The environmental contaminant DDE fails to influence the outcome of sexual differentiation in the marine turtle Chelonia mydas.

In many turtles, the temperature experienced during the middle of egg incubation determines the sex of the offspring. The implication of steroid sex hormones as the proximate trigger for sex determination opens the possibility that endocrine-disrupting contaminants may also influence the outcome of sexual differentiation. In this study we investigate the potential effects of DDE (a common DDT metabolite) on sexual differentiation of Chelonia mydas (green sea turtle). Four clutches of eggs collected from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia, were treated with DDE at the beginning of the thermosensitive period for sexual determination. An incubation temperature of 28 degrees C or less produces male hatchlings in this species, whereas 30 degrees C or more produces female hatchlings. Dosed eggs were consequently incubated at two temperatures (27.6 degrees C and 30.4 degrees C) on the upper and lower boundaries of the sex determination threshold for this species. DDE, ranging from 3.3 to 66.5 microg, was dissolved in 5, 10, and 25 microl ethanol and applied to eggshells above the embryo. Less than 2.5 ng/g DDE was present in eggs prior to dosing. Approximately 34% of the applied DDE was absorbed in the eggs, but only approximately 8% of applied DDE was found in embryos. Thus, treated eggs, corrected for background DDE, had up to 543 ng/g DDE. The sex ratio at these doses did not differ from what would be expected on consideration of temperature alone. Incubation time, hatching success, incidence of body deformities, hatching size, and weight were also within the limits of healthy developed hatchlings. This indicates that the eggs of C. mydas in the wild with concentrations of DDE less than 543 ng/g should produce hatchlings with relatively high hatching success, survival rate, and normally differentiated gonads

Mutation analysis of HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHD/EGLN) in individuals with features of phaeochromocytoma and renal cell carcinoma susceptibility

Germline mutations in the von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL) and succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) genes can cause inherited phaeochromocytoma and/or renal cell carcinoma(RCC). Dysregulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors has been linked to VHL and SDHB-related RCC; both HIF dysregulation and disordered function of a prolyl hydroxylase domain isoform 3 (PHD3/EGLN3)-related pathway of neuronal apoptosis have been linked to the development of phaeochromocytoma. The 2-oxoglutarate-dependent prolyl hydroxylase enzymes PHD1 (EGLN2), PHD2 (EGLN1) and PHD3 (EGLN3) have a key role in regulating the stability of HIF-a subunits (and hence expression of the HIF-a transcription factors). A germline PHD2 mutation has been reported in association with congenital erythrocytosis and recurrent extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma. We undertook mutation analysis of PHD1, PHD2 and PHD3 in two cohorts of patients with features of inherited phaeochromocytoma (nZ82) and inherited RCC (nZ64) and no evidence of germline mutations in known susceptibility genes. No confirmed pathogenic mutations were detected suggesting that mutations in these genes are not a frequent cause of inherited phaeochromocytoma or RCC

The effects of Tween-80 on the integrity of solutions of capsaicin: useful information for performing tussigenic challenges

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Because variable results of capsaicin challenges may be due to the incomplete solubility of capsaicin, we sought to determine if the use of Tween-80 in solutions of capsaicin improves actual concentrations of freshly prepared and stored solutions. METHODS: Capsaicin solutions ranging from 0.5-128 muM were mixed with and without Tween-80. Samples of various concentrations were then stored under 4 environmental conditions: 4 degrees C, protected from light; room temperature, protected from light; room temperature, exposed to light; -20 degrees C. All samples were analyzed initially, and at 2 and 4 months. RESULTS: While freshly prepared solutions with Tween-80 had consistently higher concentrations than those prepared without Tween-80 (83% vs. 69%), Tween-80 does not facilitate complete solubility. For solutions stored at 4 degrees C and protected from light, there was a significant decrease after 2 months in low concentration solutions of both the Tween-80 and non-Tween-80 solutions. Both Tween-80 and non-Tween-80 containing solutions significantly decreased in concentration after 2 months when stored at room temperature and protected from light, room temperature and exposed to light, and -20 degrees C. Concentrations of solutions made of 4 muM or higher are stable when stored at 4 degrees C and protected from light for 4 months. CONCLUSION: While the inherent difficulty of forcing capsaicin into solution cannot be eliminated, it can be improved with Tween-80. However, the addition of Tween-80 does not prevent the breakdown of stored capsaicin solutions. We recommend preparing and storing capsaicin solutions according to the methods and results of this study

Weight loss and outcomes in subjects with progressive pulmonary fibrosis: data from the INBUILD trial

