Familial Milroy lymphedema (ML) is classified as an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by peripheral edema of the lower extremities at birth or in early childhood. The variety of phenotypes ...are not well described, and the genomic location and functional expression of the gene or genes underlying this and related familial lymphedema syndromes remain largely unknown. In this collaborative study between the University of Arizona and the University of São Paulo, we collected clinical pedigrees on 6 ML families, carried out clinical examination of affected and unaffected individuals, and, in representative affected members of two of the families performed dynamic lymphangioscintigraphy (LAS) of the lower and upper limbs to delineate further the ML lymphangiodysplastic phenotype. To localize the gene for ML, we conducted a genome-wide search in 4 of the families using 387 polymorphic dinucleotide-repeat markers at approximate 10 cM spacing in 54 subjects (affected, unaffected bloodline relatives, and spouses). In all 6 families (86 subjects), we specifically examined the suggested linkage to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C receptor (Flt4) gene localized to the chromosome region 5q34-q35. The findings provide evidence for a spectrum of ML clinical and LAS phenotypes and also suggest ML locus heterogeneity.
Genetic markers were used to study the reproductive behavior of worker honey bees. Five experiments were conducted that demonstrate the significance of worker reproduction. Biases were found in the ...egg-laying success of workers belonging to different subfamilies within queenless colonies, however, members of all subfamilies laid eggs. These biases were probably not a consequence of direct reproductive competition among subfamily members but most likely represent genetic variability for the timing of the onset of oviposition. Workers preferentially oviposit in drone-sized cells, demonstrating a caste-specific adaptation for oviposition behavior. Drone brood production is highly synchronous within colonies and can result in the production of more than 6000 drones before colonies die. Workers reproduce in queenright colonies but at a very low frequency.
Evidence suggests that participation in physical activity may support young people's current and future mental health. Although previous reviews have examined the relationship between physical ...activity and a range of mental health outcomes in children and adolescents, due to the large increase in published studies there is a need for an update and quantitative synthesis of effects.
The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of physical activity interventions on mental health outcomes by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, and to systematically synthesize the observational evidence (both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies) regarding the associations between physical activity and sedentary behavior and mental health in preschoolers (2-5 years of age), children (6-11 years of age) and adolescents (12-18 years of age).
A systematic search of the PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases was performed from January 2013 to April 2018, by two independent researchers. Meta-analyses were performed to examine the effect of physical activity on mental health outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs (i.e. quasi-experimental studies). A narrative synthesis of observational studies was conducted. Studies were included if they included physical activity or sedentary behavior data and at least one psychological ill-being (i.e. depression, anxiety, stress or negative affect) or psychological well-being (i.e. self-esteem, self-concept, self-efficacy, self-image, positive affect, optimism, happiness and satisfaction with life) outcome in preschoolers, children or adolescents.
A total of 114 original articles met all the eligibility criteria and were included in the review (4 RCTs, 14 non-RCTs, 28 prospective longitudinal studies and 68 cross-sectional studies). Of the 18 intervention studies, 12 (3 RCTs and 9 non-RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. There was a small but significant overall effect of physical activity on mental health in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years (effect size 0.173, 95% confidence interval 0.106-0.239, p < 0.001, percentage of total variability attributed to between-study heterogeneity I
= 11.3%). When the analyses were performed separately for children and adolescents, the results were significant for adolescents but not for children. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies demonstrated significant associations between physical activity and lower levels of psychological ill-being (i.e. depression, stress, negative affect, and total psychological distress) and greater psychological well-being (i.e. self-image, satisfaction with life and happiness, and psychological well-being). Furthermore, significant associations were found between greater amounts of sedentary behavior and both increased psychological ill-being (i.e. depression) and lower psychological well-being (i.e. satisfaction with life and happiness) in children and adolescents. Evidence on preschoolers was nearly non-existent.
Findings from the meta-analysis suggest that physical activity interventions can improve adolescents' mental health, but additional studies are needed to confirm the effects of physical activity on children's mental health. Findings from observational studies suggest that promoting physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior might protect mental health in children and adolescents. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42017060373.
To understand the roles of forest management practices in meeting the goals of forest sustainability and CO sub(2) sequestration, we evaluated the effects of burning and thinning treatments on soil ...respiration and soil environments in an old-growth, mixed-conifer forest in California's southern Sierra Nevada. Six experimental treatments with two levels of burning and three levels of thinning were implemented across three dominant patch types: closed canopy (CC), Ceanothus shrub (CECO), and open canopy (OC). We measured soil respiration rate (SRR), soil temperature (T sub(10)), moisture (M sub(s)), and litter depth (LD), in the summers of 2000 and 2002. Soil total C and total N were measured in 2002. SRR was significantly different among the three patch types. In 2000, SRR was 0.75, 0.86, and 0.26 g CO sub(2) m super(-2) hr super(-1) in CC, CECO, and OC, respectively. In 2002, SRR was 0.79, 0.97, and 0.44 g CO sub(2) m super(-2) hr super(-1) in CC, CECO, and OC, respectively. The analysis of variance indicated that burning and thinning significantly affected soil respiration and soil environments. In particular, SRR significantly decreased in burned CECO patches but increased in unburned and thinned CECO. SRR in CC and OC did not significantly change. T sub(10) and M sub(s) increased, whereas LD and soil C decreased in treated patches. We also developed pre- and posttreatment exponential models to predict SRR using soil environmental variables. The effects of burning and thinning on soil CO sub(2) efflux and soil environments imply that forest carbon pools would be reorganized with widespread application of these forest management practices.
