l'Hôpital d'enfants et du Laboratoire centrale des maladies héréditaires et du métabolisme de Rabat. Le programme s'articule sur trois axes à savoir : le recrutement des patients, le diagnostic et la sensibilisation. Le diagnostic s'effectue selon trois protocoles : un protocole pour les cas symptomatiques, un deuxième pour les cas asymptomatiques et un troisième pour les femmes hétérozygotes. Résultats Durant trois ans après la mise en place de notre programme de diagnostic de l'Adrénoleucodystrophie liée à l'X, nous avons diagnostiqué la maladie chez sept familles, avec neuf garçons et trois femmes hétérozygotes. Tous les enfants diagnostiqués présentaient la forme cérébrale démyélinisante. Toutes les femmes hétérozygotes étaient asymptomatiques. Une prise en charge thérapeutique a été mise place selon la symptomatologie de chaque cas. Conclusion l'X-ALD est une maladie rare. Notre programme de diagnostique a permis de diagnostiquer un nombre important de cas, ce qui montre son importance. Les compagnes de sensibilisation auprès des professionnels permettront de mieux comprendre la maladie et mieux la diagnostiquer et ainsi donner accès à un nombre plus élevé de patients. PMID:29599883

Overview of the Liquid Argon Cryogenics for the Short Baseline Neutrino Program (SBN) at Fermilab

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

Norris, Barry; Bremer, Johan; Chalifour, Michel

2017-01-01

The Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) physics program will involve three LAr-TPC detectors located along the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermilab. This new SBN Program will deliver a rich and compelling physics opportunity, including the ability to resolve a class of experimental anomalies in neutrino physics and to perform the most sensitive search to date for sterile neutrinos at the eV mass-scale through both appearance and disappearance oscillation channels. The Program will be composed of an existing and operational detector known as Micro Boone (170 ton LAr mass) plus two new experiments known as the SBN Near Detector (SBND, ~ 260more » ton) and the SBN Far Detector (SBN-FD, ~ 600 tons). Fermilab is now building two new facilities to house the experiments and incorporate all cryogenic and process systems to operate these detectors beginning in the 2018-2019 time frame. The SBN cryogenics are a collaborative effort between Fermilab and CERN. The SBN cryogenic systems for both detectors are composed of several sub-systems: External/Infrastructure (or LN2), Proximity (or LAr), and internal cryogenics. For each detector the External/Infrastructure cryogenics includes the equipment used to store and the cryogenic fluids needed for the operation of the Proximity cryogenics, including the LN2 and LAr storage facilities. The Proximity cryogenics consists of all the systems that take the cryogenic fluids from the external/infrastructure cryogenics and deliver them to the internal at the required pressure, temperature, purity and mass flow rate. It includes the condensers, the LAr and GAr purification systems, the LN2 and LAr phase separators, and the interconnecting piping. The Internal cryogenics is comprised of all the cryogenic equipment located within the cryostats themselves, including the GAr and LAr distribution piping and the piping required to cool down the cryostats and the detectors. These cryogenic systems will be engineered, manufactured, commissioned

Fièvre bilieuse hémoglobinurique (FBH) de révélation tardive: à propos d'un cas au CHU de Dakar

PubMed Central

Thiongane, Aliou; Ndongo, Aliou Abdoulaye; Faye, Papa Moctar; Sylla, Assane; Kéïta, Younoussa; Boiro, Djibril; Basse, Idrissa; Guèye, Ndèye Ramatoulaye Diagne; Ndiaye, Ousmane

2015-01-01

La fièvre bilieuse hémoglobinurique (FBH) est une forme grave du paludisme; caractérisée par la survenue d'une hémolyse intravasculaire aiguë se traduisant par une anémie hémolytique, une insuffisance rénale aiguë et une hypovolémie. Son diagnostic repose essentiellement sur la clinique notamment la couleur des urines d'aspect rouge porto. Nous rapportons un cas de fièvre bilieuse hémoglobinurique chez un jeune garçon de 10 ans originaire et vivant dans une zone d'endémie palustre, colligé dans un CHU de Dakar (Sénégal). V.G est un garçon de 10 ans qui était hospitalisé pendant 2 jours au service des urgences dans un centre de santé de proximité pour une fièvre associée à des vomissements qui évoluaient depuis 3 jours. Le test de diagnostic rapide (TDR) au paludisme était positif à la présence d'antigènes de Plasmodium falciparum dans le sang. Un traitement à base de quinine injectable (25 mg/kg/j), a été entrepris pendant 03 jours. Au quatrième jour, sont apparues une hémolyse intravasculaire aiguë et une hémoglobinurie avec une insuffisance rénale aiguë anurique. La goutte épaisse était revenue négative et le traitement par la quinine injectable arrêté. Le relais a été fait avec les dérivés de l'artémisinine. Trois (03) séances d'hémodialyse ont été réalisées. L’évolution était favorable, par la reprise de la diurèse et la normalisation de la fonction rénale. La FBH existe encore dans notre pratique quotidienne. Il faut y penser devant l'apparition brutale d'une hémolyse avec insuffisance rénale aiguë et urines rouges porto au cours du traitement d'un paludisme. PMID:26966497

L’opinion des étudiants en médecine de Québec sur les punitions corporelles

PubMed Central

Labbé, Jean; Laflamme, Nathalie; Makosso-Kallyth, Sun

2012-01-01

OBJECTIF : L’objectif de la présente étude est de décrire l’opinion des étudiants en médecine de l’Université Laval sur le sujet controversé des punitions corporelles envers les enfants. MÉTHODOLOGIE : Un sondage a été réalisé auprès des étudiants en quatrième année de médecine de l’Université Laval pendant cinq années consécutives, soit de l’année scolaire 2006–2007 jusqu’à celle de 2010–2011 inclusivement, à l’occasion d’un séminaire portant sur la maltraitance envers les enfants. RÉSULTATS : Sur les 712 étudiants interrogés, 74 % étaient de sexe féminin et 91 % étaient âgés de moins de 30 ans. Concernant les punitions corporelles envers les enfants, 22 % des répondants s’y sont déclarés favorables. Plus de garçons que de filles se sont prononcés en faveur de cette pratique disciplinaire, soit 31 % des garçons par rapport à 18 % des filles respectivement (RC rajusté = 2,2, IC 95 % :1,4 à 3,4; p=0,0003). Près de 36 % des étudiants ayant eu des punitions corporelles y étaient favorables, comparativement à seulement 4 % de ceux qui n’avaient pas connu cette forme de discipline (RC rajusté = 16,5, IC 95 % :8,6 à 31,4; p<0,0001). Parmi ceux qui ont mentionné avoir été victimes d’abus physique, 25 % se sont déclarés en faveur de cette pratique, ce qui est similaire au 21 % observés chez ceux qui n’en ont pas été victimes (p=0,52). CONCLUSION : Alors que plusieurs organismes médicaux se sont prononcés contre l’utilisation des punitions corporelles, plus d’un futur médecin sur cinq à Québec se déclare favorable à cette méthode disciplinaire et pourrait influencer la conduite des parents en ce sens. PMID:24179417

Nanostructured diamond layers enhance the infrared spectroscopy of biomolecules.

PubMed

Kozak, Halyna; Babchenko, Oleg; Artemenko, Anna; Ukraintsev, Egor; Remes, Zdenek; Rezek, Bohuslav; Kromka, Alexander

2014-03-04

We report on the fabrication and practical use of high-quality optical elements based on Au mirrors coated with diamond layers with flat, nanocolumnar, and nanoporous morphologies. Diamond layers (100 nm thickness) are grown at low temperatures (about 300 °C) from a methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen gas mixture by a pulsed microwave plasma system with linear antennas. Using grazing angle reflectance (GAR) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with p-polarized light, we compare the IR spectra of fetal bovine serum proteins adsorbed on diamond layers with oxidized (hydrophilic) surfaces. We show that the nanoporous diamond layers provide IR spectra with a signal gain of about 600% and a significantly improved sensitivity limit. This is attributed to its enhanced internal surface area. The improved sensitivity enabled us to distinguish weak infrared absorption peaks of <10-nm-thick protein layers and thereby to analyze the intimate diamond-molecule interface.

RDBMS Based Lexical Resource for Indian Heritage: The Case of Mahābhārata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mani, Diwakar

The paper describes a lexical resource in the form of a relational database based indexing system for Sanskrit documents - Mahābhārata (MBh) as an example. The system is available online on http://sanskrit.jnu.ac.in/mb with input and output in Devanāgarī Unicode, using technologies such as RDBMS and Java Servlet. The system works as an interactive and multi-dimensional indexing system with search facility for MBh and has potentials for use as a generic system for all Sanskrit texts of similar structure. Currently, the system allows three types of searching facilities- 'Direct Search', 'Alphabetical Search' and 'Search by Classes'. The input triggers an indexing process by which a temporary index is created for the search string, and then clicking on any indexed word displays the details for that word and also a facility to search that word in some other online lexical resources.

The effects of oil exposure on peripheral blood leukocytes and splenic melano-macrophage centers of Gulf of Mexico fishes.

PubMed

Ali, Ahmad Omar; Hohn, Claudia; Allen, Peter J; Ford, Lorelei; Dail, Mary Beth; Pruett, Stephen; Petrie-Hanson, Lora

2014-02-15

In August and November 2010 we collected and examined peripheral blood and tissues from three species of Gulf of Mexico fish. Findings were compared to non-exposed control fish. The leukocyte counts of exposed alligator gar were not significantly different from controls, while exposed Gulf killifish and sea trout had significantly decreased lymphocyte counts. Liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) values from sea trout were significantly greater than control sea trout EROD values, suggesting poly aromatic hydrocarbon exposure. Splenic melano-macrophage centers (MMCs) from exposed sea trout and Gulf killifish showed a significant increase in number compared to non-exposed fish. Sea trout splenic MMCs were also significantly greater in size. These findings suggest that Gulf fish sampled were exposed to crude oil from the Macondo well and were in a lymphopenic or immuno-compromised state. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Trade off between variable and fixed size normalization in orthogonal polynomials based iris recognition system.

PubMed

Krishnamoorthi, R; Anna Poorani, G

2016-01-01

Iris normalization is an important stage in any iris biometric, as it has a propensity to trim down the consequences of iris distortion. To indemnify the variation in size of the iris owing to the action of stretching or enlarging the pupil in iris acquisition process and camera to eyeball distance, two normalization schemes has been proposed in this work. In the first method, the iris region of interest is normalized by converting the iris into the variable size rectangular model in order to avoid the under samples near the limbus border. In the second method, the iris region of interest is normalized by converting the iris region into a fixed size rectangular model in order to avoid the dimensional discrepancies between the eye images. The performance of the proposed normalization methods is evaluated with orthogonal polynomials based iris recognition in terms of FAR, FRR, GAR, CRR and EER.

Measuring progress of the global sea level observing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woodworth, Philip L.; Aarup, Thorkild; Merrifield, Mark; Mitchum, Gary T.; Le Provost, Christian

Sea level is such a fundamental parameter in the sciences of oceanography geophysics, and climate change, that in the mid-1980s, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) established the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS). GLOSS was to improve the quantity and quality of data provided to the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL), and thereby, data for input to studies of long-term sea level change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It would also provide the key data needed for international programs, such as the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and later, the Climate Variability and Predictability Programme (CLIVAR).GLOSS is now one of the main observation components of the Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) of IOC and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Progress and deficiencies in GLOSS were presented in July to the 22nd IOC Assembly at UNESCO in Paris and are contained in the GLOSS Assessment Report (GAR) [IOC, 2003a].

Fortified Settlements of the 9th and 10th Centuries ad in Central Europe: Structure, Function and Symbolism

PubMed Central

Herold, Hajnalka

2012-01-01

THE STRUCTURE, FUNCTION(S) and symbolism of early medieval (9th–10th centuries ad) fortified settlements from central Europe, in particular today’s Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia, are examined in this paper. It offers an overview of the current state of research together with new insights based on analysis of the site of Gars-Thunau in Lower Austria. Special emphasis is given to the position of the fortified sites in the landscape, to the elements of the built environment and their spatial organisation, as well as to graves within the fortified area. The region under study was situated on the SE border of the Carolingian (and later the Ottonian) Empire, with some of the discussed sites lying in the territory of the ‘Great Moravian Empire’ in the 9th and 10th centuries. These sites can therefore provide important comparative data for researchers working in other parts of the Carolingian Empire and neighbouring regions. PMID:23564981

Inhibition of cell proliferation by nobiletin, a dietary phytochemical, associated with apoptosis and characteristic gene expression, but lack of effect on early rat hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo.

PubMed

Ohnishi, Hiroyuki; Asamoto, Makoto; Tujimura, Kazunari; Hokaiwado, Naomi; Takahashi, Satoru; Ogawa, Kumiko; Kuribayashi, Masanori; Ogiso, Tadashi; Okuyama, Harumi; Shirai, Tomoyuki

2004-12-01

Dietary phytochemicals can inhibit the development of certain types of tumors. We here investigated the effects of nobiletin (Nob), garcinol (Gar), auraptene (Aur), beta-cryptoxanthin- and hesperidine-rich pulp (CHRP) and 1,1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) on hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat medium-term liver bioassay, and also examined their influence on cell proliferation, cell cycle kinetics, apoptosis and cell invasion of rat and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, MH1C1 and HepG2, respectively. While there were no obvious suppressive effects on the development of putative preneoplastic liver lesions, inhibition of hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation was evident in the Nob group. Nob also caused G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Microarray analysis identified a set of genes specifically regulated by Nob, and these are likely to be involved in the observed growth suppression of HCC cells. These results suggest that phytochemicals might have chemopreventive potential in late stages of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Region based feature extraction from non-cooperative iris images using triplet half-band filter bank

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barpanda, Soubhagya Sankar; Majhi, Banshidhar; Sa, Pankaj Kumar

2015-09-01

In this paper, we have proposed energy based features using a multi-resolution analysis (MRA) on iris template. The MRA is based on our suggested triplet half-band filter bank (THFB). The THFB derivation process is discussed in detail. The iris template is divided into six equispaced sub-templates and two level decomposition has been made to each sub-template using THFB except second one. The reason for discarding the second template is due to the fact that it mostly contains the noise due to eyelids, eyelashes, and occlusion due to segmentation failure. Subsequently, energy features are derived from the decomposed coefficients of each sub-template. The proposed feature has been experimented on standard databases like CASIAv3, UBIRISv1, and IITD and mostly on iris images which encounter a segmentation failure. Comparative analysis has been done with existing features based on Gabor transform, Fourier transform, and CDF 9/7 filter bank. The proposed scheme shows superior performance with respect to FAR, GAR and AUC.

Using Deep Learning Algorithm to Enhance Image-review Software for Surveillance Cameras

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

Cui, Yonggang; Thomas, Maikael A.

We propose the development of proven deep learning algorithms to flag objects and events of interest in Next Generation Surveillance System (NGSS) surveillance to make IAEA image review more efficient. Video surveillance is one of the core monitoring technologies used by the IAEA Department of Safeguards when implementing safeguards at nuclear facilities worldwide. The current image review software GARS has limited automated functions, such as scene-change detection, black image detection and missing scene analysis, but struggles with highly cluttered backgrounds. A cutting-edge algorithm to be developed in this project will enable efficient and effective searches in images and video streamsmore » by identifying and tracking safeguards relevant objects and detect anomalies in their vicinity. In this project, we will develop the algorithm, test it with the IAEA surveillance cameras and data sets collected at simulated nuclear facilities at BNL and SNL, and implement it in a software program for potential integration into the IAEA’s IRAP (Integrated Review and Analysis Program).« less

Nuclear magnetic resonance, vibrational spectroscopic studies, physico-chemical properties and computational calculations on (nitrophenyl) octahydroquinolindiones by DFT method.

PubMed

Pasha, M A; Siddekha, Aisha; Mishra, Soni; Azzam, Sadeq Hamood Saleh; Umapathy, S

2015-02-05

In the present study, 2'-nitrophenyloctahydroquinolinedione and its 3'-nitrophenyl isomer were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, FT-Raman, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shift values of the synthesized compounds in the ground state have been calculated by using the density functional theory (DFT) method with the 6-311++G (d,p) basis set and compared with the experimental data. The complete vibrational assignments of wave numbers were made on the basis of potential energy distribution using GAR2PED programme. Isotropic chemical shifts for (1)H and (13)C NMR were calculated using gauge-invariant atomic orbital (GIAO) method. The experimental vibrational frequencies, (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shift values were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical values. On the basis of vibrational analysis, molecular electrostatic potential and the standard thermodynamic functions have been investigated. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Long-term outcome of social skills intervention based on interactive LEGO play.

PubMed

Legoff, Daniel B; Sherman, Michael

2006-07-01

LEGO building materials have been adapted as a therapeutic modality for increasing motivation to participate in social skills intervention, and providing a medium through which children with social and communication handicaps can effectively interact. A 3 year retrospective study of long-term outcome for autistic spectrum children participating in LEGO therapy (N = 60) compared Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale socialization domain (VABS-SD) and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale social interaction subscale (GARS-SI) scores preand post-treatment with a matched comparison sample (N = 57) who received comparable non-LEGO therapy. Although both groups made significant gains on the two outcome measures, LEGO participants improved significantly more than the comparison subjects. Diagnosis and pre-treatment full-scale IQ scores did not predict outcome scores; however, Vineland adaptive behavior composite, Vineland communication domain, and verbal IQ all predicted outcome on the VABS-SD, especially for the LEGO therapy group. Results are discussed in terms of implications for methods of social skills intervention for autistic spectrum disorders.

Love-Wave Sensors Combined with Microfluidics for Fast Detection of Biological Warfare Agents

PubMed Central

Matatagui, Daniel; Fontecha, José Luis; Fernández, María Jesús; Gràcia, Isabel; Cané, Carles; Santos, José Pedro; Horrillo, María Carmen

2014-01-01

The following paper examines a time-efficient method for detecting biological warfare agents (BWAs). The method is based on a system of a Love-wave immunosensor combined with a microfluidic chip which detects BWA samples in a dynamic mode. In this way a continuous flow-through of the sample is created, promoting the reaction between antigen and antibody and allowing a fast detection of the BWAs. In order to prove this method, static and dynamic modes have been simulated and different concentrations of BWA simulants have been tested with two immunoreactions: phage M13 has been detected using the mouse monoclonal antibody anti-M13 (AM13), and the rabbit immunoglobulin (Rabbit IgG) has been detected using the polyclonal antibody goat anti-rabbit (GAR). Finally, different concentrations of each BWA simulants have been detected with a fast response time and a desirable level of discrimination among them has been achieved. PMID:25029282

Homology of lungs and gas bladders: insights from arterial vasculature.

PubMed

Longo, Sarah; Riccio, Mark; McCune, Amy R

2013-06-01

Gas bladders of ray-finned fishes serve a variety of vital functions and are thus an important novelty of most living vertebrates. The gas bladder has long been regarded as an evolutionary modification of lungs. Critical evidence for this hypothesized homology is whether pulmonary arteries supply the gas bladder as well as the lungs. Pulmonary arteries, paired branches of the fourth efferent branchial arteries, deliver blood to the lungs in osteichthyans with functional lungs (lungfishes, tetrapods, and the ray-finned polypterid fishes). The fact that pulmonary arteries also supply the respiratory gas bladder of Amia calva (bowfin) has been used to support the homology of lungs and gas bladders, collectively termed air-filled organs (AO). However, the homology of pulmonary arteries in bowfin and lunged osteichthyans has been uncertain, given the apparent lack of pulmonary arteries in critical taxa. To re-evaluate the homology of pulmonary arteries in bowfin and lunged osteichthyans, we studied, using micro-CT technology, the arterial vasculature of Protopterus, Polypterus, Acipenser, Polyodon, Amia, and Lepisosteus, and analyzed these data using a phylogenetic approach. Our data reveal that Acipenser and Polyodon have paired posterior branches of the fourth efferent branchial arteries, which are thus similar in origin to pulmonary arteries. We hypothesize that these arteries are vestigial pulmonary arteries that have been coopted for new functions due to the dorsal shift of the AO and/or the loss of respiration in these taxa. Ancestral state reconstructions support pulmonary arteries as a synapomorphy of the Osteichthyes, provide the first concrete evidence for the retention of pulmonary arteries in Amia, and support thehomology of lungs and gas bladders due to a shared vascular supply. Finally, we use ancestral state reconstructions to show that arterial AO supplies from the celiacomesenteric artery or dorsal aorta appear to be convergent between teleosts and

Polymorphisms in the Inflammatory Pathway Genes TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, LY96, NFKBIA, NFKB1, TNFA, TNFRSF1A, IL6R, IL10, IL23R, PTPN22, and PPARG Are Associated with Susceptibility of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Danish Cohort

PubMed Central

Bank, Steffen; Skytt Andersen, Paal; Burisch, Johan; Pedersen, Natalia; Roug, Stine; Galsgaard, Julie; Ydegaard Turino, Stine; Broder Brodersen, Jacob; Rashid, Shaista; Kaiser Rasmussen, Britt; Avlund, Sara; Bastholm Olesen, Thomas; Jürgen Hoffmann, Hans; Kragh Thomsen, Marianne; Østergaard Thomsen, Vibeke; Frydenberg, Morten; Andersen Nexø, Bjørn; Sode, Jacob; Vogel, Ulla; Andersen, Vibeke

2014-01-01

Background The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), result from the combined effects of susceptibility genes and environmental factors. Polymorphisms in genes regulating inflammation may explain part of the genetic heritage. Methods Using a candidate gene approach, 39 mainly functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 26 genes regulating inflammation were assessed in a clinical homogeneous group of severely diseased patients consisting of 624 patients with CD, 411 patients with UC and 795 controls. The results were analysed using logistic regression. Results Sixteen polymorphisms in 13 genes involved in regulation of inflammation were associated with risk of CD and/or UC (p≤0.05). The polymorphisms TLR2 (rs1816702), NFKB1 (rs28362491), TNFRSF1A (rs4149570), IL6R (rs4537545), IL23R (rs11209026) and PTPN22 (rs2476601) were associated with risk of CD and the polymorphisms TLR2 (rs1816702), TLR4 (rs1554973 and rs12377632), TLR9 (rs352139), LY96 (rs11465996), NFKBIA (rs696), TNFA (rs1800629), TNFRSF1A (rs4149570), IL10 (rs3024505), IL23R (rs11209026), PTPN22 (rs2476601) and PPARG (rs1801282) were associated with risk of UC. When including all patients (IBD) the polymorphisms TLR2 (rs4696480 and rs1816702), TLR4 (rs1554973 and rs12377632), TLR9 (rs187084), TNFRSF1A (rs4149570), IL6R (rs4537545), IL10 (rs3024505), IL23R (rs11209026) and PTPN22 (rs2476601) were associated with risk. After Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, both the homozygous and the heterozygous variant genotypes of IL23R G>A(rs11209026) (ORCD,adj: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21–0.67, p = 0.03; ORIBD,adj 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28–0.67, p = 0.007) and PTPN22 1858 G>A(rs2476601) (ORCD,unadj 0.54, 95% CI: 0.41–0.72, p = 7*10−4; ORIBD,unadj: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.77, p = 0.001) were associated with reduced risk of CD. Conclusion The biological effects of the studied polymorphisms suggest that genetically determined high inflammatory

Over 150 years of long-term fertilization alters spatial scaling of microbial biodiversity

DOE PAGES

Liang, Yuting; Wu, Liyou; Clark, Ian M.; ...

2015-04-07

Spatial scaling is a critical issue in ecology, but how anthropogenic activities like fertilization affect spatial scaling is poorly understood, especially for microbial communities. Here, we determined the effects of long-term fertilization on the spatial scaling of microbial functional diversity and its relationships to plant diversity in the 150-year-old Park Grass Experiment, the oldest continuous grassland experiment in the world. Nested samples were taken from plots with contrasting inorganic fertilization regimes, and community DNAs were analyzed using the GeoChip-based functional gene array. The slopes of microbial gene-area relationships (GARs) and plant species-area relationships (SARs) were estimated in a plot receivingmore » nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and a control plot without fertilization. Our results indicated that long-term inorganic fertilization significantly increased both microbial GARs and plant SARs. Microbial spatial turnover rates (i.e., z values) were less than 0.1 and were significantly higher in the fertilized plot (0.0583) than in the control plot (0.0449) (P < 0.0001). The z values also varied significantly with different functional genes involved in carbon (C), N, P, and sulfur (S) cycling and with various phylogenetic groups (archaea, bacteria, and fungi). Similarly, the plant SARs increased significantly (P < 0.0001), from 0.225 in the control plot to 0.419 in the fertilized plot. Soil fertilization, plant diversity, and spatial distance had roughly equal contributions in shaping the microbial functional community structure, while soil geochemical variables contributed less. These results indicated that long-term agricultural practice could alter the spatial scaling of microbial biodiversity. Determining the spatial scaling of microbial biodiversity and its response to human activities is important but challenging in microbial ecology. Most studies to date are based on different sites that may not be truly

Over 150 years of long-term fertilization alters spatial scaling of microbial biodiversity

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

Liang, Yuting; Wu, Liyou; Clark, Ian M.

Spatial scaling is a critical issue in ecology, but how anthropogenic activities like fertilization affect spatial scaling is poorly understood, especially for microbial communities. Here, we determined the effects of long-term fertilization on the spatial scaling of microbial functional diversity and its relationships to plant diversity in the 150-year-old Park Grass Experiment, the oldest continuous grassland experiment in the world. Nested samples were taken from plots with contrasting inorganic fertilization regimes, and community DNAs were analyzed using the GeoChip-based functional gene array. The slopes of microbial gene-area relationships (GARs) and plant species-area relationships (SARs) were estimated in a plot receivingmore » nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and a control plot without fertilization. Our results indicated that long-term inorganic fertilization significantly increased both microbial GARs and plant SARs. Microbial spatial turnover rates (i.e., z values) were less than 0.1 and were significantly higher in the fertilized plot (0.0583) than in the control plot (0.0449) (P < 0.0001). The z values also varied significantly with different functional genes involved in carbon (C), N, P, and sulfur (S) cycling and with various phylogenetic groups (archaea, bacteria, and fungi). Similarly, the plant SARs increased significantly (P < 0.0001), from 0.225 in the control plot to 0.419 in the fertilized plot. Soil fertilization, plant diversity, and spatial distance had roughly equal contributions in shaping the microbial functional community structure, while soil geochemical variables contributed less. These results indicated that long-term agricultural practice could alter the spatial scaling of microbial biodiversity. Determining the spatial scaling of microbial biodiversity and its response to human activities is important but challenging in microbial ecology. Most studies to date are based on different sites that may not be truly

Rational synthesis of normal, abnormal and anionic NHC–gallium alkyl complexes: structural, stability and isomerization insights† †Dedicated to the memory of Paul von R. Schleyer. ‡ ‡Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: CIF files giving crystallographic results, experimental details and copies of the NMR spectra. CCDC 1405459–1405464. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c5sc02086g

PubMed Central

Uzelac, Marina; Hernán-Gómez, Alberto; Armstrong, David R.; Kennedy, Alan R.

2015-01-01

Advancing the rational design of main-group N-heterocyclic carbene complexes, this study reports the synthesis, X-ray crystallographic and NMR spectroscopic characterisation of a novel series of Ga complexes containing neutral or anionic NHC ligands using the unsaturated carbene IPr (IPr = 1,3-bis-(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). Starting from normal adduct GaR3·IPr (1) (R = CH2SiMe3), the addition of polar LiR led to the formation of NHC-stabilised gallate species IPr·LiGaR4 (2), resulting from co-complexation of the single-metal species. Contrastingly, reversing the order of addition of these organometallic reagents, by treating unsaturated free IPr, first with LiR followed by GaR3, furnished novel heteroleptic gallate (THF)2Li[:C{[N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)]2CHCGa(CH2SiMe3)3}] (3), which contains an anionic NHC ligand acting as an unsymmetrical bridge between the two metals, coordinating through its abnormal C4 position to Ga and through its normal C2 position to Li. Electrophilic interception studies of 3 using methyl triflate (MeOTf), methanol and imidazolium salt (IMes·HCl) led to the isolation and structural elucidation of the two novel neutral abnormal NHC (aNHC) complexes [CH3C{[N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)]2CHCGa(CH2SiMe3)3}] (4) and aIPr·GaR3 (5) (aIPr = HC{[N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)]2CHC}). These studies disclose the preference of the anionic IPr ligand present in 3 to react with electrophiles via its C2 position, leaving its Ga–C4 bond intact. Abnormal complex 5 can also be accessed by a thermally induced rearrangement of its normal isomer 1. Combining NMR spectroscopic and kinetic studies with DFT calculations, new light has been shed on this intriguing transformation, which suggests that it occurs via a dissociative mechanism, highlighting the importance of the donor ability of the solvent used in these thermal isomerizations as well as the steric bulk of the substituents on the NHC and the Ga reagent. These findings intimate that relief of the steric hindrance

Molecular Genetic Testing in Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): Facts and Fiction.

PubMed

Blum, Kenneth; Badgaiyan, Rajendra D; Agan, Gozde; Fratantonio, James; Simpatico, Thomas; Febo, Marcelo; Haberstick, Brett C; Smolen, Andrew; Gold, Mark S

The Brain Reward Cascade (BRC) is an interaction of neurotransmitters and their respective genes to control the amount of dopamine released within the brain. Any variations within this pathway, whether genetic or environmental (epigenetic), may result in addictive behaviors or RDS, which was coined to define addictive behaviors and their genetic components. To carry out this review we searched a number of important databases including: Filtered: Cochrane Systematic reviews; DARE; Pubmed Central Clinical Quaries; National Guideline Clearinghouse and unfiltered resources: PsychINFO; ACP PIER; PsychSage; Pubmed/Medline. The major search terms included: dopamine agonist therapy for Addiction; dopamine agonist therapy for Reward dependence; dopamine antagonistic therapy for addiction; dopamine antagonistic therapy for reward dependence and neurogenetics of RDS. While there are many studies claiming a genetic association with RDS behavior, not all are scientifically accurate. Albeit our bias, this Clinical Pearl discusses the facts and fictions behind molecular genetic testing in RDS and the significance behind the development of the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS PREDX ™), the first test to accurately predict one's genetic risk for RDS.

Alignment and bit extraction for secure fingerprint biometrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagar, A.; Rane, S.; Vetro, A.

2010-01-01

Security of biometric templates stored in a system is important because a stolen template can compromise system security as well as user privacy. Therefore, a number of secure biometrics schemes have been proposed that facilitate matching of feature templates without the need for a stored biometric sample. However, most of these schemes suffer from poor matching performance owing to the difficulty of designing biometric features that remain robust over repeated biometric measurements. This paper describes a scheme to extract binary features from fingerprints using minutia points and fingerprint ridges. The features are amenable to direct matching based on binary Hamming distance, but are especially suitable for use in secure biometric cryptosystems that use standard error correcting codes. Given all binary features, a method for retaining only the most discriminable features is presented which improves the Genuine Accept Rate (GAR) from 82% to 90% at a False Accept Rate (FAR) of 0.1% on a well-known public database. Additionally, incorporating singular points such as a core or delta feature is shown to improve the matching tradeoff.

Determination of sedimentation coefficients for small peptides.

PubMed Central

Schuck, P; MacPhee, C E; Howlett, G J

1998-01-01

Direct fitting of sedimentation velocity data with numerical solutions of the Lamm equations has been exploited to obtain sedimentation coefficients for single solutes under conditions where solvent and solution plateaus are either not available or are transient. The calculated evolution was initialized with the first experimental scan and nonlinear regression was employed to obtain best-fit values for the sedimentation and diffusion coefficients. General properties of the Lamm equations as data analysis tools were examined. This method was applied to study a set of small peptides containing amphipathic heptad repeats with the general structure Ac-YS-(AKEAAKE)nGAR-NH2, n = 2, 3, or 4. Sedimentation velocity analysis indicated single sedimenting species with sedimentation coefficients (s(20,w) values) of 0.37, 0.45, and 0.52 S, respectively, in good agreement with sedimentation coefficients predicted by hydrodynamic theory. The described approach can be applied to synthetic boundary and conventional loading experiments, and can be extended to analyze sedimentation data for both large and small macromolecules in order to define shape, heterogeneity, and state of association. PMID:9449347

Wootz: Erroneous Transliteration of Sanskrit " Utsa" used for Indian Crucible Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dube, R. K.

2014-11-01

The terminology Wootz for the legendary Indian crucible steel was first introduced by Helenus Scott in his letter to Joseph Banks, the then President of the Royal Society, London, in 1794. He stated several salient features of this steel in his letter. During the period 1794-1796, Banks received approximately 200 lbs. of this steel from Scott. Banks assigned several professionals to carry out experimental work on Indian crucible steel. One such important person was the famous surgical instrument maker, cutler and metallurgist of his time, James Stodart. Stodart experimented extensively with the Indian crucible steel, and was its great admirer. It has been shown, along with corroborative documentary evidence, that the original word for this steel was Sanskrit word " utsa". This was erroneously transliterated in Roman script as Wootz by Scott in his letter to Banks. It was James Stodart, who preserved the Sanskrit word " utsa" written in Devanāgarī script on his trade card for future generation. The reason for using this word for the Indian crucible steel has also been discussed.

Rye and Wheat Bran Extracts Isolated with Pressurized Solvents Increase Oxidative Stability and Antioxidant Potential of Beef Meat Hamburgers.

PubMed

Šulniūtė, Vaida; Jaime, Isabel; Rovira, Jordi; Venskutonis, Petras Rimantas

2016-02-01

Rye and wheat bran extracts containing phenolic compounds and demonstrating high DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS(•+) (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging and oxygen radical absorbance capacities (ORAC) were tested in beef hamburgers as possible functional ingredients. Bran extracts significantly increased the indicators of antioxidant potential of meat products and their global antioxidant response (GAR) during physiological in vitro digestion. The extracts also inhibited the formation of oxidation products, hexanal and malondialdehyde, of hamburgers during their storage; however, they did not have significant effect on the growth of microorganisms. Hamburgers with 0.8% wheat bran extract demonstrated the highest antioxidant potential. Some effects of bran extracts on other quality characteristics such as pH, color, formation of metmyoglobin were also observed, however, these effects did not have negative influence on the overall sensory evaluation score of hamburgers. Consequently, the use of bran extracts in meat products may be considered as promising means of increasing oxidative product stability and enriching with functional ingredients which might possess health benefits. © 2016 Institute of Food Technologists®

Experimental, DFT and molecular docking studies on 2-(2-mercaptophenylimino)-4-methyl-2H-chromen-7-ol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ashok Kumar; Singh, Ravindra Kumar

2016-10-01

A new coumarin derivative 2-(2-mercaptophenylimino)-4-methyl-2H-chromen-7-ol (COMSB) was synthesized and characterized with the help of 1H,13C NMR, FT-IR, FT-Raman and mass spectrometry. All quantum calculations were performed at DFT level of theory using B3LYP functional and 6-31G (d,p) as basis set. The UV-Vis spectrum studied by TD-DFT theory, with a hybrid exchange-correlation functional using Coulomb-attenuating method (CAM-B3LYP) in solvent phase gives similar pattern of bands, at energies and is consistent with that of experimental findings. The detailed analysis of vibrational (IR and Raman) spectra and their assignments has been done by computing Potential Energy Distribution (PED) using Gar2ped. Intra-molecular interactions were analyzed by 'Atoms in molecule' (AIM) approach. Computed first static hyperpolarizability (β0 = 8.583 × 10-30 esu) indicates non-linear optical (NLO) response of the molecule. Molecular docking studies show that the title molecule may act as potential acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibitor.

The evolution of global disaster risk assessments: from hazard to global change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peduzzi, Pascal

2013-04-01

The perception of disaster risk as a dynamic process interlinked with global change is a fairly recent concept. It gradually emerged as an evolution from new scientific theories, currents of thinking and lessons learned from large disasters since the 1970s. The interest was further heighten, in the mid-1980s, by the Chernobyl nuclear accident and the discovery of the ozone layer hole, both bringing awareness that dangerous hazards can generate global impacts. The creation of the UN International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) and the publication of the first IPCC report in 1990 reinforced the interest for global risk assessment. First global risk models including hazard, exposure and vulnerability components were available since mid-2000s. Since then increased computation power and more refined datasets resolution, led to more numerous and sophisticated global risk models. This article presents a recent history of global disaster risk models, the current status of researches for the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR 2013) and future challenges and limitations for the development of next generation global disaster risk models.

Structural and vibrational study of a neurotransmitter molecule: Dopamine [4-(2-aminoethyl) benzene-1,2-diol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jha, Omkant; Yadav, T. K.; Yadav, R. A.

2018-01-01

Structural and vibrational studies for the most stable conformer of dopamine {4-(2-Aminoethyl) benzene-1, 2-diol} have been carried out at the DFT/B3LYP/6-311 ++G** level using the Gaussian 09 software. The IR and Raman spectra have been recorded and analyzed in light of the computed vibrational parameters using the DFT and the PEDs computed with the help of the GAR2PED software. Some of the fundamentals have considerably changed frequencies in going from benzene to dopamine. Except the rocking and wagging modes of the NH2 group the other four modes are pure group modes. The rocking and wagging modes of the NH2 group show mixing with the other modes. The two Osbnd H stretching vibrations are highly localized modes. The Kekule phenyl ring stretching mode is found to remain almost unchanged. The HOMO-LUMO study suggests the existence of charge transfer within the molecule and the energy gap supports the pharmacological active property of the dopamine molecule. The NBO analysis has been carried out to understand the proper and improper hydrogen bonding.

PRMT7, a new protein arginine methyltransferase that synthesizes symmetric dimethylarginine.

PubMed

Lee, Jin-Hyung; Cook, Jeffry R; Yang, Zhi-Hong; Mirochnitchenko, Olga; Gunderson, Samuel I; Felix, Arthur M; Herth, Nicole; Hoffmann, Ralf; Pestka, Sidney

2005-02-04

The cDNA for PRMT7, a recently discovered human protein-arginine methyltransferase (PRMT), was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and mammalian cells. Immunopurified PRMT7 actively methylated histones, myelin basic protein, a fragment of human fibrillarin (GAR) and spliceosomal protein SmB. Amino acid analysis showed that the modifications produced were predominantly monomethylarginine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA). Examination of PRMT7 expressed in E. coli demonstrated that peptides corresponding to sequences contained in histone H4, myelin basic protein, and SmD3 were methylated. Furthermore, analysis of the methylated proteins showed that symmetric dimethylarginine and relatively small amounts of monomethylarginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine were produced. SDMA was also formed when a GRG tripeptide was methylated by PRMT7, indicating that a GRG motif is by itself sufficient for symmetric dimethylation to occur. Symmetric dimethylation is reduced dramatically compared with monomethylation as the concentration of the substrate is increased. The data demonstrate that PRMT7 (like PRMT5) is a Type II methyltransferase capable of producing SDMA modifications in proteins.

Department of Defense Contractor Establishment Code (CEC). Alphabet Listing. Volume II

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-11-01

401 0 ix (~C -): N.2 g ~O4 N. w N4 w(0 000~-C)N42C)04�t480W4O0𔃺 f,1fi ’ N 1 C) 0C)04’ml1.2~ ~~ ~ Hi -0 - MEm ~, jrIIII gar IIi I i II il l (D...W- & 0 - wd 0 c.H234 w aC 0~’-~~"g- 4(󈧣*-Wn -. a wW Q Cd 0 0a 0 0z w 026d A 0". 0.. OZo8o~ 8..0 I -- )z6---z U200W0r" 00 w . 1 . . .51 MEM -.3 -. 9...01 bW0 4) w c -"> U In cc0 0 I 02:m 260 in : ca 0 in W In -a 0: i in ~ I 4 05i 0- WH =ii. Z4 .9 z .Z.O inwLm~ w-W m =i t..Zin4= c W 0 0 >..in. Z MEM

The unfolded protein response and programmed cell death are induced by expression of Garlic virus X p11 in Nicotiana benthamiana.

PubMed

Lu, Yuwen; Yin, Mingyuan; Wang, Xiaodan; Chen, Binghua; Yang, Xue; Peng, Jiejun; Zheng, Hongying; Zhao, Jinping; Lin, Lin; Yu, Chulang; MacFarlane, Stuart; He, Jianqing; Liu, Yong; Chen, Jianping; Dai, Liangying; Yan, Fei

2016-06-01

Garlic virus X (GarVX) ORF3 encodes a p11 protein, which contributes to virus cell-to-cell movement and forms granules on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in Nicotiana benthamiana. Expression of p11 either from a binary vector, PVX or TMV induced ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR), as demonstrated by an increase in transcription of the ER luminal binding protein (BiP) and bZIP60 genes. UPR-related programmed cell death (PCD) was elicited by PVX : p11 or TMV : p11 in systemic infected leaves. Examination of p11 mutants with deletions of two transmembrane domains (TM) revealed that both were required for generating granules and for inducing necrosis. TRV-based VIGS was used to investigate the correlation between bZIP60 expression and p11-induced UPR-related PCD. Less necrosis was observed on local and systemic leaves of bZIP60 knockdown plants when infected with PVXp11, suggesting that bZIP60 plays an important role in the UPR-related PCD response to p11 in N. benthamiana.

Rétinoschisis maculaire bilatéral associé à un rétinoschisis périphérique unilatéral

PubMed Central

Oummad, Hanane; Elkaddoumi, Maryama; Maré, Josiane; Lezrek, Mounir; Cherkaoui, Ouafae

2017-01-01

Le retinoschisis juvénile lié au chromosome X est une affection héréditaire qui affecte habituellement les garçons avec de rare cas d’atteinte du sexe féminin. Les premières manifestations cliniques apparaissent généralement au cours de la première décennie. Il est responsable d’une baisse d’acuité visuelle d’importance variable et lentement progressive. Cette évolution peut être émaillée d’hémorragies dans le vitré et de décollements de rétine volontiers récidivants. Nous présentons le cas d’un patient âgé de 17ans. Au fond d'œil on retrouve remaniement maculaire microkystique stellaire bilatéral, centré sur la fovéola, associé à des schisis périphériques avec décollement de rétine et déchirure des feuillets interne et externe unilatéral. PMID:29158861

Phylogeny of deepwater snappers (Genus Etelis) reveals a cryptic species pair in the Indo-Pacific and Pleistocene invasion of the Atlantic.

PubMed

Andrews, Kimberly R; Williams, Ashley J; Fernandez-Silva, Iria; Newman, Stephen J; Copus, Joshua M; Wakefield, Corey B; Randall, John E; Bowen, Brian W

2016-07-01

Evolutionary genetic patterns in shallow coastal fishes are documented with dozens of studies, but corresponding surveys of deepwater fishes (>200m) are scarce. Here we investigate the evolutionary history of deepwater snappers (genus Etelis), comprised of three recognized Indo-Pacific species and one Atlantic congener, by constructing a phylogeny of the genus with two mtDNA loci and two nuclear introns. Further, we apply range-wide Indo-Pacific sampling to test for the presence and distribution of a putative cryptic species pair within E. carbunculus using morphological analyses and mtDNA cytochrome b sequences from 14 locations across the species range (N=1696). These analyses indicate that E. carbunculus is comprised of two distinct, non-interbreeding lineages separated by deep divergence (d=0.081 in cytochrome b). Although these species are morphologically similar, we identified qualitative differences in coloration of the upper-caudal fin tip and the shape of the opercular spine, as well as significant differences in adult body length, body depth, and head length. These two species have overlapping Indo-Pacific distributions, but one species is more widespread across the Indo-Pacific, whereas the other species is documented in the Indian Ocean and Western Central Pacific. The dated Etelis phylogeny places the cryptic species divergence in the Pliocene, indicating that the biogeographic barrier between the Indian and Pacific Oceans played a role in speciation. Based on historic taxonomy and nomenclature, the species more widespread in the Pacific Ocean is E. carbunculus, and the other species is previously undescribed (referred to here as E. sp.). The Atlantic congener E. oculatus has only recently (∼0.5Ma) diverged from E. coruscans in the Indo-Pacific, indicating colonization via southern Africa. The pattern of divergence at the Indo-Pacific barrier, and Pleistocene colonization from the Indian Ocean into the Atlantic, is concordant with patterns observed

Hsl7 is a substrate-specific type II protein arginine methyltransferase in yeast

PubMed Central

Sayegh, Joyce; Clarke, Steven G.