BACKGROUND: Lower body mass index (BMI) and weight loss have been associated with worse outcomes in some studies in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. We analyzed outcomes in subgroups by BMI at baseline and associations between weight change and outcomes in subjects with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) in the INBUILD trial. METHODS: Subjects with PPF other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were randomized to receive nintedanib or placebo. In subgroups by BMI at baseline (< 25, ≥ 25 to < 30, ≥ 30 kg/m2), we analyzed the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks and time-to-event endpoints indicating disease progression over the whole trial. We used a joint modelling approach to assess associations between change in weight and the time-to-event endpoints. RESULTS: Among 662 subjects, 28.4%, 36.6% and 35.0% had BMI < 25, ≥ 25 to < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively. The rate of decline in FVC over 52 weeks was numerically greater in subjects with baseline BMI < 25 than ≥ 25 to < 30 or ≥ 30 kg/m2 (nintedanib: - 123.4, - 83.3, - 46.9 mL/year, respectively; placebo: - 229.5; - 176.9; - 171.2 mL/year, respectively). No heterogeneity was detected in the effect of nintedanib on reducing the rate of FVC decline among these subgroups (interaction p = 0.83). In the placebo group, in subjects with baseline BMI < 25, ≥ 25 to < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m2, respectively, 24.5%, 21.4% and 14.0% of subjects had an acute exacerbation or died, and 60.2%, 54.5% and 50.4% of subjects had ILD progression (absolute decline in FVC % predicted ≥ 10%) or died over the whole trial. The proportions of subjects with these events were similar or lower in subjects who received nintedanib versus placebo across the subgroups. Based on a joint modelling approach, over the whole trial, a 4 kg weight decrease corresponded to a 1.38-fold (95% CI 1.13, 1.68) increase in the risk of acute exacerbation or death. No association was detected between weight loss and the risk of ILD progression or the risk of ILD progression or death. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PPF, lower BMI at baseline and weight loss may be associated with worse outcomes and measures to prevent weight loss may be required. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02999178

MUSTANG: 90 GHz Science with the Green Bank Telescope

MUSTANG is a 90 GHz bolometer camera built for use as a facility instrument on the 100 m Robert C. Byrd Green Bank radio telescope (GBT). MUSTANG has an 8 by 8 focal plane array of transition edge sensor bolometers read out using time-domain multiplexed SQUID electronics. As a continuum instrument on a large single dish MUSTANG has a combination of high resolution (8") and good sensitivity to extended emission which make it very competitive for a wide range of galactic and extragalactic science. Commissioning finished in January 2008 and some of the first science data have been collected.Comment: 9 Pages, 5 figures, Presented at the SPIE conference on astronomical instrumentation in 200

Testing nonperturbative techniques in the scalar sector of the standard model

We discuss the current picture of the standard model's scalar sector at strong coupling. We compare the pattern observed in the scalar sector in perturbation theory up to two-loop with the nonperturbative solution obtained by a next-to-leading order 1/N expansion. In particular, we analyze two resonant Higgs scattering processes, ff -> H -> f'f' and ff -> H -> ZZ, WW. We describe the ingredients of the nonperturbative calculation, such as the tachyonic regularization, the higher order 1/N intermediate renormalization, and the numerical methods for evaluating the graphs. We discuss briefly the perspectives and usefulness of extending these nonperturbative methods to other theories

Including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities in mainstream secondary physical education: A revisit study

Our research used an innovative methodological approach by revisiting an original study conducted 15 years previously (Morley et al., 2005). A purposive sample of 31 secondary school teachers in the UK were interviewed to explore their perceptions of including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in mainstream secondary physical education (PE). All interviews were transcribed verbatim and texts analysed thematically. Findings suggest that, despite significant policy developments, little has changed in teachers’ perceptions of their ability to include pupils with SEND in PE and there remain significant challenges to them achieving this. Some exceptions were documented, most notably an increased and positively received focus on inclusion within PE initial teacher education. The article concludes with recommendations for future practice, particularly in terms of teacher education and professional development, as well as the need for effective dissemination of research findings to key stakeholders

Draft Genome Sequence of Frankia Strain G2, a Nitrogen-Fixing Actinobacterium Isolated from Casuarina equisetifolia and Able To Nodulate Actinorhizal Plants of the Order Rhamnales

Frankia sp. strain G2 was originally isolated from Casuarina equisetifolia and is characterized by its ability to nodulate actinorhizal plants of the Rhamnales order, but not its original host. It represents one of the largest Frankia genomes so far sequenced (9.5 Mbp)