Physical activity (PA) is known to improve cognitive and brain function, but debate continues regarding the consistency and magnitude of its effects, populations and cognitive domains most affected, ...and parameters necessary to achieve the greatest improvements (e.g., dose).
In this umbrella review conducted in part for the 2018 Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee, we examined whether PA interventions enhance cognitive and brain outcomes across the life span, as well as in populations experiencing cognitive dysfunction (e.g., schizophrenia). Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and pooled analyses were used. We further examined whether engaging in greater amounts of PA is associated with a reduced risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia in late adulthood.
Moderate evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates an association between moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA and improvements in cognition, including performance on academic achievement and neuropsychological tests, such as those measuring processing speed, memory, and executive function. Strong evidence demonstrates that acute bouts of moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA have transient benefits for cognition during the postrecovery period after exercise. Strong evidence demonstrates that greater amounts of PA are associated with a reduced risk of developing cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease. The strength of the findings varies across the life span and in individuals with medical conditions influencing cognition.
There is moderate-to-strong support that PA benefits cognitive functioning during early and late periods of the life span and in certain populations characterized by cognitive deficits.
Athabascan brainstem dysgenesis syndrome Holve, Steve; Friedman, Barbara; Hoyme, H Eugene ...
American journal of medical genetics. Part A,
15 July 2003, Letnik:
120A, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
We report a new disorder with diverse neurological problems resulting from abnormal brainstem function. Consistent features of this disorder, which we propose should be called the Atabascan brainstem ...dysgenesis syndrome, include horizontal gaze palsy, sensorineural deafness, central hypoventilation, and developmental delay. Other features seen in some patients include swallowing dysfunction, vocal cord paralysis, facial paresis, seizures, and cardiac outflow tract anomalies. All affected children described are of Athabascan Indian heritage, with eight children from the Navajo tribe and two patients who are of Apache background. The disorder can be distinguished from the Moebius syndrome by the pattern of central nervous system findings, especially the sensorineural deafness, horizontal gaze palsy, and central hypoventilation. Recognition of children with some features of Athabascan brainstem dysgenesis syndrome should prompt investigation for other related abnormalities. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ceanothus velutinous is often considered to be an aggressive competitor with young conifers in the western United States. Using a conifer (noble fir, Pacific silver fir, Douglas-fir, and western ...hemlock) plantation in western WA where
Ceanothus had become established, we assessed how conifer–shrub crown interactions affected individual tree growth before and after cutting
Ceanothus from around individual trees. For all conifer species, trees surrounded by but with leaders above
Ceanothus were 18–70% taller than open-grown trees, and trees with leaders below
Ceanothus were 22–50% shorter than open-grown trees; suggesting that
Ceanothus had both positive and negative effects on tree growth. Few seedlings (8%) of Douglas-fir were found under
Ceanothus. However, because of shade-intolerance, Douglas-fir growing under
Ceanothus exhibited the greatest reduction in height (53%) compared to open-grown trees. The most shade-tolerant species, Pacific silver fir, had the least reduction in height (22%) under
Ceanothus, yet because of its slow growth, most of its seedlings (62%) were found growing under
Ceanothus. Twelve years after cutting
Ceanothus, growth rates increased for all four tree species independent of the type of previous interaction with
Ceanothus; however, mean tree heights and diameters for all four conifers remained substantially lower for trees that had been overtopped by
Ceanothus compared to trees with leaders not overtopped at the time of release. Thus, the benefits of growing with or being released from encroachment by
Ceanothus will vary with conifer species and the degree of conifer–shrub interaction and may persist for many years.
At a spatially heterogeneous mixed-conifer forest in the central California Sierras, we quantified total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), inorganic N, and net N mineralization in organic (O) and surface ...(0-15 cm) mineral soils, and in situ fluxes of inorganic N and ortho-phosphate using resin lysimeters under three patch types: closed canopy conifer, sparsely vegetated open canopy, and Ceanothus cordulatus thickets. In O horizons, total N and C pools ranked: closed canopy > Ceanothus > open canopy. In mineral soils, total N pools under Ceanothus exceeded those under closed canopy patches by about 30%. For 2 years, nitrate concentrations and rates of net N mineralization in O horizons were 4x greater under Ceanothus than under the other patch types. Similarly, ammonium concentrations and net N mineralization in mineral horizons were more than 80 and 200% greater, respectively, under Ceanothus than under the other patch types. In situ fluxes of nitrate were 4x greater beneath Ceanothus for 1 year, and no differences were found among the patch types for another year. Despite the interannual variability, our data suggest that Ceanothus contributes to a greater proportion of total N mineralized than based on cover alone, and may be important for forest nutrition under current conditions and after forest burning.
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