2008-01-01

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Hsl7 is a regulator of the Swe1 protein kinase in cell cycle checkpoint control. Hsl7 has been previously described as a type III protein arginine methyltransferase, catalyzing the formation of ω-monomethylarginine residues on non-physiological substrates. However, we show here that Hsl7 can also display type II activity, generating symmetric dimethylarginine residues on calf thymus histone H2A. Symmetric dimethylation is only observed when enzyme and the methyl-accepting substrate were incubated for extended times. We confirmed the Hsl7-dependent formation of symmetric dimethylarginine by amino acid analysis and thin layer chromatography with wild type and mutant recombinant enzymes expressed from both bacteria and yeast. This result is significant because no type II activity has been previously demonstrated in S. cerevisiae. We also show that Hsl7 has little or no activity on GST-GAR, a commonly used substrate for protein arginine methyltransferases, and only minimal activity on myelin basic protein. This enzyme thus may only recognize only a small subset of potential substrate proteins in yeast, in contrast to the situation with Rmt1, the major type I methyltransferase. PMID:18515076

Molecular conformational analysis, vibrational spectra, NBO analysis and first hyperpolarizability of (2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoic anhydride based on density functional theory calculations.

PubMed

Sheena Mary, Y; Raju, K; Panicker, C Yohannan; Al-Saadi, Abdulaziz A; Thiemann, Thies; Van Alsenoy, Christian

2014-07-15

The conformational behavior and structural stability of (2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoic anhydride were investigated by using density functional theory. Seventeen possible stable conformations of the title compound were determined and verified with their calculated vibrational frequencies being all positive. The optimized molecular structure, vibrational wavenumbers, corresponding vibrational assignments of (2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoic anhydride have been investigated experimentally and theoretically using Gaussian09 software package. Potential energy distribution of normal modes vibrations was done using GAR2PED program. The HOMO and LUMO analysis are used to determine the charge transfer within the molecule. The stability of the molecule arising from hyper-conjugative interaction and charge delocalization has been analyzed using NBO analysis. The calculated first hyperpolarizability of the title compound is 12×10(-30) esu and is 92.31 times that of the standard NLO material urea and the title compound is an attractive object for future studies of nonlinear optical properties. MEP was performed by the DFT method and the predicted infrared intensities and Raman activities have also been reported. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural and vibrational investigations of a neurotransmitter molecule: Serotonin (5-hydroxy tryptamine)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jha, Omkant; Yadav, R. A.

2016-11-01

Structural and vibrational studies have been carried out for the most stable conformer of serotonin (5-HT) at the DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G** level using the Gaussian 09 software. In light of the computed vibrational parameters the observed IR and Raman frequencies have been analyzed. To help assign the vibrational fundamentals the GAR2PED software has been used to compute PEDs. Several of the fundamentals are drastically changed in going from indole to serotonin. The two NH bonds of the NH2 group are slightly different possibly due to bonding of the two H atoms of the NH2 group with different atoms. The rocking and wagging modes of the NH2 groups show mixing with the other modes while the remaining four modes are pure group modes. The Kekule phenyl ring stretching mode is found to remain almost unchanged. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap supports to pharmacological active property of the serotonin molecule. The HOMO and LUMO study suggests the existence of charge transfer within the molecule. The NBO analysis has been carried out to gather information regarding the proper and improper hydrogen bonds.

Molecular structure, FT-IR, FT-Raman, NBO, HOMO and LUMO, MEP, NLO and molecular docking study of 2-[(E)-2-(2-bromophenyl)ethenyl]quinoline-6-carboxylic acid.

PubMed

Ulahannan, Rajeev T; Panicker, C Yohannan; Varghese, Hema Tresa; Musiol, Robert; Jampilek, Josef; Van Alsenoy, Christian; War, Javeed Ahmad; Srivastava, S K

2015-01-01

The optimized molecular structure, vibrational frequencies, corresponding vibrational assignments of 2-[(E)-2-(2-bromophenyl)ethenyl]quinoline-6-carboxylic acid have been investigated experimentally and theoretically using Gaussian09 software package. Potential energy distribution of the normal modes of vibrations was done using GAR2PED program. (1)H NMR chemical shifts calculations were carried out by using B3LYP functional with SDD basis set. The HOMO and LUMO analysis is used to determine the charge transfer within the molecule. The stability of the molecule arising from hyper-conjugative interaction and charge delocalization has been analyzed using NBO analysis. MEP was performed by the DFT method and the predicted infrared intensities and Raman activities have also been reported. The calculated geometrical parameters are in agreement with that of similar derivatives. The title compound forms a stable complex with PknB as is evident from the binding affinity values and the molecular docking results suggest that the compound might exhibit inhibitory activity against PknB and this may result in development of new anti-tuberculostic agents. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural and vibrational study of a neurotransmitter molecule: Dopamine [4-(2-aminoethyl) benzene-1,2-diol].

PubMed

Jha, Omkant; Yadav, T K; Yadav, R A

2018-01-15

Structural and vibrational studies for the most stable conformer of dopamine {4-(2-Aminoethyl) benzene-1, 2-diol} have been carried out at the DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G** level using the Gaussian 09 software. The IR and Raman spectra have been recorded and analyzed in light of the computed vibrational parameters using the DFT and the PEDs computed with the help of the GAR2PED software. Some of the fundamentals have considerably changed frequencies in going from benzene to dopamine. Except the rocking and wagging modes of the NH 2 group the other four modes are pure group modes. The rocking and wagging modes of the NH 2 group show mixing with the other modes. The two OH stretching vibrations are highly localized modes. The Kekule phenyl ring stretching mode is found to remain almost unchanged. The HOMO-LUMO study suggests the existence of charge transfer within the molecule and the energy gap supports the pharmacological active property of the dopamine molecule. The NBO analysis has been carried out to understand the proper and improper hydrogen bonding. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Antimicrobial, Rheological, and Thermal Properties of Plasticized Polylactide Films Incorporated with Essential Oils to Inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and Campylobacter jejuni.

PubMed

Ahmed, Jasim; Hiremath, Nikhil; Jacob, Harsha

2016-02-01

Polylactide (PLA) is the most mature biobased and biodegradable polymer. Due to its inherent brittleness, the polymer cannot be used as a packaging material without plasticizer. An attempt was made to develop antimicrobial plasticized PLA film by incorporating polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 3 essential oils (EO), namely cinnamon, garlic, and clove by solvent casting method. Physical, thermal, and rheological properties of those films were evaluated for practical applications whereas the antimicrobial properties were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Campylobacter jejuni-pathogens related to poultry industry. Both PEG and EOs led to the formation of flexible PLA/PEG/EO films with significant drop in the glass transition temperature (Tg ), and mechanical property. Time-temperature superposition (TTS) principle was employed to melt rheology of EO-based films at selected temperature, and rheological moduli superimposed well in an extended frequency range. Among EOs, cinnamon and clove oil-based films (PLA/PEG/CIN and PLA/PEG/CLO) exhibited a complete zone of inhibition against C. jejuni at the maximum concentration (1.6 mL per 2 g PLA/PEG blend) whereas the garlic oil-based film (PLA/PEG/GAR) had the lowest activity. © 2016 Institute of Food Technologists®

International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry 2004 Annual Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Behrend, Dirk (Editor); Baver, Karen D. (Editor)

2005-01-01

Contents include the following: Combination Studies using the Cont02 Campaign. Coordinating Center report. Analysis coordinator report. Network coordinator report. IVS Technology coordinator report. Algonquin Radio observatory. Fortaleza Station report for 2004. Gilmore Creek Geophysical Observatory. Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical observatory. Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO). Hbart, Mt Pleasant, station report for 2004. Kashima 34m Radio Telescope. Kashima and Koganei 11-m VLBI Stations. Kokee Park Geophysical Observatory. Matera GGS VLBI Station. The Medicina Station status report. Report of the Mizusawa 10m Telescope. Noto Station Activity. NYAL Ny-Alesund 20 metre Antenna. German Antarctic receiving Station (GARS) O'higgins. The IVS network station Onsala space Observatory. Sheshan VLBI Station report for 2004. 10 Years of Geodetic Experiments at the Simeiz VLBI Station. Svetloe RAdio Astronomical Observatory. JARE Syowa Station 11-m Antenna, Antarctica. Geodetic Observatory TIGO in Concepcion. Tsukuba 32-m VLBI Station. Nanshan VLBI Station Report. Westford Antenna. Fundamental-station Wettzell 20m Radiotelescope. Observatorio Astroonomico Nacional Yebes. Yellowknife Observatory. The Bonn Geodetic VLBI Operation Center. CORE Operation Center Report. U.S. Naval Observatory Operation Center. The Bonn Astro/Geo Mark IV Correlator.

Extending Newton's Universal Theory of Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aisenberg, Sol

2011-11-01

This should remove the mystery of Dark Matter. Newton's universal theory of gravity only used the observations of the motion of planets in our solar system. Hubble later used observations of fixed stars in the universe, and showed that the fixed stars were actually galaxies with very large numbers of stars. Newton's universal law of gravity could not explain these new observations without the mystery of dark matter for the additional gravity. In science, when a theory is not able to explain new observations it is necessary to modify the theory or abandon the theory. Rubin observed flat (constant velocity) rotation curves for stars in spiral galaxies. Dark matter was proposed to provide the missing gravity. The equation balancing gravitational force and centripetal force is M*G=v*v*r and for the observed constant velocity v this requires M*G to be a linear function of distance r. If the linear dependence is instead assigned to G instead of M to give a new value for Gn as G+A*r, this will explain the observations in the cosmos and also in our solar system for small r. See ``The Misunderstood Universe'' for more details.

Histopathological features of a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2U/AD-CMTax-MARS.

PubMed

Hirano, Makito; Oka, Nobuyuki; Hashiguchi, Akihiro; Ueno, Shuichi; Sakamoto, Hikaru; Takashima, Hiroshi; Higuchi, Yujiro; Kusunoki, Susumu; Nakamura, Yusaku

2016-12-01

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a complex of peripheral nervous system disorders. CMT type 2U (CMT2U) is an autosomal dominant (AD) disease caused by mutations in the MARS gene encoding methionyl-tRNA synthetase; this disease has thus been newly called AD-CMTax-MARS. A few families with mutations in the MARS gene have been reported, without detailed histopathological findings. We describe a 70-year-old woman who had bilateral dysesthesia of the soles since the age of 66 years. Sural nerve biopsy showed a decrease in the density of large myelinated nerve fibers. Increased clusters of regenerating myelinated nerve fibers were noted. Electron microscopic analyses revealed degeneration of unmyelinated nerves. There was no vasculitis or inflammatory cell infiltration. Genetic analysis identified a heterozygous p.P800T mutation, a reported mutation in the MARS gene. We report the detailed histopathological findings in a patient with CMT2U/AD-CMTax-MARS. The findings are similar to those found in CMT2D caused by mutations in the GARS gene, encoding glycyl-tRNA synthetase. © 2016 Peripheral Nerve Society.

Grid Application Meta-Repository System: Repository Interconnectivity and Cross-domain Application Usage in Distributed Computing Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tudose, Alexandru; Terstyansky, Gabor; Kacsuk, Peter; Winter, Stephen

Grid Application Repositories vary greatly in terms of access interface, security system, implementation technology, communication protocols and repository model. This diversity has become a significant limitation in terms of interoperability and inter-repository access. This paper presents the Grid Application Meta-Repository System (GAMRS) as a solution that offers better options for the management of Grid applications. GAMRS proposes a generic repository architecture, which allows any Grid Application Repository (GAR) to be connected to the system independent of their underlying technology. It also presents applications in a uniform manner and makes applications from all connected repositories visible to web search engines, OGSI/WSRF Grid Services and other OAI (Open Archive Initiative)-compliant repositories. GAMRS can also function as a repository in its own right and can store applications under a new repository model. With the help of this model, applications can be presented as embedded in virtual machines (VM) and therefore they can be run in their native environments and can easily be deployed on virtualized infrastructures allowing interoperability with new generation technologies such as cloud computing, application-on-demand, automatic service/application deployments and automatic VM generation.

Linkage analyses in Caribbean Hispanic families identify novel loci associated with familial late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Barral, Sandra; Cheng, Rong; Reitz, Christiane; Vardarajan, Badri; Lee, Joseph; Kunkle, Brian; Beecham, Gary; Cantwell, Laura S; Pericak-Vance, Margaret A; Farrer, Lindsay A; Haines, Jonathan L; Goate, Alison M; Foroud, Tatiana; Boerwinkle, Eric; Schellenberg, Gerard D; Mayeux, Richard

2015-12-01

We performed linkage analyses in Caribbean Hispanic families with multiple late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) cases to identify regions that may contain disease causative variants. We selected 67 LOAD families to perform genome-wide linkage scan. Analysis of the linked regions was repeated using the entire sample of 282 families. Validated chromosomal regions were analyzed using joint linkage and association. We identified 26 regions linked to LOAD (HLOD ≥3.6). We validated 13 of the regions (HLOD ≥2.5) using the entire family sample. The strongest signal was at 11q12.3 (rs2232932: HLODmax = 4.7, Pjoint = 6.6 × 10(-6)), a locus located ∼2 Mb upstream of the membrane-spanning 4A gene cluster. We additionally identified a locus at 7p14.3 (rs10255835: HLODmax = 4.9, Pjoint = 1.2 × 10(-5)), a region harboring genes associated with the nervous system (GARS, GHRHR, and NEUROD6). Future sequencing efforts should focus on these regions because they may harbor familial LOAD causative mutations. Copyright © 2015 The Alzheimer's Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The dynamic nature of relative sea level in Southeast Asia: tectonic effects and human impacts (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, E.; Qiu, Q.; Feng, L.; Lubis, A.; Meltzner, A. J.; Tsang, L. L.; Daly, P.; McCaughey, J.; Banerjee, P.; Rubin, C. M.; Sieh, K.

2013-12-01

Tectonic changes can have significant effects on crustal deformation, the geoid, and relative sea level (RSL). Indeed, the tectonic impacts on RSL in some regions can be greater than those predicted as a result of climate change. In the case of earthquakes, these changes can occur suddenly, as coastlines uplift or subside by up to many meters. The changes can also occur over many decades as a result of interseismic or postseismic processes, or periodically in the form of transient slow-slip events. Although these effects are (mostly) recovered elastically over the course of the earthquake cycle, they are occurring in the context of ever-increasing populations living along affected coastlines, particularly the case in areas such as SE Asia. The societal effects of these tectonic-induced sea-level changes are therefore becoming increasingly significant, and important to consider in future projections for sea-level change. Additionally, tide-gauge and gravity measurements made in tectonically active areas cannot be interpreted without consideration and modeling of the tectonic setting. These facts highlight the need for accurate geodetic measurements of land-height change. Along the Sumatra subduction zone, a series of great earthquakes have occurred over the last decade, along with numerous moderate and smaller earthquakes. These, and their ensuing postseismic deformation, have reshaped regional coastlines. We will show visualization of land height changes using a decade of Sumatra GPS Array (SuGAr) data, and related tectonic models, that demonstrate dramatically the ups and downs of land elevation close to the earthquake sources. Vertical coseismic displacements as large as ~2.9 m have been recorded by the SuGAr (an uplift at Nias, during the 2005 Mw 8.6 earthquake), and vertical postseismic rates on the order of tens of mm/yr or greater (e.g., in northern Aceh, one station has been uplifting at a rate of ~34 mm/yr since the 2004 Mw 9.2 earthquake, while in southern

A simplified rainfall-runoff stochastic simulation method for an application of the SCHADEX method to ungauged catchments.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penot, David; Paquet, Emmanuel; Lang, Michel

2014-05-01

French catchments and its capacity to represent the asymptotic behaviour of the runoff distribution. References: K. J. Beven. Rainfall-Runoff modelling The Primer, British Library, 2003. F. Garavaglia, J. Gailhard, E. Paquet, M. Lang, R. Garçon, and P. Bernardara. Introducing a rainfall compound distribution model based on weather patterns sub-sampling. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 14(6):951-964, 2010. F. Gottardi, C. Obled, J. Gailhard, and E. Paquet. Statistical reanalysis of precipitation fields based on ground network data and weather patterns : Application over french mountains. Journal of Hydrology, 432-433:154-167, 2012. ISSN 0022-1694. E. Paquet, F. Garavaglia, R Garçon, and J. Gailhard. The schadex method : a semi-continuous rainfall-runoff simulation for extreme flood estimation. Journal of Hydrology, 2013. USDA SCS, National Engineering Handbook, Supplement A, Section 4, Chapter 10. Whashington DC, 1985.

Remote Sensing of chlorophyll fluorescence and the impact of clouds on the retrival

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Köhler, Philipp; Guanter, Luis; Frankenberg, Christian

2013-04-01

Remote sensing of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) is a new, alternative option to gain information about terrestrial photosynthesis and CO2 assimilation on a global scale. The SIF is an electromagnetic signal emitted in the aprox. 650-800 nm spectral window by the photosynthesis apparatus, and can therefore be considered as a direct indicator of plant biochemical processes. The general approach to measure SIF from space is the evaluation of the in-filling of solar Fraunhofer lines or atmospheric absorption bands by SIF. To distinguish the SIF signal from the total incoming radiance at the sensor, which is about 100 times more intense, is a challenge and high resolution measurements are required. The high spectral resolution (approx. 0.02 nm) of the Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) on-board the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) enables such a measurement of SIF by means of the evaluation of the in-filling of solar Fraunhofer lines by SIF. The narrow wavelength band from 755 to 759 nm and around 770 nm can be used for this purpose because they are free from atmospheric absorption features, the solar radiation shows several Fraunhofer lines and the SIF values in this region are relatively high. A new SIF retrieval approach (GARLiC, for GOSAT Retrieval of cholorphyll fluorescence) will be presented in this contribution. This method is intended to simplify some of the assumptions of existing retrieval approaches without a loss in accuracy. The comparison of the GARLiC fluorescence retrievals with two state-of-the-art SIR retrieval methods such as those by Frankenberg et al. (2011) and Guanter et al. (2012) from GOSAT data shows corresponding and feasible results. In addition to the basics of SIF remote sensing, this contribution will assess the effect of clouds in the retrieval. To do this, the SIF retrieval has been coupled to a cloud optical thickness (COT) retrieval algorithm adapted to GOSAT-FTS O2A-band measurements, so that SIF and COT

Ichthyoplankton spatial distribution and its relation with water column stratification in fjords of southern Chile (46°48‧-50°09‧S) in austral spring 1996 and 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bustos, Claudia A.; Landaeta, Mauricio F.; Balbontín, Fernando

2011-03-01

The occidental shore of the southern tip of South America is one of the largest estuarine ecosystems around the world. Although demersal finfish fisheries are currently in full exploitation in the area, the fjords south of 47°S have been poorly investigated. Two bio-oceanographic cruises carried out in austral spring 1996 and 2008 between 47°S and 50°09'S were utilized to investigate the spatial distribution of fish eggs and larvae. Small differences in the environmental conditions were identified in the top 200 m of the water column between years (5.3-10.5 °C and 0.7-33.9 units of salinity in October 1996; 6.3-11.5 °C and 1.2-34.2 units of salinity in November 2008). The low salinity surface layer generated a highly stable water column within the fjords (Brunt-Väisälä frequency, N>0.1 rad/s; wave period <60 s), whereas a well-mixed water column occurred in the gulfs and open channels. For both years, the ichthyoplankton analysis showed that early life stages of lightfish Maurolicus parvipinnis were dominant (>75% total eggs and >70% total larvae) and they were collected throughout the area, irrespective of the water column stratification. However, other components of the ichthyoplankton such as Falkland sprat Sprattus fuegensis, rockfish Sebastes oculatus, and hoki Macruronus magellanicus were more abundant and found in a wider range of larval sizes in less stable waters ( N<0.1 rad/s). Oceanic taxa such as myctophids ( Lampanyctodes hectoris) and gonostomatids ( Cyclothone sp.) were collected exclusively in open waters. The October 1996 observation of Engraulis ringens eggs in plankton samples corresponded to the southernmost record of early stages of this fish in the Pacific Ocean. We found a significant negative relationship between the number of larval species and N, and a significant positive relationship between the number of larval species and wave period. Therefore, only some marine fish species are capable to utilize fjords systems as spawning and

A method to determine agro-climatic zones based on correlation and cluster analyses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borges Valeriano, Taynara Tuany; de Souza Rolim, Glauco; de Oliveira Aparecido, Lucas Eduardo

2017-12-01

Determining agro-climatic zones (ACZs) is traditionally made by cross-comparing meteorological elements such as air temperature, rainfall, and water deficit (DEF). This study proposes a new method based on correlations between monthly DEFs during the crop cycle and annual yield and performs a multivariate cluster analysis on these correlations. This `correlation method' was applied to all municipalities in the state of São Paulo to determine ACZs for coffee plantations. A traditional ACZ method for coffee, which is based on temperature and DEF ranges (Evangelista et al.; RBEAA, 6:445-452, 2002), was applied to the study area to compare against the correlation method. The traditional ACZ classified the "Alta Mogina," "Média Mogiana," and "Garça and Marília" regions as traditional coffee regions that were either suitable or even restricted for coffee plantations. These traditional regions have produced coffee since 1800 and should not be classified as restricted. The correlation method classified those areas as high-producing regions and expanded them into other areas. The proposed method is innovative, because it is more detailed than common ACZ methods. Each developmental crop phase was analyzed based on correlations between the monthly DEF and yield, improving the importance of crop physiology in relation to climate.

Natural gene therapy in monozygotic twins with Fanconi anemia.

PubMed

Mankad, Anuj; Taniguchi, Toshiyasu; Cox, Barbara; Akkari, Yassmine; Rathbun, R Keaney; Lucas, Lora; Bagby, Grover; Olson, Susan; D'Andrea, Alan; Grompe, Markus

2006-04-15

Monozygotic twin sisters, with nonhematologic symptoms of Fanconi anemia (FA), were discovered to be somatic mosaics for mutations in the FANCA gene. Skin fibroblasts, but not lymphocytes or committed hematopoietic progenitors, were sensitive to DNA cross-linking agents. Molecular analysis revealed, in skin cells of both twins, a frameshift causing deletion in exon 27 (2555deltaT) and an exon 28 missense mutation (2670G>A/R880Q). The latter resulted in primarily cytoplasmic expression and reduced function of the mutant FANCA (R880Q) protein. Surprisingly, the same acquired exon 30 missense change (2927G>A/E966K) was detected in the hematopoietic cells of both sisters, but not in their fibroblasts, nor in either parent. This compensatory mutation existed in cis with the maternal exon 28 mutation, and it restored function and nuclear localization of the resulting protein. Both sisters have been free of hematologic symptoms for more than 2 decades, suggesting that this de novo mutation occurred prenatally in a single hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) in one twin and that descendants of this functionally corrected HSC, via intra-uterine circulation, repopulated the blood lineages of both sisters. This finding suggests that treating FA patients with gene therapy might require transduction of only a few hematopoietic stem cells.

Purification and characterization of galanin and scyliorhinin I from the hybrid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus x Scaphirhynchus albus (Acipenseriformes).

PubMed

Wang, Y; Barton, B A; Thim, L; Nielsen, P F; Conlon, J M

1999-01-01

The sturgeons (order Acipenseriformes) are extant representatives of a group of ancient Actinopterygian (ray-finned) fish. Galanin and scyliorhinin I (a tachykinin with limited structural similarity to mammalian substance P) have been isolated from an extract of the gastrointestinal tract of a sturgeon (an F1 hybrid between the shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, and the pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus). The primary structure of sturgeon galanin (Gly-Trp-Thr-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Leu10-Leu-Gly-Pro-His-Ala-Val -As p-Gly-His-Arg20-Ser-Leu-Ser-Asp-Lys-His-Gly-Leu-Pro.NH2) contains only two amino acid substitutions (Ser23 --> Asn and Pro29 --> Ala) compared with galanin from the bowfin, Amia calva (Amiiformes), but five amino acid substitutions compared with galanin from the trout (Teleostei). Similarly, the sturgeon tachykinin (Ser-Lys-Tyr-His-Gln-Phe-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Met.NH2) contains only one amino acid substitution (Tyr3 --> Ser) compared with scyliorhinin I previously isolated from bowfin stomach but five amino acid substitutions compared with trout substance P. The data support the hypothesis that the Acipenseriformes and the basal Neopterygians (gars and bowfin) share a close phylogenetic relationship. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Efficient RNA pseudouridylation by eukaryotic H/ACA ribonucleoproteins requires high affinity binding and correct positioning of guide RNA

PubMed Central

Caton, Evan A; Kelly, Erin K; Kamalampeta, Rajashekhar

2018-01-01

Abstract H/ACA ribonucleoproteins (H/ACA RNPs) are responsible for introducing many pseudouridines into RNAs, but are also involved in other cellular functions. Utilizing a purified and reconstituted yeast H/ACA RNP system that is active in pseudouridine formation under physiological conditions, we describe here the quantitative characterization of H/ACA RNP formation and function. This analysis reveals a surprisingly tight interaction of H/ACA guide RNA with the Cbf5p–Nop10p–Gar1p trimeric protein complex whereas Nhp2p binds comparably weakly to H/ACA guide RNA. Substrate RNA is bound to H/ACA RNPs with nanomolar affinity which correlates with the GC content in the guide-substrate RNA base pairing. Both Nhp2p and the conserved Box ACA element in guide RNA are required for efficient pseudouridine formation, but not for guide RNA or substrate RNA binding. These results suggest that Nhp2p and the Box ACA motif indirectly facilitate loading of the substrate RNA in the catalytic site of Cbf5p by correctly positioning the upper and lower parts of the H/ACA guide RNA on the H/ACA proteins. In summary, this study provides detailed insight into the molecular mechanism of H/ACA RNPs. PMID:29177505

Wissenschaft, die unsere Kultur verändert. Tiefenschichten des Streits um die Evolutionstheorie

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patzelt, Werner J.

Die Evolutionstheorie ist eine der erfolgreichsten wissenschaftlichen Theorien. Sie erlaubt es, unsere Herkunft zu verstehen und riskante Merkmale gerade der menschlichen Spezies zu begreifen. Zugleich ist die Evolutionstheorie eine der umstrittensten Theorien. Das liegt nicht an ihrer empirischen Tragfähigkeit, sondern an ihrem Gegenstand. Sie handelt nämlich nicht nur - wie Hunderte andere wissenschaftliche Theorien - von der "Welt da draußen“, sondern vor allem auch von uns selbst und von unserem Platz in dieser Welt. Den einen gilt sie obendrein als Überwinderin religiösen Aberglaubens, den anderen als neuer Zugang zu Gott und seinem Wirken in der Welt. Ferner sehen die einen in der Evolution eine unbezweifelbare Tatsache gleich der Schwerkraft oder dem Holocaust, die anderen aber eine - noch oder dauerhaft - unbewiesene Hypothese oder gar eine falsche Schöpfungslehre. Und während die meisten Streitfragen solcher Art nach wechselseitig akzeptierten Regeln ‚normaler Wissenschaft‘ geklärt werden, wird bei der Frage nach dem Woher unserer Spezies und Kultur die intellektuelle Zuständigkeit von Wissenschaft mitunter überhaupt bezweifelt. Anscheinend geht es schon um recht tiefe Schichten unserer Kultur und nicht nur der wissenschaftlichen, wenn - wie seit 150 Jahren - um die Evolutionstheorie gestritten wird. Wie sehen diese Schichten aus?

Extending Resolution of Fault Slip With Geodetic Networks Through Optimal Network Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sathiakumar, Sharadha; Barbot, Sylvain Denis; Agram, Piyush

2017-12-01

Geodetic networks consisting of high precision and high rate Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) stations continuously monitor seismically active regions of the world. These networks measure surface displacements and the amount of geodetic strain accumulated in the region and give insight into the seismic potential. SuGar (Sumatra GPS Array) in Sumatra, GEONET (GNSS Earth Observation Network System) in Japan, and PBO (Plate Boundary Observatory) in California are some examples of established networks around the world that are constantly expanding with the addition of new stations to improve the quality of measurements. However, installing new stations to existing networks is tedious and expensive. Therefore, it is important to choose suitable locations for new stations to increase the precision obtained in measuring the geophysical parameters of interest. Here we describe a methodology to design optimal geodetic networks that augment the existing system and use it to investigate seismo-tectonics at convergent and transform boundaries considering land-based and seafloor geodesy. The proposed network design optimization would be pivotal to better understand seismic and tsunami hazards around the world. Land-based and seafloor networks can monitor fault slip around subduction zones with significant resolution, but transform faults are more challenging to monitor due to their near-vertical geometry.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase deficiencies in search of common themes.

PubMed

Fuchs, Sabine A; Schene, Imre F; Kok, Gautam; Jansen, Jurriaan M; Nikkels, Peter G J; van Gassen, Koen L I; Terheggen-Lagro, Suzanne W J; van der Crabben, Saskia N; Hoeks, Sanne E; Niers, Laetitia E M; Wolf, Nicole I; de Vries, Maaike C; Koolen, David A; Houwen, Roderick H J; Mulder, Margot F; van Hasselt, Peter M

2018-06-06

Pathogenic variations in genes encoding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are increasingly associated with human disease. Clinical features of autosomal recessive ARS deficiencies appear very diverse and without apparent logic. We searched for common clinical patterns to improve disease recognition, insight into pathophysiology, and clinical care. Symptoms were analyzed in all patients with recessive ARS deficiencies reported in literature, supplemented with unreported patients evaluated in our hospital. In literature, we identified 107 patients with AARS, DARS, GARS, HARS, IARS, KARS, LARS, MARS, RARS, SARS, VARS, YARS, and QARS deficiencies. Common symptoms (defined as present in ≥4/13 ARS deficiencies) included abnormalities of the central nervous system and/or senses (13/13), failure to thrive, gastrointestinal symptoms, dysmaturity, liver disease, and facial dysmorphisms. Deep phenotyping of 5 additional patients with unreported compound heterozygous pathogenic variations in IARS, LARS, KARS, and QARS extended the common phenotype with lung disease, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and renal tubulopathy. We propose a common clinical phenotype for recessive ARS deficiencies, resulting from insufficient aminoacylation activity to meet translational demand in specific organs or periods of life. Assuming residual ARS activity, adequate protein/amino acid supply seems essential instead of the traditional replacement of protein by glucose in patients with metabolic diseases.

Relationship between impairments, disability and handicap in reflex sympathetic dystrophy patients: a long-term follow-up study.

PubMed

Geertzen, J H; Dijkstra, P U; van Sonderen, E L; Groothoff, J W; ten Duis, H J; Eisma, W H

1998-10-01

To determine the relationship between impairments, disability and handicap in reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) patients. A long-term follow-up study of upper extremity RSD patients. A university hospital. Sixty-five patients, 3-9 years (mean interval 5.5 years) after RSD of the upper extremity (mean age 50.2 years). Impairments: range of motion, moving two point discrimination, muscle strength of the hand and pain were measured. Disability was assessed with the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) and handicap was assessed with three subscales (social functioning, role limitations due to physical problems and role limitations due to emotional problems) of the RAND-36. After RSD of the upper extremity, 62% of the patients are limited in activities of daily living (ADL) and/or instrumental ADL (IADL). Pain and restrictions in forward flexion of the shoulder, thumb opposition and grip strength are the most important impairments limiting ADL and IADL. Patients with limitations in ADL and IADL are significantly more handicapped than patients without limitations. Pain is the most important factor contributing to handicap. The relationship between impairments and disability and between disability and handicap in RSD patients is weak to moderate. Pain is the most important factor leading to disability and handicap.

Closely-related taxa influence woody species discrimination via DNA barcoding: evidence from global forest dynamics plots.

PubMed

Pei, Nancai; Erickson, David L; Chen, Bufeng; Ge, Xuejun; Mi, Xiangcheng; Swenson, Nathan G; Zhang, Jin-Long; Jones, Frank A; Huang, Chun-Lin; Ye, Wanhui; Hao, Zhanqing; Hsieh, Chang-Fu; Lum, Shawn; Bourg, Norman A; Parker, John D; Zimmerman, Jess K; McShea, William J; Lopez, Ida C; Sun, I-Fang; Davies, Stuart J; Ma, Keping; Kress, W John

2015-10-12

To determine how well DNA barcodes from the chloroplast region perform in forest dynamics plots (FDPs) from global CTFS-ForestGEO network, we analyzed DNA barcoding sequences of 1277 plant species from a wide phylogenetic range (3 FDPs in tropics, 5 in subtropics and 5 in temperate zone) and compared the rates of species discrimination (RSD). We quantified RSD by two DNA barcode combinations (rbcL + matK and rbcL + matK + trnH-psbA) using a monophyly-based method (GARLI). We defined two indexes of closely-related taxa (Gm/Gt and S/G ratios) and correlated these ratios with RSD. The combination of rbcL + matK averagely discriminated 88.65%, 83.84% and 72.51% at the local, regional and global scales, respectively. An additional locus trnH-psbA increased RSD by 2.87%, 1.49% and 3.58% correspondingly. RSD varied along a latitudinal gradient and were negatively correlated with ratios of closely-related taxa. Successes of species discrimination generally depend on scales in global FDPs. We suggested that the combination of rbcL + matK + trnH-psbA is currently applicable for DNA barcoding-based phylogenetic studies on forest communities.

Antimutagenic Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Aqueous Extract on Rats Treated with Monosodium Glutamate.

PubMed

Gheller, Ana Carla Guidini Valentini; Kerkhoff, Jacqueline; Vieira Júnior, Gerardo Magela; de Campos, Kleber Eduardo; Sugui, Marina Mariko

2017-01-01

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is a plant of the Malvaceae family, commonly known as roselle. H. sabdariffa is known to contain antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, antiobesity, insulin resistance reduction, antihypertensive, and skin cancer chemopreventive properties. This study evaluated the effects of H. sabdariffa aqueous extract against cyclophosphamide (CPA, 25 mg/Kg) induced damage to DNA in male Wistar rats by micronucleus test. Samples of H. sabdariffa calyx were obtained in the municipality of Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The aqueous extract was prepared by infusion and each animal received a daily dose of 400 mg/Kg by gavage for 15 consecutive days of treatment. The presence of anthocyanins was confirmed by ferric chloride test and phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography, with emphasis on the identification of rutin. The animals were sacrificed by deepening of anaesthesia to obtain bone marrow and determination of the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. The group treated with the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa revealed a 91% reduction in micronucleus frequency when compared with the positive control group. Under the conditions tested, H. sabdariffa L. presented a protective effect to CPA-induced damage to DNA of the treated animals, and it is a potential candidate as a chemopreventive agent against carcinogenesis.

Antimutagenic Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Aqueous Extract on Rats Treated with Monosodium Glutamate

PubMed Central

Kerkhoff, Jacqueline; Vieira Júnior, Gerardo Magela; de Campos, Kleber Eduardo; Sugui, Marina Mariko

2017-01-01

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is a plant of the Malvaceae family, commonly known as roselle. H. sabdariffa is known to contain antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, antiobesity, insulin resistance reduction, antihypertensive, and skin cancer chemopreventive properties. This study evaluated the effects of H. sabdariffa aqueous extract against cyclophosphamide (CPA, 25 mg/Kg) induced damage to DNA in male Wistar rats by micronucleus test. Samples of H. sabdariffa calyx were obtained in the municipality of Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The aqueous extract was prepared by infusion and each animal received a daily dose of 400 mg/Kg by gavage for 15 consecutive days of treatment. The presence of anthocyanins was confirmed by ferric chloride test and phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography, with emphasis on the identification of rutin. The animals were sacrificed by deepening of anaesthesia to obtain bone marrow and determination of the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. The group treated with the aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa revealed a 91% reduction in micronucleus frequency when compared with the positive control group. Under the conditions tested, H. sabdariffa L. presented a protective effect to CPA-induced damage to DNA of the treated animals, and it is a potential candidate as a chemopreventive agent against carcinogenesis. PMID:28197528

Simulation of extreme reservoir level distribution with the SCHADEX method (EXTRAFLO project)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paquet, Emmanuel; Penot, David; Garavaglia, Federico

2013-04-01

-to-volume ratios and hydrographs applied to each simulated event. This allows accounting for different flood dynamics, depending on the season, the generating precipitation event, the soil saturation state, etc. In both cases, a hydraulic simulation of dam operation is performed, in order to compute the distribution of maximum reservoir levels. Results are detailed for an extreme return level, showing that a 1000 years return level reservoir level can be reached during flood events whose components (peaks, volumes) are not necessarily associated with such return level. The presentation will be illustrated by the example of a fictive dam on the Tech River at Reynes (South of France, 477 km²). This study has been carried out within the EXTRAFLO project, Task 8 (https://extraflo.cemagref.fr/). References: Paquet, E., Gailhard, J. and Garçon, R. (2006), Evolution of the GRADEX method: improvement by atmospheric circulation classification and hydrological modeling, La Houille Blanche, 5, 80-90. doi:10.1051/lhb:2006091. Paquet, E., Garavaglia, F., Garçon, R. and Gailhard, J. (2012), The SCHADEX method: a semi-continuous rainfall-runoff simulation for extreme food estimation, Journal of Hydrology, under revision

Human intron-encoded Alu RNAs are processed and packaged into Wdr79-associated nucleoplasmic box H/ACA RNPs

PubMed Central

Jády, Beáta E.; Ketele, Amandine; Kiss, Tamás

2012-01-01

Alu repetitive sequences are the most abundant short interspersed DNA elements in the human genome. Full-length Alu elements are composed of two tandem sequence monomers, the left and right Alu arms, both derived from the 7SL signal recognition particle RNA. Since Alu elements are common in protein-coding genes, they are frequently transcribed into pre-mRNAs. Here, we demonstrate that the right arms of nascent Alu transcripts synthesized within pre-mRNA introns are processed into metabolically stable small RNAs. The intron-encoded Alu RNAs, termed AluACA RNAs, are structurally highly reminiscent of box H/ACA small Cajal body (CB) RNAs (scaRNAs). They are composed of two hairpin units followed by the essential H (AnAnnA) and ACA box motifs. The mature AluACA RNAs associate with the four H/ACA core proteins: dyskerin, Nop10, Nhp2, and Gar1. Moreover, the 3′ hairpin of AluACA RNAs carries two closely spaced CB localization motifs, CAB boxes (UGAG), which bind Wdr79 in a cumulative fashion. In contrast to canonical H/ACA scaRNPs, which concentrate in CBs, the AluACA RNPs accumulate in the nucleoplasm. Identification of 348 human AluACA RNAs demonstrates that intron-encoded AluACA RNAs represent a novel, large subgroup of H/ACA RNAs, which are apparently confined to human or primate cells. PMID:22892240

La victimisation homophobe et liée à la non-conformité de genre et l’adaptation scolaire et psychosociale chez les 14–22 ans : Résultats d’une enquête québécoise

PubMed Central

Boucher, Kathleen; Blais, Martin; Hébert, Martine; Gervais, Jesse; Banville-Côté, Christine; Bédard, Isabelle; Dragieva, Nataliya

2017-01-01

Résumés Cet article étudie la victimisation homophobe et liée à la non-conformité de genre et ses effets sur l’adaptation scolaire et psychosociale de jeunes Québécois. Un échantillon non probabiliste de 262 jeunes (173 filles, 89 garçons), âgés de 14 à 22 ans (M = 17,9 ans) a été constitué. Des comparaisons bivariées et un modèle d’équations structurales ont été réalisés. Les jeunes LGBTQ affichent un sentiment de sécurité à l’école et une réussite scolaire autoévaluée plus faibles et un niveau de détresse psychologique plus élevé. Les résultats montrent que la victimisation homophobe, le soutien social des amis, la détresse psychologique et le sentiment de sécurité à l’école jouent un rôle médiateur important dans la réussite scolaire autoévaluée des jeunes LGBTQ. Ces constats appuient l’importance de mettre en place des interventions pour réduire l’homophobie dans les écoles et soulignent le rôle central des pairs dans cet effort. PMID:28191287

Feasibility of using a humanoid robot to elicit communicational response in children with mild autism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malik, Norjasween Abdul; Shamsuddin, Syamimi; Yussof, Hanafiah; Azfar Miskam, Mohd; Che Hamid, Aminullah

2013-12-01

Research evidences are accumulating with regards to the potential use of robots for the rehabilitation of children with autism. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the results of communicational response in two children with autism during interaction with the humanoid robot NAO. Both autistic subjects in this study have been diagnosed with mild autism. Following the outcome from our first pilot study; the aim of this current experiment is to explore the application of NAO robot to engage with a child and further teach about emotions through a game-centered and song-based approach. The experiment procedure involved interaction between humanoid robot NAO with each child through a series of four different modules. The observation items are based on ten items selected and referenced to GARS-2 (Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-second edition) and also input from clinicians and therapists. The results clearly indicated that both of the children showed optimistic response through the interaction. Negative responses such as feeling scared or shying away from the robot were not detected. Two-way communication between the child and robot in real time significantly gives positive impact in the responses towards the robot. To conclude, it is feasible to include robot-based interaction specifically to elicit communicational response as a part of the rehabilitation intervention of children with autism.

Correlates of willingness to engage in residential gardening: implications for health optimization in ibadan, Nigeria.

PubMed

Motunrayo Ibrahim, Fausat

2013-01-01

Gardening is a worthwhile adventure which engenders health op-timization. Yet, a dearth of evidences that highlights motivations to engage in gardening exists. This study examined willingness to engage in gardening and its correlates, including some socio-psychological, health related and socio-demographic variables. In this cross-sectional survey, 508 copies of a structured questionnaire were randomly self administered among a group of civil servants of Oyo State, Nigeria. Multi-item measures were used to assess variables. Step wise multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of willingness to engage in gar-dening Results: Simple percentile analysis shows that 71.1% of respondents do not own a garden. Results of step wise multiple regression analysis indicate that descriptive norm of gardening is a good predictor, social support for gardening is better while gardening self efficacy is the best predictor of willingness to engage in gardening (P< 0.001). Health consciousness, gardening response efficacy, education and age are not predictors of this willingness (P> 0.05). Results of t-test and ANOVA respectively shows that gender is not associated with this willingness (P> 0.05), but marital status is (P< 0.05).  Socio-psychological characteristics and being married are very rele-vant in motivations to engage in gardening. The nexus between gardening and health optimization appears to be highly obscured in this population.

Experimental Raman and IR spectral and theoretical studies of vibrational spectrum and molecular structure of Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srivastava, Mayuri; Singh, N. P.; Yadav, R. A.

2014-08-01

Vibrational spectrum of Pantothenic acid has been investigated using experimental IR and Raman spectroscopies and density functional theory methods available with the Gaussian 09 software. Vibrational assignments of the observed IR and Raman bands have been proposed in light of the results obtained from computations. In order to assign the observed IR and Raman frequencies the potential energy distributions (PEDs) have also been computed using GAR2PED software. Optimized geometrical parameters suggest that the overall symmetry of the molecule is C1. The molecule is found to possess eight conformations. Conformational analysis was carried out to obtain the most stable configuration of the molecule. In the present paper the vibrational features of the lowest energy conformer C-I have been studied. The two methyl groups have slightly distorted symmetries from C3V. The acidic Osbnd H bond is found to be the smallest one. To investigate molecular stability and bond strength we have used natural bond orbital analysis (NBO). Charge transfer occurs in the molecule have been shown by the calculated highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) energies. The mapping of electron density iso-surface with electrostatic potential (ESP), has been carried out to get the information about the size, shape, charge density distribution and site of chemical reactivity of the molecule.

Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis reveals the pattern and tempo of bony fish evolution

PubMed Central

Broughton, Richard E.; Betancur-R., Ricardo; Li, Chenhong; Arratia, Gloria; Ortí, Guillermo

2013-01-01

Over half of all vertebrates are “fishes”, which exhibit enormous diversity in morphology, physiology, behavior, reproductive biology, and ecology. Investigation of fundamental areas of vertebrate biology depend critically on a robust phylogeny of fishes, yet evolutionary relationships among the major actinopterygian and sarcopterygian lineages have not been conclusively resolved. Although a consensus phylogeny of teleosts has been emerging recently, it has been based on analyses of various subsets of actinopterygian taxa, but not on a full sample of all bony fishes. Here we conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic study on a broad taxonomic sample of 61 actinopterygian and sarcopterygian lineages (with a chondrichthyan outgroup) using a molecular data set of 21 independent loci. These data yielded a resolved phylogenetic hypothesis for extant Osteichthyes, including 1) reciprocally monophyletic Sarcopterygii and Actinopterygii, as currently understood, with polypteriforms as the first diverging lineage within Actinopterygii; 2) a monophyletic group containing gars and bowfin (= Holostei) as sister group to teleosts; and 3) the earliest diverging lineage among teleosts being Elopomorpha, rather than Osteoglossomorpha. Relaxed-clock dating analysis employing a set of 24 newly applied fossil calibrations reveals divergence times that are more consistent with paleontological estimates than previous studies. Establishing a new phylogenetic pattern with accurate divergence dates for bony fishes illustrates several areas where the fossil record is incomplete and provides critical new insights on diversification of this important vertebrate group. PMID:23788273

Deformation analysis of Aceh April 11{sup th} 2012 earthquake using GPS observation data

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

Maulida, Putra, E-mail: putra.maulida@gmail.com; Meilano, Irwan; Sarsito, Dina A.

This research tries to estimate the co-seismic deformation of intraplate earthquake occurred off northern Sumatra coast which is about 100-200 km southwest of Sumatrasubduction zone. The earthquake mechanism was strike-slip with magnitude 8.6 and triggering aftershock with magnitude 8.2 two hours later. We estimated the co-seismic deformation by using the GPS (Global Positioning System) continuous data along western Sumatra coast. The GPS observation derived from Sumatran GPS Array (SuGAr) and Geospatial Information Agency (BIG). For data processing we used GPS Analyze at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (GAMIT) software and Global Kalman Filter (GLOBK) to estimate the co-seismic deformation. From themore » GPS daily solution, the result shows that the earthquake caused displacement for the GPS stations in Sumatra. GPS stations in northern Sumatra showed the displacement to the northeast with the average displacement was 15 cm. The biggest displacement was found at station BSIM which is located at Simeuleu Island off north west Sumatra coast. GPS station in middle part of Sumatra, the displacement was northwest. The earthquake also caused subsidence for stations in northern Sumatra, but from the time series there was not sign of subsidence was found at middle part of Sumatra. In addition, the effect of the earthquake was worldwide and affected the other GPS Stations around Hindia oceanic.« less

Use of LEGO as a therapeutic medium for improving social competence.

PubMed

LeGoff, Daniel B

2004-10-01

A repeated-measures, waiting list control design was used to assess efficacy of a social skills intervention for autistic spectrum children focused on individual and group LEGO play. The intervention combined aspects of behavior therapy, peer modeling and naturalistic communication strategies. Close interaction and joint attention to task play an important role in both group and individual therapy activities. The goal of treatment was to improve social competence (SC) which was construed as reflecting three components: (1) motivation to initiate social contact with peers; (2) ability to sustain interaction with peers for a period of time: and (3) overcoming autistic symptoms of aloofness and rigidity. Measures for the first two variables were based on observation of subjects in unstructured situations with peers; and the third variable was assessed using a structured rating scale, the SI subscale of the GARS. Results revealed significant improvement on all three measures at both 12 and 24 weeks with no evidence of gains during the waiting list period. No gender differences were found on outcome, and age of clients was not correlated with outcome. LEGO play appears to be a particularly effective medium for social skills intervention, and other researchers and clinicians are encouraged to attempt replication of this work, as well as to explore use of LEGO in other methodologies, or with different clinical populations.

La participation des enfants et des adolescents à la boxe

PubMed Central

Purcell, Laura K; LeBlanc, Claire MA

2012-01-01

RÉSUMÉ Des milliers de garçons et de filles de moins de 19 ans font de la boxe en Amérique du Nord. Même si la boxe comporte des avantages pour ceux qui y participent, y compris l’exercice, l’autodiscipline et la confiance en soi, le sport lui-même favorise et récompense des coups délibérés à la tête et au visage. Les personnes qui font de la boxe risquent de subir des blessures à la tête, au visage et au cou, y compris des traumatismes neurologiques chroniques et même fatals. Les commotions cérébrales sont l’une des principales blessures causées par la boxe. En raison du risque de blessures crâniennes et faciales, la Société canadienne de pédiatrie et l’American Academy of Pediatrics s’opposent vigoureusement à la boxe comme activité sportive pour les enfants et les adolescents. Ces organismes recommandent que les médecins s’élèvent contre la boxe auprès des jeunes et les encouragent à participer à d’autres activités dans lesquelles les coups intentionnels à la tête ne constituent pas un élément essentiel du sport.

Effect of gluten free diet on gastrointestinal and behavioral indices for children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Ghalichi, Faezeh; Ghaemmaghami, Jamal; Malek, Ayyoub; Ostadrahimi, Alireza

2016-11-01

Genetic and environmental factors are both responsible for the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although epidemiological studies have been conducted to clarify the association between restriction diets and ASD, the conclusion remains unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of gluten free diet (GFD) on gastrointestinal symptoms and behavioral indices in children with ASD. In this randomized clinical trial, 80 children diagnosed with ASD by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) were assigned into GFD (n=40) and regular diet (RD) (n=40) groups for 6 weeks. At the beginning and end of the intervention, the ROME Ш questionnaire for evaluating gastrointestinal symptoms and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale 2 questionnaire (GARS-2) for assessing psychometric properties were completed. Of the 80 children, 53.9% had gastrointestinal abnormalities. In the GFD group, the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms decreased significantly (P<0.05) after intake of GFD (40.57% vs. 17.10%) but increased insignificantly in the RD group (42.45% vs. 44.05%). GFD intervention resulted in a significant decrease in behavioral disorders (80.03±14.07 vs. 75.82±15.37, P<0.05) but an insignificant increase in the RD group (79.92±15.49 vs. 80.92±16.24). This study suggested that GFD may be effective in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms and ASD behaviors.

Rapid evolution of the paraglacial Moosfluh rock slope instability (Swiss Alps) captured by Sentinel-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manconi, Andrea; Glueer, Franziska; Loew, Simon

2017-04-01

The Great Aletsch Region (GAR, Swiss Alps) has undergone to several cycles of glacial advancement and retreat, which have deeply affected the evolution of the surrounding landscape. Currently, this region is one of the places where the effects of climate change can be strikingly observed, as the Aletsch glacier is experiencing a remarkable retreat with rates in the order of 50 meters every year. In particular, a deep-seated slope instability located in the area called "Moosfluh" has shown during the past 20 years evidences of a slow but progressive increase of surface displacement. The moving mass associated to the Moosfluh rockslide affects an area of about 2 km2 and entails a volume estimated in the order of 150-200 Mm3. In the late summer 2016, an unusual acceleration of the Moosfluh rockslide was observed. Compared to previous years, when ground deformations were in the order of few centimeters, in the period September-October 2016 maximum velocities have reached locally 1 m/day. Such a critical evolution resulted in an increased number of local rock failures and caused the generation of several deep tensile cracks, hindering the access to hiking paths visited by tourists. Moreover, surface deformations have also affected the Moosfluh cable car station, located near the crest of the unstable slope. In this critical framework, the information available on ground was not enough to disentangle the spatial extent of the most active region. To investigate that, we have processed a number of Sentinel-1 SAR images acquired over the GAR. We paired images with maximum temporal baseline spanning 12 and 24 days, in order to preserve the highest possible interferometric coherence over the target area. Secondly, by stacking surface displacements obtained from the differential interferograms, we have increased the signal-to-noise ratio to produce velocity maps of the Moosfluh landslide over the period of interest. This approach has allowed us to constrain the lateral borders

Climate Modeling at the Austrian Weather Service (ZAMG)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matulla, C.; Anders, I.; Auer, I.

2009-05-01

In later 2007 the Austrian Weather Service (ZAMG) established a group that shall deal with climate change modeling. Two of the group's main goals are to provide climate change scenarios for the assessment of the impact on ecosystems and to reconstruct past climate states along with their change. The former aim is to derive estimates of might happen to our ecosystems under different emission-pathways, whilst the latter goal is to better understand what has caused characteristical changes, which are to be found in proxies. Both aims can be achieved by empirical or dynamical downscaling models, which are ultimately based on the reliability of the driving GCMs results. It is well known that empirical and dynamical downscaling models do have advantages and disadvantages, which are different. As such it appears reasonable to use the approach which is better adapted to the considered question. It may be meaningful to apply empirical downscaling if long periods of time (such as substantial parts of the Holocene) are in the center of attention, whereas dynamical downscaling may be better suited to address questions that are related to decades. Up to now we were more involved with empirical downscaling that helped us to work together with scientists assessing the impact on ecosystems, as for instance, fish in a river (Matulla et al. 2007), forests (Lexer et al. 2002) or phenological phases (Scheifinger et al. 2007). After catching a glimpse of those results, we will turn to dynamical modeling. Here we would like to present findings from case studies, which are related to the more recent past. Our next target is the modelling of possible future climate conditions within the Greater Alpine Region (GAR, see e.g. Auer et al. 2007) as well as some characteristical periods throughout the Holocene as for instance the 8.2k event. This event is to be found in a variety of proxies within and also outside GAR. Auer I., Boehm R., Jurkovic A., Lipa W., Orlik A., Potzmann R., Schoener W

Concordance of Oxygen Isotope Palaeotemperature Proxies Using Fossil Phosphate and Carbonate: Implications for Tracking Palaeoclimate Change in Eocene-Oligocene Fluvio-lacustrine Sediments.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grimes, S.; Mattey, D. P.; Hooker, J.; Collinson, M.

2001-12-01

An understanding of palaeoclimates is critical to interpretation of earth history and biotic response to global climate change. A proxy for meteoric water \\delta18O values is the oxygen isotope composition of mammalian phosphate in tooth enamel. Combining the \\delta18O of meteoric water with the \\delta18O of a carbonate, or phosphate organism precipitated from it then allows the calculation of palaeotemperatures. Using a single palaeoproxy through a large succession of terrestrial deposits is difficult, but not impossible, due to species extinction and changing depositional conditions affecting preservation. Ideally one would like to use different palaeoproxies at different horizons. However, before this can be done all the palaeoproxies must be employed at a single horizon to see if they produce similar temperatures. This has not been done before, most likely due to insufficient biodiversity at a single horizon. Such a rich horizon exists in the Osborne Member of the Hampshire Basin Solent Group, UK. Here we present palaeotemperatures calculated using 4 different freshwater palaeoproxies. Phosphate analyses (Thalerimys fordi and Isoptychus tooth enamel and gar scale) were conducted using a direct laser-fluorination method (Lindars et al. 2001, GCA 65:2535-2548). Carbonate analyses were conducted on a Micromass Isoprime multiflow mass-spec. The local water \\delta18O value (-1.25 +/- 1.68\\permil n = 62) was calculated using corrected Thalerimys fordi and Isoptychus tooth enamel results (See abstract by Lindars et al.). The group, common name and object, plus the \\delta18O results, reference, equation and calculated palaeotemperatures are given below. Gastropod, pond snail, shell. \\delta18OCarbonate = -1.71 +/- 1.25\\permil n = 50. (Chaix et al. 1982, Arch. de Sci. 35:3-22) Temperature = 19.43 - 4.00(\\delta18OCarbonate - \\delta18O{Local water}) = 21 +/- 2° C (2σ standard error (stde)). Fish, gar, scale. δ 18OPhosphate = + 19.71 +/- 0.64‰ n = 20

Role of CYP1A2 polymorphisms on lung cancer risk in a prospective study.

PubMed

Pavanello, Sofia; Fedeli, Ugo; Mastrangelo, Giuseppe; Rota, Federica; Overvad, Kim; Raaschou-Nielsen, Ole; Tjønneland, Anne; Vogel, Ulla

2012-06-01

Cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) is a key enzyme for lung carcinogen activation and lung inflammation. We studied the interactions of the CYP1A2 functional variants -3860G/A(rs2069514),-2467T/delT(rs3569413),-163C/A(rs762551)] with occupational/environmental carcinogenic exposures in the development of lung cancer in a case-control study nested in the Danish prospective cohort "Diet, Cancer and Health." At enrollment (1993-1997), blood samples for genotype analyses and information on lifestyle were collected 5 (mean value) years before the onset of the disease. The study population included 425 lung cancer cases and 786 subcohort members, who were gender- and age-matched. We found that -163A carriers were at increased risk of lung cancer (P=0.035) in a multivariate COX regression model, which was adjusted for personal habits (i.e., cumulative smoking, passive smoke at home, alcohol intake, and fruit intake) and occupational exposure. Additionally, the interaction between -2467delT and smoking increases lung cancer risk in males, especially light smokers (<21.5 pack-years, P=0.004). The increased lung cancer risk found in -163C carriers, independent of smoking status, and in -2467delT male smokers, suggests that these variants could influence lung cancer development through different mechanisms (i.e. lung carcinogen activation and lung inflammation). Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Shadow analysis via the C+K Visioline: A technical note.

PubMed

Houser, T; Zerweck, C; Grove, G; Wickett, R

2017-11-01

This research investigated the ability of shadow analysis (via the Courage + Khazaka Visioline and Image Pro Premiere 9.0 software) to accurately assess the differences in skin topography associated with photo aging. Analyses were performed on impressions collected from a microfinish comparator scale (GAR Electroforming) as well a series of impressions collected from the crow's feet region of 9 women who represent each point on the Zerweck Crow's Feet classification scale. Analyses were performed using a Courage + Khazaka Visioline VL 650 as well as Image Pro Premiere 9.0 software. Shadow analysis showed an ability to accurately measure the groove depth when measuring impressions collected from grooves of known depth. Several shadow analysis parameters showed a correlation with the expert grader ratings of crow's feet when averaging measurements taken from the North and South directions. The Max Depth parameter in particular showed a strong correlation with the expert grader's ratings which improved when a more sophisticated analysis was performed using Image Pro Premiere. When used properly, shadow analysis is effective at accurately measuring skin surface impressions for differences in skin topography. Shadow analysis is shown to accurately assess the differences across a range of crow's feet severity correlating to a 0-8 grader scale. The Visioline VL 650 is a good tool for this measurement, with room for improvement in analysis which can be achieved through third party image analysis software. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Correlates of Willingness to Engage in Residential Gardening: Implications for Health Optimization in Ibadan, Nigeria

PubMed Central

Motunrayo Ibrahim, Fausat

2013-01-01

Background: Gardening is a worthwhile adventure which engenders health op­timization. Yet, a dearth of evidences that highlights motivations to engage in gardening exists. This study examined willingness to engage in gardening and its correlates, including some socio-psychological, health related and socio-demographic variables. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, 508 copies of a structured questionnaire were randomly self administered among a group of civil servants of Oyo State, Nigeria. Multi-item measures were used to assess variables. Step wise multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of willingness to engage in gar­dening Results: Simple percentile analysis shows that 71.1% of respondents do not own a garden. Results of step wise multiple regression analysis indicate that descriptive norm of gardening is a good predictor, social support for gardening is better while gardening self efficacy is the best predictor of willingness to engage in gardening (P< 0.001). Health consciousness, gardening response efficacy, education and age are not predictors of this willingness (P> 0.05). Results of t-test and ANOVA respectively shows that gender is not associated with this willingness (P> 0.05), but marital status is (P< 0.05).  Conclusion: Socio-psychological characteristics and being married are very rele­vant in motivations to engage in gardening. The nexus between gardening and health optimization appears to be highly obscured in this population. PMID:24688974

Dehydration melting studies in a 'Kyanite terrain', Manali, NW Himalayas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, Pramod; Sengupta, Susmita; Chaddha, D. K.; Pant, N. C.

2005-05-01

The Beas valley section in Himachal Pradesh is characterized by the presence of kyanite as the alumino-silicate phase and a small extent of Neogene quartzo-feldspathic intrusives. The present paper explores the reasons for the lack of extensive granite occurrences through a detailed petrologic study on samples of a drill core (200 m, inclined 60° due ESE) close to Manali, the expected highest point in P-T space in this section. The highest assemblage encountered is quartz+muscovite+biotite+garnet+plagioclase+kyanite±apatite±zircon±tourmaline±ilmenite±rutile. The chemical analyses of mineral grains were carried out on a CAMECA SX51 EPMA. The following two reactions that constrain the P-T regime of the area have been established. St+Qtz→Alm+Ky+HO Bio+Plg+Qtz+Ksp→Gar+Ky+Liq. Our result, P=8.25±1 kbar, T=638±4 °C, falls in a region between curves representing aO=1.0 and aO=0.7 of the fluid in Thompson [Trans. Royal Soc. Edinb. 87 (1996) 1] diagram. The P-T estimate falls in the kyanite field and is very close to the mica dehydration-melting curve. The studies indicate that the core samples are a part of progressive metamorphic sequence. It implies that the absence of sillimanite and large scale melting is perhaps chance brought about by thrusting and erosion. The present section experienced single stage dehydration melting.

Is it all the X: familial learning dysfunction and the impact of behavioral aspects of the phenotypic presentation of XXY?

PubMed

Samango-Sprouse, Carole A; Stapleton, Emily; Sadeghin, Teresa; Gropman, Andrea L

2013-02-15

The behavioral phenotype of children with XXY has not been extensively studied until recently and this research has been confounded by insufficient study populations and ascertainment biases. The aim of the study was to expand the behavioral aspect of the XXY phenotype as well as investigate the role of existing familial learning disabilities (FLD) on behavioral problems. Behavioral phenotype of XXY includes social anxiety, ADHD, social communication, and atypical peer interactions. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS) were completed by the parents of 54 boys with XXY who had not received hormonal replacement prior to participation. Our findings suggest fewer behavioral deficits and lower severity in the general 47,XXY population than previously published and found significant differences between the groups with a positive FLD on the behavioral assessments. Findings demonstrate that boys with FLD exhibit an increased incidence and severity of behavioral problems. Our study expands on the findings of Samango-Sprouse et al. [Samango-Sprouse et al. (2012b) J Intellect Disabil Res] and the significant influence that FLD has on not only neurodevelopment, but also behavioral deficits. Our study suggests that part of the XXY phenotypic profile may be modulated by FLD. Further study is underway to examine the interaction between the many salient factors effecting behavioral and neurodevelopmental progression in XXY and variant forms. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Proteins altered by elevated levels of palmitate or glucose implicated in impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion

PubMed Central

Sol, E-ri M; Hovsepyan, Meri; Bergsten, Peter

2009-01-01

Background Development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by aberrant insulin secretory patterns, where elevated insulin levels at non-stimulatory basal conditions and reduced hormonal levels at stimulatory conditions are major components. To delineate mechanisms responsible for these alterations we cultured INS-1E cells for 48 hours at 20 mM glucose in absence or presence of 0.5 mM palmitate, when stimulatory secretion of insulin was reduced or basal secretion was elevated, respectively. Results After culture, cells were protein profiled by SELDI-TOF-MS and 2D-PAGE. Differentially expressed proteins were discovered and identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. Complimentary protein profiles were obtained by the two approaches with SELDI-TOF-MS being more efficient in separating proteins in the low molecular range and 2D-PAGE in the high molecular range. Identified proteins included alpha glucosidase, calmodulin, gars, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A3, lon peptidase, nicotineamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase, proteasome p45, rab2, pyruvate kinase and t-complex protein. The observed glucose-induced differential protein expression pattern indicates enhanced glucose metabolism, defense against reactive oxygen species, enhanced protein translation, folding and degradation and decreased insulin granular formation and trafficking. Palmitate-induced changes could be related to altered exocytosis. Conclusion The identified altered proteins indicate mechanism important for altered β-cell function in T2DM. PMID:19607692

Combining native MS approaches to decipher archaeal box H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particle structure and activity.

PubMed

Saliou, Jean-Michel; Manival, Xavier; Tillault, Anne-Sophie; Atmanene, Cédric; Bobo, Claude; Branlant, Christiane; Van Dorsselaer, Alain; Charpentier, Bruno; Cianférani, Sarah

2015-08-01

Site-specific isomerization of uridines into pseudouridines in RNAs is catalyzed either by stand-alone enzymes or by box H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particles (sno/sRNPs). The archaeal box H/ACA sRNPs are five-component complexes that consist of a guide RNA and the aCBF5, aNOP10, L7Ae, and aGAR1 proteins. In this study, we performed pairwise incubations of individual constituents of archaeal box H/ACA sRNPs and analyzed their interactions by native MS to build a 2D-connectivity map of direct binders. We describe the use of native MS in combination with ion mobility-MS to monitor the in vitro assembly of the active H/ACA sRNP particle. Real-time native MS was used to monitor how box H/ACA particle functions in multiple-turnover conditions. Native MS also unambiguously revealed that a substrate RNA containing 5-fluorouridine (f(5) U) was hydrolyzed into 5-fluoro-6-hydroxy-pseudouridine (f(5) ho(6) Ψ). In terms of enzymatic mechanism, box H/ACA sRNP was shown to catalyze the pseudouridylation of a first RNA substrate, then to release the RNA product (S22 f(5) ho(6) ψ) from the RNP enzyme and reload a new substrate RNA molecule. Altogether, our native MS-based approaches provide relevant new information about the potential assembly process and catalytic mechanism of box H/ACA RNPs. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Scavenging of black carbon in Chilean coastal fogs.

PubMed

Heintzenberg, Jost; Cereceda-Balic, Francisco; Vidal, Victor; Leck, Caroline

2016-01-15

In November/December 2013 a pilot experiment on aerosol/fog interaction was conducted on a coastal hill in the suburbs of Valparaíso, Chile. Passages of garúa fog were monitored with continuous recordings of a soot photometer and an optical aerosol spectrometer. An optical fog sensor and an automatic weather station provided meteorological data with which the aerosol could be classified. High-resolution back trajectories added meteorological information. From filter samples, optical and chemical aerosol information was derived. Scavenging coefficients of black carbon (BC) and measured particulate mass below 1 μm diameter (PM1) were estimated with three approaches. Averaging over all fog periods of the campaign yielded a scavenging coefficient of only 6% for BC and 40% for PM1. Dividing the data into four 90°-wind sectors gave scavenging factors for BC ranging from 13% over the Valparaíso, Viña del Mar conurbation to 50% in the marine sector (180°-270°). The third, and independent approach was achieved with two pairs of chemical aerosol samples taken inside and outside fogs, which yielded a scavenging coefficient of 25% for BC and 70% for nonseasalt sulfate. Whereas fogs occurred rather infrequently in the beginning of the campaign highly regular daily fog cycles appeared towards the end of the experiment, which allowed the calculation of typical diurnal cycles of the aerosol in relation to a fog passage. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Insight meditation and telomere biology: The effects of intensive retreat and the moderating role of personality.

PubMed

Conklin, Quinn A; King, Brandon G; Zanesco, Anthony P; Lin, Jue; Hamidi, Anahita B; Pokorny, Jennifer J; Álvarez-López, María Jesús; Cosín-Tomás, Marta; Huang, Colin; Kaliman, Perla; Epel, Elissa S; Saron, Clifford D

2018-05-01

A growing body of evidence suggests that meditation training may have a range of salubrious effects, including improved telomere regulation. Telomeres and the enzyme telomerase interact with a variety of molecular components to regulate cell-cycle signaling cascades, and are implicated in pathways linking psychological stress to disease. We investigated the effects of intensive meditation practice on these biomarkers by measuring changes in telomere length (TL), telomerase activity (TA), and telomere-related gene (TRG) expression during a 1-month residential Insight meditation retreat. Multilevel analyses revealed an apparent TL increase in the retreat group, compared to a group of experienced meditators, similarly comprised in age and gender, who were not on retreat. Moreover, personality traits predicted changes in TL, such that retreat participants highest in neuroticism and lowest in agreeableness demonstrated the greatest increases in TL. Changes observed in TRGs further suggest retreat-related improvements in telomere maintenance, including increases in Gar1 and HnRNPA1, which encode proteins that bind telomerase RNA and telomeric DNA. Although no group-level changes were observed in TA, retreat participants' TA levels at post-assessment were inversely related to several indices of retreat engagement and prior meditation experience. Neuroticism also predicted variation in TA across retreat. These findings suggest that meditation training in a retreat setting may have positive effects on telomere regulation, which are moderated by individual differences in personality and meditation experience. (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03056105). Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

THE BENEFITS OF CUSTOMIZED DNA DIRECTED NUTRITION TO BALANCE THE BRAIN REWARD CIRCUITRY AND REDUCE ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS.

PubMed

Blum, Kenneth; Downs, B W; Dushaj, Kristina; Li, Mona; Braverman, Eric R; Fried, Lyle; Waite, Roger; Demotrovics, Zsolt; Badgaiyan, Rajendra D

2016-01-01

DNA Customization of nutraceutical products is here. In the truest sense, "Gene Guided Precision Nutrition ™ " and KB220 variants (a complex mixture of amino-acids, trace metals, and herbals) are the pioneers and standard-bearers for a state of the art DNA customization. Findings by both, Kenneth Blum, Ph.D. and Ernest Noble, Ph.D. concerning the role of genes in shaping cravings and pleasure- seeking, opened the doors to comprehension of how genetics control our actions and effect our mental and physical health. Moreover, technology that is related to KB220 variants in order to reduce or eradicate excessive cravings by influencing gene expression is a cornerstone in the pioneering of the practical applications of nutrigenomics. Continuing discoveries have been an important catalyst for the evolution, expansion, and scientific recognition of the significance of nutrigenomics and its remarkable contributions to human health. Neuro-Nutrigenomics is now a very important field of scientific investigation that offers great promise to improving the human condition. In the forefront is the development of the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS ™ ), which unlike 23andMe, has predictive value for the severity of drug and alcohol abuse as well as other non-substance related addictive behaviors. While customization of neuronutrients has not yet been commercialized, there is emerging evidence that in the future, the concept will be developed and could have a significant impact in addiction medicine.

Seasonal Equability in Late Cretaceous Central-Eastern Iberia? Inferences from Isotopic Data on Vertebrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Domingo, L.; Barroso-Barcenilla, F.; Cambra-Moo, O.

2013-12-01

After the mid-Cretaceous thermal maximum, the latest Cretaceous witnessed a long-term cooling trend (Santonian-Maastrichtian). It has been proposed that seasonal equability (low mean annual range of temperatures) accompanied the mid-Cretaceous greenhouse period, but was it also a climatic feature of the colder latest Cretaceous? Terrestrial proxies have proven useful in understanding past seasonality and in this vein, we performed oxygen isotope analyses of the phosphate (δ18OPO4) on the rich and exceptionally well preserved late Campanian-early Maastrichtian vertebrate assemblage of 'Lo Hueco' fossil site (Cuenca, Spain). We analysed theropod and crocodilian tooth enamel, turtle shell, and gar ganoine with the aim of evaluating paleoclimatic conditions existing in the western area of the Tethys realm. The 'Lo Hueco' locality was situated at a paleo-latitude of 31°N and sedimentological and paleontological studies point to a coastal environment with distributary channels and sporadic sabkhas. Samples were collected from two different levels: G1 (proximal muddy floodplain) and G2 (distal muddy floodplain), with G1 being older. δ18OH2O values were calculated from theropod, crocodilian and turtle δ18OPO4 values using established equations and in all cases they are in good agreement with precipitation water from subtropical latest Cretaceous and modern settings. Theropods recorded consistently slightly lower δ18OH2O values (G1: -4.1×1.4‰, G2: -3.5×0.5‰) than crocodilians (G1: -3.6×0.6‰, G2: -2.7×0.6‰) and turtles (G1: -3.8×0.6‰, G2: -2.9×0.5‰). This may be due to terrestrial endothermic taxa, such as theropods, recording ingested water year round, meanwhile semiaquatic ectothermic taxa, such as crocodilians and turtles, would record δ18OH2O values representing local meteoric waters over the warm season, when conditions are favorable for apatite synthesis. With these δ18OH2O values, we used gar ganoine δ18OPO4 values as an independent proxy to

A review on earthquake and tsunami hazards of the Sumatran plate boundary: Observing expected and unexpected events after the Aceh-Andaman Mw 9.15 event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Natawidjaja, D.

2013-12-01

The 600-km Mentawai megathrust had produced two giant historical earthquakes generating big tsunamies in 1797 and 1833. The SuGAr (Sumatran GPS continuous Array) network, first deployed in 2002, shows that the subduction interface underlying Mentawai Islands and the neighboring Nias section in the north are fully locked, thus confirming their potential hazards. Outreach activities to warn people about earthquake and tsunamies had been started since 4 months prior to the 26 December 2004 in Aceh-Andaman earthquake (Mw 9.15). Later in March 2005, the expected megathrust earthquake (Mw 8.7) hit Nias-Simelue area and killed about 2000 people, releasing the accumulated strain since the previous 1861 event (~Mw 8.5). After then many Mw 7s and smaller events occured in Sumatra, filling areas between and around two giant ruptures and heighten seismicities in neighboring areas. In March 2007, the twin earthquake disaster (Mw 6.3 and Mw 6.4) broke two consecutive segments of the transcurrent Sumatran fault in the Singkarak lake area. Only six month later, in September 2007, the rapid-fire-failures of three consecutive megathrust patches (Mw 8.5, Mw 7.9 and Mw 7.0) ruptured a 250-km-section of the southern part of the Mentawai. It was a big surprise since this particular section is predicted as a very-low coupled section from modelling the SuGAr data, and hence, bypassing the more potential fully coupled section of the Mentawai in between the 2005 and 2007 ruptures. In September 2009, a rare unexpected event (Mw 7.6) suddenly ruptured an intracrustal fault in the subducted slab down under Padang City and killed about 500 people. Padang had been in preparation for the next tsunami but not for strong shakes from near by major earthquake. This event seems to have remotely triggered another Mw 6.7 on the Sumatran fault near kerinci Lake, a few hundred kilometers south of Padang, in less than a day. Just a year later, in November 2010, again an unexpected large slow-slip event of

A catalog of coseismic uniform-slip models of geodetically unstudied earthquakes along the Sumatran plate boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, N. Z.; Feng, L.; Hill, E.

2017-12-01

The Sumatran plate boundary has experienced five Mw > 8 great earthquakes, a handful of Mw 7-8 earthquakes and numerous small to moderate events since the 2004 Mw 9.2 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. The geodetic studies of these moderate earthquakes have mostly been passed over in favour of larger events. We therefore in this study present a catalog of coseismic uniform-slip models of one Mw 7.2 earthquake and 17 Mw 5.9-6.9 events that have mostly gone geodetically unstudied. These events occurred close to various continuous stations within the Sumatran GPS Array (SuGAr), allowing the network to record their surface deformation. However, due to their relatively small magnitudes, most of these moderate earthquakes were recorded by only 1-4 GPS stations. With the limited observations per event, we first constrain most of the model parameters (e.g. location, slip, patch size, strike, dip, rake) using various external sources (e.g., the ANSS catalog, gCMT, Slab1.0, and empirical relationships). We then use grid-search forward models to explore a range of some of these parameters (geographic position for all events and additionally depth for some events). Our results indicate the gCMT centroid locations in the Sumatran subduction zone might be biased towards the west for smaller events, while ANSS epicentres might be biased towards the east. The more accurate locations of these events are potentially useful in understanding the nature of various structures along the megathrust, particularly the persistent rupture barriers.

The prediction of disability by self-reported physical frailty components of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI).

PubMed

Gobbens, R J J; van Assen, M A L M; Schalk, M J D

2014-01-01

Disability is an important health outcome for older persons; it is associated with impaired quality of life, future hospitalization, and mortality. Disability also places a high burden on health care professionals and health care systems. Disability is regarded as an adverse outcome of physical frailty. The main objective of this study was to assess the predictive validity of the eight individual self-reported components of the physical frailty subscale of the TFI for activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability. This longitudinal study was carried out with a sample of Dutch citizens. At baseline the sample consisted at 429 people aged 65 years and older and a subset of all respondents participated again two and a half years later (N=355, 83% response rate). The respondents completed a web-based questionnaire comprising the TFI and the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS) for measuring disability. Five components together (unintentional weakness, weakness, poor endurance, slowness, low physical activity), referring to the phenotype of Fried et al., predicted disability, even after controlling for previous disability and other background characteristics. The other three components of the physical frailty subscale of the TFI (poor balance, poor hearing, poor vision) together did not predict disability. Low physical activity predicted both total and ADL disability, and slowness both total and IADL disability. In conclusion, self-report assessment using the physical subscale of the TFI aids the prediction of future ADL and IADL disability in older persons two and a half years later. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unusual features of fibrillarin cDNA and gene structure in Euglena gracilis: evolutionary conservation of core proteins and structural predictions for methylation-guide box C/D snoRNPs throughout the domain Eucarya.

PubMed

Russell, Anthony G; Watanabe, Yoh-ichi; Charette, J Michael; Gray, Michael W

2005-01-01

Box C/D ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles mediate O2'-methylation of rRNA and other cellular RNA species. In higher eukaryotic taxa, these RNPs are more complex than their archaeal counterparts, containing four core protein components (Snu13p, Nop56p, Nop58p and fibrillarin) compared with three in Archaea. This increase in complexity raises questions about the evolutionary emergence of the eukaryote-specific proteins and structural conservation in these RNPs throughout the eukaryotic domain. In protists, the primarily unicellular organisms comprising the bulk of eukaryotic diversity, the protein composition of box C/D RNPs has not yet been extensively explored. This study describes the complete gene, cDNA and protein sequences of the fibrillarin homolog from the protozoon Euglena gracilis, the first such information to be obtained for a nucleolus-localized protein in this organism. The E.gracilis fibrillarin gene contains a mixture of intron types exhibiting markedly different sizes. In contrast to most other E.gracilis mRNAs characterized to date, the fibrillarin mRNA lacks a spliced leader (SL) sequence. The predicted fibrillarin protein sequence itself is unusual in that it contains a glycine-lysine (GK)-rich domain at its N-terminus rather than the glycine-arginine-rich (GAR) domain found in most other eukaryotic fibrillarins. In an evolutionarily diverse collection of protists that includes E.gracilis, we have also identified putative homologs of the other core protein components of box C/D RNPs, thereby providing evidence that the protein composition seen in the higher eukaryotic complexes was established very early in eukaryotic cell evolution.

A New Model Army: Emerging fish models to study the genomics of vertebrate Evo-Devo

PubMed Central

Braasch, Ingo; Peterson, Samuel M.; Desvignes, Thomas; McCluskey, Braedan M.; Batzel, Peter; Postlethwait, John H.

2014-01-01

Many fields of biology – including vertebrate Evo-Devo research – are facing an explosion of genomic and transcriptomic sequence information and a multitude of fish species are now swimming in this ‘genomic tsunami’. Here, we first give an overview of recent developments in sequencing fish genomes and transcriptomes that identify properties of fish genomes requiring particular attention and propose strategies to overcome common challenges in fish genomics. We suggest that the generation of chromosome-level genome assemblies - for which we introduce the term ‘chromonome’ – should be a key component of genomic investigations in fish because they enable large-scale conserved synteny analyses that inform orthology detection, a process critical for connectivity of genomes. Orthology calls in vertebrates, especially in teleost fish, are complicated by divergent evolution of gene repertoires and functions following two rounds of genome duplication in the ancestor of vertebrates and a third round at the base of teleost fish. Second, using examples of spotted gar, basal teleosts, zebrafish-related cyprinids, cavefish, livebearers, icefish, and lobefin fish, we illustrate how next generation sequencing technologies liberate emerging fish systems from genomic ignorance and transform them into a new model army to answer longstanding questions on the genomic and developmental basis of their biodiversity. Finally, we discuss recent progress in the genetic toolbox for the major fish models for functional analysis, zebrafish and medaka, that can be transferred to many other fish species to study in vivo the functional effect of evolutionary genomic change as Evo-Devo research enters the postgenomic era. PMID:25111899

Frailty and its prediction of disability and health care utilization: the added value of interviews and physical measures following a self-report questionnaire.

PubMed

Gobbens, Robbert J J; van Assen, Marcel A L M

2012-01-01

To establish whether the prediction of the adverse outcomes disability and six indicators of health care utilization one and two years later by the three frailty domains (physical, psychological, social) of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) is improved by adding interview and physical measures of frailty. A representative sample of 245 Dutch community-dwelling persons aged 75 years and older (response rate 53%) participated in 2008, one year later in 2009 (n=179, 73%) and again two years later in 2010 (n=141, 58%). Frailty was assessed with the TFI, an easy to administer self-report measure. Disability was measured using the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS). Indicators of health care utilization were: visit to a general practitioner (gp), contacts with health care professionals (hcps), hospital admission, receiving personal care, receiving nursing care, and receiving informal care. After controlling for background characteristics, the TFI predicted disability and the indicators of health care utilization. Interviews and physical measures of frailty improved the prediction of disability. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) improved the prediction of contacts with hcps, but the interview and physical measures of frailty did not improve the predictions of the other indicators of health care utilization. Assessment by the self-report TFI is sufficient for predicting six indicators of health care utilization, but for predicting disability the use of both the TFI and the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test is recommended. It is advisable assessing all three frailty domains when examining frailty and its prediction of adverse outcomes. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Horizontal Displacement Vector Analysis in Ujong Muloh GPS Station (UMLH) Sumatra Island on March 27 – April 25, 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pamungkas, S. S.; Koesuma, S.; Legowo, Budi

2018-03-01

Sumatra Island is an area that has high tectonic activities. This is because the island of Sumatra is located in two major plates of the world, the Indo-Australian plate and the Eurasia plate. The subduction zone causes Sumatra to deform from time to time. The deformation of Sumatra Island can be observed by continuous recording coordinates using the GPS Station. Continous-GPS (C-GPS) in Sumatra Island is named Sumatran GPS Array (SuGAr), one of them named UMLH. The UMLH GPS station used to observe the displacement in the Aceh City of Sumatra Island, is located in Ujung Muloh. The changes of GPS coordinate recording data can represent the deformation pattern that occurred in Sumatra. On April 11, 2012, according to USGS data, there had been an earthquake in the city of Aceh about 8.6 at coordinates of 2.433°N, 93.072°E. The purpose of this research is to analyze the horizontal displacement due to the occurrence of the earthquake. Data processing is carried out using software GAMIT/GLOBK. The magnitude of the displacement of Sumatra Island before the earthquake, during the earthquake, and after the quake on component X were respectively: 0.04 mm/day, 56.63 mm/day, and 8.28 mm/day; while on component Y were respectively: 0.03 mm/day, 23.78 mm/day, and 1.22 mm/day. The direction of displacement was 253.8° towards Southwest with the assumption that 0° was in the North.

Tumeur de Frantz: deux nouveaux cas

PubMed Central

Bellarbi, Salma; Sina, Mohamed; Jahid, Ahmed; Zouaidia, Fouad; Bernoussi, Zakia; Mahassini, Najat

2013-01-01

A travers cet article, nous détaillons les caractéristiques clinico-pathologiques et discutons l'histogenèse de la tumeur de Frantz. Deux patients opérés pour tumeur de Frantz. Ils ont eu un traitement chirurgical seul. L'étude morphologique était couplée à un examen immuno-histochimique (IHC) utilisant les anticorps anti CD10, anti- vimentine, anti-énolase neuronale spécifique (NSE), anti-synaptophysine, anti-chromogranine A et anti-cytokératine. Un immuno-marquage à l'anti-oestrogène et l'anti-progestérone a été réalisé dans un cas. Il s'agissait d'une femme âgée de 45ans et d'un garçon de 12 ans. Les aspects échographiques et scannographiques étaient non spécifiques. Une exérèse chirurgicale complète a été réalisée dans les deux cas. L'analyse histologique évoquait une tumeur de Frantz. Le diagnostic a été retenu après étude immuno-histohimique. L'évolution était favorable sans récidive avec respectivement un recul de 18 et 16 mois. La tumeur de Frantz est une entité rare. Son diagnostic repose sur l'examen anatomopathologique complété par l'étude immuno-histochimique. Son pronostic est excellent après résection chirurgicale. PMID:23503717

Agression sexuelle et violence dans les relations amoureuses : Le rôle médiateur du stress post-traumatique

PubMed Central

Hébert, Martine; Daspe, Marie-Ève; Blais, Martin; Lavoie, Francine; Guerrier, Mireille

2017-01-01

Résumé Cette étude vise à documenter le rôle médiateur des symptômes de stress post-traumatique (SSPT) dans le lien entre l’agression sexuelle et différentes formes de victimisation vécues dans le contexte de relations amoureuses. L’étude se fonde sur l’Enquête sur les parcours amoureux des jeunes (PAJ), réalisée au sein de 34 écoles secondaires du Québec. Les jeunes ont rempli un questionnaire portant sur leurs expériences de victimisation, y compris l’agression sexuelle vécue pendant l’enfance et la violence psychologique, physique et sexuelle vécue au sein de leurs relations amoureuses dans les 12 derniers mois. Les SSPT ont été évalués à l’aide du UCLA PTSD Index. Sur un total de 8 194 adolescents, 15% des filles et 4% des garçons ont rapporté avoir vécu une agression sexuelle. Les résultats des analyses acheminatoires semblent indiquer que le fait d’avoir été victime d’agression sexuelle est associé à davantage de SSPT et qu’en retour, les SSPT sont positivement associés à la violence psychologique, physique et sexuelle subie de la part d’un partenaire amoureux. Cette étude comporte des implications pratiques pour la prévention et l’intervention sur le plan de la violence dans les relations amoureuses chez les victimes d’agression sexuelle. PMID:29321695

Ali Observatory in Tibet: a unique northern site for future CMB ground-based observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Meng

2015-08-01

Ground-based CMB observations have been performed at the South Pole and the Atacama desert in Chile. However, a significant fraction of the sky can not be observed from just these two sites. For a full sky coverage from the ground in the future, a northern site for CMB observation, in particular CMB polarization, is required. Besides the long-thought site in Greenland, the high altitude Tibet plateau provides another opportunity. I will describe the Ali Observatory in Tibet, located at N32°19', E80°01', as a potential site for ground-based CMB observations. The new site is located on almost 5100m mountain, near Gar town, where is an excellent site for both infrared and submillimeter observations. Study with the long-term database of ground weather stations and archival satellite data has been performed. The site has enough relative height on the plateau and is accessible by car. The Shiquanhe town is 40 mins away by driving, and a recently opened airport with 40 mins driving, the site also has road excess, electricity, and optical fiber with fast internet. Preliminary measurement of the Precipitable Water Vapor is ~one quarter less than 0.5mm per year and the long term monitoring is under development. In addition, surrounding higher sites are also available and could be further developed if necessary. Ali provides unique northern sky coverage and together with the South Pole and the Atacama desert, future CMB observations will be able to cover the full sky from ground.

Cerebellar lesions in tuberous sclerosis complex: neurobehavioral and neuroimaging correlates.

PubMed

Eluvathingal, Thomas J; Behen, Michael E; Chugani, Harry T; Janisse, James; Bernardi, Bruno; Chakraborty, Pulak; Juhasz, Csaba; Muzik, Otto; Chugani, Diane C

2006-10-01

We assessed the structural and functional imaging features of cerebellar lesions and their neurobehavioral correlates in a large cohort of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. A consecutive series of 78 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies with [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and alpha-[(11)C]methyl-l-tryptophan (AMT) as part of their evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Neurobehavioral assessment included the Gilliam Autism Rating Scales (GARS) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Twenty-one patients (27%) had cerebellar lesions (10 boys; mean age 9 +/- 8 years; 9 had right-sided, 10 had left-sided, and 2 had bilateral cerebellar lesions). The lesions showed decreased glucose metabolism (0.79 +/- 0.10) and increased (1.04 +/- 0.10) AMT uptake compared with the normal (nonlesional) cerebellar cortex. Comparisons between patients with (n = 20) and without (n = 57) a cerebellar lesion on neurobehavioral functioning, controlling for the number and location of cortical tubers, revealed that the cerebellar lesion group had higher overall autistic symptomatology. Within-group analyses of the cerebellar lesion group revealed that children with right-sided cerebellar lesions had higher social isolation and communicative and developmental disturbance compared with children with left-sided cerebellar lesions. The side of the cerebellar lesion was not related to adaptive behavior functioning. These findings provide additional empiric support for a role of the cerebellum in autistic symptomatology. Further investigation of the potential role of the right cerebellum in autism, particularly with regard to the dentatothalamofrontal circuit, is warranted.

Human Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) Is a Type III Enzyme Forming ω-NG-Monomethylated Arginine Residues*

PubMed Central

Zurita-Lopez, Cecilia I.; Sandberg, Troy; Kelly, Ryan; Clarke, Steven G.

2012-01-01

Full-length human protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli was initially found to generate only ω-NG-monomethylated arginine residues in small peptides, suggesting that it is a type III enzyme. A later study, however, characterized fusion proteins of PRMT7 expressed in bacterial and mammalian cells as a type II/type I enzyme, capable of producing symmetrically dimethylated arginine (type II activity) as well as small amounts of asymmetric dimethylarginine (type I activity). We have sought to clarify the enzymatic activity of human PRMT7. We analyzed the in vitro methylation products of a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-PRMT7 fusion protein with robust activity using a variety of arginine-containing synthetic peptides and protein substrates, including a GST fusion with the N-terminal domain of fibrillarin (GST-GAR), myelin basic protein, and recombinant human histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. Regardless of the methylation reaction conditions (incubation time, reaction volume, and substrate concentration), we found that PRMT7 only produces ω-NG-monomethylarginine with these substrates. In control experiments, we showed that mammalian GST-PRMT1 and Myc-PRMT5 were, unlike PRMT7, able to dimethylate both peptide P-SmD3 and SmB/D3 to give the expected asymmetric and symmetric products, respectively. These experiments show that PRMT7 is indeed a type III human methyltransferase capable of forming only ω-NG-monomethylarginine, not asymmetric ω-NG,NG-dimethylarginine or symmetric ω-NG,NG′-dimethylarginine, under the conditions tested. PMID:22241471

Modalités de prise de décision chez les filles et les garçons en la présence ou en l'absence de l'enseignant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zghibi, Makram; Sahli, Hajer; Jabri, Mohamed; Ouelhezi, Samira; Guelmemi, Noomen; Wallian, Nathalie

2013-12-01

How girls and boys take decisions in the presence and absence of a teacher - This work is part of an innovative approach to physical and sports education in Tunisia, and team sports in particular. It uses language studies carried out within the framework of this teaching both to generate a reflective attitude on the part of students, and to identify the effect of gender as a variable in the ways in which they make decisions. Discourse analysis highlights the importance of language output by girls and boys in football teaching when a teacher is present or absent. The teacher is an institutional authority who imposes specific uses of language, and when he/she is absent, emotional tensions predominate and may reflect the repression of ideas that occurs when the teacher is present. Although girls appear to take part in the discussion, their utterances are fewer in number, and their analytical statements less effective than those of boys. Girls never gain the upper hand over boys. The study also suggests a redefinition of social role divisions on the basis of gender - masculinity and femininity.

Clinical and serological tests for arboviruses in free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia).

PubMed

Ramos, Bruna Alves; Chiang, Jannifer Oliveira; Martins, Lívia Carício; Chagas, Liliane Leal das; Silva, Franko de Arruda E; Ferreira, Milene Silveira; Freitas, Maria Nazaré Oliveira; Alcantara, Bianca Nascimento de; Silva, Sandro Patroca da; Miranda, Stefânia Araújo; Sepulvreda, Barbara Alves; Corrêa, Layna Thayssa Guimarães; Negrão, Andréa Maria Góes; Vasconcelos, Pedro Fernando da Costa; Casseb, Alexandre do Rosário

2017-08-01

In this study, we evaluated the role of free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia) as a reservoir of arboviruses in the city of Belém, state of Pará, Brazil. We investigated the presence of antibodies against the most prevalent arboviruses. This study was aimed at evaluating some clinical and physical parameters of domestic pigeons, including the presence of antibodies to Amazon-endemic arboviruses. Eighty-five healthy pigeons were captured in Mangal das Garças Park, in Belém, and were bled. Upon capture, the birds were subjected to a clinical examination in search of alterations that could indicate the presence of arboviruses. Blood samples were converted to serum and tested using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) technique with a panel of 19 antigens of arboviruses circulating in the Amazon. The confirmation assay for the positive reactions to the viral species tested by HI was a neutralisation test in new-born Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) [mouse neutralisation test (MNT)]. A total of 10 (11.8%) serum samples tested positive for antiflavivirus antibodies by HI. All the samples positive for the HI test were subjected to MNT for detection of viruses and yielded negative results (logarithmic neutralisation index < 1.7). The results represent the first serological detection of antiarbovirus antibodies in domestic pigeons as potential hosts of arboviruses in Brazil. The detection of haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against genus Flavivirus indicated that there was recent contact between the analysed domestic pigeons and these arboviruses. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of free-living pigeons in the maintenance cycle and spread of arboviruses in the Amazon.

Clinical and serological tests for arboviruses in free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

PubMed Central

Ramos, Bruna Alves; Chiang, Jannifer Oliveira; Martins, Lívia Carício; Chagas, Liliane Leal das; Silva, Franko de Arruda e; Ferreira, Milene Silveira; Freitas, Maria Nazaré Oliveira; de Alcantara, Bianca Nascimento; da Silva, Sandro Patroca; Miranda, Stefânia Araújo; Sepulvreda, Barbara Alves; Corrêa, Layna Thayssa Guimarães; Negrão, Andréa Maria Góes; Vasconcelos, Pedro Fernando da Costa; Casseb, Alexandre do Rosário

2017-01-01

BACKGROUND In this study, we evaluated the role of free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia) as a reservoir of arboviruses in the city of Belém, state of Pará, Brazil. We investigated the presence of antibodies against the most prevalent arboviruses. OBJECTIVES This study was aimed at evaluating some clinical and physical parameters of domestic pigeons, including the presence of antibodies to Amazon-endemic arboviruses. METHODS Eighty-five healthy pigeons were captured in Mangal das Garças Park, in Belém, and were bled. Upon capture, the birds were subjected to a clinical examination in search of alterations that could indicate the presence of arboviruses. Blood samples were converted to serum and tested using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) technique with a panel of 19 antigens of arboviruses circulating in the Amazon. The confirmation assay for the positive reactions to the viral species tested by HI was a neutralisation test in new-born Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) [mouse neutralisation test (MNT)]. FINDINGS A total of 10 (11.8%) serum samples tested positive for antiflavivirus antibodies by HI. All the samples positive for the HI test were subjected to MNT for detection of viruses and yielded negative results (logarithmic neutralisation index < 1.7). MAIN CONCLUSION The results represent the first serological detection of antiarbovirus antibodies in domestic pigeons as potential hosts of arboviruses in Brazil. The detection of haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against genus Flavivirus indicated that there was recent contact between the analysed domestic pigeons and these arboviruses. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of free-living pigeons in the maintenance cycle and spread of arboviruses in the Amazon. PMID:28767977

Evolution of electrosensory ampullary organs: conservation of Eya4 expression during lateral line development in jawed vertebrates.

PubMed

Modrell, Melinda S; Baker, Clare V H

2012-01-01

The lateral line system of fishes and amphibians comprises two ancient sensory systems: mechanoreception and electroreception. Electroreception is found in all major vertebrate groups (i.e. jawless fishes, cartilaginous fishes, and bony fishes); however, it was lost in several groups including anuran amphibians (frogs) and amniotes (reptiles, birds, and mammals), as well as in the lineage leading to the neopterygian clade of bony fishes (bowfins, gars, and teleosts). Electroreception is mediated by modified "hair cells," which are collected in ampullary organs that flank lines of mechanosensory hair cell containing neuromasts. In the axolotl (a urodele amphibian), grafting and ablation studies have shown a lateral line placode origin for both mechanosensory neuromasts and electrosensory ampullary organs (and the neurons that innervate them). However, little is known at the molecular level about the development of the amphibian lateral line system in general and electrosensory ampullary organs in particular. Previously, we identified Eya4 as a marker for lateral line (and otic) placodes, neuromasts, and ampullary organs in a shark (a cartilaginous fish) and a paddlefish (a basal ray-finned fish). Here, we show that Eya4 is similarly expressed during otic and lateral line placode development in the axolotl (a representative of the lobe-finned fish clade). Furthermore, Eya4 expression is specifically restricted to hair cells in both neuromasts and ampullary organs, as identified by coexpression with the calcium-buffering protein Parvalbumin3. As well as identifying new molecular markers for amphibian mechanosensory and electrosensory hair cells, these data demonstrate that Eya4 is a conserved marker for lateral line placodes and their derivatives in all jawed vertebrates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Expression of the mouse Macf2 gene during inner ear development.

PubMed

Leonova, Elena V; Lomax, Margaret I

2002-09-30

Plakins, a family of linker proteins that connect cytoskeletal elements to cellular junctions and the extracellular matrix, are primarily responsible for the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. They include desmoplakin, envoplakin, plectin, dystonin/BPAG1, and Kakapo. Mutations in plakins cause several skin, muscular and neurological disorders. Macrophins are a recently discovered subfamily of plakins with binding domains for actin, intermediate filaments and microtubules. Characteristic features of macrophins include variable actin binding domains, a central rod domain containing both plectin and spectrin repeats, and a C-terminus containing EF hands and GAS2/GAR22 domain. We have examined expression of mouse Macf2, encoding macrophin-2, in adult tissues and in the developing, neonatal, and mature inner ear by in situ hybridization. Northern blot analysis identified three large tissue-specific Macf2 transcripts: a 16-kb mRNA in skeletal muscle and heart, a 15-kb mRNA in brain, and a 9-kb mRNA in RNA from ovary plus uterus. In situ hybridization of the developing mouse inner ear indicated that Macf2 is expressed in the otocyst at day 12.5, in the sensory epithelium by embryonic day 16.5, and in both inner and outer hair cells by day 16.5. Macf2 is expressed in the bodies of both sensory and motor neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system, including the auditory pathway. The Macf2 protein could be involved in the regulation of cytoskeletal connections to cellular junctions and play an important structural role in organs, such as the inner ear, that are subjected to strong mechanical forces. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.

Climate extremes drive changes in functional community structure.

PubMed

Boucek, Ross E; Rehage, Jennifer S

2014-06-01

The response of communities to climate extremes can be quite variable. Much of this variation has been attributed to differences in community-specific functional trait diversity, as well as community composition. Yet, few if any studies have explicitly tested the response of the functional trait structure of communities following climate extremes (CEs). Recently in South Florida, two independent, but sequential potential CEs took place, a 2010 cold front, followed by a 2011 drought, both of which had profound impacts on a subtropical estuarine fish community. These CEs provided an opportunity to test whether the structure of South Florida fish communities following each extreme was a result of species-specific differences in functional traits. From historical temperature (1927-2012) and freshwater inflows records into the estuary (1955-2012), we determined that the cold front was a statistically extreme disturbance, while the drought was not, but rather a decadal rare disturbance. The two disturbances predictably affected different parts of functional community structure and thus different component species. The cold front virtually eliminated tropical species, including large-bodied snook, mojarra species, nonnative cichlids, and striped mullet, while having little affect on temperate fishes. Likewise, the drought severely impacted freshwater fishes including Florida gar, bowfin, and two centrarchids, with little effect on euryhaline species. Our findings illustrate the ability of this approach to predict and detect both the filtering effects of different types of disturbances and the implications of the resulting changes in community structure. Further, we highlight the value of this approach to developing predictive frameworks for better understanding community responses to global change. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Influence of convection on the diffusive transport and sieving of water and small solutes across the peritoneal membrane.

PubMed

Asghar, Ramzana B; Diskin, Ann M; Spanel, Patrik; Smith, David; Davies, Simon J

2005-02-01

The three-pore model of peritoneal membrane physiology predicts sieving of small solutes as a result of the presence of a water-exclusive pathway. The purpose of this study was to measure the diffusive and convective components of small solute transport, including water, under differing convection. Triplicate studies were performed in eight stable individuals using 2-L exchanges of bicarbonate buffered 1.36 or 3.86% glucose and icodextrin. Diffusion of water was estimated by establishing an artificial gradient of deuterated water (HDO) between blood/body water and the dialysate. (125)RISA (radio-iodinated serum albumin) was used as an intraperitoneal volume marker to determine the net ultrafiltration and reabsorption of fluid. The mass transfer area coefficient (MTAC) for HDO and solutes was estimated using the Garred and Waniewski equations. The MTAC of HDO calculated for 1.36% glucose and icodextrin were similar (36.8 versus 39.7 ml/min; P = 0.3), whereas for other solutes, values obtained using icodextrin were consistently higher (P < 0.05). A significant increase in the MTAC of HDO was demonstrated with an increase in the convective flow of water when using 3.86% glucose (mean value, 49.5 ml/min; P < 0.05). MTAC for urea was also increased with 3.86% glucose. The identical MTAC for water using 1.36% glucose and icodextrin indicates that diffusion is predominantly through small pores, whereas the difference in MTAC for the remaining solutes is a reflection of their sieving. The increase in the MTAC of water and urea associated with an increase in convection is most likely due to increased mixing within the interstitium.

DFT calculations on molecular structure, spectral analysis, multiple interactions, reactivity, NLO property and molecular docking study of flavanol-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ravindra Kumar; Singh, Ashok Kumar

2017-02-01

A new flavanol-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (FDNP) was synthesized and its structure was confirmed by FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. All quantum chemical calculations were carried out at level of density functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP functional using 6-311++ G (d,p) basis atomic set. UV-Vis absorption spectra for the singlet-singlet transition computed for fully optimized ground state geometry using Time-Dependent-Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) with CAM-B3LYP functional was found to be in consistent with that of experimental findings. Analysis of vibrational (FT-IR and FT-Raman) spectrum and their assignments has been done by computing Potential Energy Distribution (PED) using Gar2ped. HOMO-LUMO analysis was performed and reactivity descriptors were calculated. Calculated global electrophilicity index (ω = 7.986 eV) shows molecule to be a strong electrophile. 1H NMR chemical shift calculated with the help of gauge-including atomic orbital (GIAO) approach shows agreement with experimental data. Various intramolecular interactions were analysed by AIM approach. DFT computed total first static hyperpolarizability (β0 = 189.03 × 10-30 esu) indicates that title molecule can be used as attractive future NLO material. Solvent induced effects on the NLO properties studied by using self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) method shows that β0 value increases with increase in solvent polarity. To study the thermal behaviour of title molecule, thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity, entropy and enthalpy change at various temperatures have been calculated and reported. Molecular docking results suggests title molecule to be a potential kinase inhibitor and might be used in future for designing of new anticancer drug.

La plaie cranio-cérébrale chez l'oxycéphale: quelle précaution prendre pour le traiter?

PubMed Central

Rifi, Loubna; Barkat, Amina; El Ouahabi, Abdessamad

2015-01-01

L'oxycéphalie isolée est une forme non syndromique des craniosténoses d'apparition tardive, elle est responsable d'hypertension intracrânienne insidieuse pouvant aboutir, sinon traitée précocement, à la cécité et à la débilité mentale. En général méconnue, elle peut être révélée par tout phénomène pouvant décompenser l'hypertension intracrânienne latente. Nous présentons un cas rare d'oxycéphalie révélée par un traumatisme crânien. Un jeune garçon de cinq ans s'est présenté avec une tuméfaction pariétale droite non réductible suite à une plaie cranio-cérébrale opérée à deux reprises à l’âge de trois ans puis six mois plus tard. Le bilan neuroradiologique a objectivé une hernie cérébrale avec empreintes digitiformes diffuses et une fusion des sutures crâniennes. Un bilan ophtalmologique a montré un strabisme convergent droit et un fond d’œil normal. Une chirurgie d'expansion crâniennea été réalisée. L’évolution post-opératoire était favorable. L'oxycéphalie harmonieuse peut passer inaperçue et un traumatisme crânien même bénin peut la révéler. PMID:26848359

Comprehensive transcriptome analysis reveals accelerated genic evolution in a Tibet fish, Gymnodiptychus pachycheilus.

PubMed

Yang, Liandong; Wang, Ying; Zhang, Zhaolei; He, Shunping

2014-12-26

Elucidating the genetic mechanisms of organismal adaptation to the Tibetan Plateau at a genomic scale can provide insights into the process of adaptive evolution. Many highland species have been investigated and various candidate genes that may be responsible for highland adaptation have been identified. However, we know little about the genomic basis of adaptation to Tibet in fishes. Here, we performed transcriptome sequencing of a schizothoracine fish (Gymnodiptychus pachycheilus) and used it to identify potential genetic mechanisms of highland adaptation. We obtained totally 66,105 assembled unigenes, of which 7,232 were assigned as putative one-to-one orthologs in zebrafish. Comparative gene annotations from several species indicated that at least 350 genes lost and 41 gained since the divergence between G. pachycheilus and zebrafish. An analysis of 6,324 orthologs among zebrafish, fugu, medaka, and spotted gar identified consistent evidence for genome-wide accelerated evolution in G. pachycheilus and only the terminal branch of G. pachycheilus had an elevated Ka/Ks ratio than the ancestral branch. Many functional categories related to hypoxia and energy metabolism exhibited rapid evolution in G. pachycheilus relative to zebrafish. Genes showing signature of rapid evolution and positive selection in the G. pachycheilus lineage were also enriched in functions associated with energy metabolism and hypoxia. The first genomic resources for fish in the Tibetan Plateau and evolutionary analyses provided some novel insights into highland adaptation in fishes and served as a foundation for future studies aiming to identify candidate genes underlying the genetic bases of adaptation to Tibet in fishes. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Association study between GAS6 gene polymorphisms and risk of preeclampsia in Chinese population.

PubMed

Ye, Liyan; Guan, Linbo; Fan, Ping; Liu, Xinghui; Liu, Rui; Chen, Jinxin; Zhu, Yue; Wei, Xing; Liu, Yu; Bai, Huai

2017-04-01

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder associated with pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic events. The growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) has been implicated in systemic inflammation and coagulation. Common genetic polymorphisms of GAS6 gene have previously been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of GAS6 gene polymorphisms with the risk of preeclampsia in Chinese subjects. The case-control population consists of 551 subjects. The genotyping of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms of GAS6 gene, GAS6 834 +7G/A(rs8191974) and +1332C/T (rs1803628), was carried out on genomic DNA using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) analysis. There were significant differences in the +1332C/T genotype and allele frequencies between the patients with preeclampsia and the controls (P=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). The +1332 TT genotype was found to be protective from the development of preeclampsia (odds ratios 0.271, 95% confidence interval 0.077-0.953; P=0.03). Further analysis showed that the TT genotype of the GAS6 +1332C/T conferred a risk of severe preeclampsia (OR=0.597, 95% confidence interval 0.416-0.855; P=0.01). However, there were no differences in the 834+7G/A genotype and allele frequencies between the patients with preeclampsia and the controls. Our data suggest that a TT genotype at +1332C/T polymorphism might be associated with decreased risk for preeclampsia, but the 834+7G/A polymorphism is not associated with the disorder, in the Chinese population. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Hypothesizing That Neuropharmacological and Neuroimaging Studies of Glutaminergic-Dopaminergic Optimization Complex (KB220Z) Are Associated With "Dopamine Homeostasis" in Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS).

PubMed

Blum, Kenneth; Febo, Marcelo; Fried, Lyle; Li, Mona; Dushaj, Kristina; Braverman, Eric R; McLaughlin, Thomas; Steinberg, Bruce; Badgaiyan, Rajendra D

2017-03-21

There is need for better treatments of addictive behaviors, both substance and non-substance related, termed Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). While the FDA has approved pharmaceuticals under the umbrella term Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), these drugs are not optimal. It is our contention that these drugs work well in the short-term by blocking dopamine function leading to psychological extinction. However, use of buprenorphine/Naloxone over a long period of time results in unwanted addiction liability, reduced emotional affect, and mood changes including suicidal ideation. We are thus proposing a paradigm shift in addiction treatment, with the long-term goal of achieving "Dopamine Homeostasis." While this may be a laudable goal, it is very difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, this commentary briefly reviews past history of developing and subsequently, utilizing a glutaminergic-dopaminergic optimization complex [Kb220Z] shown to be beneficial in at least 20 human clinical trials and in a number of published and unpublished studies. It is our opinion that, while additional required studies could confirm these findings to date, the cited studies are indicative of achieving enhanced resting state functional connectivity, connectivity volume, and possibly, neuroplasticity. Conclusions/Importance: We are proposing a Reward Deficiency Solution System (RDSS) that includes: Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS); Comprehensive Analysis of Reported Drugs (CARD); and a glutaminergic-dopaminergic optimization complex (Kb220Z). Continued investigation of this novel strategy may lead to a better-targeted approach in the long-term, causing dopamine regulation by balancing the glutaminergic-dopaminergic pathways. This may potentially change the landscape of treating all addictions leading us to the promised land.

Fine mapping of genetic polymorphisms of pulmonary tuberculosis within chromosome 18q11.2 in the Chinese population: a case-control study.

PubMed

Dai, Yaoyao; Zhang, Xia; Pan, Hongqiu; Tang, Shaowen; Shen, Hongbing; Wang, Jianming

2011-10-22

Recently, one genome-wide association study identified a susceptibility locus of rs4331426 on chromosome 18q11.2 for tuberculosis in the African population. To validate the significance of this susceptibility locus in other areas, we conducted a case-control study in the Chinese population. The present study consisted of 578 cases and 756 controls. The SNP rs4331426 and other six tag SNPs in the 100 Kbp up and down stream of rs4331426 on chromosome 18q11.2 were genotyped by using the Taqman-based allelic discrimination system. As compared with the findings from the African population, genetic variation of the SNP rs4331426 was rare among the Chinese. No significant differences were observed in genotypes or allele frequencies of the tag SNPs between cases and controls either before or after adjusting for age, sex, education, smoking, and drinking history. However, we observed strong linkage disequilibrium of SNPs. Constructed haplotypes within this block were linked the altered risks of tuberculosis. For example, in comparison with the common haplotype AA(rs8087945-rs12456774), haplotypes AG(rs8087945-rs12456774) and GA(rs8087945-rs12456774) were associated with a decreased risk of tuberculosis, with the adjusted odds ratio(95% confidence interval) of 0.34(0.27-0.42) and 0.22(0.16-0.29), respectively. Susceptibility locus of rs4331426 discovered in the African population could not be validated in the Chinese population. None of genetic polymorphisms we genotyped were related to tuberculosis in the single-point analysis. However, haplotypes on chromosome 18q11.2 might contribute to an individual's susceptibility. More work is necessary to identify the true causative variants of tuberculosis.

Synthesis, molecular structure, spectral analysis and cytotoxic activity of two new aroylhydrazones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ravindra Kumar; Singh, Ashok Kumar; Siddiqui, Sahabjada; Arshad, Mohammad; Jafri, Asif

2017-05-01

Two new aroylhydrazones viz 4-nitro-N‧-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide, NPHY (4) and 4-nitro-N‧-(1-(thiophen-2-yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide, NPHT (5) have been prepared and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, UV-Visible spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. All quantum calculations were performed at DFT level of theory using B3LYP functional and 6-31G (d,p) as basis set. TD-DFT calculated electronic transitions are found to be in good agreement with experimental findings. The assignments for normal vibrational modes have been done by computing Potential Energy Distribution (PED) using Gar2ped. HOMO-LUMO analysis was performed and reactivity descriptors were also computed. Global electrophilicity index (ω) of 6.12-6.26 eV shows these aroylhydrazones to be strong electrophiles. Intramolecular interactions were analyzed by 'Atoms in molecule' (AIM) approach. Also, the computed first static hyperpolarizabilities (β0) of these hydrazones indicate their future application as an attractive non-linear optical (NLO) material. Cytotoxicity evaluated by MTT assay, suggested that the synthesized aroylhydrazones significantly reduce the cell viability of breast cancer cell lines (MCF7) and human prostate adenocarcinoma (DU145) in a dose dependent manner. Cytotoxic potencies (IC50) of these hydrazones against MCF7 and DU145 cell lines were found in range of 54.67-85.67 μM. The result of ROS activity provides supportive data for molecular mechanism of these hydrazones, which is related to apoptotic cellular death. Nuclear condensation assay performed by DAPI staining shows fragmented and condensed nuclei in MCF7 cells, suggesting cell death by apoptosis.

An efficient and guaranteed stable numerical method for continuous modeling of infiltration and redistribution with a shallow dynamic water table

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Wencong; Ogden, Fred L.; Steinke, Robert C.; Talbot, Cary A.

2015-03-01

We have developed a one-dimensional numerical method to simulate infiltration and redistribution in the presence of a shallow dynamic water table. This method builds upon the Green-Ampt infiltration with Redistribution (GAR) model and incorporates features from the Talbot-Ogden (T-O) infiltration and redistribution method in a discretized moisture content domain. The redistribution scheme is more physically meaningful than the capillary weighted redistribution scheme in the T-O method. Groundwater dynamics are considered in this new method instead of hydrostatic groundwater front. It is also computationally more efficient than the T-O method. Motion of water in the vadose zone due to infiltration, redistribution, and interactions with capillary groundwater are described by ordinary differential equations. Numerical solutions to these equations are computationally less expensive than solutions of the highly nonlinear Richards' (1931) partial differential equation. We present results from numerical tests on 11 soil types using multiple rain pulses with different boundary conditions, with and without a shallow water table and compare against the numerical solution of Richards' equation (RE). Results from the new method are in satisfactory agreement with RE solutions in term of ponding time, deponding time, infiltration rate, and cumulative infiltrated depth. The new method, which we call "GARTO" can be used as an alternative to the RE for 1-D coupled surface and groundwater models in general situations with homogeneous soils with dynamic water table. The GARTO method represents a significant advance in simulating groundwater surface water interactions because it very closely matches the RE solution while being computationally efficient, with guaranteed mass conservation, and no stability limitations that can affect RE solvers in the case of a near-surface water table.

Hypothesizing That Neuropharmacological and Neuroimaging Studies of Glutaminergic-Dopaminergic Optimization Complex (KB220Z) Are Associated With “Dopamine Homeostasis” in Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)

PubMed Central

Blum, Kenneth; Febo, Marcelo; Fried, Lyle; Li, Mona; Dushaj, Kristina; Braverman, Eric R.; McLaughlin, Thomas; Steinberg, Bruce; Badgaiyan, Rajendra D.

2017-01-01

Background There is need for better treatments of addictive behaviors, both substance and non-substance related, termed “Reward Deficiency Syndrome” (RDS). While the FDA has approved pharmaceuticals under the umbrella term Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), these drugs are not optimal. Objectives It is our contention that these drugs work well in the short-term by blocking dopamine function leading to psychological extinction. However, use of buprenorphine/Naloxone over a long period of time results in unwanted addiction liability, reduced emotional affect, and mood changes including suicidal ideation. Methods We are thus proposing a paradigm shift in addiction treatment, with the long-term goal of achieving “Dopamine Homeostasis.” While this may be a laudable goal, it is very difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, this commentary briefly reviews past history of developing and subsequently, utilizing a glutaminergic-dopaminergic optimization complex [Kb220Z] shown to be beneficial in at least 20 human clinical trials and in a number of published and unpublished studies. Results It is our opinion that, while additional required studies could confirm these findings to date, the cited studies are indicative of achieving enhanced resting state functional connectivity, connectivity volume, and possibly, neuroplasticity. Conclusions/Importance We are proposing a Reward Deficiency Solution System (RDSS) that includes: Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS); Comprehensive Analysis of Reported Drugs (CARD); and a glutaminergic-dopaminergic optimization complex (Kb220Z). Continued investigation of this novel strategy may lead to a better-targeted approach in the long-term, causing dopamine regulation by balancing the glutaminergic-dopaminergic pathways. This may potentially change the landscape of treating all addictions leading us to the promised land. PMID:28033474

Human protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is a type III enzyme forming ω-NG-monomethylated arginine residues.

PubMed

Zurita-Lopez, Cecilia I; Sandberg, Troy; Kelly, Ryan; Clarke, Steven G

2012-03-09

Full-length human protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli was initially found to generate only ω-N(G)-monomethylated arginine residues in small peptides, suggesting that it is a type III enzyme. A later study, however, characterized fusion proteins of PRMT7 expressed in bacterial and mammalian cells as a type II/type I enzyme, capable of producing symmetrically dimethylated arginine (type II activity) as well as small amounts of asymmetric dimethylarginine (type I activity). We have sought to clarify the enzymatic activity of human PRMT7. We analyzed the in vitro methylation products of a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-PRMT7 fusion protein with robust activity using a variety of arginine-containing synthetic peptides and protein substrates, including a GST fusion with the N-terminal domain of fibrillarin (GST-GAR), myelin basic protein, and recombinant human histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. Regardless of the methylation reaction conditions (incubation time, reaction volume, and substrate concentration), we found that PRMT7 only produces ω-N(G)-monomethylarginine with these substrates. In control experiments, we showed that mammalian GST-PRMT1 and Myc-PRMT5 were, unlike PRMT7, able to dimethylate both peptide P-SmD3 and SmB/D3 to give the expected asymmetric and symmetric products, respectively. These experiments show that PRMT7 is indeed a type III human methyltransferase capable of forming only ω-N(G)-monomethylarginine, not asymmetric ω-N(G),N(G)-dimethylarginine or symmetric ω-N(G),N(G')-dimethylarginine, under the conditions tested.

The evaluation of the statistical monomineral thermobarometric methods for the reconstruction of the lithospheric mantle structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashchepkov, I.; Vishnyakova, E.

2009-04-01

The modified versions of the thermobarometers for the mantle assemblages were revised sing statistical calibrations on the results of Opx thermobarometry. The modifications suggest the calculation of the Fe# of coexisting olivine Fe#Ol according to the statistical approximations by the regressions obtained from the xenoliths from kimberlite data base including >700 associations. They allow reproduces the Opx based TP estimates and to receive the complete set of the TP values for mantle xenoliths and xenocrysts. For GARNET Three variants of barometer give similar results. The first is published (Ashchepkov, 2006). The second is calculating the Al2O3 from Garnet for Orthopyroxene according to procedure: xCrOpx=Cr2O3/CaO)/FeO/MgO/500 xAlOpx=1/(3875*(exp(Cr2O3^0.2/CaO)-0.3)*CaO/989+16)-XcrOpx Al2O3=xAlOp*24.64/Cr2O3^0.2*CaO/2.+FeO*(ToK-501)/1002 And then it suppose using of the Al2O3 in Opx barometer (McGregor, 1974). The third variant is transformation of the G. Grutter (2006) method by introducing of the influence of temperature. P=40+(Cr2O3)-4.5)*10/3-20/7*CaO+(ToC)*0.0000751*MgO)*CaO+2.45*Cr2O3*(7-xv(5,8)) -Fe*0.5 with the correction for P>55: P=55+(P-55)*55/(1+0.9*P) Average from this three methods give appropriate values comparable with determined with (McGregor,1974) barometer. Temperature are estimating according to transformed Krogh thermometer Fe#Ol_Gar=Fe#Gar/2+(T(K)-1420)*0.000112+0.01 For the deep seated associations P>55 kbar T=T-(0.25/(0.4-0.004*(20-P))-0.38/Ca)*275+51*Ca*Cr2-378*CaO-0.51)-Cr/Ca2*5+Mg/(Fe+0.0001)*17.4 ILMENITE P= ((TiO2-23.)*2.15-(T0-973)/20*MgO*Cr2O3 and next P=(60-P)/6.1+P ToK is determined according to (Taylor et al , 1998) Fe#Ol_Chr =(Fe/(Fe+Mg)ilm -0.35)/2.252-0.0000351*(T(K)-973) CHROMITE The equations for PT estimates with chromite compositions P=Cr/(Cr+Al)*T(K)/14.+Ti*0.10 with the next iteration P=-0.0053*P^2+1.1292*P+5.8059 +0.00135*T(K)*Ti*410-8.2 For P> 57 P=P+(P-57)*2.75 Temperature estimates are according to the O

Are there evidences of altitudinal effects of air temperature trends in the European Alps 1820-2013?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schoener, W.; Auer, I.; Chimani, B.; Garnekind, M.; Haslinger, K.

2013-12-01

We use the HISTALP data set (www.zamg.ac.at/histalp) in order to assess the elevation dependency of air temperature trends within the European Alps. The evidence of altitudinal effects of the climate warming (with higher sensitivity of high mountain regions to warming) is a key statement, or at least key hypothesis, in many studies. The high relevance of such statement resp. hypothesis is obvious if one consider the impacts resulting from such fact, such as snow- and glacier melting and related effects for mountain hydrology. The HISTALP data set stands out with respect to its series lengths and its high level of homogenisation. Interestingly, the HISTALP temperature data show no clear altitudinal dependency of warming or cooling trends within the period 1820-2013. Additionally, a rather homogenous temporal trend could be observed within the entire Greater Alpine Region (GAR). Because HISTALP include also air pressure and vapour pressure series, we could compare our measured air temperatures with mean-column air temperatures, computed by the barometric formula, which were derived from the independently measured air pressure data (using vapour pressure to account for the atmospheric water content) at low resp. high elevations. Computed mean column temperatures are in good agreement with observed temperatures, indicating generally homogenous temporal temperature trend behaviour at different elevations. Our finding contradicts several results from climate modelling attempts and also other studies investigating Alpine temperature trends. We conclude that, whereas modelling results are still limited in the assessment of altitudinal effect of temperature trends from missing atmospheric processes captured by the models, the difference of the trend behaviour compared to other analyses of instrumental air temperatures comes from the seasonal base taken as the basis for trend estimation. It appears that opposite trend in spring and autumn for the period 1980

Algorithms for optimizing cross-overs in DNA shuffling.

PubMed

He, Lu; Friedman, Alan M; Bailey-Kellogg, Chris

2012-03-21

DNA shuffling generates combinatorial libraries of chimeric genes by stochastically recombining parent genes. The resulting libraries are subjected to large-scale genetic selection or screening to identify those chimeras with favorable properties (e.g., enhanced stability or enzymatic activity). While DNA shuffling has been applied quite successfully, it is limited by its homology-dependent, stochastic nature. Consequently, it is used only with parents of sufficient overall sequence identity, and provides no control over the resulting chimeric library. This paper presents efficient methods to extend the scope of DNA shuffling to handle significantly more diverse parents and to generate more predictable, optimized libraries. Our CODNS (cross-over optimization for DNA shuffling) approach employs polynomial-time dynamic programming algorithms to select codons for the parental amino acids, allowing for zero or a fixed number of conservative substitutions. We first present efficient algorithms to optimize the local sequence identity or the nearest-neighbor approximation of the change in free energy upon annealing, objectives that were previously optimized by computationally-expensive integer programming methods. We then present efficient algorithms for more powerful objectives that seek to localize and enhance the frequency of recombination by producing "runs" of common nucleotides either overall or according to the sequence diversity of the resulting chimeras. We demonstrate the effectiveness of CODNS in choosing codons and allocating substitutions to promote recombination between parents targeted in earlier studies: two GAR transformylases (41% amino acid sequence identity), two very distantly related DNA polymerases, Pol X and β (15%), and beta-lactamases of varying identity (26-47%). Our methods provide the protein engineer with a new approach to DNA shuffling that supports substantially more diverse parents, is more deterministic, and generates more predictable

A ddRAD-based genetic map and its integration with the genome assembly of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) provides insights into genome evolution after the teleost-specific genome duplication

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing technology have enabled cost-effective sequencing of whole or partial genomes, permitting the discovery and characterization of molecular polymorphisms. Double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) is a powerful and inexpensive approach to developing numerous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and constructing a high-density genetic map. To enrich genomic resources for Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), we constructed a ddRAD-based genetic map using an Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine and anchored scaffolds of the current genome assembly to 19 linkage groups of the Japanese eel. Furthermore, we compared the Japanese eel genome with genomes of model fishes to infer the history of genome evolution after the teleost-specific genome duplication. Results We generated the ddRAD-based linkage map of the Japanese eel, where the maps for female and male spanned 1748.8 cM and 1294.5 cM, respectively, and were arranged into 19 linkage groups. A total of 2,672 SNP markers and 115 Simple Sequence Repeat markers provide anchor points to 1,252 scaffolds covering 151 Mb (13%) of the current genome assembly of the Japanese eel. Comparisons among the Japanese eel, medaka, zebrafish and spotted gar genomes showed highly conserved synteny among teleosts and revealed part of the eight major chromosomal rearrangement events that occurred soon after the teleost-specific genome duplication. Conclusions The ddRAD-seq approach combined with the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine sequencing allowed us to conduct efficient and flexible SNP genotyping. The integration of the genetic map and the assembled sequence provides a valuable resource for fine mapping and positional cloning of quantitative trait loci associated with economically important traits and for investigating comparative genomics of the Japanese eel. PMID:24669946

The relaxin family peptide receptors and their ligands: new developments and paradigms in the evolution from jawless fish to mammals.

PubMed

Yegorov, Sergey; Bogerd, Jan; Good, Sara V

2014-12-01

Relaxin family peptide receptors (Rxfps) and their ligands, relaxin (Rln) and insulin-like (Insl) peptides, are broadly implicated in the regulation of reproductive and neuroendocrine processes in mammals. Most placental mammals harbour genes for four receptors, namely rxfp1, rxfp2, rxfp3 and rxfp4. The number and identity of rxfps in other vertebrates are immensely variable, which is probably attributable to intraspecific variation in reproductive and neuroendocrine regulation. Here, we highlight several interesting, but greatly overlooked, aspects of the rln/insl-rxfp evolutionary history: the ancient origin, recruitment of novel receptors, diverse roles of selection, differential retention and lineage-specific loss of genes over evolutionary time. The tremendous diversity of rln/insl and rxfp genes appears to have arisen from two divergent receptors and one ligand that were duplicated by whole genome duplications (WGD) in early vertebrate evolution, although several genes, notably relaxin in mammals, were also duplicated via small scale duplications. Duplication and loss of genes have varied across lineages: teleosts retained more WGD-derived genes, dominated by those thought to be involved in neuroendocrine regulation (rln3, insl5 and rxfp 3/4 genes), while eutherian mammals witnessed the diversification and rapid evolution of genes involved in reproduction (rln/insl3). Several genes that arose early in evolutionary history were lost in most mammals, but retained in teleosts and, to a lesser extent, in early diverging tetrapods. To elaborate on their evolutionary history, we provide updated phylogenies of the Rxfp1/2 and Rxfp3/4 receptors and their ligands, including new sequences from early diverging vertebrate taxa such as coelacanth, skate, spotted gar, and lamprey. We also summarize the recent progress made towards understanding the functional biology of Rxfps in non-mammalian taxa, providing a new conceptual framework for research on Rxfp signaling across

Seasonal and ENSO Influences on the Stable Isotopic Composition of Galápagos Precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, N. J.; Conroy, J. L.; Noone, D.; Cobb, K. M.; Konecky, B. L.; Rea, S.

2018-01-01

The origin of stable isotopic variability in precipitation over time and space is critical to the interpretation of stable isotope-based paleoclimate proxies. In the eastern equatorial Pacific, modern stable isotope measurements in precipitation (δ18Op and δDp) are sparse and largely unevaluated in the literature, although insights from such analyses would benefit the interpretations of several regional isotope-based paleoclimate records. Here we present a new 3.5 year record of daily-resolved δ18Op and δDp from Santa Cruz, Galápagos. With a prior 13 year record of monthly δ18Op and δDp from the island, these new data reveal controls on the stable isotopic composition of regional precipitation on event to interannual time scales. Overall, we find Galápagos δ18Op is significantly correlated with precipitation amount on daily and monthly time scales. The majority of Galápagos rain events are drizzle, or garúa, derived from local marine boundary layer vapor, with corresponding high δ18Op values due to the local source and increased evaporation and equilibration of smaller drops with boundary layer vapor. On monthly time scales, only precipitation in very strong, warm season El Niño months has substantially lower δ18Op values, as the sea surface temperature threshold for deep convection (28°C) is only surpassed at these times. The 2015/2016 El Niño event did not produce strong precipitation or δ18Op anomalies due to the short period of warm SST anomalies, which did not extend into the peak of the warm season. Eastern Pacific proxy isotope records may be biased toward periods of high rainfall during strong to very strong El Niño events.

First record of eocene bony fishes and crocodyliforms from Canada's Western Arctic.

PubMed

Eberle, Jaelyn J; Gottfried, Michael D; Hutchison, J Howard; Brochu, Christopher A

2014-01-01

Discovery of Eocene non-marine vertebrates, including crocodylians, turtles, bony fishes, and mammals in Canada's High Arctic was a critical paleontological contribution of the last century because it indicated that this region of the Arctic had been mild, temperate, and ice-free during the early - middle Eocene (∼53-50 Ma), despite being well above the Arctic Circle. To date, these discoveries have been restricted to Canada's easternmost Arctic - Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands (Nunavut). Although temporally correlative strata crop out over 1,000 km west, on Canada's westernmost Arctic Island - Banks Island, Northwest Territories - they have been interpreted as predominantly marine. We document the first Eocene bony fish and crocodyliform fossils from Banks Island. We describe fossils of bony fishes, including lepisosteid (Atractosteus), esocid (pike), and amiid, and a crocodyliform, from lower - middle Eocene strata of the Cyclic Member, Eureka Sound Formation within Aulavik National Park (∼76°N. paleolat.). Palynology suggests the sediments are late early to middle Eocene in age, and likely spanned the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO). These fossils extend the geographic range of Eocene Arctic lepisosteids, esocids, amiids, and crocodyliforms west by approximately 40° of longitude or ∼1100 km. The low diversity bony fish fauna, at least at the family level, is essentially identical on Ellesmere and Banks Islands, suggesting a pan-High Arctic bony fish fauna of relatively basal groups around the margin of the Eocene Arctic Ocean. From a paleoclimatic perspective, presence of a crocodyliform, gar and amiid fishes on northern Banks provides further evidence that mild, year-round temperatures extended across the Canadian Arctic during early - middle Eocene time. Additionally, the Banks Island crocodyliform is consistent with the phylogenetic hypothesis of a Paleogene divergence time between the two extant alligatorid lineages Alligator

A Large-Scale, Higher-Level, Molecular Phylogenetic Study of the Insect Order Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies)

PubMed Central

Regier, Jerome C.; Mitter, Charles; Zwick, Andreas; Bazinet, Adam L.; Cummings, Michael P.; Kawahara, Akito Y.; Sohn, Jae-Cheon; Zwickl, Derrick J.; Cho, Soowon; Davis, Donald R.; Baixeras, Joaquin; Brown, John; Parr, Cynthia; Weller, Susan; Lees, David C.; Mitter, Kim T.

2013-01-01

Background Higher-level relationships within the Lepidoptera, and particularly within the species-rich subclade Ditrysia, are generally not well understood, although recent studies have yielded progress. We present the most comprehensive molecular analysis of lepidopteran phylogeny to date, focusing on relationships among superfamilies. Methodology / Principal Findings 483 taxa spanning 115 of 124 families were sampled for 19 protein-coding nuclear genes, from which maximum likelihood tree estimates and bootstrap percentages were obtained using GARLI. Assessment of heuristic search effectiveness showed that better trees and higher bootstrap percentages probably remain to be discovered even after 1000 or more search replicates, but further search proved impractical even with grid computing. Other analyses explored the effects of sampling nonsynonymous change only versus partitioned and unpartitioned total nucleotide change; deletion of rogue taxa; and compositional heterogeneity. Relationships among the non-ditrysian lineages previously inferred from morphology were largely confirmed, plus some new ones, with strong support. Robust support was also found for divergences among non-apoditrysian lineages of Ditrysia, but only rarely so within Apoditrysia. Paraphyly for Tineoidea is strongly supported by analysis of nonsynonymous-only signal; conflicting, strong support for tineoid monophyly when synonymous signal was added back is shown to result from compositional heterogeneity. Conclusions / Significance Support for among-superfamily relationships outside the Apoditrysia is now generally strong. Comparable support is mostly lacking within Apoditrysia, but dramatically increased bootstrap percentages for some nodes after rogue taxon removal, and concordance with other evidence, strongly suggest that our picture of apoditrysian phylogeny is approximately correct. This study highlights the challenge of finding optimal topologies when analyzing hundreds of taxa. It also

Simulations of the Holuhraun eruption 2014 with WRF-Chem and evaluation with satellite and ground based SO2 measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirtl, Marcus; Arnold-Arias, Delia; Flandorfer, Claudia; Maurer, Christian; Mantovani, Simone; Natali, Stefano

2016-04-01

Volcanic eruptions, with gas or/and particle emissions, directly influence our environment, with special significance when they either occur near inhabited regions or are transported towards them. In addition to the well-known affectation of air traffic, with large economic impacts, the ground touching plumes can lead directly to an influence of soil, water and even to a decrease of air quality. The eruption of Holuhraun in August 2014 in central Iceland is the country's largest lava and gas eruption since the Lakagígar eruption in 1783. Nevertheless, very little volcanic ash was produced. The main atmospheric threat from this event was the SO2 pollution that frequently violated the Icelandic National Air Quality Standards in many population centers. However, the SO2 affectation was not limited to Iceland but extended to mainland Europe. The on-line coupled model WRF-Chem is used to simulate the dispersion of SO2 for this event that affected the central European regions. The volcanic emissions are considered in addition to the anthropogenic and biogenic ground sources at European scale. A modified version of WRF-Chem version 4.1 is used in order to use time depending injection heights and mass fluxes which were obtained from in situ observations. WRF-Chem uses complex gas- (RADM2) and aerosol- (MADE-SORGAM) chemistry and is operated on a European domain (12 km resolution), and a nested grid covering the Alpine region (4 km resolution). The study is showing the evaluation of the model simulations with satellite and ground based measurement data of SO2. The analysis is conducted on a data management platform, which is currently developed in the frame of the ESA-funded project TAMP "Technology and Atmospheric Mission Platform": it provides comprehensive functionalities to visualize and numerically compare data from different sources (model, satellite and ground-measurements).

FPGA Acceleration of the phylogenetic likelihood function for Bayesian MCMC inference methods.

PubMed

Zierke, Stephanie; Bakos, Jason D

2010-04-12

Likelihood (ML)-based phylogenetic inference has become a popular method for estimating the evolutionary relationships among species based on genomic sequence data. This method is used in applications such as RAxML, GARLI, MrBayes, PAML, and PAUP. The Phylogenetic Likelihood Function (PLF) is an important kernel computation for this method. The PLF consists of a loop with no conditional behavior or dependencies between iterations. As such it contains a high potential for exploiting parallelism using micro-architectural techniques. In this paper, we describe a technique for mapping the PLF and supporting logic onto a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based co-processor. By leveraging the FPGA's on-chip DSP modules and the high-bandwidth local memory attached to the FPGA, the resultant co-processor can accelerate ML-based methods and outperform state-of-the-art multi-core processors. We use the MrBayes 3 tool as a framework for designing our co-processor. For large datasets, we estimate that our accelerated MrBayes, if run on a current-generation FPGA, achieves a 10x speedup relative to software running on a state-of-the-art server-class microprocessor. The FPGA-based implementation achieves its performance by deeply pipelining the likelihood computations, performing multiple floating-point operations in parallel, and through a natural log approximation that is chosen specifically to leverage a deeply pipelined custom architecture. Heterogeneous computing, which combines general-purpose processors with special-purpose co-processors such as FPGAs and GPUs, is a promising approach for high-performance phylogeny inference as shown by the growing body of literature in this field. FPGAs in particular are well-suited for this task because of their low power consumption as compared to many-core processors and Graphics Processor Units (GPUs).

Monsoon rain chemistry and source apportionment using receptor modeling in and around National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Suresh; Kulshrestha, U. C.; Padmanabhamurty, B.

Studies on monsoon precipitation chemistry were carried out to understand the nature of rainwater and sources of pollution at eight different locations in and around the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi during southwest monsoon in the years 2003-2005. These sites were Bulandshahr (BUL), Garhmuktesar (GAR), Muradnagar (MUR), Sardhana (SAR), Panipat (PAN), Charkhi Dadri (CHA), Hodal (HOD) and Bahror (BAH). The rainwater samples, collected at these locations, were analyzed for major anions, cations and pH. The data were assessed for its quality. In general, the order of concentrations of major ions was observed to be: Ca 2+>SO 42->HCO 3->NH 4+>Cl ->NO 3->Na +>Mg 2+>K +>F -. The average pH of rainwater at these stations was observed to be 6.39, ranging from 5.77 to 6.62, indicating alkaline nature. However, a few rain events, 31% at Panipat, 12% at Muradnagar and 29% at Sardhana, were observed to be acidic (pH<5.6). Acidity observed at Panipat and Muradnagar is attributed to industrial influence but at Sardhana to weak organic acids contributed by surrounding vegetation. No definite trends are found for most of the components at all the sites. However, concentrations of Cl - at Bulandshahr; NO 3- at Muradnagar and Hodal; F - at Panipat and Bahror; Na + at Bulandshahr; K + at Bahror and Bulandshahr; Ca 2+ at Bulandshahr, Muradnagar, Charkhi Dadri and Sardhana; Mg 2+ at Panipat, Bahror, Bulandshahr, Hodal and Sardhana have increased from 2003 to 2005. For source identification, principal component analysis (PCA) was made, which showed that in general, at all the sites; suspended soil-dust and sea salts which are natural sources, were identified as the most dominating. Sources like agriculture including cattle, brick kilns and industries were reflected in third or fourth PC indicating moderate influence of anthropogenic activities in this region.

Profil épidémio-clinique des dermatoses chez les enfants vus en consultation dermatologique dans le service de dermatologie du centre national d’appui à la lutte contre la maladie à Bamako (Mali)

PubMed Central

Fofana, Youssouf; Traore, Bekaye; Dicko, Adama; Faye, Ousmane; Berthe, Siritio; Cisse, Lamissa; Keita, Alimata; Tall, Koureissi; Kone, Mamadou Bakary; Keita, Somita

2016-01-01

Introduction Les maladies de peau constituent un problème majeur de santé publique dans les pays en voie développement. En pratique courante les enfants représentent la couche sociale la plus touchée. Le but de notre travail était de décrire les aspects épidémio- cliniques des dermatoses chez les enfants de 0-15 ans dans le service de dermatologie du centre national d’appui à la lutte contre la maladie à Bamako, Mali. Méthodes Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale effectuée au cours de la période allant du premier janvier 2009 au 31 Décembre 2009 dans le service de Dermato-vénérologie du centre national d’appui à la lutte contre la maladie. Sur un total de 16339 patients ayant fait une consultation dermatologique 5149 enfants ont été inclus. Résultats La fréquence hospitalière des dermatoses infantiles était de 31,51%. Les malades se répartissaient en 2838 garçons (55,10%) et 2311 filles (44,90%) soit un sex-ratio de 1,22. L’âge des malades variait de 03 jours à 15 ans avec une moyenne d’âge de 8±5,7 ans. Parmi les affections retrouvées les dermatoses infectieuses représentaient 55,10% de l’ensemble des dermatoses, les dermatoses immuno-allergiques (32,5%), les dermatoses inflammatoires (11,85%). Conclusion Notre étude a révélé l’importance des pathologies infectieuses et immuno-allergiques et la nécessité de mener des actions de prévention simple comme l’hygiène, l’achat d’une tondeuse pour chaque enfant. PMID:28293354

A ddRAD-based genetic map and its integration with the genome assembly of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) provides insights into genome evolution after the teleost-specific genome duplication.

PubMed

Kai, Wataru; Nomura, Kazuharu; Fujiwara, Atushi; Nakamura, Yoji; Yasuike, Motoshige; Ojima, Nobuhiko; Masaoka, Tetsuji; Ozaki, Akiyuki; Kazeto, Yukinori; Gen, Koichiro; Nagao, Jiro; Tanaka, Hideki; Kobayashi, Takanori; Ototake, Mitsuru

2014-03-26

Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing technology have enabled cost-effective sequencing of whole or partial genomes, permitting the discovery and characterization of molecular polymorphisms. Double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) is a powerful and inexpensive approach to developing numerous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and constructing a high-density genetic map. To enrich genomic resources for Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), we constructed a ddRAD-based genetic map using an Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine and anchored scaffolds of the current genome assembly to 19 linkage groups of the Japanese eel. Furthermore, we compared the Japanese eel genome with genomes of model fishes to infer the history of genome evolution after the teleost-specific genome duplication. We generated the ddRAD-based linkage map of the Japanese eel, where the maps for female and male spanned 1748.8 cM and 1294.5 cM, respectively, and were arranged into 19 linkage groups. A total of 2,672 SNP markers and 115 Simple Sequence Repeat markers provide anchor points to 1,252 scaffolds covering 151 Mb (13%) of the current genome assembly of the Japanese eel. Comparisons among the Japanese eel, medaka, zebrafish and spotted gar genomes showed highly conserved synteny among teleosts and revealed part of the eight major chromosomal rearrangement events that occurred soon after the teleost-specific genome duplication. The ddRAD-seq approach combined with the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine sequencing allowed us to conduct efficient and flexible SNP genotyping. The integration of the genetic map and the assembled sequence provides a valuable resource for fine mapping and positional cloning of quantitative trait loci associated with economically important traits and for investigating comparative genomics of the Japanese eel.

GLOBAL OPIOID EPIDEMIC: DOOMED TO FAIL WITHOUT GENETICALLY BASED PRECISION ADDICTION MEDICINE (PAM™): LESSONS LEARNED FROM AMERICA.

PubMed

Blum, Kenneth; Modestino, Edward J; Gondré-Lewis, Marjorie C; Neary, Jennifer; Siwicki, David; Hauser, Mary; Barh, Debmalya; Steinberg, Bruce; Badgaiyan, Rajendra D

2017-01-01

It is a reality that globally opioid deaths have soared for men and women of all social, economic status and age from heroin and fentanyl overdoses. Specifically, in the United States, deaths from narcotic overdoses have reached alarming metrics since 2010. In fact, the Fentanyl rise is driven by drug dealers who sell it as heroin or who use it to lace cocaine or to make illegal counterfeit prescription opioids. The President's Commission on the crisis has linked the death toll as equivalent to "September 11th every three weeks." In fact, The U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) released data showing that opioid-related overdoses were up 15% in the first three quarters of 2016 compared to 2015. Various governmental organizations including NIDA, are actively seeking solutions. However, we argue that unless the scientific community embraces genetic addiction risk coupled with potential precision or personalized medicine to induce "dopamine homeostasis" it will fail. We now have evidence that a ten-gene and eleven single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel predicts Addiction Severity Index (ASI) for both alcohol and drugs of abuse (e.g., Opioids). In a large multi-addiction centre study involving seven diverse treatment programs, the genetic addiction risk score (GARS ™ ) was shown to have a predictive relationship with ASI-MV derived alcohol (≥ seven alleles), and other drugs (≥ 4 alleles) severity risk scores. In a number of neuroimaging studies, we also display that in both animal (bench) and abstinent Chinese severe heroin-dependent patients (bedside), BOLD dopamine activation across the brain reward circuitry revealed increases in resting state functional connectivity as well volume connectivity. It is also known that published nutrigenomic (coupling gene polymorphisms with altered KB220z) studies reveal improved clinical outcomes related to obesity.

Yeasts from Scarlet ibises (Eudocimus ruber): A focus on monitoring the antifungal susceptibility of Candida famata and closely related species.

PubMed

Brilhante, Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira; Silva, Aline Lobão da; Monteiro, Frederico Ozanan Barros; Guedes, Glaucia Morgana de Melo; Sales, Jamille Alencar; Oliveira, Jonathas Sales de; Maia Junior, José Erisvaldo; Miranda, Stefânia Araújo; Sidrim, José Júlio Costa; Alencar, Lucas Pereira de; Castelo-Branco, Débora Souza Collares Maia; Cordeiro, Rossana de Aguiar; Pereira Neto, Waldemiro de Aquino; Rocha, Marcos Fábio Gadelha

2017-10-01

This study aimed to identify yeasts from the gastrointestinal tract of scarlet ibises (Eudocimus ruber) and from plant material collected from the environment where they live. Then, the isolates phenotypically identified as Candida famata were submitted to molecular identification of their closely related species and evaluated for their antifungal susceptibility and possible resistance mechanisms to antifungal drugs. Cloacal swabs from 20 scarlet ibises kept in captivity at Mangal das Garças Park (Brazil), pooled stool samples (n = 20) and samples of trunks and hollow of trees (n = 20) obtained from their enclosures were collected. The samples were seeded on Sabouraud agar supplemented with chloramphenicol. The 48 recovered isolates were phenotypically identified as 15 Candida famata, 13 Candida catenulata, 2 Candida intermedia, 1 Candida lusitaniae, 2 Candida guilliermondii, 1 Candida kefyr, 1 Candida amapae, 1 Candida krusei, 8 Trichosporon spp., and 4 Rhodotorula spp. The C. famata isolates were further identified as 3 C. famata, 8 Debaryomyces nepalensis, and 4 C. palmioleophila. All C. famata and C. palmioleophila were susceptible to caspofungin and itraconazole, while one D. nepalensis was resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole. This same isolate and another D. nepalensis had lower amphotericin B susceptibility. The azole resistant strain had an increased efflux of rhodamine 6G and an alteration in the membrane sterol content, demonstrating multifactorial resistance mechanism. Finally, this research shows that scarlet ibises and their environment harbor C. famata and closely related species, including antifungal resistant isolates, emphasizing the need of monitoring the antifungal susceptibility of these yeast species. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Discrimination of tsunamigenic earthquakes by ionospheric sounding using GNSS observations of total electron content from the Sumatran GPS Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manta, F.; Feng, L.; Occhipinti, G.; Taisne, B.; Hill, E.

2017-12-01

Tsunami earthquakes generate tsunamis larger than expected for their seismic magnitude. They rupture the shallow megathrust, which is usually at significant distance from land-based monitoring networks. This distance presents a challenge in accurately estimating the magnitude and source extent of tsunami earthquakes. Whether these parameters can be estimated reliably is critical to the success of tsunami early warning systems. In this work, we investigate the potential role of using GNSS-observed ionospheric total electron content (TEC) to discriminate tsunami earthquakes, by introducing for the first time the TEC Intensity Index (TECII) for rapidly identify tsunamigenic earthquakes. We examine two Mw 7.8 megathrust events along the Sumatran subduction zone with data from the Sumatran GPS Array (SuGAr). Both events triggered a tsunami alert that was canceled later. The Banyaks event (April 6th, 2010) did not generate a tsunami and caused only minor earthquake-related damage to infrastructure. On the contrary, the Mentawai event (October 25th, 2010) produced a large tsunami with run-up heights of >16 m along the southwestern coasts of the Pagai Islands. The tsunami claimed more than 400 lives. The primary difference between the two events was the depth of rupture: the Mentawai event ruptured a very shallow (<6 km) portion of the Sunda megathrust, while the Banyaks event ruptured a deeper portion (20-30 km). While we identify only a minor ionospheric signature of the Banyaks event (TECII = 1.05), we identify a strong characteristic acoustic-gravity wave only 8 minutes after the Mentawai earthquake (TECII = 1.14) and a characteristic signature of a tsunami 40 minutes after the event. These two signals reveal the large surface displacement at the rupture, and the consequent destructive tsunami. This comparative study of two earthquakes with the same magnitude at different depths highlights the potential role of ionospheric monitoring by GNSS to tsunami early warning

Tsunamis: Global Exposure and Local Risk Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harbitz, C. B.; Løvholt, F.; Glimsdal, S.; Horspool, N.; Griffin, J.; Davies, G.; Frauenfelder, R.

2014-12-01

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami led to a better understanding of the likelihood of tsunami occurrence and potential tsunami inundation, and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) was one direct result of this event. The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UN-ISDR) adopted HFA in January 2005 in order to reduce disaster risk. As an instrument to compare the risk due to different natural hazards, an integrated worldwide study was implemented and published in several Global Assessment Reports (GAR) by UN-ISDR. The results of the global earthquake induced tsunami hazard and exposure analysis for a return period of 500 years are presented. Both deterministic and probabilistic methods (PTHA) are used. The resulting hazard levels for both methods are compared quantitatively for selected areas. The comparison demonstrates that the analysis is rather rough, which is expected for a study aiming at average trends on a country level across the globe. It is shown that populous Asian countries account for the largest absolute number of people living in tsunami prone areas, more than 50% of the total exposed people live in Japan. Smaller nations like Macao and the Maldives are among the most exposed by population count. Exposed nuclear power plants are limited to Japan, China, India, Taiwan, and USA. On the contrary, a local tsunami vulnerability and risk analysis applies information on population, building types, infrastructure, inundation, flow depth for a certain tsunami scenario with a corresponding return period combined with empirical data on tsunami damages and mortality. Results and validation of a GIS tsunami vulnerability and risk assessment model are presented. The GIS model is adapted for optimal use of data available for each study. Finally, the importance of including landslide sources in the tsunami analysis is also discussed.

Grammaire de l’expérience romantique adolescente au Québec: une analyse sociosémantique des idéaux amoureux

PubMed Central

Blais, Martin; Hébert-Ratté, Roxanne; Hébert, Martine; Lavoie, Francine

2016-01-01

Cette étude vise à décrire, à travers les thèmes qu’évoque la plus belle expérience amoureuse chez de jeunes Québécois âgés de 14 à 19 ans, les formes sémantiques de l’amour contemporain ainsi que les attentes et les paradoxes dont elles témoignent sur le plan communicationnel. Au total, 6 961 jeunes Québécois âgés de 14 à 18 ans recrutés dans les milieux scolaires ont décrit leur plus belle expérience amoureuse vécue ou souhaitée. Une analyse des champs lexicaux, réalisée avec le logiciel Sémato, a permis de dégager six (6) formes sémantiques dominantes: 1) la fidélité, le respect et l’authenticité, 2) les références à la sensualité (embrasser et enlacement), 3) l’ancrage de l’amour idéal dans la compagnie de l’autre et des activités concrètes, 4) l’importance de la passion, de la magie (pour les deux genres) et, surtout pour les garçons, du plaisir, 5) l’ancrage de l’idéal amoureux dans des projets d’union et d’enfants, et 6) l’ancrage du couple dans des lieux précis, dans un quotidien ou des souvenirs tangibles. Ces formes sémantiques sont discutées en fonction des problèmes qu’elles ont pu résoudre et ceux qu’elles font émerger. Les différences de genre sont aussi discutées. PMID:27917004

Les Cicatrices Retractiles Post-Brulures Du Membre Inferieur Chez L’Enfant

PubMed Central

Sankale, A.A.; Manyacka Ma Nyemb, P.; Coulibaly, N.F.; Ndiaye, A.; Ndoye, M.

2010-01-01

Summary Il s'agit d'une étude faisant ressortir les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques des séquelles de brûlures du membre inférieur chez l'enfant, à propos de 42 cas colligés au service de chirurgie infantile de l'Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec (Sénégal). L'âge moyen retrouvé est de 5 ans et 3 mois, et le sex-ratio garçons/filles de 1,8/1. La brûlure thermique est causée par une flamme dans 33% des cas, par un liquide chaud dans 21% des cas, et par des braises dans 21% des cas. Les cicatrices rétractiles intéressent le genou et le creux poplité dans 47% des cas et le pied dans 45% des cas. Elles sont bilatérales dans 21% des cas, et concernent une autre localisation associée dans 21% des cas. Quant aux brides, 21% ont bénéficié d'une chirurgie, avec un délai moyen de 3 ans et 2 mois après la brûlure. Cette procédure chirurgicale consiste en une plastie en Z dans 91% des cas, à laquelle est associée une greffe de peau dans 54% des cas. Une rééducation fonctionnelle est pratiquée chez 54% des opérés. Parallèlement aux données de la littérature, nos résultats montrent que l'optimisation de la prise en charge passe par une meilleure prévention des accidents domestiques et une bonne codification thérapeutique. PMID:21991202

Effects of feed additives on ileal mucosa-associated microbiota composition of broiler chickens.

PubMed

Ruiz, R; Peinado, M J; Aranda-Olmedo, I; Abecia, L; Suárez-Pereira, E; Ortiz Mellet, C; García Fernández, J M; Rubio, L A

2015-07-01

The effects of dietary supplementation with 2 recently developed feed additives on the composition of the mucosa-associated microbiota of the ileum were studied in growing broiler chickens. A total of 48 male 1-d-old broiler chickens of the Cobb 500 strain were distributed in 4 treatments with 2 replicates of 6 birds each. The 2 additives tested were a di-d-fructose dianhydride–enriched caramel (FC) and the garlic derivative propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTS-O). Dietary treatments were a control (commercial diet with no additive), INU (20 g inulin/kg diet), CAR (20 g FC/kg diet), and GAR (90 mgPTS-O/kg diet). As a result of this study, inulin supplementation resulted in lower (P < 0.05) and FC feeding resulted in higher (P < 0.05) Blautia coccoides/Eubacterium rectale log10 number of copies respect to controls. Higher (P < 0.05) bifidobacteria log10 number of copies with respect to the controls was determined in the ileal mucosa of birds fed the PTS-O–supplemented diet. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and PCR analysis on Bifidobacterium spp. revealed the presence of Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum in samples from chickens fed the control and the PTS-O–supplemented diet. Bifidobacterium longum was exclusively found in poultry fed the control diet, whereas B. pseudocatenulatum was found only in poultry fed the PTS-O–supplemented diet. This study showed that both PTS-O and FC were able to modulate the composition of the ileal mucosa-associated microbiota of growing broiler chickens. Finally, in addition to B. pseudolongum, the presence of B. longum and B. pseudocatenulatum, species not previously described in intestinal samples of broilers, was also demonstrated.

The nonlinear flexural response of a whole teleost fish: Contribution of scales and skin.

PubMed

Szewciw, Lawrence; Zhu, Deju; Barthelat, Francois

2017-12-01

The scaled skin of fish is an intricate system that provides mechanical protection against hard and sharp puncture, while maintaining the high flexural compliance required for unhindered locomotion. This unusual combination of local hardness and global compliance makes fish skin an interesting model for bioinspired protective systems. In this work we investigate the flexural response of whole teleost fish, and how scales may affect global flexural stiffness. A bending moment is imposed on the entire body of a striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Imaging is used to measure local curvature, to generate moment-curvature curves as function of position along the entire axis of the fish. We find that the flexural stiffness is the highest in the thick middle portion of the fish, and lowest in the caudal and rostral ends. The flexural response is nonlinear, with an initial soft response followed by significant stiffening at larger flexural deformations. Low flexural stiffness at low curvatures promotes efficient swimming, while higher stiffness at high curvatures enables a possible tendon effect, where the mechanical energy at the end of a stroke is stored in the form of strain energy in the fish skin. To assess the contribution of the scales to stiffening we performed flexural tests with and without scales, following a careful protocol to take in account tissue degradation and the effects of temperature. Our findings suggest that scales do not substantially increase the whole body flexural stiffness of teleost fish over ranges of deformations which are typical of swimming and maneuvering. Teleost scales are thin and relatively flexible, so they can accommodate large flexural deformations. This finding is in contrast to the bulkier ganoid scales which were shown in previous reports to have a profound impact of global flexural deformations and swimming in fish like gar or Polypterus. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Violence behavior and factors associated among students of Central-West Brazil.

PubMed

Castro, Marta de Lima; Cunha, Sergio Souza da; Souza, Delma P Oliveira de

2011-12-01

To estimate the prevalence of violence among adolescents and young adults and to identify associated factors. Cross-sectional study carried out in 2008 with systematic random sampling of 699 elementary and high school students enrolled in urban state schools of Barra do Garças, Central-Western Brazil. A self-administered questionnaire was applied in the classrooms without the presence of the teacher. The outcome "violent behavior" was defined as (1) use of firearm or sharp instrument, and/or (2) aggression against oneself and/or others, and/or (3) suicide attempt. The analyzed independent variables were age, gender, socioeconomic status, use of alcohol, use of psychoactive drugs, sexual activity, and relationship between parents. Univariate analysis was conducted, as well as multiple regression adjusted for effect of clustering. Violence prevalence was of 18.6%, varying with age: 10.1% in the group aged 10 and 11 years; 20.2% for those aged 12-19 years; and 4.5% in the group aged 20-21 years. The factors associated with violent behavior were use of alcohol (RP = 2.51, 95%CI 1.22;5.15), use of psychoactive drugs (RP = 2.10, 95%CI 1.61;2.75), male gender (RP = 1.63, 95%CI 1.13;2.35) and unsatisfactory relationship between parents (RP = 1.64, 95%CI 1.25;2.15). Results indicate high prevalence of violence among adolescents in the age group 12-19 years, mainly among users of alcohol and drugs, of the male sex, from families whose parents do not have satisfactory relationships. Although without statistical significance in the final regression model, school result discrepancy and socioeconomic level should be considered in educational actions for prevention of violence behavior among students.

Linking space observations to volcano observatories in Latin America: Results from the CEOS DRM Volcano Pilot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delgado, F.; Pritchard, M. E.; Biggs, J.; Arnold, D. W. D.; Poland, M. P.; Ebmeier, S. K.; Wauthier, C.; Wnuk, K.; Parker, A. L.; Amelug, F.; Sansosti, E.; Mothes, P. A.; Macedo, O.; Lara, L.; Zoffoli, S.; Aguilar, V.

2015-12-01

Within Latin American, about 315 volcanoes that have been active in the Holocene, but according to the United Nations Global Assessment of Risk 2015 report (GAR15) 202 of these volcanoes have no seismic, deformation or gas monitoring. Following the 2012 Santorini Report on satellite Earth Observation and Geohazards, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) has developed a 3-year pilot project to demonstrate how satellite observations can be used to monitor large numbers of volcanoes cost-effectively, particularly in areas with scarce instrumentation and/or difficult access. The pilot aims to improve disaster risk management (DRM) by working directly with the volcano observatories that are governmentally responsible for volcano monitoring, and the project is possible thanks to data provided at no cost by international space agencies (ESA, CSA, ASI, DLR, JAXA, NASA, CNES). Here we highlight several examples of how satellite observations have been used by volcano observatories during the last 18 months to monitor volcanoes and respond to crises -- for example the 2013-2014 unrest episode at Cerro Negro/Chiles (Ecuador-Colombia border); the 2015 eruptions of Villarrica and Calbuco volcanoes, Chile; the 2013-present unrest and eruptions at Sabancaya and Ubinas volcanoes, Peru; the 2015 unrest at Guallatiri volcano, Chile; and the 2012-present rapid uplift at Cordon Caulle, Chile. Our primary tool is measurements of ground deformation made by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) but thermal and outgassing data have been used in a few cases. InSAR data have helped to determine the alert level at these volcanoes, served as an independent check on ground sensors, guided the deployment of ground instruments, and aided situational awareness. We will describe several lessons learned about the type of data products and information that are most needed by the volcano observatories in different countries.

Cr-rich rutile: A powerful tool for diamond exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malkovets, V. G.; Rezvukhin, D. I.; Belousova, E. A.; Griffin, W. L.; Sharygin, I. S.; Tretiakova, I. G.; Gibsher, A. A.; O'Reilly, S. Y.; Kuzmin, D. V.; Litasov, K. D.; Logvinova, A. M.; Pokhilenko, N. P.; Sobolev, N. V.

2016-11-01

Mineralogical studies and U-Pb dating have been carried out on rutile included in peridotitic and eclogitic garnets from the Internatsionalnaya pipe, Mirny field, Siberian craton. We also describe a unique peridotitic paragenesis (rutile + forsterite + enstatite + Cr-diopside + Cr-pyrope) preserved in diamond from the Mir pipe, Mirny field. Compositions of rutile from the heavy mineral concentrates of the Internatsionalnaya pipe and rutile inclusions in crustal almandine-rich garnets from the Mayskaya pipe (Nakyn field), as well as from a range of different lithologies, are presented for comparison. Rutile from cratonic mantle peridotites shows characteristic enrichment in Cr, in contrast to lower-Cr rutile from crustal rocks and off-craton mantle. Rutile with Cr2O3 > 1.7 wt% is commonly derived from cratonic mantle, while rutiles with lower Cr2O3 may be both of cratonic and off-cratonic origin. New analytical developments and availability of standards have made rutile accessible to in situ U-Pb dating by laser ablation ICP-MS. A U-Pb age of 369 ± 10 Ma for 9 rutile grains in 6 garnets from the Internatsionalnaya pipe is consistent with the accepted eruption age of the pipe (360 Ma). The equilibrium temperatures of pyropes with rutile inclusions calculated using Ni-in-Gar thermometer range between 725 and 1030 °C, corresponding to a depth range of ca 100-165 km. At the time of entrainment in the kimberlite, garnets with Cr-rich rutile inclusions resided at temperatures well above the closure temperature for Pb in rutile, and thus U-Pb ages on mantle-derived rutile most likely record the emplacement age of the kimberlites. The synthesis of distinctive rutile compositions and U-Pb dating opens new perspectives for using rutile in diamond exploration in cratonic areas.

PRMT7 is a member of the protein arginine methyltransferase family with a distinct substrate specificity.

PubMed

Miranda, Tina Branscombe; Miranda, Mark; Frankel, Adam; Clarke, Steven

2004-05-28

We have identified a mammalian arginine N-methyltransferase, PRMT7, that can catalyze the formation of omega-NG-monomethylarginine in peptides. This protein is encoded by a gene on human chromosome 16q22.1 (human locus AK001502). We expressed a full-length human cDNA construct in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. We found that GST-tagged PRMT7 catalyzes the S-adenosyl-[methyl-3H]-l-methionine-dependent methylation of the synthetic peptide GGPGGRGGPGG-NH2 (R1). The radiolabeled peptide was purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography and acid hydrolyzed to free amino acids. When the hydrolyzed products were separated by high-resolution cation-exchange chromatography, we were able to detect one tritiated species which co-migrated with an omega-NG-monomethylarginine standard. Surprisingly, GST-PRMT7 was not able to catalyze the in vitro methylation of a GST-fibrillarin (amino acids 1-148) fusion protein (GST-GAR), a methyl-accepting substrate for the previously characterized PRMT1, PRMT3, PRMT4, PRMT5, and PRMT6 enzymes. Nor was it able to methylate myelin basic protein or histone H2A, in vitro substrates of PRMT5. This specificity distinguishes PRMT7 from all of the other known arginine methyltransferases. An additional unique feature of PRMT7 is that it seems to have arisen from a gene duplication event and contains two putative AdoMet-binding motifs. To see if both motifs were necessary for activity, each putative domain was expressed as a GST-fusion and tested for activity with peptides R1 and R2 (acetyl-GGRGG-NH2). These truncated proteins were enzymatically inactive, suggesting that both domains are required for functionality.

Immunocytochemical localization of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and substance P in neural areas mediating motion-induced emesis: Effects of vagal stimulation on GAD immunoreactivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Damelio, F.; Gibbs, M. A.; Mehler, W. R.; Daunton, Nancy G.; Fox, Robert A.

1991-01-01

Immunocytochemical methods were employed to localize the neurotransmitter amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by means of its biosynthetic enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and the neuropeptide substance P in the area postrema (AP), area subpostrema (ASP), nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS), and gelatinous nucleus (GEL). In addition, electrical stimulation was applied to the night vagus nerve at the cervical level to assess the effects on GAD-immunoreactivity (GAR-IR). GAD-IR terminals and fibers were observed in the AP, ASP, NTS, and GEL. They showed pronounced density at the level of the ASP and gradual decrease towards the solitary complex. Nerve cells were not labelled in our preparations. Ultrastructural studies showed symmetric or asymmetric synaptic contracts between labelled terminals and non-immunoreactive dendrites, axons, or neurons. Some of the labelled terminals contained both clear- and dense-core vesicles. Our preliminary findings, after electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve, revealed a bilateral decrease of GAD-IR that was particularly evident at the level of the ASP. SP-immunoreactive (SP-IR) terminals and fibers showed varying densities in the AP, ASP, NTS, and GEL. In our preparations, the lateral sub-division of the NTS showed the greatest accumulation. The ASP showed medium density of immunoreactive varicosities and terminals and the AP and GEL displayed scattered varicose axon terminals. The electron microscopy revealed that all immunoreactive terminals contained clear-core vesicles which make symmetric or asymmetric synaptic contact with unlabelled dendrites. It is suggested that the GABAergic terminals might correspond to vagal afferent projections and that GAD/GABA and substance P might be co-localized in the same terminal allowing the possibility of a regulated release of the transmitters in relation to demands.

Vertebrate Genome Evolution in the Light of Fish Cytogenomics and rDNAomics

PubMed Central

Howell, W. Mike

2018-01-01

To understand the cytogenomic evolution of vertebrates, we must first unravel the complex genomes of fishes, which were the first vertebrates to evolve and were ancestors to all other vertebrates. We must not forget the immense time span during which the fish genomes had to evolve. Fish cytogenomics is endowed with unique features which offer irreplaceable insights into the evolution of the vertebrate genome. Due to the general DNA base compositional homogeneity of fish genomes, fish cytogenomics is largely based on mapping DNA repeats that still represent serious obstacles in genome sequencing and assembling, even in model species. Localization of repeats on chromosomes of hundreds of fish species and populations originating from diversified environments have revealed the biological importance of this genomic fraction. Ribosomal genes (rDNA) belong to the most informative repeats and in fish, they are subject to a more relaxed regulation than in higher vertebrates. This can result in formation of a literal ‘rDNAome’ consisting of more than 20,000 copies with their high proportion employed in extra-coding functions. Because rDNA has high rates of transcription and recombination, it contributes to genome diversification and can form reproductive barrier. Our overall knowledge of fish cytogenomics grows rapidly by a continuously increasing number of fish genomes sequenced and by use of novel sequencing methods improving genome assembly. The recently revealed exceptional compositional heterogeneity in an ancient fish lineage (gars) sheds new light on the compositional genome evolution in vertebrates generally. We highlight the power of synergy of cytogenetics and genomics in fish cytogenomics, its potential to understand the complexity of genome evolution in vertebrates, which is also linked to clinical applications and the chromosomal backgrounds of speciation. We also summarize the current knowledge on fish cytogenomics and outline its main future avenues. PMID

An Analysis of Marine Mammal Self-Reports and Observer Reports from 1996-2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McFarland, M. H.

2015-12-01

Over the past two decades commercial fishing vessel owners have been reporting their interactions with marine mammals in accordance with Section 118 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The objective of this study is to analyze marine mammal fisheries interactions data from fishermen self-reports and observer reports. We analyzed self-reports from 1996 - 2014 and Pacific Islands observer data from 2001 - 2014, and Northeast observer data from 1996 - 2014. We identify trends in the national marine mammal mortality/injury (M/I) self-report dataset; identify presence of complementary reports between self-reports and observer reports; and determine the compliance rate of self-reports and observer reports. The results of the self-report analysis indicate that the Greater Atlantic Region (GAR) receives the most M/I reports of the five National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regional offices. The rate of animals reported as killed is three times higher than the rate for animals injured. Dolphins and porpoises are the most frequently reported species and gillnets are the most frequently reported gear type. This study will provide fisheries managers a greater understanding of the effectiveness of the requirement for fishermen to report moralities and injuries of marine mammals incidentally taken during commercial fishing operations. Refinements to the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) reporting form will provide more accurate estimates of the M/I rate of marine mammals in each region and will help address the challenges with collecting self-reported incidental take data. Furthermore, the results can be used by managers to determine if self-reporting is informative and should be continued, with form improvements made to increase accuracy, or if the corresponding observer reports serve as sufficient data by themselves.

The cost-effectiveness of a new disease management model for frail elderly living in homes for the elderly, design of a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Boorsma, Marijke; van Hout, Hein P J; Frijters, Dinnus H; Ribbe, Miel W; Nijpels, Giel

2008-07-07

The objective of this article is to describe the design of a study to evaluate the clinical and economic effects of a Disease Management model on functional health, quality of care and quality of life of persons living in homes for the elderly. This study concerns a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial among five intervention homes and five usual care homes in the North-West of the Netherlands with a total of over 500 residents. All persons who are not terminally ill, are able to be interviewed and sign informed consent are included. For cognitively impaired persons family proxies will be approached to provide outcome information. The Disease Management Model consists of several elements: (1) Trained staff carries out a multidimensional assessment of the patients functional health and care needs with the interRAI Long Term Care Facilities instrument (LTCF). Computerization of the LTCF produces immediate identification of problem areas and thereby guides individualized care planning. (2) The assessment outcomes are discussed in a Multidisciplinary Meeting (MM) with the nurse, primary care physician, nursing home physician and Psychotherapist and if necessary other members of the care team. The MM presents individualized care plans to manage or treat modifiable disabilities and risk factors. (3) Consultation by an nursing home physician and psychotherapist is offered to the frailest residents at risk for nursing home admission (according to the interRAI LTCF). Outcome measures are Quality of Care indicators (LTCF based), Quality Adjusted Life Years (Euroqol), Functional health (SF12, COOP-WONCA), Disability (GARS), Patients care satisfaction (QUOTE), hospital and nursing home days and mortality, health care utilization and costs. This design is unique because no earlier studies were performed to evaluate the effects and costs of this Disease Management Model for disabled persons in homes for the elderly on functional health and quality of care. TRAIL

Social orientations and adolescent health behaviours in Hungary.

PubMed

Piko, Bettina F; Skultéti, Dóra; Luszczynska, Aleksandra; Gibbons, Frederick X

2010-02-01

ôle que ces orientations sociales peuvent jouer dans les comportements de santé (à la fois néfastes et bénéfiques). Les données ont été recueillies auprès d'étudiants collégiaux (N = 548; âgés de 14 à 20 ans; 39.9% masculins) dans deux comtés du sud de la Hongrie. Les questionnaires auto-administrés contenaient des items portant sur les aspects sociodémographiques (tels que l'âge, le sexe, la scolarité des parents et le niveau économique), la performance scolaire, les comportements de santé, la compétitivité et la comparaison sociale. Des analyses de régression multiple suggèrent que ceux qui ont obtenu des scores supérieurs de compétitivité consommaient plus de substances, un patron qui n'était pas présent pour les comportements de santé bénéfiques. La comparaison sociale, cependant, était associée à de faibles niveaux de consommation de substances. De plus, en relation avec les comportements de santé néfastes, à la fois la compétitivité et la comparaison sociale interagissaient avec le sexe; les deux variables d'orientation sociale se sont révélées être plus importantes pour les garçons. La comparaison sociale contribuait aussi aux comportements de santé bénéfiques chez les garçons. Ces résultats soutiennent l'idée que le rôle des orientations sociales, telles que la compétitivité et la comparaison sociale, peut être assez différent dépendamment du sexe de l'individu et de la nature du comportement de santé. Tandis que la compétitivité peut agir comme facteur de risque pour la consommation de substances chez les garçons, la comparaison sociale peut agir comme facteur de protection. Il apparaît que les orientations sociales jouent un rôle moins grand en ce qui concerne les comportements de santé des filles. Il est nécessaire de focaliser davantage sur les différences de genre dans les influences reliées aux comportements de santé des adolescents. Las conductas de salud en adolescentes son

Particularité de la cystinose infantile chez l'enfant tunisien

PubMed Central

Jellouli, Manel; Turkia, Hadhami Ben; Abidi, Kamel; Hammi, Yosra; Gargah, Tahar

2015-01-01

La cystinose est une maladie rare qui résulte d'un défaut d'expression de la cystinosine transporteur de la cystine du lysosome. La forme infantile est la plus fréquente et la plus sévère. Elle conduit en dehors du traitement à l'insuffisance rénale chronique terminale au cours de la première décade de la vie. Nous rapportons l'expérience tunisienne de la cystinose infantile. Une étude rétrospective sur une période de 25 ans (1990-2014) était menée. Nous avons colligé 8 dossiers de cystinose infantile dans les services de pédiatrie des hôpitaux Charles Nicolle de Tunis et la Rabta de Tunis. Il s'agissait de 5garçons et de 3 filles. L’âge moyen au début des symptômes était de 6,37 mois (2-14 mois). L’âge moyen au moment du diagnostic était de 4 ans (7 mois-6 ans). Les dépôts cornéens de cystine étaient observés chez 7 patients. Sept patients présentaient une hypothyroïdie. La cystéamine était prescrite chez 6 patients. L’âge moyen au moment de la prescription de cystéamine était de 5,12 ans (8 mois- 13 ans). L’âge moyen lors de passage en insuffisance rénale chronique était de 3,4 ans. L’âge moyen lors du passage en insuffisance rénale chronique terminale était de 6,37 ans Actuellement, un patient garde une fonction rénale normale, trois patients sont en insuffisance rénale, deux patients sont décédés et un patient était transplanté. Il faut instaurer dans notre pays les moyens de diagnostic pour traiter tôt la maladie. PMID:26985266

First Record of Eocene Bony Fishes and Crocodyliforms from Canada’s Western Arctic

PubMed Central

Eberle, Jaelyn J.; Gottfried, Michael D.; Hutchison, J. Howard; Brochu, Christopher A.

2014-01-01

Background Discovery of Eocene non-marine vertebrates, including crocodylians, turtles, bony fishes, and mammals in Canada’s High Arctic was a critical paleontological contribution of the last century because it indicated that this region of the Arctic had been mild, temperate, and ice-free during the early – middle Eocene (∼53–50 Ma), despite being well above the Arctic Circle. To date, these discoveries have been restricted to Canada’s easternmost Arctic – Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands (Nunavut). Although temporally correlative strata crop out over 1,000 km west, on Canada’s westernmost Arctic Island – Banks Island, Northwest Territories – they have been interpreted as predominantly marine. We document the first Eocene bony fish and crocodyliform fossils from Banks Island. Principal Findings We describe fossils of bony fishes, including lepisosteid (Atractosteus), esocid (pike), and amiid, and a crocodyliform, from lower – middle Eocene strata of the Cyclic Member, Eureka Sound Formation within Aulavik National Park (∼76°N. paleolat.). Palynology suggests the sediments are late early to middle Eocene in age, and likely spanned the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO). Conclusions/Significance These fossils extend the geographic range of Eocene Arctic lepisosteids, esocids, amiids, and crocodyliforms west by approximately 40° of longitude or ∼1100 km. The low diversity bony fish fauna, at least at the family level, is essentially identical on Ellesmere and Banks Islands, suggesting a pan-High Arctic bony fish fauna of relatively basal groups around the margin of the Eocene Arctic Ocean. From a paleoclimatic perspective, presence of a crocodyliform, gar and amiid fishes on northern Banks provides further evidence that mild, year-round temperatures extended across the Canadian Arctic during early – middle Eocene time. Additionally, the Banks Island crocodyliform is consistent with the phylogenetic hypothesis of a Paleogene divergence

Supramolecular architecture of 5-bromo-7-methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole.3H2O: Synthesis, spectroscopic investigations, DFT computation, MD simulations and docking studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murthy, P. Krishna; Smitha, M.; Sheena Mary, Y.; Armaković, Stevan; Armaković, Sanja J.; Rao, R. Sreenivasa; Suchetan, P. A.; Giri, L.; Pavithran, Rani; Van Alsenoy, C.

2017-12-01

Crystal and molecular structure of newly synthesized compound 5-bromo-7-methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole (BMMBI) has been authenticated by single crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and UV-Visible spectroscopic techniques; compile both experimental and theoretical results which are performed by DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method at ground state in gas phase. Visualize nature and type of intermolecular interactions and crucial role of these interactions in supra-molecular architecture has been investigated by use of a set of graphical tools 3D-Hirshfeld surfaces and 2D-fingerprint plots analysis. The title compound stabilized by strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds N⋯Hsbnd O and O⋯Hsbnd O, which are envisaged by dark red spots on dnorm mapped surfaces and weak Br⋯Br contacts envisaged by red spot on dnorm mapped surface. The detailed fundamental vibrational assignments of wavenumbers were aid by with help of Potential Energy distribution (PED) analysis by using GAR2PED program and shows good agreement with experimental values. Besides frontier orbitals analysis, global reactivity descriptors, natural bond orbitals and Mullikan charges analysis were performed by same basic set at ground state in gas phase. Potential reactive sites of the title compound have been identified by ALIE, Fukui functions and MEP, which are mapped to the electron density surfaces. Stability of BMMBI have been investigated from autoxidation process and pronounced interaction with water (hydrolysis) by using bond dissociation energies (BDE) and radial distribution functions (RDF), respectively after MD simulations. In order to identify molecule's most important reactive spots we have used a combination of DFT calculations and MD simulations. Reactivity study encompassed calculations of a set of quantities such as: HOMO-LUMO gap, MEP and ALIE surfaces, Fukui functions, bond dissociation energies and radial distribution functions. To confirm the potential

Re-Processing of ERS-1/-2 SAR data for derivation of glaciological parameters on the Antarctic Peninsula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedl, Peter; Höppner, Kathrin; Braun, Matthias; Lorenz, Rainer; Diedrich, Erhard

2015-04-01

Climate Change, it`s polar amplification and impacts are subject of current research in various thematic and methodological fields. In this context different spaceborne remote sensing techniques play an important role for data acquisition and measurement of different geophysical variables. A recently founded Junior Researchers Group at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is studying changing processes in cryosphere and atmosphere above the Antarctic Peninsula. It is the aim of the group to make use of long-term remote sensing data sets of the land and ice surface and the atmosphere in order to characterize changes in this sensitive region. One aspect focuses on the application of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data for glaciological investigations on the Antarctic Peninsula. The data had been acquired by the European Remote Sensing (ERS-1 and ERS-2) satellites and received at DLR's Antarctic station GARS O'Higgins. Even though recent glaciological investigations often make use of modern polar-orbiting single-pass SAR-systems like e.g. TanDEM-X, only ERS-1 (1991 - 2000) and its follow-up mission ERS-2 (1995 - 2011) provided a 20 years' time series of continuous measurements, which offers great potential for long-term studies. Interferometric synthetic radar (InSAR) and differential interferometric synthetic radar (DInSAR) methods as well as the intensity tracking technique are applied to create value-added glaciological SAR-products, such as glacier velocity maps, coherence maps, interferograms and differential interferograms with the aim to make them accessible to interested scientific end-users. These products are suitable for glaciological applications, e.g. determinations of glacier extend, and grounding line position, glacier and ice-stream velocities and glacier mass balance calculations with the flux-gate approach. We represent results of case studies from three test sites located at different latitudes and presenting different climatic and glaciological

Along the Axis between Type 1 and Type 2 Immunity; Principles Conserved in Evolution from Fish to Mammals

PubMed Central

Yamaguchi, Takuya; Takizawa, Fumio; Fischer, Uwe; Dijkstra, Johannes M.

2015-01-01

A phenomenon already discovered more than 25 years ago is the possibility of naïve helper T cells to polarize into TH1 or TH2 populations. In a simplified model, these polarizations occur at opposite ends of an “immune 1-2 axis” (i1-i2 axis) of possible conditions. Additional polarizations of helper/regulatory T cells were discovered later, such as for example TH17 and Treg phenotypes; although these polarizations are not selected by the axis-end conditions, they are affected by i1-i2 axis factors, and may retain more potential for change than the relatively stable TH1 and TH2 phenotypes. I1-i2 axis conditions are also relevant for polarizations of other types of leukocytes, such as for example macrophages. Tissue milieus with “type 1 immunity” (“i1”) are biased towards cell-mediated cytotoxicity, while the term “type 2 immunity” (“i2”) is used for a variety of conditions which have in common that they inhibit type 1 immunity. The immune milieus of some tissues, like the gills in fish and the uterus in pregnant mammals, probably are skewed towards type 2 immunity. An i2-skewed milieu is also created by many tumors, which allows them to escape eradication by type 1 immunity. In this review we compare a number of i1-i2 axis factors between fish and mammals, and conclude that several principles of the i1-i2 axis system seem to be ancient and shared between all classes of jawed vertebrates. Furthermore, the present study is the first to identify a canonical TH2 cytokine locus in a bony fish, namely spotted gar, in the sense that it includes RAD50 and bona fide genes of both IL-4/13 and IL-3/IL-5/GM-CSF families. PMID:26593954

Les accidents de la vie courante chez l’enfant à Dakar: à propos de 201 cas

PubMed Central

Mohamed, Azhar Salim; Sagna, Aloïse; Fall, Mbaye; Ndoye, Ndeye Aby; Mbaye, Papa Alassane; Fall, Aimé Lakh; Diaby, Alou; Ndour, Oumar; Ngom, Gabriel

2017-01-01

Les accidents de la vie courante (AcVC) sont fréquents chez l’enfant et peuvent être à l’origine de lésions handicapantes et de décès. L’objectif de notre travail était d’étudier les aspects épidémiologiques et lésionnels des AcVC à Dakar. C’est une étude transversale descriptive menée du 1er Janvier 2013 au 30 juin 2013. Les enfants victimes d’accidents domestiques, d’accidents de sport et de loisirs ou d’accidents scolaires ont été inclus. Nous avons étudié des paramètres généraux et des paramètres ayant trait à chaque type d’AcVC. Deux cent et un enfants ont été inclus, ce qui représentait 27% des consultations aux urgences. Il y avait 148 garçons et 53 filles. Les enfants de moins de 5 ans étaient les plus touchés (37,8%). Le football et le jeu de lutte étaient les grands pourvoyeurs d’AcVC. Les AcVC survenaient principalement à domicile (58,2%) et dans les aires de sport et de loisirs (31,8%). Les fractures prédominaient dans les différents types d’AcVC: 54,9% des accidents domestiques, 68,8% des accidents de sport et de loisirs et 40% des accidents scolaires. Au plan épidémiologique, nos résultats sont superposables à la littérature. Les fractures prédominent à l’opposé de la littérature où les contusions sont prépondérantes. Le jeu de lutte est le plus grand pourvoyeur de ces fractures après le football. La connaissance des aspects épidémiologiques et lésionnels permet de mener des campagnes de prévention des AcVC à Dakar. PMID:29187941

The cost-effectiveness of a new disease management model for frail elderly living in homes for the elderly, design of a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial

PubMed Central

Boorsma, Marijke; van Hout, Hein PJ; Frijters, Dinnus H; Ribbe, Miel W; Nijpels, Giel

2008-01-01

Background The objective of this article is to describe the design of a study to evaluate the clinical and economic effects of a Disease Management model on functional health, quality of care and quality of life of persons living in homes for the elderly. Methods This study concerns a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial among five intervention homes and five usual care homes in the North-West of the Netherlands with a total of over 500 residents. All persons who are not terminally ill, are able to be interviewed and sign informed consent are included. For cognitively impaired persons family proxies will be approached to provide outcome information. The Disease Management Model consists of several elements: (1) Trained staff carries out a multidimensional assessment of the patients functional health and care needs with the interRAI Long Term Care Facilities instrument (LTCF). Computerization of the LTCF produces immediate identification of problem areas and thereby guides individualized care planning. (2) The assessment outcomes are discussed in a Multidisciplinary Meeting (MM) with the nurse, primary care physician, nursing home physician and Psychotherapist and if necessary other members of the care team. The MM presents individualized care plans to manage or treat modifiable disabilities and risk factors. (3) Consultation by an nursing home physician and psychotherapist is offered to the frailest residents at risk for nursing home admission (according to the interRAI LTCF). Outcome measures are Quality of Care indicators (LTCF based), Quality Adjusted Life Years (Euroqol), Functional health (SF12, COOP-WONCA), Disability (GARS), Patients care satisfaction (QUOTE), hospital and nursing home days and mortality, health care utilization and costs. Discussion This design is unique because no earlier studies were performed to evaluate the effects and costs of this Disease Management Model for disabled persons in homes for the elderly on functional health and

Les expériences de victimisation, la santé mentale et le bien-être de jeunes trans au Québec

PubMed Central

Raymond, Guillaume; Blais, Martin; Bergeron, Félix-Antoine; Hébert, Martine

2016-01-01

Résumé Les normes traditionnelles de genre prescrivent l’adéquation de l’expression de la masculinité et de la féminité au sexe anatomique de naissance. Les personnes qui présentent des variations dans l’expression de genre sont sujettes à diverses formes de réactions sociales suggérant la réprobation (des regards désapprobateurs aux violences physiques) susceptibles d’influencer négativement leur santé mentale. Trente-sept (37) jeunes se décrivant comme trans ou en questionnement sur leur identité de genre ont été recrutés dans le cadre de l’enquête sur les Parcours Amoureux des Jeunes de minorités sexuelles du Québec. Leurs expériences de victimisation parentale et de victimisation basée sur la non-conformité de genre ainsi que des indicateurs de santé mentale (détresse psychologique, estime de soi) ont été mesurés. Afin de comparer les expériences de victimisation et l’état de santé mentale des jeunes trans, ils ont été appariés à 37 garçons et 37 filles cisgenres sur la base de leurs caractéristiques sociodémographiques. Des analyses de prévalence et un modèle acheminatoire ont été réalisés. Les résultats mettent en évidence que les jeunes trans sont plus susceptibles de présenter des scores cliniques de détresse psychologique et de faible estime d’eux-mêmes que leurs pairs cisgenres. La violence verbale parentale et la victimisation basée sur la non-conformité de genre influencent négativement l’estime de soi, ce qui en retour augmente la probabilité de vivre de la détresse psychologique. Les résultats appuient l’importance des interventions de soutien à la diversité sexuelle et de genre. PMID:26966849

Whole-Genome Duplication and the Functional Diversification of Teleost Fish Hemoglobins

PubMed Central

Opazo, Juan C.; Butts, G. Tyler; Nery, Mariana F.; Storz, Jay F.; Hoffmann, Federico G.

2013-01-01

Subsequent to the two rounds of whole-genome duplication that occurred in the common ancestor of vertebrates, a third genome duplication occurred in the stem lineage of teleost fishes. This teleost-specific genome duplication (TGD) is thought to have provided genetic raw materials for the physiological, morphological, and behavioral diversification of this highly speciose group. The extreme physiological versatility of teleost fish is manifest in their diversity of blood–gas transport traits, which reflects the myriad solutions that have evolved to maintain tissue O2 delivery in the face of changing metabolic demands and environmental O2 availability during different ontogenetic stages. During the course of development, regulatory changes in blood–O2 transport are mediated by the expression of multiple, functionally distinct hemoglobin (Hb) isoforms that meet the particular O2-transport challenges encountered by the developing embryo or fetus (in viviparous or oviparous species) and in free-swimming larvae and adults. The main objective of the present study was to assess the relative contributions of whole-genome duplication, large-scale segmental duplication, and small-scale gene duplication in producing the extraordinary functional diversity of teleost Hbs. To accomplish this, we integrated phylogenetic reconstructions with analyses of conserved synteny to characterize the genomic organization and evolutionary history of the globin gene clusters of teleosts. These results were then integrated with available experimental data on functional properties and developmental patterns of stage-specific gene expression. Our results indicate that multiple α- and β-globin genes were present in the common ancestor of gars (order Lepisoteiformes) and teleosts. The comparative genomic analysis revealed that teleosts possess a dual set of TGD-derived globin gene clusters, each of which has undergone lineage-specific changes in gene content via repeated duplication and

Use of whole-exome sequencing to determine the genetic basis of multiple mitochondrial respiratory chain complex deficiencies.

PubMed

Taylor, Robert W; Pyle, Angela; Griffin, Helen; Blakely, Emma L; Duff, Jennifer; He, Langping; Smertenko, Tania; Alston, Charlotte L; Neeve, Vivienne C; Best, Andrew; Yarham, John W; Kirschner, Janbernd; Schara, Ulrike; Talim, Beril; Topaloglu, Haluk; Baric, Ivo; Holinski-Feder, Elke; Abicht, Angela; Czermin, Birgit; Kleinle, Stephanie; Morris, Andrew A M; Vassallo, Grace; Gorman, Grainne S; Ramesh, Venkateswaran; Turnbull, Douglass M; Santibanez-Koref, Mauro; McFarland, Robert; Horvath, Rita; Chinnery, Patrick F

2014-07-02

Mitochondrial disorders have emerged as a common cause of inherited disease, but their diagnosis remains challenging. Multiple respiratory chain complex defects are particularly difficult to diagnose at the molecular level because of the massive number of nuclear genes potentially involved in intramitochondrial protein synthesis, with many not yet linked to human disease. To determine the molecular basis of multiple respiratory chain complex deficiencies. We studied 53 patients referred to 2 national centers in the United Kingdom and Germany between 2005 and 2012. All had biochemical evidence of multiple respiratory chain complex defects but no primary pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutation. Whole-exome sequencing was performed using 62-Mb exome enrichment, followed by variant prioritization using bioinformatic prediction tools, variant validation by Sanger sequencing, and segregation of the variant with the disease phenotype in the family. Presumptive causal variants were identified in 28 patients (53%; 95% CI, 39%-67%) and possible causal variants were identified in 4 (8%; 95% CI, 2%-18%). Together these accounted for 32 patients (60% 95% CI, 46%-74%) and involved 18 different genes. These included recurrent mutations in RMND1, AARS2, and MTO1, each on a haplotype background consistent with a shared founder allele, and potential novel mutations in 4 possible mitochondrial disease genes (VARS2, GARS, FLAD1, and PTCD1). Distinguishing clinical features included deafness and renal involvement associated with RMND1 and cardiomyopathy with AARS2 and MTO1. However, atypical clinical features were present in some patients, including normal liver function and Leigh syndrome (subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy) seen in association with TRMU mutations and no cardiomyopathy with founder SCO2 mutations. It was not possible to confidently identify the underlying genetic basis in 21 patients (40%; 95% CI, 26%-54%). Exome sequencing enhances the ability to identify

Global proteome and phosphoproteome dynamics indicate novel mechanisms of vitamin C induced dormancy in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

PubMed

Albeldas, Claudia; Ganief, Naadir; Calder, Bridget; Nakedi, Kehilwe C; Garnett, Shaun; Nel, Andrew J M; Blackburn, Jonathan M; Soares, Nelson C

2018-05-30

Vitamin C has been found to affect mycobacteria in multiple ways, including increasing susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs, inducing dormancy, and having a bactericidal effect. However, the regulatory events mediating vitamin C related adaptations remain largely elusive. Ser/Thr/Tyr protein phosphorylation plays an important regulatory role in mycobacteria, contributing to environmental adaptation, including dormancy and drug resistance. This study utilised the model organism, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and TiO 2 phosphopeptide enrichment combined with mass spectrometry-based proteomics methods to elucidate the mycobacterial signalling and regulatory response to sub-lethal concentrations of vitamin C. After initial validation of peptide spectra, 224 non-redundant phosphosites in 154 proteins were retained with high confidence. Data analysis revealed that 30 peptides were differentially phosphorylated with Vitamin C treatment, including novel phosphosites found on both PknG and GarA. Of these significant proteins, we validated 11 by parallel reaction monitoring of high-confidence phosphopeptides. Interestingly, 17/30 phosphopeptides were annotated as part of transmembrane proteins, suggesting that it is likely vitamin C triggers typical signal transduction events in which the protein periplasmic domain perceives environmental signals and the cytoplasmic domain is then phosphorylated. Finally, the diverse nature of phosphorylated proteins involved in signalling, transport, and carbohydrate biosynthesis indicates the extent of such regulatory phosphorylation events. Our findings provide new mechanistic insight into a coordinated network of signalling and regulatory responses to sub-lethal vitamin C in Mycobacterium smegmatis and provide evidence that vitamin C is able to act as a novel extracellular signalling molecule. Vitamin C treatment caused changes in both the proteome and phosphoproteome associated with response to oxidative stress, a shift in metabolic

Seasonality and Paleoecology of the Late Cretaceous Multi-Taxa Vertebrate Assemblage of “Lo Hueco” (Central Eastern Spain)

PubMed Central

Domingo, Laura; Barroso-Barcenilla, Fernando; Cambra-Moo, Oscar

2015-01-01

Isotopic studies of multi-taxa terrestrial vertebrate assemblages allow determination of paleoclimatic and paleoecological aspects on account of the different information supplied by each taxon. The late Campanian-early Maastrichtian “Lo Hueco” Fossil-Lagerstätte (central eastern Spain), located at a subtropical paleolatitude of ~31°N, constitutes an ideal setting to carry out this task due to its abundant and diverse vertebrate assemblage. Local δ18OPO4 values estimated from δ18OPO4 values of theropods, sauropods, crocodyliforms, and turtles are close to δ18OH2O values observed at modern subtropical latitudes. Theropod δ18OH2O values are lower than those shown by crocodyliforms and turtles, indicating that terrestrial endothermic taxa record δ18OH2O values throughout the year, whereas semiaquatic ectothermic taxa δ18OH2O values represent local meteoric waters over a shorter time period when conditions are favorable for bioapatite synthesis (warm season). Temperatures calculated by combining theropod, crocodyliform, and turtle δ18OH2O values and gar δ18OPO4 have enabled us to estimate seasonal variability as the difference between mean annual temperature (MAT, yielded by theropods) and temperature of the warmest months (TWMs, provided by crocodyliforms and turtles). ΔTWMs-MAT value does not point to a significantly different seasonal thermal variability when compared to modern coastal subtropical meteorological stations and Late Cretaceous rudists from eastern Tethys. Bioapatite and bulk organic matter δ13C values point to a C3 environment in the “Lo Hueco” area. The estimated fractionation between sauropod enamel and diet is ~15‰. While waiting for paleoecological information yielded by the ongoing morphological study of the “Lo Hueco” crocodyliforms, δ13C and δ18OCO3 results point to incorporation of food items with brackish influence, but preferential ingestion of freshwater. “Lo Hueco” turtles showed the lowest δ13C and δ18OCO3

Mise à jour sur le nouveau vaccin 9-valent pour la prévention du virus du papillome humain

PubMed Central

Yang, David Yi; Bracken, Keyna

2016-01-01

Résumé Objectif Informer les médecins de famille quant à l’efficacité, à l’innocuité, aux effets sur la santé publique et à la rentabilité du vaccin 9-valent contre le virus du papillome humain (VPH). Qualité des données Des articles pertinents publiés dans PubMed jusqu’en mai 2015 ont été examinés et analysés. La plupart des données citées sont de niveau I (essais randomisés et contrôlés et méta-analyses) ou de niveau II (études transversales, cas-témoins et épidémiologiques). Des rapports et recommandations du gouvernement sont aussi cités en référence. Message principal Le vaccin 9-valent contre le VPH, qui offre une protection contre les types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 et 58 du VPH, est sûr et efficace et réduira encore plus l’incidence des infections à VPH, de même que les cas de cancer lié au VPH. Il peut également protéger indirectement les personnes non immunisées par l’entremise du phénomène d’immunité collective. Un programme d’immunisation efficace peut prévenir la plupart des cancers du col de l’utérus. Les analyses montrent que la rentabilité du vaccin 9-valent chez les femmes est comparable à celle du vaccin quadrivalent original contre le VPH (qui protège contre les types 6, 11, 16 et 18 du VPH) en usage à l’heure actuelle. Toutefois, il faut investiguer plus en profondeur l’utilité d’immuniser les garçons avec le vaccin 9-valent contre le VPH. Conclusion en plus d’être sûr, le vaccin 9-valent protège mieux contre le VPH que le vaccin quadrivalent. Une analyse coûtefficacité en favorise l’emploi, du moins chez les adolescentes. Ainsi, les médecins devraient recommander le vaccin 9-valent à leurs patients plutôt que le vaccin quadrivalent contre le VPH.

Sleep Duration and Midday Napping with 5-Year Incidence and Reversion of Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese

PubMed Central

Yang, Liangle; Xu, Zengguang; He, Meian; Yang, Handong; Li, Xiulou; Min, Xinwen; Zhang, Ce; Xu, Chengwei; Angileri, Francesca; Légaré, Sébastien; Yuan, Jing; Miao, Xiaoping; Guo, Huan; Yao, Ping; Wu, Tangchun; Zhang, Xiaomin

2016-01-01

Study Objectives: Prospective evidence on the association of sleep duration and midday napping with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is limited. We aimed to examine the associations of sleep duration and midday napping with risk of incidence and reversion of MetS and its components among a middle-aged and older Chinese population. Methods: We included 14,399 subjects from the Dongfeng-Tongji (DFTJ) Cohort Study (2008–2013) who were free of coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer at baseline. Baseline data were obtained by questionnaires and health examinations. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived from multivariate logistic regression models. Results: After controlling for potential covariates, longer sleep duration (≥ 9 h) was associated with a higher risk of MetS incidence (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.08–1.55) and lower reversion of MetS (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66–0.96) compared with sleep duration of 7 to < 8 h; whereas shorter sleep duration (< 6 h) was not related to incidence or reversion of MetS. For midday napping, subjects with longer napping (≥ 90 min) was also associated with a higher risk of MetS incidence and a lower risk of MetS reversion compared with those with napping of 1 to < 30 min (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.05–2.10 and OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52–0.94, respectively). Significance for incidence or reversion of certain MetS components remained in shorter and longer sleepers but disappeared across napping categories. Conclusions: Both longer sleep duration and longer midday napping were potential risk factors for MetS incidence, and concurrently exert adverse effects on MetS reversion. Citation: Yang L, Xu Z, He M, Yang H, Li X, Min X, Zhang C, Xu C, Angileri F, Légaré S, Yuan J, Miao X, Guo H, Yao P, Wu T, Zhang X. Sleep duration and midday napping with 5-year incidence and reversion of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older Chinese. SLEEP 2016;39(11):1911–1918. PMID:27450688

Microwave Photonic Filters for Interference Cancellation and Adaptive Beamforming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, John

beamformer. The solution is two-part. A novel highly-scalable photonic beamformer is first proposed and experimentally verified. A "blind" search algorithm called the guided accelerated random search (GARS) algorithm is then shown. A maximum cancellation of 37 dB is achieved within 50 iterations, a real-world time of 1-3 seconds, while the presence of a signal of interest (SOI) is maintained.

Accumulation and fate of mercury in an Everglades aquatic food web

USGS Publications Warehouse

Loftus, William F.

2000-01-01

This project examined the pathways of mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation and its relation to trophic position and hydroperiod in the Everglades. I described fish-diet differences across habitats and seasons by analyzing stomach contents of 4,000 fishes of 32 native and introduced species. Major foods included periphyton, detritus/algal conglomerate, small invertebrates, aquatic insects, decapods, and fishes. Florida gar, largemouth bass, pike killifish, and bowfin were at the top of the piscine food web. Using prey volumes, I quantitatively classified the fishes into trophic groups of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Stable-isotope analysis of fishes and invertebrates gave an independent and similar assessment of trophic placement. Trophic patterns were similar to those from tropical communities. I tested for correlations of trophic position and total mercury. Over 4,000 fish, 620 invertebrate, and 46 plant samples were analyzed for mercury with an atomic-fluorescence spectrometer. Mercury varied within and among taxa. Invertebrates ranged from 25–200 ng g −1 ww. Small-bodied fishes varied from 78–>400 ng g −1 ww. Large predatory fishes were highest, reaching a maximum of 1,515 ng−1 ww. Hg concentrations in both fishes and invertebrates were positively correlated with trophic position. I examined the effects of season and hydroperiod on mercury in wild and caged mosquitofish at three pairs of marshes. Nine monthly collections of wild mosquitofish were analyzed. Hydroperiod-within-site significantly affected concentrations but it interacted with sampling period. To control for wild-fish dispersal, and to measure in situ uptake and growth, I placed captive-reared, neonate mosquitofish with mercury levels from 7–14 ng g−1 ww into field cages in the six study marshes in six trials. Uptake rates ranged from 0.25–3.61 ng g−1 ww d −1. As with the wild fish, hydroperiod-within-site was a significant main effect that also interacted with

Infections à méningocoque lors de purpura fébrile chez l’enfant dans un hôpital marocain: incidence et facteurs cliniques associés

PubMed Central

Gueddari, Widad; Sabri, Hayat; Chabah, Meryem

2017-01-01

Introduction Le purpura fébrile (PF) fait craindre une infection à méningocoque, et conduit presque toujours à la réalisation d’un bilan et au traitement par une antibiothérapie à large spectre. Notre objectif était de déterminer l’incidence des infections à méningocoque ainsi que les signes cliniques y associés chez les enfants hospitalisés aux urgences pour purpura fébrile. Méthodes Notre étude était descriptive, rétrospective, menée sur une période de 3 ans au service d’accueil des urgences Pédiatriques de l’Hôpital Universitaire d’Enfants de Casablanca. Les enfants inclus étaient ceux hospitalisés pour PF et qui avaient bénéficié d’une hémoculture, associée ou non à une ponction lombaire. Le logiciel SPSS v.16 a été utilisé pour l’analyse statistique. Résultats Nous avons inclus 96 enfants dont 49 garçons et 47 filles. La moyenne d’âge était de 53,3 ± 40,5 mois. La moyenne de la température corporelle était de 38,9°C. Une infection à méningocoque a été diagnostiquée chez 35/96 enfants. Une méningococcémie était retenue chez 22 enfants, associée à une méningite chez quatre. Les symptômes et signes physiques significativement associés à une infection à méningocoque étaient la léthargie (p = 0,04), les convulsions (p = 0,01) et la localisation du purpura en dehors du territoire cutané drainé par la veine cave supérieure (p = 0,01). Conclusion Un PF localisé en dehors du territoire cutané drainé par la veine cave supérieure ou associé à des convulsions est fortement associé à une infection à méningocoque dont l’incidence semble élevée chez l’enfant marocain. PMID:29515741

Échecs thérapeutiques chez les enfants infectés par le VIH en suivi de routine dans un contexte à ressources limitées au Cameroun

PubMed Central

Penda, Calixte Ida; Bebey, Francine Same; Mangamba, Danielle Kedy; Moukoko, Else Carole Eboumbou; Ngwa, Victoria; Makouet, Nicaise; Bissek, Anne-Cécile; Minkemdefo, Blaise Dupont; Tetanye, Ekoe; Ndombo, Paul Koki

2013-01-01

Introduction L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer les facteurs associés aux échecs thérapeutiques chez les enfants infectés par le VIH à l'Hôpital Laquintinie de Douala. Méthodes Une étude transversale rétrospective a été menée sur une période de 5 mois en 2010, recrutant 222 enfants âgés de 1 à 18 ans et sous TARV depuis au moins 24 semaines. Les données sociodémographiques, cliniques, biologiques et de l'observance thérapeutique des patients ont été collectés à partir des dossiers des patients, et analysées avec le logiciel SPSS (version 16). Résultats 39 (17,6%) des enfants étaient en échec thérapeutique (délai moyen de survenue 26,8 mois) et 73,4% d'entre eux sont passés en seconde ligne. Les garçons avaient en moyenne un risque 5 fois plus élevé de faire un échec thérapeutique que les filles (OR=3,9; p=0,035). 94,4% des enfants suivis avaient un faible taux de CD4 à l'initiation (‘ 25%) associé au risque élevé d’échec thérapeutique (OR=5,2; p=0,007). Les enfants issus de famille monoparentale représentaient près de la moitié des cas d’échecs thérapeutiques. Sur 39 cas en échec thérapeutique, 41% des enfants étaient des orphelins. Parmi les enfants sous TARV, 46% prenaient leur trithérapie sous forme de médicaments séparés parmi lesquels 52,1% étaient en échec thérapeutique. Conclusion Les échecs thérapeutiques et le passage en seconde ligne dépendaient du contexte familial des enfants, de leur statut immunologique à l'initiation du traitement, de leur sexe et de la forme galénique du TARV. PMID:24171063

Water quality in the southern Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp in the vicinity of the Tamiami Trail, 1996-97

USGS Publications Warehouse

Miller, Ronald L.; McPherson, Benjamin F.; Haag, Kim H.

1999-01-01

pesticides detected in fish from five sites. Total DDT ranged from 5 to 6 micrograms per kilogram in largemouth bass and from 11 to 17 micrograms per kilogram in Florida gar.

Status of fish communities in the Rio Grande, Big Bend National Park, Texas - comparison before and after Spring 2003 period of low flow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moring, J. Bruce

2005-01-01

During 2003–04 the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, re-evaluated the status of fish communities in three reaches of the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park that originally were evaluated when the three reaches were established for study in 1999. The objective was to determine whether there were measurable differences between 1999 and 2003–04 (referred to as 2004) fish community status that likely are attributable to a rare 58-day period of low flow (less than 1 cubic meter per second) in spring 2003 at the Johnson Ranch gaging station on the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park. The total number of fish species collected at all three sites (Boquillas, Johnson Ranch, and Santa Elena) in 1999 was greater than in 2004. The number of fish species collected at the Boquillas site in 1999 (10) was twice that collected in 2004; the number of species collected at the Johnson Ranch site in 1999 (nine) was almost twice that collected in 2004 (five). In contrast, the numbers at the Santa Elena site were nearly the same, 15 species in 1999, 14 in 2004. Percent community similarity for the Boquillas site is 8.04, for the Johnson Ranch site, 6.65, and for the Santa Elena site, 47.6, which indicates considerably more similarity between the 1999 and 2004 fish communities at the Santa Elena site than for the Boquillas and Johnson Ranch sites. At the Boquillas and Johnson Ranch sites, the fish communities shifted from small minnow (Cyprinidae) dominated in 1999 to largely gar (Lepisosteidae) and catfish (Ictaluridae) dominated in 2004. In contrast, no such shift occurred at the Santa Elena site between 1999 and 2004. Differences in flow conditions between the two downstream sites and the Santa Elena site might account for the dissimilar findings. The findings of the study provide some evidence that the spring 2003 period of low flow affected fish communities, but the findings are not definitive as other factors such as increased salinity

Characteristics of autism spectrum disorders in a sample of egyptian and saudi patients: transcultural cross sectional study

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Autism is a biological disorder with clearly defined phenomenology. Studies from the Middle East on this topic have been particularly rare. Little is known about the influence of culture on clinical features, presentations and management of autism. The current study was done to compare characteristics of autism in two groups of Egyptian as well as Saudi children. Methods The sample included 48 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They were recruited from the Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt and Al-Amal Complex for Mental Health, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They were grouped into an Egyptian group (n = 20) and a Saudi group (n = 28). They were assessed both clinically and psychometrically using the GARS, the Vineland adaptive behavioral scale, and the Stanford Binnet IQ test. Results Typical autism was more prevalent than atypical autism in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical variables like regression, hyperactivity, epilepsy or mental retardation. Delayed language development was significantly higher in the Egyptian group while delay in all developmental milestones was more significant in the Saudi group. The Vineland communication subscale showed more significant severe and profound communication defects in the Saudi group while the Gilliam developmental subscale showed significantly more average scores in the Egyptian group. Both groups differed significantly such that the age of noticing abnormality was younger in the Saudi group. The age at diagnosis and at the commencement of intervention was lower in the Egyptian group. The Saudi group showed a higher percentage of missing examinations, older birth order and significantly higher preference to drug treatment, while the Egyptian group showed a high preference to behavioral and phoniatric therapies, higher paternal and maternal education, higher employment among parents and higher family concern. Conclusion Cultural

The vertebrate ancestral repertoire of visual opsins, transducin alpha subunits and oxytocin/vasopressin receptors was established by duplication of their shared genomic region in the two rounds of early vertebrate genome duplications.

PubMed

Lagman, David; Ocampo Daza, Daniel; Widmark, Jenny; Abalo, Xesús M; Sundström, Görel; Larhammar, Dan

2013-11-02

Vertebrate color vision is dependent on four major color opsin subtypes: RH2 (green opsin), SWS1 (ultraviolet opsin), SWS2 (blue opsin), and LWS (red opsin). Together with the dim-light receptor rhodopsin (RH1), these form the family of vertebrate visual opsins. Vertebrate genomes contain many multi-membered gene families that can largely be explained by the two rounds of whole genome duplication (WGD) in the vertebrate ancestor (2R) followed by a third round in the teleost ancestor (3R). Related chromosome regions resulting from WGD or block duplications are said to form a paralogon. We describe here a paralogon containing the genes for visual opsins, the G-protein alpha subunit families for transducin (GNAT) and adenylyl cyclase inhibition (GNAI), the oxytocin and vasopressin receptors (OT/VP-R), and the L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (CACNA1-L). Sequence-based phylogenies and analyses of conserved synteny show that the above-mentioned gene families, and many neighboring gene families, expanded in the early vertebrate WGDs. This allows us to deduce the following evolutionary scenario: The vertebrate ancestor had a chromosome containing the genes for two visual opsins, one GNAT, one GNAI, two OT/VP-Rs and one CACNA1-L gene. This chromosome was quadrupled in 2R. Subsequent gene losses resulted in a set of five visual opsin genes, three GNAT and GNAI genes, six OT/VP-R genes and four CACNA1-L genes. These regions were duplicated again in 3R resulting in additional teleost genes for some of the families. Major chromosomal rearrangements have taken place in the teleost genomes. By comparison with the corresponding chromosomal regions in the spotted gar, which diverged prior to 3R, we could time these rearrangements to post-3R. We present an extensive analysis of the paralogon housing the visual opsin, GNAT and GNAI, OT/VP-R, and CACNA1-L gene families. The combined data imply that the early vertebrate WGD events contributed to the evolution of vision and the

In Vivo Mass-independent Fractionation of Mercury Isotopes in Fish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, R.; Odom, L. A.

2008-12-01

Recent experimental work and analyses of natural samples have revealed both mass-dependent and mass- independent isotope fractionation effects in mercury. These findings portend new avenues toward understanding the global mercury cycle. It has been shown experimentally that photo reduction of Hg+2 and methylmercury in water with concomitant release of the reduced, gaseous species Hg° results in the residual methylmercury possessing a mass-independent isotope effect. This effect is a relative enrichment of isotopes 199Hg and 201Hg over the even mass number isotopes when compared to the mercury standard NIST SRM3133. Large mass independent fractionation (MIF) effects (Δ199Hg values of a few ‰) have been found in mercury in fish and interpreted as isotope effects inherited from the water. To evaluate the possibility that MIF might be produced within the fish, we have analyzed 38 samples that include zooplankton and twelve different species of fish from a single lake collected over a 2-month time period for mercury isotopic compositions. Trophic levels of the same fish specimens had previously been determined from stomach contents and nitrogen isotopes. Zooplankton in the lake contain mercury with Δ199Hg and Δ201Hg values of +0.43 (±0.07) and +0.44 (±0.07) respectively. Among the fish species there is a striking correspondence between trophic level and Δ199Hg and Δ201Hg values for primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers. The Δ199Hg values ranges over ~1‰ from ~+0.4 in zooplankton, juvenile bluegill and several other small fishes to Δ199Hg = + 1.36 for the Florida gar that is the top predator fish in the lake. These observations indicate that the MIF effect, rather than being an artifact of the water column is produced in vivo. Partial separation of 199Hg and 201Hg from isotopes of even neutron number can be achieved by the magnetic isotope effect in reactions involving sufficiently long-lived intermediate free radicals, where nuclear - electron

The 2007 Mentawai earthquake sequence on the Sumatra megathrust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konca, A.; Avouac, J.; Sladen, A.; Meltzner, A. J.; Kositsky, A. P.; Sieh, K.; Fang, P.; Li, Z.; Galetzka, J.; Genrich, J.; Chlieh, M.; Natawidjaja, D. H.; Bock, Y.; Fielding, E. J.; Helmberger, D. V.

2008-12-01

The Sumatra Megathrust has recently produced a flurry of large interplate earthquakes starting with the giant Mw 9.15, Aceh earthquake of 2004. All of these earthquakes occurred within the area monitored by the Sumatra Geodetic Array (SuGAr), which provided exceptional records of near-field co-seismic and postseismic ground displacements. The most recent of these major earthquakes, an Mw 8.4 earthquake and an Mw 7.9 earthquake twelve hours later, occurred in the Mentawai islands area where devastating historical earthquakes had happened in 1797 and 1833. The 2007 earthquake sequence provides an exceptional opportunity to understand the variability of the earthquakes along megathrusts and their relation to interseismic coupling. The InSAR, GPS and teleseismic modeling shows that 2007 earthquakes ruptured a fraction of the strongly coupled Mentawai patch of the megathrust, which is also only a fraction of the 1833 rupture area. It also released a much smaller moment than the one released in 1833, or than the deficit of moment that has accumulated since. Both earthquakes of 2007 consist of 2 sub-events which are 50 to 100 km apart from each other. On the other hand, the northernmost slip patch of 8.4 and southern slip patch of 7.9 earthquakes abut each other, but they ruptured 12 hours apart. Sunda megathrust earthquakes of recent years include a rupture of a strongly coupled patch that closely mimics a prior rupture of that patch and which is well correlated with the interseismic coupling pattern (Nias-Simeulue section), as well as a rupture sequence of a strongly coupled patch that differs substantially in the details from its most recent predecessors (Mentawai section). We conclude that (1) seismic asperities are probably persistent features which arise form heterogeneous strain build up in the interseismic period; and (2) the same portion of a megathrust can rupture in different ways depending on whether asperities break as isolated events or cooperate to produce

Épidémiologie des accidents domestiques graves de l'enfant admis en réanimation pédiatrique polyvalente à l'hôpital d'enfants de Rabat-Maroc

PubMed Central

Rafai, Mostafa; Mekaoui, Nour; Chouaib, Naoufal; Bakkali, Hicham; Belyamani, Lahcen; El Koraichi, Alae; El Kettani, Salma Ech-Cherif

2015-01-01

Introduction Les accidents domestiques de l'enfant représentent un vrai problème de santé publique dans les pays industrialisés. Au Maroc, la priorité en santé publique est toujours donnée aux pathologies infectieuses, et bien qu'elle soit très peu décrite, la pathologie accidentelle de l'enfant devient de plus en plus fréquente dans notre pays avec une mortalité importante. L'objectif est de mettre le point sur la prévalence, la gravité, les aspects étiologiques, les facteurs de risque et les circonstances de survenue de ces accidents, ainsi que les moyens de prévention active et passive. Méthodes Enquête rétrospective descriptive sur une période de douze mois portant sur tous les enfants pris en charge pour accident domestique grave au service de réanimation pédiatrique polyvalente de l'hôpital universitaire d'enfants de Rabat. Résultats Parmi 698 admissions, 108 cas d'accidents domestiques graves ont étaient colligés (soit 15,5%), L’âge moyen des enfants était de 04ans tout accident confondu, avec un sex-ratio de 1,08 en faveur des garçons. L’évolution générale était marquée par le décès de 16 enfants (soit 14,8%) parmi 164 décès toute pathologie confondue au cours de la même période d’étude (soit 9,75% des décès) avec une durée moyenne d'hospitalisation de 04jours. les brûlures constituaient le premier accident dans notre série par 37cas, et elles étaient la première cause de mortalité par huit cas; par ailleurs, la population la plus à risque de brûlure était les nourrissons (67,6%). L'inhalation intrabronchique d’épingle à foulard (accident particulier dans notre contexte islamique) à été retrouvée chez six cas. Conclusion Les accidents domestiques de l'enfant constituent rarement une préoccupation de premier plan dans la population alors qu'ils sont parfois très graves et source d'une mortalité importante. Le meilleur traitement reste la prévention active et passive. PMID:26015848

Efficacy of individualized Chinese herbal medication in osteoarthrosis of hip and knee: a double-blind, randomized-controlled clinical study.

PubMed

Lechner, Matthias; Steirer, Iva; Brinkhaus, Benno; Chen, Yun; Krist-Dungl, Claudia; Koschier, Alexandra; Gantschacher, Martina; Neumann, Kurt; Zauner-Dungl, Andrea

2011-06-01

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of individually designed herbal formulas according to the rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind study with two parallel groups. This study was conducted at the University-centre in Gars am Kamp/Austria and was organized by the Institute of TCM and Complementary Medicine of the Danube University Krems /Austria. The study comprised female and male patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee aged between 45 and 75 years. Patients were randomized into a treatment with individualized, water-based herbal decoctions prepared in a standardized cooking process (Verum group) or to a treatment with nonspecific presumably ineffective, water-based herbal decoctions (Control group). The primary outcome was the comparison of change between the intervention groups in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities lower limb global index questionnaire (WOMAC global index) between baseline and week 20. Secondary outcomes included subscales of WOMAC for pain (A), stiffness (B), and functional impairment (C) and general quality of life in the form of the SF-36 questionnaire. Altogether, 102 patients were randomized in this trial. The demographic and medical baseline characteristics were comparable in the 2 groups. The change of the WOMAC global index and all three subscales was significant in both groups between week 20 and baseline (verum group, global WOMAC: at baseline 47 [SD ± 11.8] and at week 20: 24 (SD ± 18.3); change of mean 23; p > 0.001; control group; global WOMAC: at baseline: 48 (SD ± 14.7) and at week 20: 25 (SD ± 18.3); change of mean 23; p > 0.001). However, there was no significant difference (p = 0.783) between the treatment groups. There were significant changes in the subscales "physical functioning," "bodily pain," "vitality," "social-functioning," and "role-physical" of

Comparison of kinetic and air temperatures in Budapest aiming applications in weather forecasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mika, Janos; Nemeth, Akos; Bela Olah, Andras; Dezso, Zsuzsanna

2010-05-01

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) based kinetic temperature data are compared with the surface air temperature data at the four weather stations in Budapest, Hun-gary. Dependence of these temperature characteristics on weather conditions, characterised by macrosynoptic types and by objective weather types, is in the focus of the study. Day- and night-time kinetic temperature series are used from the period 2001-2008. Four automatic stations are also used as the surface-based control variables. The four MODIS-pixels, covering one station, each, are the sites of our comparison. One of the four stations has strictly urban situation at the roof level in a strongly built-in region of Budapest. Another one, used as background rural station is at the east-west edge of the town with gar-dened environment. Two other stations are positioned near the river Danube at the northern and southern edges of Budapest, still under mezo-scale effect of the city. The number of elaborated hourly values is 4300-4400 above each pixel, depending on the cloudiness. At the four station automatic observations on air temperature, cloudiness (=0), relative humidity and wind-speed are observed in the hours of the MODIS observations. From these elements air temperature is used for comparison with the satellite-based kinetic temperature, and also as the main components of the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), de-rived to characterise usefulness of the kinetic temperature. Our first aim is to specify detailed relationship between the two temperatures consider-ing the seasonal and diurnal cycles and synoptic situation. This comparison is also performed by using the PET to establish which kind of temperature reminds this human bioclimatic in-dex better. If we could establish effective relationships with the synoptic situations (or weather types) we could use them in two further applications. The first one is the everyday forecasting of dangerous situations within the

Aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des ostéosarcomes de l'enfant au CHU Aristide le Dantec de Dakar: à propos de 16 cas

PubMed Central

Ndour, Oumar; Alumeti, Desire Munyali; Fall, Mbaye; Fall, Aimée Faye; Diouf, Cheikh; Ndoye, Ndeye Aby; Ngom, Gabriel; Ndoye, Mamadou

2013-01-01

Le but de cette étude était de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des ostéosarcomes de l'enfant. Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective sur dix ans qui a colligé 16 dossiers d'ostéosarcome pris en charge au service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique de l'hôpital Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar. Les paramètres étudiés étaient le niveau d'instruction et le niveau socioprofessionnel des parents, l'origine géographique, l’âge, le sexe, les antécédents particuliers, le délai de consultation, les motifs de consultation, les signes physiques, les signes radiologiques, la biologie, les modalités thérapeutiques et l’évolution. Tous les patients avaient bénéficié d'un examen anatomopathologique qui a confirmé le diagnostic d'ostéosarcome. Pour la majeure partie de nos patients (58% des cas) les parents avaient un niveau d'instruction bas. L’âge moyen était de 11ans. Une prédominance masculine était retrouvée avec un sex-ratio de 3,25:1. Le délai de consultation moyen était de 16 mois. Le principal motif de consultation était la tuméfaction (10 cas). Huit patients avaient bénéficié d'un traitement traditionnel. La taille de la tumeur était supérieure à 10cm dans 14 cas. La localisation la plus fréquente était le genou (14 cas). La radiographie standard retrouvait dans 15 cas des images d'ostéolyse. Le bilan d'extension n'avait pas retrouvé de métastases. Les options thérapeutiques étaient dominées par l'amputation seule (43,75% des cas). La survie à 2 ans était de 17%. L'ostéosarcome atteint le plus souvent le garçon après l’âge de 10 ans. Sa prise en charge au Sénégal se heurte à d’énormes difficultés liées au retard diagnostique. La solution repose essentiellement sur une collaboration pluridisciplinaire. PMID:23720705

Les conjonctivites néonatales dans le canton de Glidji au Sud du Togo: une étude transversale à propos de 159 nouveau-nés

PubMed Central

Kokou, Vonor; Nidain, Maneh; Kassoula, Nononsaa Batomguela; Kwassi, Fiaty- Amenouvor; Meba, Banla; Patrice, Balo Komi

2016-01-01

Introduction Le but de l’étude était décrire les aspects épidémiologiques des conjonctivites néonatales dans le canton de Glidji au Sud du Togo. Methodes Nous avons mené une étude transversale dans les 4 Unités Sanitaires Périphériques du canton de Glidji du 19 Mars au 13 Mai 2009 soit 8 semaines. Tous les nouveau-nés ont été inclus et la conjonctivite néonatale était définie par la présence chez un nouveau-né d'au moins deux des signes suivants: hyperhémie conjonctivale, œdème palpébral, chémosis, sécrétions purulentes, larmoiement. Les paramètres étudiés étaient l’âge, le sexe, les facteurs de risque, les antécédents, la présence ou non de conjonctivite, les germes en causes et l’évolution sous traitement. Resultats Sur la période, 159 nouveau-nés ont été examinés. L’âge moyen était de 10,9 jours avec des extrêmes de 0 à 28 jours. Il y avait 80 garçons pour 79 filles soit un sex-ratio de 1,01. Sur les 159 nouveau-nés, 7 cas de conjonctivite ont été diagnostiqués soit une prévalence de 4,4%. Les facteurs de risque identifiés étaient l'accouchement par voie basse et la présence d'IST chez la mère pendant la grossesse. Sur les 7 cas de conjonctivite, l'examen cytobactériologique a permis d'isoler le staphylococcus aureus dans 2 cas. L’évolution des cas de conjonctivite sous traitement était favorable avec régression des signes dès le 3è jour. Conclusion Les conjonctivites néonatales avaient une prévalence de 4,4% dans le canton de Glidji au sud du Togo et le staphylocoque doré était le germe en cause. Leur prévention passe par un bon suivi lors de la consultation prénatale et l'instillation de collyre antibiotique à la naissance PMID:27642383

Magma plumbing in the Grímsvötn volcanic system, Iceland: an overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thordarson, T.

2016-12-01

The basaltic Grímsvötn volcanic system (GVS) consists of Grímsvötn central volcano (GCV) and an immature fissure swarm extending 70 km to the southwest from GCV. The GCV has the highest eruption frequency of all central volcanos in Iceland, or 7 events per 100 years. In contrast, the GVS fissure swarm has only featured two events in postglacial times, the 1783-4 Laki and the prehistoric Lambavatnsgígar fissure eruptions. These two events account for 25% of the total Holocene magma output from the GVS and 80% of the output in historic time (i.e. last 1100 years). Although GVS magma plumbing has been a topic of research for four decades, its general structure, extent and geometry is still deliberated. Is mantle-derived magma delivered straight up beneath the GCV to an upper crustal magma chamber and then vertically to eruptions at the GCV and laterally to eruption on the GVS fissure swarm? Or does the system feature two levels of crustal storage, one in the upper crust beneath GCV and another at mid-crustal depth? Or is the structure of the GVS plumbing more complex? The data that we have so far and is pertinent to GVS magma plumbing is summarised below: Geophysical measurements imply that shallowest magma storage beneath GCV is at 3-4 km. The Zr and Nb concentrations in the tephra from the 1998 and 2004 GCV plus Laki eruptions show that the parent magmas for each was produced by different degrees of partial melting of a similar mantle source. It also demonstrates transport to the surface via separate pathways and that neither magma can be derived by fractional crystallization from a Laki-like magma. Detailed petrological studies on the Laki tephra and lava indicate polybaric magma evolution within the mid-crust (at 6 to 15 km depth), with further evolution at shallower depths induced either by disequilibrium crystal growth during ascent of magma from the mid-crust storage or a brief residence at 3-6 km depths. The Laki magma contains significant abundances of

Status of scientific knowledge, recovery progress, and future research directions for the Gulf Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Vladykov, 1955

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sulak, Kenneth J.; Parauka, F; Slack, W. Todd; Ruth, T; Randall, Michael T.; Luke, K; Mette, M. F; Price, M. E

2016-01-01

The Gulf Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, is an anadromous species of Acipenseridae and native to North America. It currently inhabits and spawns in the upper reaches of seven natal rivers along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Suwannee River, Florida, to the Pearl River, Louisiana, during spring to autumn. Next to the Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula), the Gulf Sturgeon is currently the largest fish species occurring in U.S. Gulf Coast rivers, attaining a length of 2.35 m and weights exceeding 135 kg, but historically attained a substantially larger size. Historically, the spawning populations existed in additional rivers from which the species has been wholly or nearly extirpated, such as the Mobile and Ochlockonee rivers, and possibly the Rio Grande River. Most Gulf Sturgeon populations were decimated by unrestricted commercial fishing between 1895–1910. Subsequently most populations remained unrecovered or extirpated due to continued harvest until the 1970s–1980s, and the construction of dams blocking access to ancestral upriver spawning grounds. Late 20th Century harvest bans and net bans enacted by the several Gulf Coast states have stabilized several populations and enabled the Suwannee River population to rebound substantially and naturally. Hatchery supplementation has not been necessary in this regard to date. Sturgeon are resilient and adaptable fishes with a geological history of 150 million years. Research undertaken since the 1970s has addressed many aspects of Gulf Sturgeon life history, reproduction, migration, population biology, habitat requirements, and other aspects of species biology. However, many knowledge gaps remain, prominently including the life history of early developmental stages in the first year of life. Natural population recovery is evident for the Suwannee River population, but seems promising as well for at least four other populations. The Pascagoula and Pearl River populations face a challenging

Extending the BEAGLE library to a multi-FPGA platform.

PubMed

Jin, Zheming; Bakos, Jason D

2013-01-19

Maximum Likelihood (ML)-based phylogenetic inference using Felsenstein's pruning algorithm is a standard method for estimating the evolutionary relationships amongst a set of species based on DNA sequence data, and is used in popular applications such as RAxML, PHYLIP, GARLI, BEAST, and MrBayes. The Phylogenetic Likelihood Function (PLF) and its associated scaling and normalization steps comprise the computational kernel for these tools. These computations are data intensive but contain fine grain parallelism that can be exploited by coprocessor architectures such as FPGAs and GPUs. A general purpose API called BEAGLE has recently been developed that includes optimized implementations of Felsenstein's pruning algorithm for various data parallel architectures. In this paper, we extend the BEAGLE API to a multiple Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based platform called the Convey HC-1. The core calculation of our implementation, which includes both the phylogenetic likelihood function (PLF) and the tree likelihood calculation, has an arithmetic intensity of 130 floating-point operations per 64 bytes of I/O, or 2.03 ops/byte. Its performance can thus be calculated as a function of the host platform's peak memory bandwidth and the implementation's memory efficiency, as 2.03 × peak bandwidth × memory efficiency. Our FPGA-based platform has a peak bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s and our implementation achieves a memory efficiency of approximately 50%, which gives an average throughput of 78 Gflops. This represents a ~40X speedup when compared with BEAGLE's CPU implementation on a dual Xeon 5520 and 3X speedup versus BEAGLE's GPU implementation on a Tesla T10 GPU for very large data sizes. The power consumption is 92 W, yielding a power efficiency of 1.7 Gflops per Watt. The use of data parallel architectures to achieve high performance for likelihood-based phylogenetic inference requires high memory bandwidth and a design methodology that emphasizes high memory

Étude Préliminaire de Fiabilité de l’Échelle de Labilité Émotionnelle Adaptée pour Adolescents dans une Population Interne Francophone

PubMed Central

Guilé, Jean Marc; Chapdelaine, Cimon; Desrosiers, Lyne; Cornez, Christine; Bouvier, Hélène; Breton, Jean-Jacques

2009-01-01

Résumé Objectif: étudier la fiabilité en population clinique francophone d’un auto-questionnaire portant sur l’instabilité émotionnelle des adolescents. Méthode: Après recension des écrits et consultation d’experts, l’Échelle de Labilité Émotionnelle (Affective Lability Scale) développée par Harvey et collaborateurs (1989) a été choisie. Une version anglophone et francophone adaptée à la population adolescente a été élaborée. La version finale comprend 54 questions réparties en six sections examinant les variations émotionnelles entre euthymie d’une part, et dépression, élation, colère et anxiété d’autre part, ainsi qu’entre anxiété et dépression, et enfin entre dépression et élation. La version francophone a fait l’objet d’une étude de fiabilité. Au total 43 adolescents francophones (48,8% garçons, 51,2% filles d’âge moyen=14,86 ans) ont participé à l’étude de compréhension et de fiabilité. Résultats: Toutes les questions ont un taux de compréhension par item (TCI)>0,60 tel qu’évalué par accord interjuge (Kappa-moyen=0,85). Le TCI-moyen est très satisfaisant (0,88, SD=0,14). La consistance interne appréciée par les coefficients de Cronbach est élevée pour chaque section et pour l’ensemble de l’instrument (0,87 à 0,95). La stabilité temporelle à trois semaines est satisfaisante avec un coefficient de corrélation-intraclasse (CIC) pour l’ensemble de l’échelle de 0,89 (intervalle de confiance à 95%=0,75 et 0,95) et des CIC de section s’échelonnant entre 0,72 et 0,89. Conclusion: Ces premières données de fiabilité soutiennent l’intérêt de l’ALS pour évaluer, en période euthymique chez des adolescents francophones en unité interne psychiatrique, un niveau global de labilité émotionnelle. Une étude future sur un plus grand échantillon permettra de confirmer ces premiers résultats et d’étudier la structure factorielle de l’instrument. PMID:19881938

Variation spatiotemporelle de la cryptorchidie et de l’hypospadias au Québec : Une étude exploratoire

PubMed Central

Guertin, Sophie; Lemieux, Karine-Sylvie; Makhoulian, Natalie; Michaud, Sébastien; Patry, Rose-Marie; Côté, Anne-Andrée; Gagnon, Fabien; Ayotte, Pierre; Bolduc, Stéphane

2011-01-01

Résumé Objectifs : La majorité des études effectuées au cours des dernières décennies ont mis en évidence une augmentation du nombre de cas de cryptorchidie et d’hypospadias entre 1970 et 1990. De plus, l’importante variabilité géographique de ces anomalies est bien décrite. Cette étude vise à mesurer la prévalence à la naissance de la cryptorchidie et de l’hypospadias au Québec, à vérifier si ces anomalies sont en augmentation et à en évaluer la répartition interrégionale. Méthode : Une étude épidémiologique descriptive a été réalisée à partir du nombre de garçons de cinq ans et moins hospitalisés pour une cryptorchidie ou un hypospadias au Québec de 1989 à 2004 selon les données du fichier administratif d’hospitalisation MED-ÉCHO. Les données sur les naissances provenaient de l’Institut de la statistique du Québec. Résultats : La prévalence annuelle moyenne pour 1000 naissances vivantes de sexe masculin est de 19,1 (IC à 95 % : 18,8–19,4) pour la cryptorchidie et 11,4 (IC à 95 % 11,1–11,6) pour l’hypospadias au Québec. Au cours de la période étudiée, la prévalence de cryptorchidie a légèrement diminué, alors que celle de l’hypospadias est demeurée stable. Comparativement à la province du Québec, des régions présentent une prévalence significativement différente de cryptorchidie et/ou d’hypospadias. . Conclusion : Au Québec, la prévalence de cryptorchidie est en légère diminution alors que celle de l’hypospadias est stable. Des variations régionales significatives sont observables. D’autres études sont nécessaires afin d’évaluer l’hypothèse d’un lien avec les contaminants environnementaux en émergence. L’implantation d’un système de surveillance des anomalies congénitales permettrait une représentation plus valide de la situation. PMID:21672476

Variation spatiotemporelle de la cryptorchidie et de l'hypospadias au Québec : Une étude exploratoire.

PubMed

Guertin, Sophie; Lemieux, Karine-Sylvie; Makhoulian, Natalie; Michaud, Sébastien; Patry, Rose-Marie; Côté, Anne-Andrée; Gagnon, Fabien; Ayotte, Pierre; Bolduc, Stéphane

2011-06-01

RéSUMé: : La majorité des études effectuées au cours des dernières décennies ont mis en évidence une augmentation du nombre de cas de cryptorchidie et d'hypospadias entre 1970 et 1990. De plus, l'importante variabilité géographique de ces anomalies est bien décrite. Cette étude vise à mesurer la prévalence à la naissance de la cryptorchidie et de l'hypospadias au Québec, à vérifier si ces anomalies sont en augmentation et à en évaluer la répartition interrégionale. MéTHODE :: Une étude épidémiologique descriptive a été réalisée à partir du nombre de garçons de cinq ans et moins hospitalisés pour une cryptorchidie ou un hypospadias au Québec de 1989 à 2004 selon les données du fichier administratif d'hospitalisation MED-ÉCHO. Les données sur les naissances provenaient de l'Institut de la statistique du Québec. RéSULTATS :: La prévalence annuelle moyenne pour 1000 naissances vivantes de sexe masculin est de 19,1 (IC à 95 % : 18,8-19,4) pour la cryptorchidie et 11,4 (IC à 95 % 11,1-11,6) pour l'hypospadias au Québec. Au cours de la période étudiée, la prévalence de cryptorchidie a légèrement diminué, alors que celle de l'hypospadias est demeurée stable. Comparativement à la province du Québec, des régions présentent une prévalence significativement différente de cryptorchidie et/ou d'hypospadias. . : Au Québec, la prévalence de cryptorchidie est en légère diminution alors que celle de l'hypospadias est stable. Des variations régionales significatives sont observables. D'autres études sont nécessaires afin d'évaluer l'hypothèse d'un lien avec les contaminants environnementaux en émergence. L'implantation d'un système de surveillance des anomalies congénitales permettrait une représentation plus valide de la situation.

Interseismic, postseismic and co-seismic strain on the Sumatra megathrust and their relation to the megathrust frictional properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konca, A. O.; Avouac, J. P.; Sladen, A.; Meltzner, A. J.; Kositsky, A.; Sieh, K.; Galetzka, J.; Genrich, J.; Natawidjaja, D. H.

2009-04-01

The Sumatra Megathrust has recently produced a flurry of large interplate earthquakes starting with the giant Mw 9.15, Aceh earthquake of 2004. All of these earthquakes occurred within the area monitored by the Sumatra Geodetic Array (SuGAr), which provided exceptional records of near-field co-seismic and postseismic ground displacements. In addition, based on coral growth pattern, it has also been possible to estimate the pattern of interseismic strain in this area over the last few decades preceding 2004. This earthquake sequence provides an exceptional opportunity to understand the eventual relationship between large megathrust ruptures, interseismic coupling and the frictional properties of the megathrust. The emerging view is a megathrust with strong down-dip and lateral variations of frictional properties. The 2005, Mw 8.6 Nias earthquake ruptured nearly entirely a patch that had ruptured already during a similar earthquake in 1861 and that had remained well locked in the interseismic period allowing for stress to build up to an amount comparable to, or even larger than the stress released in 1861 or 2005. This patch is inferred to obey dominantly velocity-weakening friction and the pattern or interseismic coupling and afterslip suggests that it is surrounded by areas with velocity-strengthening friction. The 2007 Mw 8.4 and 7.9 earthquakes ruptured a fraction of a strongly coupled in the Mentawai area. They each consist of 2 sub-events which are 50 to 100 km apart from each other. On the other hand, the northernmost slip patch of 8.4 and southern slip patch of 7.9 earthquakes abut each other, but they ruptured 12 hours apart. They released a moment much smaller than the giant earthquakes known to have occurred in the Mentawai area in 1833 or in 1797. Also the moment released in 2007 amounts to only a fraction of the deficit of moment that had accumulated as a result of interseismic strain since these historical events, the potential for a large megathrust

Interseismic, postseismic and co-seismic strain on the Sumatra megathrust and their relation to the megathrust frictional properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konca, A. O.; Avouac, J.-P.; Sladen, A.; Meltzner, A. J.; Kositsky, A.; Sieh, K.; Galetzka, J.; Genrich, J.; Natawidjaja, D. H.

2009-04-01

The Sumatra Megathrust has recently produced a flurry of large interplate earthquakes starting with the giant Mw 9.15, Aceh earthquake of 2004. All of these earthquakes occurred within the area monitored by the Sumatra Geodetic Array (SuGAr), which provided exceptional records of near-field co-seismic and postseismic ground displacements. In addition, based on coral growth pattern, it has also been possible to estimate the pattern of interseismic strain in this area over the last few decades preceding 2004. This earthquake sequence provides an exceptional opportunity to understand the eventual relationship between large megathrust ruptures, interseismic coupling and the frictional properties of the megathrust. The emerging view is a megathrust with strong down-dip and lateral variations of frictional properties. The 2005, Mw 8.6 Nias earthquake ruptured nearly entirely a patch that had ruptured already during a similar earthquake in 1861 and that had remained well locked in the interseismic period allowing for stress to build up to an amount comparable to, or even larger than the stress released in 1861 or 2005. This patch is inferred to obey dominantly velocity-weakening friction and the pattern or interseismic coupling and afterslip suggests that it is surrounded by areas with velocity-strengthening friction. The 2007 Mw 8.4 and 7.9 earthquakes ruptured a fraction of a strongly coupled in the Mentawai area. They each consist of 2 sub-events which are 50 to 100 km apart from each other. On the other hand, the northernmost slip patch of 8.4 and southern slip patch of 7.9 earthquakes abut each other, but they ruptured 12 hours apart. They released a moment much smaller than the giant earthquakes known to have occurred in the Mentawai area in 1833 or in 1797. Also the moment released in 2007 amounts to only a fraction of the deficit of moment that had accumulated as a result of interseismic strain since these historical events, the potential for a large megathrust

Undiagnosed illnesses and radioactive warfare.

PubMed

Duraković, Asaf

2003-10-01

The internal contamination with depleted uranium (DU) isotopes was detected in British, Canadian, and United States Gulf War veterans as late as nine years after inhalational exposure to radioactive dust in the Persian Gulf War I. DU isotopes were also identified in a Canadian veteran's autopsy samples of lung, liver, kidney, and bone. In soil samples from Kosovo, hundreds of particles, mostly less than 5 microm in size, were found in milligram quantities. Gulf War I in 1991 resulted in 350 metric tons of DU deposited in the environment and 3-6 million grams of DU aerosol released into the atmosphere. Its legacy, Gulf War disease, is a complex, progressive, incapacitating multiorgan system disorder. The symptoms include incapacitating fatigue, musculoskeletel and joint pains, headaches, neuropsychiatric disorders, affect changes, confusion, visual problems, changes of gait, loss of memory, lymphadenopathies, respiratory impairment, impotence, and urinary tract morphological and functional alterations. Current understanding of its etiology seems far from being adequate. After the Afghanistan Operation Anaconda (2002), our team studied the population of Jalalabad, Spin Gar, Tora Bora, and Kabul areas, and identified civilians with the symptoms similar to those of Gulf War syndrome. Twenty-four-hour urine samples from 8 symptomatic subjects were collected by the following criteria: 1) the onset of symptoms relative to the bombing raids; 2) physical presence in the area of the bombing; and 3) clinical manifestations. Control subjects were selected among the sympotom-free residents in non-targeted areas. All samples were analyzed for the concentration and ratio of four uranium isotopes, (234)U, (235)U, (236)U and (238)U, by using a multicollector, inductively coupled plasma ionization mass spectrometry. The first results from the Jalalabad province revealed urinary excretion of total uranium in all subjects significantly exceeding the values in the nonexposed population

Extending the BEAGLE library to a multi-FPGA platform

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Maximum Likelihood (ML)-based phylogenetic inference using Felsenstein’s pruning algorithm is a standard method for estimating the evolutionary relationships amongst a set of species based on DNA sequence data, and is used in popular applications such as RAxML, PHYLIP, GARLI, BEAST, and MrBayes. The Phylogenetic Likelihood Function (PLF) and its associated scaling and normalization steps comprise the computational kernel for these tools. These computations are data intensive but contain fine grain parallelism that can be exploited by coprocessor architectures such as FPGAs and GPUs. A general purpose API called BEAGLE has recently been developed that includes optimized implementations of Felsenstein’s pruning algorithm for various data parallel architectures. In this paper, we extend the BEAGLE API to a multiple Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based platform called the Convey HC-1. Results The core calculation of our implementation, which includes both the phylogenetic likelihood function (PLF) and the tree likelihood calculation, has an arithmetic intensity of 130 floating-point operations per 64 bytes of I/O, or 2.03 ops/byte. Its performance can thus be calculated as a function of the host platform’s peak memory bandwidth and the implementation’s memory efficiency, as 2.03 × peak bandwidth × memory efficiency. Our FPGA-based platform has a peak bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s and our implementation achieves a memory efficiency of approximately 50%, which gives an average throughput of 78 Gflops. This represents a ~40X speedup when compared with BEAGLE’s CPU implementation on a dual Xeon 5520 and 3X speedup versus BEAGLE’s GPU implementation on a Tesla T10 GPU for very large data sizes. The power consumption is 92 W, yielding a power efficiency of 1.7 Gflops per Watt. Conclusions The use of data parallel architectures to achieve high performance for likelihood-based phylogenetic inference requires high memory bandwidth and a design

Advanced gas atomization production of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Ni-base superalloys through process and solidification control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, John Louis Lamb

A novel gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) method was utilized to produce precursor Ni-Cr-Y-Ti powder with a surface oxide and an internal rare earth (RE)-containing intermetallic. Although Al is necessary for industrial superalloy production, the Ni-Cr base alloy system was selected as a simplified system more amenable to characterization. This was done in an effort to better study the effects of processing parameters. Consolidation and heat-treatment were performed to promote the exchange of oxygen from the surface oxide to the RE intermetallic to form nanometric oxide dispersoids. Alloy selection was aided by an internal oxidation and serial grinding experiment that found that Hf-containing alloys may form more stable dispersoids than Ti-containing alloys, but the Hf-containing system exhibited five different oxide phases and two different intermetallics compared to the two oxide phases and one intermetallic in the Ti-containing alloys. Since the simpler Ti-containing system was easier to characterize, and make observations on the effects of processing parameters, the Ti-containing system was used for experimental atomization trials. An internal oxidation model was used to predict the heat treatment times necessary for dispersoid formation as a function of powder size and temperature. A new high-pressure gas atomization (HPGA) nozzle was developed with the aim of promoting fine powder production at scales similar to that of the high gas-flow and melt-flow of industrial atomizers. The atomization nozzle was characterized using schlieren imaging and aspiration pressure testing to determine the optimum melt delivery tip geometry and atomization pressure to promote enhanced secondary atomization mechanisms. Six atomization trials were performed to investigate the effects of gas atomization pressure and reactive-gas concentration on the particle size distribution (PSD). Also, the effect on the rapidly solidified microstructure (as a function of powder size

How to introduce climate change into extreme precipitation predetermination? First attempts to tamper with the MEWP method.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gérardin, Maxime; Brigode, Pierre; Bernardara, Pietro; Gailhard, Joël; Garçon, Rémy; Paquet, Emmanuel; Ribstein, Pierre

2013-04-01

insights into the next steps that will allow a more sophisticated representation of climate change in the MEWP distribution. References: Garavaglia, F., J. Gailhard, E. Paquet, M. Lang, R. Garçon, and P. Bernardara. 2010. "Introducing a Rainfall Compound Distribution Model Based on Weather Patterns Sub-sampling." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 14 (6): 951-964. doi:10.5194/hess-14-951-2010. Lenderink, Geert, and Erik van Meijgaard. 2008. "Increase in Hourly Precipitation Extremes Beyond Expectations from Temperature Changes." Nature Geoscience 1 (8) (July 20): 511-514. doi:10.1038/ngeo262. Pall, P., MR Allen, and DA Stone. 2007. "Testing the Clausius-Clapeyron Constraint on Changes in Extreme Precipitation Under CO 2 Warming." Climate Dynamics 28 (4): 351-363.

Essential oil and monensin affect ruminal fermentation and the protozoal population in continuous culture.

PubMed

Ye, D; Karnati, S K R; Wagner, B; Firkins, J L; Eastridge, M L; Aldrich, J M

2018-06-01

The interaction of monensin and essential oil was hypothesized to suppress protozoa and methane production while maintaining normal rumen function. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding monensin (MON) and CinnaGar (CIN, a commercial blend of cinnamaldehyde and garlic oil; Provimi North America, Brookville, OH) on ruminal fermentation characteristics. Continuous culture fermentors (n = 4) were maintained in 4 experimental periods in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Four dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial: (1) control diet, 37 g/d of dry matter (40 g/d at ∼92.5% dry matter) of a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet containing no additive; (2) MON at 11 g/909 kg of dry matter; (3) CIN at 0.0043% of dry matter; and (4) a combination of MON and CIN at the levels in (2) and (3). Treatment had no effects on protozoal populations, concentration of NH 3 N, total N flow of effluent, production of total volatile fatty acids, or flows of conjugated linoleic acid and total C18 fatty acids. The MON decreased acetate:propionate ratio and biohydrogenation of both total C18 and 18:1 cis-9 but increased protozoal generation time, concentration of peptide, and flow of 18:1 trans-11. The MON tended to decrease protozoal counts in effluent and flow of 18:0 but tended to increase propionate production. The CIN decreased true organic matter digestibility and protozoal N flow of effluent but increased nonammonia, nonmicrobial N flow. The CIN tended to decrease protozoal counts, microbial N flow, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility but tended to increase biohydrogenation of total C18, 18:2, and 18:3. The CIN tended to increase isovalerate production. The MON and CIN tended to interact for increased methane production and bacterial N flow. A second experiment was conducted to determine the effects of MON and CIN on protozoal nitrogen and cell volume in vitro. Four treatments included (1) control (feed only), (2) feed + 0.0043% dry matter CIN

Noise-induced transitions and resonant effects in nonlinear systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaikin, Alexei

2003-02-01

Our every-day experience is connected with different acoustical noise or music. Usually noise plays the role of nuisance in any communication and destroys any order in a system. Similar optical effects are known: strong snowing or raining decreases quality of a vision. In contrast to these situations noisy stimuli can also play a positive constructive role, e.g. a driver can be more concentrated in a presence of quiet music. Transmission processes in neural systems are of especial interest from this point of view: excitation or information will be transmitted only in the case if a signal overcomes a threshold. Dr. Alexei Zaikin from the Potsdam University studies noise-induced phenomena in nonlinear systems from a theoretical point of view. Especially he is interested in the processes, in which noise influences the behaviour of a system twice: if the intensity of noise is over a threshold, it induces some regular structure that will be synchronized with the behaviour of neighbour elements. To obtain such a system with a threshold one needs one more noise source. Dr. Zaikin has analyzed further examples of such doubly stochastic effects and developed a concept of these new phenomena. These theoretical findings are important, because such processes can play a crucial role in neurophysics, technical communication devices and living sciences. Unsere alltägliche Erfahrung ist mit verschiedenen akustischen Einfluessen wie Lärm, aber auch Musik verbunden. Jeder weiss, wie Lärm stören kann und Kommunikation behindert oder gar unterbindet. Ähnliche optische Effekte sind bekannt: starkes Schneetreiben oder Regengüsse verschlechtern die Sicht und lassen uns Umrisse nur noch schemenhaft erkennen. Jedoch koennen ähnliche Stimuli auch sehr positive Auswirkungen haben: Autofahrer fahren bei leiser Musik konzentrierter -- die Behauptung von Schulkindern, nur bei dröhnenden Bässen die Mathehausaufgaben richtig rechnen zu können, ist allerdings nicht wissenschaftlich

PFAS - A threat for groundwater and drinking water supply in Sweden?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Jeffrey; Banzhaf, Stefan; Ahlkrona, Malva; Arnheimer, Berit; Barthel, Roland; Bergvall, Martin; Blomquist, Niklas; Jacks, Gunnar; Jansson, Cecilia; Lissel, Patrik; Marklund, Lars; Olofsson, Bo; Persson, Kenneth M.; Sjöström, Jan; Sparrenbom, Charlotte

2015-04-01

, namely, A Non-Toxic Environment, Flourishing Lakes and Streams and Good-Quality Groundwater. Although the survey of PFAS in our groundwater supplies will take time, it is feasible. Much research in the field of hydrogeology and geochemistry remains before a viable and cost-effective groundwater remediation method can be operational. Until then, it is essential that measures are taken to identify the present distribution and magnitude of PFAS in groundwater and prevents its further spread in our most important aquifers. Afzelius, H. et al., 2014. Vågar vi dricka kranvattnet? (Do we dare drinking tap water?), Svenska Dagbladet. Bergman, Å., Hansson, S.O., Hellsten, E., 2014. En miljöskandal av historiska mått (An environmental scandal of historic proportions), Svenska Dagbladet. Lewis, J. et al., 2014. Kartlägg det förorenade dricksvattnet (Survey the contaminated drinking water), Svenska Dagbladet. OECD, 2002. Hazard Assessment of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and its Salt.

[Not Available].

PubMed

Hainschitz, I; Rieger, K; Siegl, H

2002-06-01

In Austria an index of 3 μg/kg of Ochratoxin A for coffee, 0,3 μg/kg for fruit juices and 0,2 μg/kg for beer is discussed. The laboratory of the food inspection authority of the state of Vorarlberg investigated the contribution of selected foodstuffs to the daily OTA intake and compared it with the recommendation of the scientific food committee of the EC. The focal point of this study was on beverages (coffee, coffee substitutes, beer and fruit juices) and their ingredients.ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Die Untersuchungsergebnisse von Bier, Fruchtsaft und Kaffee [Diagramm 1] zeigen, dass die Mehrzahl der Proben nur sehr schwach bis gar nicht belastet waren. Die OTA-Belastung lag bei der Mehrzahl der Proben unter der Nachweisgrenze von 0,3 μg/kg bzw. 0,01μg/1. Einzelne Proben waren aber erheblich belastet, sodass bei starkem Konsum (Fruchtsaft im Sommer) eine überschreitung der vom SCF vorgeschlagenen Höchstmenge nicht auszuschließen ist. Die Ergebnisse der Kaffeemitteluntersuchung [Diagramm 2] belegen eine höhere OTA-Belastung bei mehr als der Hälfte der Proben. Wenn die vom SCF vorgeschlagene Höchstaufnahme von 5 ng pro Tag und kg Körpergewicht zu Grunde gelegt wird, resultiert für eine 60 kg schwere Person ein Wert von 0,3 μg/Tag. Das bedeutet bei einem mit 100 μg/kg OTA kontaminierten Kaffeeersatz und dem Konsum nur einer Tasse (5 - 7 g Pulver), dass alleine aus dieser Quelle diese Höchstaufnahme deutlich überschritten wird. Der Eintrag über die restliche Nahrung wie Cerealien, die für etwa die Hälfte der OTA-Aufnahme verantwortlich sind, bleibt hier unberücksichtigt. Die Untersuchungen belegen, dass die Einhaltung der in österreich vorgeschlagenen Richtwerte bei Bier, Fruchtsäften und Kaffee keine Schwierigkeiten bereitet. Für Kaffeemittel und andere Trockenfrüchte als Weintrauben [3] wurde allerdings noch kein Richtwert vorgeschlagen. Die Ergebnisse belegen aber, dass gerade für Kaffemittel und verschiedene Trockenfrüchte vor dem Hintergrund

Deciding How to Stay Independent at Home in Later Years: Development and Acceptability Testing of an Informative Web-Based Module.

PubMed

Garvelink, Mirjam Marjolein; Jones, C Allyson; Archambault, Patrick M; Roy, Noémie; Blair, Louisa; Légaré, France

2017-12-14

participants. In phase II, after 4 days in a studio with 15 bilingual actors, 30 videos were made of various experts (eg, family doctor, home care nurse, and social worker) presenting options and guidance for the decision-making process. These were integrated into an interactive website, which included a comments tool for visitors to add information. In phase III (n=21), 8 seniors (7 women, mean age 75 years), 7 caregivers, and 6 professionals evaluated the acceptability of the module and suggested improvements. Clarity of the videos scored 3.6 out of 4, length was considered right by 17 (separate videos) and 13 participants (all videos together), and 18 participants considered the module acceptable. They suggested that information should be tailored more, and that seniors may need someone to help navigate it. Our interactive website with interlinked videos presenting information about options for staying independent at home was deemed acceptable and potentially helpful by a diverse group of stakeholders. ©Mirjam Marjolein Garvelink, C Allyson Jones, Patrick M Archambault, Noémie Roy, Louisa Blair, France Légaré. Originally published in JMIR Human Factors (http://humanfactors.jmir.org), 14.12.2017.

Optimising predictor domains for spatially coherent precipitation downscaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radanovics, S.; Vidal, J.-P.; Sauquet, E.; Ben Daoud, A.; Bontron, G.

2012-04-01

resulting optimised domains are analysed for defining regions where neighbouring zones have equal or similar predictor domains and identifying which French river basins contain zones associated with different predictor domains, i.e. are exposed to different meteorological influences. The above analysis will be used (1) to extend the statistical downscaling method of Ben Daoud et al. (2011) to the whole of France and (2) to develop it further in order to achieve spatially coherent forecasts while preserving the predictive skill on the local scale. Ben Daoud, A., Sauquet, E., Lang, M., Bontron, G., and Obled, C. (2011). Precipitation forecasting through an analog sorting technique: a comparative study. Advances in Geosciences, 29:103-107. doi: 10.5194/adgeo-29-103-2011 Obled, C., Bontron, G., and Garçon, R. (2002). Quantitative precipitation forecasts: a statistical adaptation of model outputs through an analogues sorting approach. Atmospheric Research, 63(3-4):303-324. doi: 10.1016/S0169-8095(02)00038-8 Vidal, J.-P., Martin, E., Franchistéguy, L., Baillon, M., and Soubeyroux, J.-M. (2010) A 50-year high-resolution atmospheric reanalysis over France with the Safran system. International Journal of Climatology, 30:1627-1644. doi: 10.1002/joc.2003

Global synthesis of volcano deformation: Results of the Volcano Deformation Task Force

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pritchard, M. E.; Jay, J.; Biggs, J.; Ebmeier, S. K.; Delgado, F.

2013-12-01

Ground deformation in volcanic regions is being observed more frequently -- the number of known deforming volcanoes has increased from 44 in 1997 to more than 210 in 2013 thanks in large part thanks to the availability of satellite InSAR observations. With the launch of new SAR satellites in the coming years devoted to global deformation monitoring, the number of well-studied episodes of volcano deformation will continue to increase. But evaluating the significance of the observed deformation is not always straightforward -- how often do deformation episodes lead to eruption? Are there certain characteristics of the deformation or the volcano that make the linkage between deformation and eruption more robust -- for example the duration or magnitude of the ground deformation and/or the composition and tectonic setting of the volcano? To answer these questions, a global database of volcano deformation events is needed. Recognizing the need for global information on volcano deformation and the opportunity to address it with InSAR and other techniques, we formed the Volcano Deformation Database Task force as part of Global Volcano Model. The three objectives of our organization are: 1) to compile deformation observations of all volcanoes globally into appropriate formats for WOVOdat and the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution. 2) document any relation between deformation events and eruptions for the Global assessment of volcanic hazard and risk report for 2015 (GAR15) for the UN. 3) to better link InSAR and other remote sensing observations to volcano observatories. We present the first results from our global study of the relation between deformation and eruptions, including case studies of particular eruptions. We compile a systematically-observed catalog of >500 volcanoes with observation windows up to 20 years. Of 90 volcanoes showing deformation, 40 erupted. The positive predictive value (PPV = 0.44) linking deformation and eruption on this

Structure of the mantle lithosphere beneath the Siberian kimberlite pipes reconstructed by monomineral thermobarometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashchepkov, I. V.

2009-04-01

The original methods of the monomineral thermobarometry for clinopyroxene, garnet, ilmenite, chromite (Ashchepkov,2008) and orthopyroxene (Brey, Kohler, 1990- McGregor, 1974) thermobarometer allow to reconstruct the mantle columns. TP diagram for Udachnaya pipe suggests creation at least in tree stages of the melt percolation through the mantle column differing in Fe# and other parameters. The most high temperature (HT) (45 mvm-2) and Fe# rich refer to the last HT reactions with the protokimberlite melts formed the megacrystalline associations. Relict low temperature (LT) geotherm (35 45 mvm-2 and lower) is close to the conductive geotherm (Boyd et al., 1997). Most of ТР parameters for the minerals refer to the middle part of the geotherm (40- 45 mvm-2). Monomineral thermobarometry reconstructing the PTX values (Fe#; CrCpx, Cr-Ilm CaGar, TiChr) showing the high overlapping formed by the the melt percolation. The clinopyroxene growth in the mantle lithosphere in Daldyn, Akakite, Nakyn and Upper Muna are produced by the refertilization events under the influence of the protokimberlite melts. Their spreading in the lower part of mantle section of Garnet trend to subcalsic and pyroxenitic types is likely the result of submelting and heating of the mantle peridotites. Similar process for eclogites is responsible for the appearance of LT eclogites tracing subduction gradients and HT branches with the Ti- bearing associations corresponding to advective gradients. . For the larger pipes the scale of the perturbation is much higher then for smaller. The levels of the melt intrusions are reconstructed by the clotting of TP values inflections of TP paths and TiChr, CrIlm and Fe#. Ilmenite trends reveal the polybaric character of the fractionation and high degree interaction with the wall rock peridotites visible by CrIlm increase. The metasomatic associations differ in PTX diagrams by higher Cr and LT conditions the HT megacrystalls. The evident layered nature of the mantle

Snow water equivalent in the Alps as seen by gridded data sets, CMIP5 and CORDEX climate models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terzago, Silvia; von Hardenberg, Jost; Palazzi, Elisa; Provenzale, Antonello

2017-07-01

The estimate of the current and future conditions of snow resources in mountain areas would require reliable, kilometre-resolution, regional-observation-based gridded data sets and climate models capable of properly representing snow processes and snow-climate interactions. At the moment, the development of such tools is hampered by the sparseness of station-based reference observations. In past decades passive microwave remote sensing and reanalysis products have mainly been used to infer information on the snow water equivalent distribution. However, the investigation has usually been limited to flat terrains as the reliability of these products in mountain areas is poorly characterized.This work considers the available snow water equivalent data sets from remote sensing and from reanalyses for the greater Alpine region (GAR), and explores their ability to provide a coherent view of the snow water equivalent distribution and climatology in this area. Further we analyse the simulations from the latest-generation regional and global climate models (RCMs, GCMs), participating in the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment over the European domain (EURO-CORDEX) and in the Fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) respectively. We evaluate their reliability in reproducing the main drivers of snow processes - near-surface air temperature and precipitation - against the observational data set EOBS, and compare the snow water equivalent climatology with the remote sensing and reanalysis data sets previously considered. We critically discuss the model limitations in the historical period and we explore their potential in providing reliable future projections.The results of the analysis show that the time-averaged spatial distribution of snow water equivalent and the amplitude of its annual cycle are reproduced quite differently by the different remote sensing and reanalysis data sets, which in fact exhibit a large spread around the ensemble mean. We

Very shallow source of the October 2010 Mentawai tsunami earthquake from tsunami field data and high-rate GPS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, E. M.; Qiu, Q.; Borrero, J. C.; Huang, Z.; Banerjee, P.; Elosegui, P.; Fritz, H. M.; Macpherson, K. A.; Li, L.; Sieh, K. E.

2011-12-01

"Tsunami earthquakes," which produce very large tsunamis compared to those expected from their magnitude, have long puzzled geoscientists, in part because only a handful have occurred within the time of modern instrumentation. The Mw 7.8 Mentawai earthquake of 25 October 2010, which occurred seaward of the southern Mentawai islands of Sumatra, was such an event. This earthquake triggered a very large tsunami, causing substantial damage and 509 casualties. Detailed field surveys we conducted immediately after the earthquake reveal maximum runup in excess of 16 m. The Sumatra GPS Array (SuGAr) recorded beautiful 1-sec data for this event at sites on the nearby islands, making this the first tsunami earthquake to be recorded by a dense, high-rate, and proximal GPS network, and giving us a unique opportunity to study these rare events from a new perspective. We estimate a maximum horizontal coseismic GPS displacement of 22 cm, at a site ~50 km from the epicenter. Vertical displacements show subsidence of the islands, but are on the order of only a few cm. Comparison of coseismic offsets from 1-sec and 24-hr GPS solutions indicates that rapid afterslip following the earthquake amounts to ~30% of the displacement estimated by the 24-hr solutions. The coseismic displacements are smaller than expected, and an unconstrained inversion of the GPS displacements indicates maximum fault slip of ~90 cm. Slip of this magnitude will produce maximum seafloor uplift of <15 cm, which is clearly not enough to produce tsunami runup of 16 m. However, investigation of the model resolution from GPS indicates that we are limited in our ability to resolve slip very close to the trench. We therefore deduce that to obtain the adequate level of slip and seafloor uplift to trigger the tsunami, the rupture must have occurred outside the resolution of the GPS network, i.e., at very shallow depths close to the trench. We therefore place prior slip constraints on the GPS inversion, based on

Generation of synthetic flood hydrographs by hydrological donors (SHYDONHY method)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paquet, Emmanuel

2017-04-01

for extreme flood estimation, generate a suitable synthetic hydrograph, also by combining selected hydrographs of the sub-set. The reliability of the method is assessed by performing a jackknife validation on the whole dataset of stations, in particular by reconstructing the hydrograph of the biggest flood of each station and comparing it to the actual one. Some applications are presented, e.g. the coupling of SHYDONHY with the SCHADEX method (Paquet et al., 2003) for the stochastic simulation of extreme reservoir level in dams. References: Lang, M., Ouarda, T. B. M. J., & Bobée, B. (1999). Towards operational guidelines for over-threshold modeling. Journal of hydrology, 225(3), 103-117. Paquet, E., Garavaglia, F., Garçon, R., & Gailhard, J. (2013). The SCHADEX method: A semi-continuous rainfall-runoff simulation for extreme flood estimation. Journal of Hydrology, 495, 23-37. Yue, S., Ouarda, T. B., Bobée, B., Legendre, P., & Bruneau, P. (2002). Approach for describing statistical properties of flood hydrograph. Journal of hydrologic engineering, 7(2), 147-153.

Molecular systematics of terraranas (Anura: Brachycephaloidea) with an assessment of the effects of alignment and optimality criteria.

PubMed

Padial, José M; Grant, Taran; Frost, Darrel R

2014-06-26

Brachycephaloidea is a monophyletic group of frogs with more than 1000 species distributed throughout the New World tropics, subtropics, and Andean regions. Recently, the group has been the target of multiple molecular phylogenetic analyses, resulting in extensive changes in its taxonomy. Here, we test previous hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships for the group by combining available molecular evidence (sequences of 22 genes representing 431 ingroup and 25 outgroup terminals) and performing a tree-alignment analysis under the parsimony optimality criterion using the program POY. To elucidate the effects of alignment and optimality criterion on phylogenetic inferences, we also used the program MAFFT to obtain a similarity-alignment for analysis under both parsimony and maximum likelihood using the programs TNT and GARLI, respectively. Although all three analytical approaches agreed on numerous points, there was also extensive disagreement. Tree-alignment under parsimony supported the monophyly of the ingroup and the sister group relationship of the monophyletic marsupial frogs (Hemiphractidae), while maximum likelihood and parsimony analyses of the MAFFT similarity-alignment did not. All three methods differed with respect to the position of Ceuthomantis smaragdinus (Ceuthomantidae), with tree-alignment using parsimony recovering this species as the sister of Pristimantis + Yunganastes. All analyses rejected the monophyly of Strabomantidae and Strabomantinae as originally defined, and the tree-alignment analysis under parsimony further rejected the recently redefined Craugastoridae and Pristimantinae. Despite the greater emphasis in the systematics literature placed on the choice of optimality criterion for evaluating trees than on the choice of method for aligning DNA sequences, we found that the topological differences attributable to the alignment method were as great as those caused by the optimality criterion. Further, the optimal tree-alignment indicates

Hydrologic and water-quality data from Mountain Island Lake, North Carolina, 1994-97

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sarver, K.M.; Steiner, B.C.

1998-01-01

, and magnesium; the samples were analyzed less frequently for trace metals, volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, and pesticides. Maximum dissolved nitrite plus nitrate concentrations determined during the study were 0.348 milligram per liter in the mainstem sites and 2.77 milligrams per liter in the coves. Maximum total phosphorus concentrations were 0.143 milligram per liter in the mainstem sites and 0.600 milligram per liter in the coves. Fecal coliform and chlorophyll a concentrations were less than or equal to 160 colonies per 100 milliliters and 13 micrograms per liter, respectively, in all samples. Trace metals detected in at least one sample included arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, and antimony. Concentrations of all trace metals (except zinc) were 5.0 micrograms per liter or less; the maximum zinc concentration was 80 micrograms per liter. One set of bottom material samples was collected from Gar Creek and McDowell Creek for chemical analysis and analyzed for nutrients, trace metals, organochlorine pesticides, and semivolatile organic compounds. The only organochlorine pesticide identified in either sample was p,p'-DDE at an estimated concentration of 0.8 microgram per kilogram. Twenty semivolatile organic compounds, mainly polyaromatic hydrocarbons and plasticizers, were identified.

Development of Low Cost Gas Atomization of Precursor Powders for Simplified ODS Alloy Production

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

Anderson, Iver

2014-08-05

A novel gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) method was developed in this project to enable production (at our partner’s facility) a precursor Ni-Cr-Y-Ti powder with a surface oxide and an internal rare earth (RE) containing intermetallic compound (IMC) phase. Consolidation and heat-treatment experiments were performed at Ames Lab to promote the exchange of oxygen from the surface oxide to the RE intermetallic to form nano-metric oxide dispersoids. Alloy selection was aided by an internal oxidation and serial grinding experiments at Ames Lab and found that Hf-containing alloys may form more stable dispersoids than Ti-containing alloy, i.e., the Hf-containing system exhibitedmore » five different oxide phases and two different intermetallics compared to the two oxide phases and one intermetallic in the Ti-containing alloys. Since the simpler Ti-containing system was less complex to characterize, and make observations on the effects of processing parameters, the Ti-containing system was selected by Ames Lab for experimental atomization trials at our partner. An internal oxidation model was developed at Ames Lab and used to predict the heat treatment times necessary for dispersoid formation as a function of powder size and temperature. A new high-pressure gas atomization (HPGA) nozzle was developed at Ames Lab with the aim of promoting fine powder production at scales similar to that of the high gas-flow and melt-flow of industrial atomizers. The atomization nozzle was characterized using schlieren imaging and aspiration pressure testing at Ames Lab to determine the optimum melt delivery tip geometry and atomization pressure to promote enhanced secondary atomization mechanisms. Six atomization trials were performed at our partner to investigate the effects of: gas atomization pressure and reactive gas concentration on the particle size distribution (PSD) and the oxygen content of the resulting powder. Also, the effect on the rapidly solidified microstructure

Two-pyroxene syenitoids from the Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif: peculiar magmas derived from a strongly enriched lithospheric mantle source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janoušek, Vojtěch; Holub, František; Gerdes, Axel; Verner, Kryštof

2013-04-01

contrasting crustal levels as assumed by Kotková et al. (2010). The syenitoid plutons show mutually comparable, crustal-like radiogenic isotope signatures with highly radiogenic Sr (87Sr/86Sr337= 0.7119-0.7125) and unradiogenic Nd (?Nd337 = -6.8 to -7.6). This, together with the rest of the whole-rock geochemical variation, is in line with a generation from a strongly enriched lithospheric mantle source. It was, shortly before, modified by a deep subduction and relamination of the upper crustal material, similar to the felsic HP granulites common in the Moldanubian Zone (Janoušek & Holub 2007; Lexa et al. 2011). The petrology and chemical data indicate that large-scale mixing with crustally-derived acid magmas can be largely or fully discounted and the key role is ascribed to closed-system fractional crystallization with, or without, crystal accumulation of various combinations of biotite, clinopyroxene and/or orthopyroxene with minor amounts of apatite. This stands in a sharp contrast with the history of volumetrically prevalent, slightly older, durbachite suite, in genesis of which the magma mixing of chemically and isotopically contrasting mantle and crustal components was clearly much more significant (Holub 1997). This research was financially supported by the GAR Project P210-11-2358 (to VJ).

Role of Psychosocial Factors and Health Literacy in Pregnant Women's Intention to Use a Decision Aid for Down Syndrome Screening: A Theory-Based Web Survey.

PubMed

Delanoë, Agathe; Lépine, Johanie; Turcotte, Stéphane; Leiva Portocarrero, Maria Esther; Robitaille, Hubert; Giguère, Anik Mc; Wilson, Brenda J; Witteman, Holly O; Lévesque, Isabelle; Guillaumie, Laurence; Légaré, France

2016-10-28

using a DA would reassure them (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.73-4.01), facilitate their reflections with their spouse (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.05-2.29), and let them know about the advantages of doing or not doing the test (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.05-2.24). Health literacy did not add to the predictive power of our model (P values range .43-.92). Implementation interventions targeting the use of a DA for prenatal screening for DS by pregnant women should address a number of modifiable factors, especially by introducing the advantages of using the DA (attitude), informing pregnant women that they might regret not using it (anticipated regret), and presenting the use of DAs as a common practice (descriptive norm). However, interventions on moral norms related to the use of DA should be treated with caution. Further studies that include populations with low health literacy are needed before decisive claims can be made. ©Agathe Delanoë, Johanie Lépine, Stéphane Turcotte, Maria Esther Leiva Portocarrero, Hubert Robitaille, Anik MC Giguère, Brenda J Wilson, Holly O Witteman, Isabelle Lévesque, Laurence Guillaumie, France Légaré. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 28.10.2016.

Forecast-based Integrated Flood Detection System for Emergency Response and Disaster Risk Reduction (Flood-FINDER)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcorace, Mauro; Silvestro, Francesco; Rudari, Roberto; Boni, Giorgio; Dell'Oro, Luca; Bjorgo, Einar

2016-04-01

Most flood prone areas in the globe are mainly located in developing countries where making communities more flood resilient is a priority. Despite different flood forecasting initiatives are now available from academia and research centers, what is often missing is the connection between the timely hazard detection and the community response to warnings. In order to bridge the gap between science and decision makers, UN agencies play a key role on the dissemination of information in the field and on capacity-building to local governments. In this context, having a reliable global early warning system in the UN would concretely improve existing in house capacities for Humanitarian Response and the Disaster Risk Reduction. For those reasons, UNITAR-UNOSAT has developed together with USGS and CIMA Foundation a Global Flood EWS called "Flood-FINDER". The Flood-FINDER system is a modelling chain which includes meteorological, hydrological and hydraulic models that are accurately linked to enable the production of warnings and forecast inundation scenarios up to three weeks in advance. The system is forced with global satellite derived precipitation products and Numerical Weather Prediction outputs. The modelling chain is based on the "Continuum" hydrological model and risk assessments produced for GAR2015. In combination with existing hydraulically reconditioned SRTM data and 1D hydraulic models, flood scenarios are derived at multiple scales and resolutions. Climate and flood data are shared through a Web GIS integrated platform. First validation of the modelling chain has been conducted through a flood hindcasting test case, over the Chao Phraya river basin in Thailand, using multi temporal satellite-based analysis derived for the exceptional flood event of 2011. In terms of humanitarian relief operations, the EO-based services of flood mapping in rush mode generally suffer from delays caused by the time required for their activation, programming, acquisitions and

Past Holocene soil erosion modeling as a new way to decipher human-climate-environment interactions on natural geo-ecosystem over long time-scale.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simonneau, Anaëlle; Di Giovanni, Christian; Chapron, Emmanuel

2017-04-01

regulated the anthropogenic impacts on the geo-ecosystem; whereas none feedback was identified at lower altitude (lake Paladru) at least after the Bronze Age period. Independent soil erosion modelling performed on the two sites add more information. Between 10,000 and 5500 cal years BP, annual rainfall estimations are the same for the two sites (around 300 mm per year), demonstrating that for both sites, soil erosion was only dependent of climate variability and rainfall intensity over this period. After 5500 cal years BP, the two models clearly differ, with a systematic overestimation of the sediment budget delivered into lake Paladru; and this time-interval matches the beginning of agricultural practices in the vicinity of this lake [3]. It suggests that human-induced soil erosion could be effective since the Neolithic period. Indeed, according to models, agrarian activities would explain up to 50% of soil erosion within the catchment area of lake Paladru between the Bronze Age and the Middle Age, suggesting that the actual geomorphology of the drainage basin is inherited from several millenary and not only from modern activities. [1] Dearing et al., 2006 [2] Ojima et al., 1994 [3] Simonneau et al., 2013, JAS [4] Garçon et al., 2012 [5] Doyen et al., 2016 [6] Simonneau et al., 2014, QSR

Consommation des produits lactés chez l’enfant et l’adolescent marocain de 2 à 16 ans: une étude monocentrique Consumption of milk products among Moroccan children and adolescents aged 2-16 years: a monocentric study

PubMed Central

Berrani, Hajar; Alaoui, Asmae Mdaghri; Ettair, Said; Mouane, Nezha; Izgua, Amal Thimou

2017-01-01

Introduction Evaluer la consommation quotidienne des produits laitiers dans une population d’enfants marocains et déterminer les facteurs associés pouvant influencer cette consommation. Méthodes Etude prospective du 1er octobre 2013 au 31 avril 2014. Les enfants âgés entre 2 et 16 ans ont été inclus. Le recrutement a eu lieu dans la ville de Fès. Le recueil des données s’est fait à l’aide d’un questionnaire fréquentiel. Les parents et les enfants inclus ont été interrogés sur la consommation des produits laitiers et les facteurs socio-démographiques avec une évaluation anthropométrique des enfants. L’association des variables à la consommation des produits laitiers a été analysée en analyse univariée et multivariée par un modèle de régression logistique. Résultats L’enquête alimentaire avait intéressé 286 enfants dont 151 filles (52,8 %) et 131 garçons (45,8%). Les enfants âgés de 2 à 3 ans représentaient 26,4 %, ceux âgés de 4 à 7 ans 28,9 %, ceux âgés de 7 à 9 ans 18,3 % et les adolescents âgés de 10 à 16 ans 26,4 %. Les enfants consommaient en moyenne 2.5±1 produits laitiers par jour. Les enfants consommaient au moins 3 produits laitiers par jour dans 57,8% chez les enfants âgés de 2 à 3 ans, 53,6% chez les enfants âgés de 4 à 6 ans, 40% chez les enfants âgés de 7 à 9 ans et 41.2% chez les enfants âgés de 10 à 16 ans. Les facteurs associés à la consommation de trois produits laitiers minimum par jour en analyse univariée étaient le niveau d’instruction maternel analphabète p < 0.001 OR = 0.1 et primaire p = 0.002 OR = 0.1, le niveau socioéconomique familial moyen p < 0.001 OR = 3, l’âge p= 0.01 OR = 0.9 et l’indice de masse corporelle normal p = 0.01 OR = 2.5 et > 90° percentiles p < 0.001 OR = 6. Il existe un lien positif entre l’indice de masse corporelle > 90° percentiles p = 0.01 OR = 3.9 est et la quantité consommée des produits laitiers et négatif avec le faible niveau

Universal single grain amphibole thermobarometer for mantle rocks - preliminary calibration.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashchepkov, Igor

2017-04-01

Calibration of S-Al- K-Na-Ca distribution in the structure of the mantle amphiboles (Cr- hornblende, pargasite, kaersutite) using experimental data (Niida, Green, 1999; Wallace Green, 1991, Conceicao, Green, 2004; Medard et al, 2006; Safonov, Butvina, 2013; 2016; Pirard, Hermann, 2015 etc) allows to obtain an equation for pressure estimates in 0.5 - 4.5 GPa interval. Regression calculated pressures with experimental values (R 0.82) and precision 5 kbar allow to use barometer for a wide range of mantle rocks from peridotite to pyroxenites and megacrystals. For the higher pressures (Cr- pargasite richterite) calibration is carried by the cross- correlations with the estimates calculated for the natural associations obtained using clino- and orthopyroxene. IT was used KD =Si/(8-Al-2.2*Ti)*(Na+K))/Ca for the following equation: P(GPa)=0.0035*(4+K/(Na+K))*2*Mg)/Fe+3.75*(K+Na)/Ca))*KD*ToK**0.75/ (1+3.32*Fe)-ln(1273/ToK*5*(8*Mg-Al*2 +3*Ti+8*Cr+3*K)/10 Th advantage of this barometer comparing with the previous (Ridolfi, Renzulli, 2012) is that is working with all mantle amphibole types. For the calculations of the PT parameters of the natural xenocrysts it was used monomineral version of Gar-Amph termometer (Ravna et al., 2000) in combination with the received barometer. Contents of Ca- Mg and Fe in associated garnets were calculated usinf the regressions obtained from natural and experimental associations. Aplication of the mantle amphibole thermobarometry for the reconstruction of sections of the cratonic mantle lithosphere of Yakutia show that amphibloles are distributed in various parts of mantle sections in deifferent mantle terranes of Yakutia. The most abundant amphoboles from Alakite region are distributed within all mantle section. In the SCLM beneat Yubileyaya pipe thehalf of them belong to the spinel garnet facie refering to the upper pyroxenitic suit and Cr- hornblende - mica viens. The second group reffer to the eclogite pyroxenite layer in the middle part of

Satellite-based Observation of the Tectonics of Southern Tibet

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

Ryerson, F J; Finkel, R; van der Woerd, J

2003-02-06

ranging from tens of meters to kilometers have been mapped using satellite imagery and field mapping, and samples ages determined by cosmic-ray exposure dating. Near Bulong Kol (39{sup o}N, 75{sup o}E) cosmogenic dating of a 40 m fluvial offset yields a slip rate of {approx}6.5 mm/yr. Near Mt. Kailas (31.5{sup o}N, 80.7{sup o}E), a glacial moraine offset by {approx}350 m has been dated at 32.3 {+-} 9.5 thousand years, yielding a slip rate of 10.8 {+-} 3.6 mm/yr. In the Gar Valley (32{sup o}N, 80{sup o}E) a river channel incised in glacial sediments yields an offset of 1750 m and an age of 283,000 years equivalent to a slip-rate of 6 mm/yr. Relative to the ATF, the slip rates on the KKF are lower than expected, and since these measurements cover almost the entire length of the KKF, the disparity cannot be attributed to along strike variation in the rate. Based upon the analysis of satellite images along the Karakorum Fault, we believe that this apparent slip deficit may be to the en echelon arrangement of multiple strike slip fault segments that characterize what should more appropriately be called the Karakorum Fault Zone. The geometric arrangement of parallel fault segments produces the ''pull apart'' basins that form the valleys along the KKF. Hence, at any given latitude, slip along the KKF may be distributed among numerous fault segments. This investigation supports efforts to understand the structure and mechanical response of the Earth's crust and supports the application of remote sensing methods.« less

The impact of the use of different types of gloves and bare hands for preparation of clean surgical instruments.

PubMed

Bruna, Camila Quartim de Moraes; Souza, Rafael Queiroz de; Massaia, Irineu Francisco Silva; Cruz, Áurea Silveira; Graziano, Kazuko Uchikawa

2016-10-10

to determine if there are differences on the safety of the preparation of clean surgical instruments using different types of gloves and bare hands and evaluate the microbiological load of these preparations without gloves. laboratory procedure with a pragmatic approach, in which the samples were handled with different types of gloves and bare hands. In addition, cytotoxicity assays were carried out by means of the agar diffusion method. Further samples were subjected to microbiological analysis after being handled without gloves. none of the samples showed cytotoxic effect. All microbiological cultures showed growth of microorganisms, but no microorganism has been recovered after autoclaving. there were no differences in the cytotoxic responses regarding the use of different types of gloves and bare hands in the handling of clean surgical instruments, which could entail iatrogenic risk. It is noteworthy that the use of gloves involves increase in the costs of process and waste generation, and the potential allergenic risk to latex. determinar se existe diferenças na segurança do preparo de instrumentais cirúrgicos relacionada ao uso de distintos tipos de luvas e das mãos nuas no preparo, e avaliar a carga microbiológica destes preparados sem luvas. experimento laboratorial com abordagem pragmática, onde amostras foram manipuladas com diferentes tipos de luvas e com as mãos nuas, elaborado teste de citotoxicidade por meio da difusão em ágar. Outras Amostras sofreram análise microbiológica após serem manipuladas sem luvas. nenhuma das amostras apresentou efeito citotóxico. Todas as culturas microbiológicas apresentaram crescimento de microrganismos, embora nenhum microrganismo tenha sido recuperado após a autoclavação. não houve diferenças nas respostas citotóxicas relacionadas ao uso de diferentes tipos de luvas e das mãos nuas na manipulação do instrumental cirúrgico limpo que sinalizasse risco de iatrogenia. Ressalta-se que o uso de luvas

Psychosocial Factors of Health Professionals' Intention to Use a Decision Aid for Down Syndrome Screening: Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study.

PubMed

Abbasgholizadeh Rahimi, Samira; Lépine, Johanie; Croteau, Jordie; Robitaille, Hubert; Giguere, Anik Mc; Wilson, Brenda J; Rousseau, François; Lévesque, Isabelle; Légaré, France

2018-04-25

.0% (34/310). Of these, 80.9% were female (251/310). Mean age was 39.6 (SD 11.5) years. Less than half were aware of any decision aids at all. In decreasing order of importance, factors influencing their intention to use a decision aid for Down syndrome prenatal screening were as follows: self-identity (beta=.325, P<.001), attitude (beta=.297, P<.001), moral norm (beta=.288, P<.001), descriptive norm (beta=.166, P<.001), and anticipated regret (beta=.099, P=.003). Underlying behavioral beliefs significantly related to intention were that the use of a decision aid would promote decision making (beta=.117, 95% CI 0.043-0.190), would reassure health professionals (beta=.100, 95% CI 0.024-0.175), and might require more time than planned for the consultation (beta=-.077, 95% CI -0.124 to -0.031). We identified psychosocial factors that could influence health professionals' intention to use a decision aid about Down syndrome screening. Strategies should remind them of the following: (1) using a decision aid for this purpose should be a common practice, (2) it would be expected of someone in their societal role, (3) the experience of using it will be satisfying and reassuring, and (4) it is likely to be compatible with their moral values. ©Samira Abbasgholizadeh Rahimi, Johanie Lépine, Jordie Croteau, Hubert Robitaille, Anik MC Giguere, Brenda J Wilson, François Rousseau, Isabelle Lévesque, France Légaré. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 25.04.2018.

A revision of Afrotropical Quasimodo flies (Diptera: Schizophora; Curtonotidae). Part IV—the continental Afrotropical species of Curtonotum Macquart, with descriptions of thirteen new species and a combined phylogenetic analysis of the Curtonotidae.

PubMed

Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H; Wiegmann, Brian M

2013-01-01

A first comprehensive phylogeny of the entire family Curtonotidae is generated from molecular markers and morphology. The molecular data set comprises 33 taxa (30 in-group Curtonotidae; three out-groups: Camilla, Diastata, Drosophila) and 4 gene regions from 3 genes: 2 non-contiguous fragments from the CPSase (carbamoylphosphate synthetase) domain of the nuclear protein coding gene CAD (= CAD1 and CAD3); a fragment from the coding region of TPI (triosephosophate isomerase); and a fragment of the mitochondrial gene CO1 (cytochrome oxidase 1). We performed Bayesian like-lihood analyses in the program MrBayes 3.2; maximum likelihood analyses in the program Garli 2.0; and parsimony analysis in TNT on the concatenated genetic dataset. A data matrix of 62 discrete, morphological features of imagines was compiled from 75 taxa (70 in-group Curtonotidae taxa and five out-group exemplars: Amiota, Camilla, Diastata, Drosophila, Stegana), and these data are presented as Appendix II. For the combined morphological and molecular data a Bayes-ian likelihood analysis in the program MrBayes 3.2 and a parsimony analysis in TNT were performed, and for the morphological dataset a parsimony analysis was carried out in TNT. Results of the molecular and morphological analyses attest to the monophyly of the Curtonotidae and clearly indicate two primary clades, with Axinota + Curtonotum being sister to the remainder of the Curtonotidae. Curtonotum sensu stricto (sensu Klymko and Marshall 2011) is here adopted and ten newly-defined species-groups of the genus Curtonotum are recognised the: anus; boeny; campsiphallum; gonzo; platyphallum; rinhatinana; saheliense; striatifrons; stuckenbergi; and uncinatum species-groups. The following nomenclatorial changes are proposed: Cyrtona appendiculata Séguy, 1938 is formally reinstated as a valid species and is re-moved as a junior synonym of Cyrtona pictipennis (Thomson, 1869). The former variety name sublineata (Duda, 1939) is upgraded to a

Periodic orbits of hybrid systems and parameter estimation via AD.

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

Guckenheimer, John.; Phipps, Eric Todd; Casey, Richard

distance between two given periodic orbits which is then minimized using a trust-region minimization algorithm [DS83] to find optimal fits of the model to a reference orbit [Cas04]. There are two different yet related goals that motivate the algorithmic choices listed above. The first is to provide a simple yet powerful framework for studying periodic motions in mechanical systems. Formulating mechanically correct equations of motion for systems of interconnected rigid bodies, while straightforward, is a time-consuming error prone process. Much of this difficulty stems from computing the acceleration of each rigid body in an inertial reference frame. The acceleration is computed most easily in a redundant set of coordinates giving the spatial positions of each body: since the acceleration is just the second derivative of these positions. Rather than providing explicit formulas for these derivatives, automatic differentiation can be employed to compute these quantities efficiently during the course of a simulation. The feasibility of these ideas was investigated by applying these techniques to the problem of locating stable walking motions for a disc-foot passive walking machine [CGMR01, Gar99, McG91]. The second goal for this work was to investigate the application of smooth optimization methods to periodic orbit parameter estimation problems in neural oscillations. Others [BB93, FUS93, VB99] have favored non-continuous optimization methods such as genetic algorithms, stochastic search methods, simulated annealing and brute-force random searches because of their perceived suitability to the landscape of typical objective functions in parameter space, particularly for multi-compartmental neural models. Here we argue that a carefully formulated optimization problem is amenable to Newton-like methods and has a sufficiently smooth landscape in parameter space that these methods can be an efficient and effective alternative. The plan of this paper is as follows. In Section 1 we

Climate data, analysis and models for the study of natural variability and anthropogenic change

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

Jones, Philip D.

homogenized records was developed for China (Li et al., 2009). Urbanization has also been addressed for London (Jones and Lister, 2009) where two rural sites have not warmed more than a city centre site since 1900. Additionally, in Ethymiadis and Jones (2010) we show that land air temperatures agree with marine data around coastal areas, further illustrating that urbanization is not a major component of large-scale surface air temperature change. Early instrumental data (before the development of modern thermometer screens) have always been suspected of being biased warm in summer, due to possible direct exposure to the sun. Two studies (Böhm et al., 2010 and Brunet et al., 2010) show this for the Greater Alpine Region (GAR) and for mainland Spain respectively. The issue is important before about 1870 in the GAR and before about 1900 in Spain. After correction for the problems, summer temperature estimates before these dates are cooler by about 0.4°C. In Jones and Wigley (2010), we discussed the importance of the biases in global temperature estimation. Exposure and to a lesser extent urbanization are the most important biases for the land areas, but both are dwarfed by the necessary adjustments for bucket SST measurements before about 1950. Individual station homogeneity is only important at the local scale. This was additionally illustrated by Hawkins and Jones (2013) where we replicated the temperature record developed by Guy Stewart Callendar in papers in 1938 and 1961. Analyses of Daily Climate Data Work here indicates that ERA-Interim (at least in Europe, Cornes and Jones, 2013, discussed in more detail in this proposal) can be used to monitor extremes (using the ETCCDI software – see Zhang et al., 2011). Additionally, also as a result of Chinese collaboration, a new method of daily temperature homogenization has been developed (Li et al., 2014). In Cornes and Jones (2011) we assessed storm activity in the northeast Atlantic region using daily gridded data. Even

Implication of the monomineral eclogite thermobarometry for the reconstruction of the PT conditions and origin of mantle eclogites in the structure of Siberian and other cratons.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashchepkov, Igor; Logvinova, Alla; Spetsius, Zdislav; Ntaflos, Theodoros; Ravi, Subramanaian; Vladykin, Nikolai; Stegnitsky, Yuri; Babushkina, Svetlana; Ovchinnikov, Yuri

2016-04-01

Enhanced monomineral thermobarometry for clinopyroxenes and garnet (Ashchepkov et al., 2015) allow reconstruction of thermal conditions for the mantle eclogitic xenoliths and xenocrysts of omphacites and pyrope almandine garnets of eclogitic and megacrystic types. Three common groups according to Dawson,(1977) A. Mg - eclogites; B. common subduction-related basaltic eclogites and C. Na-Fe- rich eclogites. In addition group D compile Ca-Al rich varieties (Spetsius et al., 2008; Viljoen et al., 2010). We subdivided these groups and their positions in mantle lithosphere sections beneath the most studied pipes in Yakutia and most interesting localities Worldwide. Group A including Al-rich and low groups are restites or cumulates from the ancient komatiitic basalts or boninites. The Fe# for olivine in equilibrium is 0.05 -0.11 using melt -solid partition coefficient ~0.33 for Fe (Albarede, 1992). For the group B Fe# of the omphacites are ~ 0.11- 0.23 and they could be only cumulates from melted subducted MORB basalts or reactional products. The higher values of Fe -Na-Al rich group C (Fe# ~0.25-0.4) could relate to the subducted basalts or Al - rich sediments (Spetsius et al., 2008) or Mg-rich crustal rocks which were subducted without much melting. Group D Ca-rich eclogites are commonly low Fe but subduction related varieties (Dongre et al., 2015) could be higher in Fe and Na. Partition coefficients of the trace elements between Gar and Cpx for most mantle eclogites relate to equilibration with the melts and REE patterns show different inclinations, while crustal eclogites which re-equilibrated in the solid state often show the same inclinations. Groups A1: a Cr-bearing group formed after crystallization of partial melts produced by volatile fluxes generated by ancient subduction (Heaman et al., 2006; Smart et al., 2009); A2 - low - Al cumulates and restites from komatiitic melts (Aulbach et al., 2011); A3 - low-Cr group which could be restites (Wyman and Kerrich, 2009

New calibration of Ji - Di clinopyroxene barometer for Eclogites, pyroxenites and peridotites and eclogite - pyroxenite mantle geotherms.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashchepkov, Igor; Vishnyakova, Elena

2010-05-01

.275*(1-0.17*Na/Al+0.0115*Fe/Na)*Kd^3/4*ToK/(1+Fe)* (1+5*Fe*(ToK-600)/50)-35*ln(1273/ToK)*(Al+Ti+2.5Na+1.5Fe3+)+(0.9-xx(2,8))*10+xx(2,9)/xx(2,3)* ToK /300-4*(Fe*33.2-4) -(Al-5.5)*( ToK -1300)/70-( ToK -1200)*0.015 with the second correction P=P*0.65+10+Mg*Al*( ToK -1400)/500 Where KD = Na*Mg/xAlCr*/Ca; XAlCr= Al*((T0-800)/800)**0.25+Cr-K+(4*Ti-0.0125)/(T0-600)*400+(Fe-0.21)*(T0-600)/14000 This equations reproduces the experimental pressures for 300 experimental runs with the R=0.84 and for the best set of the experimental data (Walter, 1999; Taylor ea 1998; Brey Kohler, 1990; 2009) with the E=0.95 (s=7) within the 100 kbar interval. They allow to work with the wide range of the pyroxenite compositions giving the practically coinciding PT parameters with the pressures determined for ilmenites and chromites as well as the (Brey, Kohler, 1900) pressure estimates. The PT parameters reconstructed for the mantle lithosphere beneath > 120 pipes from Yakutia , Baltica, Africa , North America and other world wide kimberlites have shown very good coincidence with the estimates from the other methods of monomineral (Nimis, Taylor, 2000; McGregor, 1974; Ashchepkov ea. 2009 ) and Gar-Opx barometers (Brey, Kohler, 1900; Nickel, Green, 1975). For the garnet and spinel xenoliths of the alkali basalts representing fertile or regenerated peridotites with high Al content of the clinopyroxenes the modified equation allows to determine the pressures together for megacrysts, pyroxeniets and peridotites using the following equation P=0.035*Kd*ToK)/(1+3.5*Fe)- 50*ln(1273/(ToK-100)*(Al+5*Na-Ti+2*Cr) -(Na-0.050)*(ToK-1200)*(Ca-0.85)/7000+5 Where KD = Na*Mg/xAlCr*/Ca; xAlCr= (Al+Si-2)*((ToK-700)/900)^0.35+Cr+Fe3-K +(4*Ti-0.0125)/(ToK-600)*700 +(Fe-0.21)*(ToK-400)/17000 This equations also very good reproduce the experimental runs in the pressure interval from 10 to 80 kbar but better to 50 kbars (R=0.92) (S=5) for 170 experimental runs (Putirka ea, 1996; Fallon ea, 1999; Taylor ea, 1998; Drapper Green

Epidémiologie des PFA et les performances du système de surveillance en Mauritanie de 2008 à 2012

PubMed Central

Doumtsop, Jean Gérard Tatou; Khalef, Ishagh; Diakite, Med Lemine Brahim; Boubker, Naouri

2014-01-01

Introduction La Commission Régionale de Certification de l'Eradication de la poliomyélite pour l'Afrique(CRCA) en session à Brazzaville du 8 au 10 octobre 2007 avait déclaré la Mauritanie « libérée de la poliomyélite ». Objectif Décrire l’épidémiologie des PFA (Paralysies flasques aigues) et évaluer les indicateurs de performance du système de surveillance pour la période de 2008 à 2012 ayant suivi cette déclaration. Méthodes Les données du service de surveillance épidémiologique ont été nettoyées et analysées à l'aide du logiciel Epi-infoversion 3.4.3 (CDC Atlanta). Résultats 319 cas de PFA ont été notifié soit une incidence moyenne de 4.61/100000 enfants de moins de 15 ans par an. La distribution des cas cumulés par mois montre une importante notification des cas PFA pendant la période de Février à Juillet et à la suite de l’épidémie de 2009 alors que l'incidence des cas confirmés a été plus importante entre Novembre et Février. L’âge moyen était de 4ans (E.T. ±4ans) et 77.4% avaient un âge = 5ans. 18 cas de PFA ont été confirmés poliovirus sauvage(PVS) dont 6 en 2009 et 12 en 2010 et tous d'importation. L’âge moyen était de 3.4 ans (E.T ±2.6 ans). 44,4% étaient des filles et 55.5% garçons. Cette proportion était proche de celle des PFA non polio (45.1% versus 54.9%). 61% avaient reçu au plus une dose de vaccin polio orale (VPO) pour les cas de PFA polio contre 7.4% pour les PFA non polio. Aucune discrimination de genre n'a été observé sur la population des PFA ayant reçu une dose au plus (ratio-sexe= 16/17=0.94). La fièvre était présente pour 90%des cas de PFA non polio contre 85% pour les cas PVS. Cette fièvre à progresser en 3 jours pour tous les cas de PVS et pour 82,7% des cas de PFA non polio. Le taux d'hospitalisation était de 13.6% pour les cas de PFA non polio contre 89% pour les PFA polio. Dans tous les deux groupes, les membres de prédilection étaient d'abord l'un des 2 membres

Catalogue of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) of North America.

PubMed

Bousquet, Yves; Thomas, Donald B; Bouchard, Patrice; Smith, Aaron D; Aalbu, Rolf L; Johnston, M Andrew; Steiner, Warren E

2017-01-01

This catalogue includes all valid family-group (8 subfamilies, 52 tribes, 14 subtribes), genus-group (349 genera, 86 subgenera), and species-group names (2825 species, 215 subspecies) of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) known to occur in North America and their available synonyms. Data on extant, subfossil and fossil taxa are given. For each name the author and year and page number of the description are provided, with additional information (e.g., type species for genus-group names, author of synonymies for invalid taxa) depending on the taxon rank. Several new nomenclatural acts are included. One new genus, Lepidocnemeplatia Bousquet and Bouchard, is described. Spelaebiosis Bousquet and Bouchard [for Ardoinia Özdikmen, 2004], Blapstinus marcuzzii Aalbu [for Blapstinus kulzeri Marcuzzi, 1977], and Hymenorus campbelli Bouchard [for Hymenorus oculatus Doyen and Poinar, 1994] are proposed as new replacement names. Supporting evidence is provided for the conservation of usage of Tarpela micans (Fabricius, 1798) nomen protectum over Tarpela vittata (Olivier, 1793) nomen oblitum . The generic names Psilomera Motschulsky, 1870 [= Stenomorpha Solier, 1836], Steneleodes Blaisdell, 1909 [= Xysta Eschscholtz, 1829], Ooconibius Casey, 1895 and Euconibius Casey, 1895 [= Conibius LeConte, 1851] are new synonyms (valid names in square brackets). The following 127 new synonymies of species-group names, listed in their original combination, are proposed (valid names, in their current combination, placed in square brackets): Bothrasida mucorea Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus guanajuatensis (Champion, 1884)]; Parasida zacualpanicola Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus asidoides Solier, 1836]; Stenosides kulzeri Pallister, 1954, Stenosides bisinuatus Pallister, 1954, and Parasida trisinuata Pallister, 1954 [= Pelecyphorus dispar (Champion, 1892)]; Asida favosa Champion, 1884 and Asida similata Champion, 1884 [= Pelecyphorus fallax (Champion, 1884)]; Ologlyptus bicarinatus Champion

Catalogue of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) of North America

PubMed Central

Bousquet, Yves; Thomas, Donald B.; Bouchard, Patrice; Smith, Aaron D.; Aalbu, Rolf L.; Johnston, M. Andrew; Jr., Warren E. Steiner

2018-01-01

Abstract This catalogue includes all valid family-group (8 subfamilies, 52 tribes, 14 subtribes), genus-group (349 genera, 86 subgenera), and species-group names (2825 species, 215 subspecies) of darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) known to occur in North America1 and their available synonyms. Data on extant, subfossil and fossil taxa are given. For each name the author and year and page number of the description are provided, with additional information (e.g., type species for genus-group names, author of synonymies for invalid taxa) depending on the taxon rank. Several new nomenclatural acts are included. One new genus, Lepidocnemeplatia Bousquet and Bouchard, is described. Spelaebiosis Bousquet and Bouchard [for Ardoinia Özdikmen, 2004], Blapstinus marcuzzii Aalbu [for Blapstinus kulzeri Marcuzzi, 1977], and Hymenorus campbelli Bouchard [for Hymenorus oculatus Doyen and Poinar, 1994] are proposed as new replacement names. Supporting evidence is provided for the conservation of usage of Tarpela micans (Fabricius, 1798) nomen protectum over Tarpela vittata (Olivier, 1793) nomen oblitum. The generic names Psilomera Motschulsky, 1870 [= Stenomorpha Solier, 1836], Steneleodes Blaisdell, 1909 [= Xysta Eschscholtz, 1829], Ooconibius Casey, 1895 and Euconibius Casey, 1895 [= Conibius LeConte, 1851] are new synonyms (valid names in square brackets). The following 127 new synonymies of species-group names, listed in their original combination, are proposed (valid names, in their current combination, placed in square brackets): Bothrasida mucorea Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus guanajuatensis (Champion, 1884)]; Parasida zacualpanicola Wilke, 1922 [= Pelecyphorus asidoides Solier, 1836]; Stenosides kulzeri Pallister, 1954, Stenosides bisinuatus Pallister, 1954, and Parasida trisinuata Pallister, 1954 [= Pelecyphorus dispar (Champion, 1892)]; Asida favosa Champion, 1884 and Asida similata Champion, 1884 [= Pelecyphorus fallax (Champion, 1884)]; Ologlyptus bicarinatus

Spatially explicit habitat models for 28 fishes from the Upper Mississippi River System (AHAG 2.0)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ickes, Brian S.; Sauer, J.S.; Richards, N.; Bowler, M.; Schlifer, B.

2014-01-01

perhaps why). Our goal was to develop regionalized models, and to assess and describe circumstances when a good fit was not possible. Seven fish species composed the Lentic guild. Good fits were achieved for six Upper Reach models. In the Lower Reach, no model produced good fits for the Lentic guild. This was due to (1) lentic species being much less prominent in the Lower Reach study areas, and (2) those that do express greater prominence principally do so only in the La Grange reach of the Illinois River. Thus, developing Lower Reach models for Lentic species will require parsing La Grange from the other two Lower Reach study areas and fitting separate models. We did not do that as part of this study, but it could be done at a later time. Nine species comprised the Lotic guild. Good fits were achieved for seven Upper Reach models and six Lower Reach models. Four species had good fits for both regions (flathead catfish, blue sucker, sauger, and shorthead redhorse). Three species showed zoogeographic zonation, with a good model fit in one of the regions, but not in the region in which they were absent or rarely occurred (blue catfish, rock bass, and skipjack herring). Twelve species comprised the Generalist guild. Good fits were achieved for five Upper Reach models and eight Lower Reach models. Six species had good fits for both regions (brook silverside, emerald shiner, freshwater drum, logperch, longnose gar, and white bass). Two species showed zoogeographic zonation, with a good model fit in one of the regions, but not in the region in which they were absent or rarely occurred (red shiner and blackstripe topminnow). Poorly fit models were almost always due to the diagnostic variable “field station,” a surrogate for river mile. In these circumstances, the residuals for “field station” were non-randomly distributed and often strongly ordered. This indicates either fitting “pool scale” models for these species and regions, or explicitly model covariances

Mountain Island Lake, North Carolina; analysis of ambient conditions and simulation of hydrodynamics, constituent transport, and water-quality characteristics, 1996–97

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bales, Jerad D.; Sarver, Kathleen M.; Giorgino, Mary J.

2001-01-01

than elsewhere throughout the reservoir. Nevertheless, the highest chlorophyll a concentration measured during the study was 13 micrograms per liter—well below the North Carolina ambient water-quality standard of 40 micrograms per liter. In the mainstem of the reservoir, near-bottom ammonia concentrations occasionally were greater than near-surface concentrations. However, the relatively large top-to-bottom differences in ammonia and phosphorus that have been observed in other Catawba River reservoirs were not present in Mountain Island Lake.External loadings of suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, and biochemical oxygen demand were determined for May 1996-April 1997. Flows through Cowans Ford Dam contributed more than 80 percent of the biochemical oxygen demand and nitrogen load to the reservoir, with McDowell Creek contributing about 15 percent of the biochemical oxygen demand load. In contrast, McDowell Creek contributed about half of the phosphorus load to the reservoir, while inflows through Cowans Ford Dam contributed about one-fourth of the phosphorus load, and the McDowell Creek wastewater-treatment plant contributed about 15 percent of the total phosphorus load. The remainder of the phosphorus loadings came from Gar Creek and the discharge from the Riverbend ash settling pond.Mountain Island Lake is a relatively small (11.3-square-kilometer surface area) impoundment. An area of 181 square kilometers drains directly to the reservoir, but much of this area is undergoing development. In addition, the reservoir receives treated effluent from a municipal wastewater-treatment facility.The two-dimensional, laterally averaged model CE-QUAL-W2 was applied to Mountain Island Lake. The model was configured to simulate water level, water temperature, and 12 water-quality constituents. The model included the mainstem, four coves, three point-source discharges, and three withdrawals.Simulated water levels generally were within 10 centimeters of measured values

Speleogenesis in Dinaric karst area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garasic, Mladen; Garasic, Davor

2015-04-01

-European (Persian - Farsi) origin coming from the word "kar", "gar", khar" or "ghar" meaning a "rock" or today a "cave" too. After using the German name "Karst" for the plateau Kras (Slovenia) above Trieste (Italy), the international scientific term derives to designate "karst" and the whole science of karst phenomena, "karstology". In 1972 a Glossary of multilingual equivalents of karst terms was published by UNESCO and FAO. From 2005 Union Internationale de Speleologie (UIS) on internet have Caver's MultiLingual Dictionary with 24 languages till today. The geological history (and speleogenesis) of/in the Dinaric karst in Croatia can be divided into six periods , or according to the facies sedimentary features on six mega sequencies . From the older to the younger ones are: (1) younger Carboniferous - Permian older ( region of Lika , Ričica ), (2) older Permian - Middle Triassic ( Lika , Brusani , Paklenica , Knin polje, Vrlika ) , (3) younger Triassic (younger Noricum ) - Early Jurassic (older Toarcium ) (the so-called areas . Haupt dolomite ), (4) younger Toarcium - younger Cenomanian / Turonian older ( mountain Dinara, Istria , areas of Rudistic limestones), (5) older Turonian - the end of the Cretaceous ( Istria , Cres , Obrovac, Zrmanja river ), (6) Eocene (areas of foraminipheral limestones), (7) Oligocene - Miocene ( Drnis , Sinj , Imotski , Promina , Benkovac , southern Velebit Mt) and (8) Pliocene - Holocene (Velebit mountain ). The boundaries between megasequencies marked as important geological events such as interruptions due to sedimentation and uplift with geogological regresion with karst formation or deepening of depositional environments . The stages of karstification only through time and places where it is still visible today . - perm older - karstification upper Carboniferous and lower Permian limestone , Ričice and Rizvanuša ; Ladinian - younger - older Noricum - karstification Middle Triassic dyploporious limestones , on Orlic , mountains of Štirovača to