Transvaginal Repair of a Large Chronic Porcine Ventral Hernia with Synthetic Mesh Using NOTES

Transvaginal placement of synthetic mesh to repair large porcine hernia using NOTES technology appears to be a feasible alternative to traditional techniques

Prospectus, October 31, 1979

FROM POLIDENT TO EFFERVESCENT: DOWNTOWN TO BE VINTAGE; Week in Review: Across the globe, In the nation, Throughout the state, Around the town; Poltergeists bump at night; Elam wins state CC; Correction…; Wilson thanks Ziggy fans; Briefs: Forum discusses survey, Brazilian pianist at Monticello Nov. 4, Debate: has America failed?, Art field trip features Toulouse-Lautrec, NHB sponsors student awards, One woman is \u27nine Women\u27, EMT workshop at PC Nov. 17, Parkland presents Survival Program; Weekly Calendar; Preppy yet potent: Heads progress the hard way; Letters to the Editor: Rep. Johnson opposes veto; When weather break thieves break in; Foreigners complain again; Treaters shouldn\u27t \u27trick\u27; Amittyville: fact or fiction?; Survey handed out next week; Classifieds; Checks cashable in Nov.; College Day at PC Nov. 7; Model govt. needs plans; Earn less than $6,000? Elgible for higher grant; Parkland offers Folkore; Harmful materials to be discusses; Knee surgery ousts Short; Home no help for golfers; You\u27ve waited long enough: shape up; Soccer club wins; Freddy heading toward poverty; Fast Freddy Contesthttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1979/1006/thumbnail.jp

Whole-genome resequencing of two elite sires for the detection of haplotypes under selection in dairy cattle Supporting Information

Using a combination of whole-genome resequencing and high-density genotyping arrays, genome-wide haplotypes were reconstructed for two of the most important bulls in the history of the dairy cattle industry, Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief (“Chief”) and his son Walkway Chief Mark (“Mark”), each accounting for ∼7% of all current genomes. We aligned 20.5 Gbp (∼7.3× coverage) and 37.9 Gbp (∼13.5× coverage) of the Chief and Mark genomic sequences, respectively. More than 1.3 million high-quality SNPs were detected in Chief and Mark sequences. The genome-wide haplotypes inherited by Mark from Chief were reconstructed using ∼1 million informative SNPs. Comparison of a set of 15,826 SNPs that overlapped in the sequence-based and BovineSNP50 SNPs showed the accuracy of the sequence-based haplotype reconstruction to be as high as 97%. By using the BovineSNP50 genotypes, the frequencies of Chief alleles on his two haplotypes then were determined in 1,149 of his descendants, and the distribution was compared with the frequencies that would be expected assuming no selection. We identified 49 chromosomal segments in which Chief alleles showed strong evidence of selection. Candidate polymorphisms for traits that have been under selection in the dairy cattle population then were identified by referencing Chief’s DNA sequence within these selected chromosome blocks. Eleven candidate genes were identified with functions related to milk-production, fertility, and disease-resistance traits. These data demonstrate that haplotype reconstruction of an ancestral proband by whole-genome resequencing in combination with high-density SNP genotyping of descendants can be used for rapid, genome-wide identification of the ancestor’s alleles that have been subjected to artificial selection

Ty1 integrase overexpression leads to integration of non-Ty1 DNA fragments into the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The integrase of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae retrotransposon Ty1 integrates Ty1 cDNA into genomic DNA likely via a transesterification reaction. Little is known about the mechanisms ensuring that integrase does not integrate non-Ty DNA fragments. In an effort to elucidate the conditions under which Ty1 integrase accepts non-Ty DNA as substrate, PCR fragments encompassing a selectable marker gene were transformed into yeast strains overexpressing Ty1 integrase. These fragments do not exhibit similarity to Ty1 cDNA except for the presence of the conserved terminal dinucleotide 5′-TG-CA-3′. The frequency of fragment insertion events increased upon integrase overexpression. Characterization of insertion events by genomic sequencing revealed that most insertion events exhibited clear hallmarks of integrase-mediated reactions, such as 5 bp target site duplication and target site preferences. Alteration of the terminal dinucleotide abolished the suitability of the PCR fragments to serve as substrates. We hypothesize that substrate specificity under normal conditions is mainly due to compartmentalization of integrase and Ty cDNA, which meet in virus-like particles. In contrast, recombinant integrase, which is not confined to virus-like particles, is able to accept non-Ty DNA, provided that it terminates in the proper dinucleotide sequence

Elevational Patterns of Species Richness, Range and Body Size for Spiny Frogs

Quantifying spatial patterns of species richness is a core problem in biodiversity theory. Spiny frogs of the subfamily Painae (Anura: Dicroglossidae) are widespread, but endemic to Asia. Using spiny frog distribution and body size data, and a digital elevation model data set we explored altitudinal patterns of spiny frog richness and quantified the effect of area on the richness pattern over a large altitudinal gradient from 0–5000 m a.s.l. We also tested two hypotheses: (i) the Rapoport's altitudinal effect is valid for the Painae, and (ii) Bergmann's clines are present in spiny frogs. The species richness of Painae across four different altitudinal band widths (100 m, 200 m, 300 m and 400 m) all showed hump-shaped patterns along altitudinal gradient. The altitudinal changes in species richness of the Paini and Quasipaini tribes further confirmed this finding, while the peak of Quasipaini species richness occurred at lower elevations than the maxima of Paini. The area did not explain a significant amount of variation in total, nor Paini species richness, but it did explain variation in Quasipaini. Five distinct groups across altitudinal gradient were found. Species altitudinal ranges did not expand with an increase in the midpoints of altitudinal ranges. A significant negative correlation between body size and elevation was exhibited. Our findings demonstrate that Rapoport's altitudinal rule is not a compulsory attribute of spiny frogs and also suggest that Bergmann's rule is not generally applicable to amphibians. The study highlights a need to explore the underlying mechanisms of species richness patterns, particularly for amphibians in macroecology

Betel Nut Product Characteristics and Availability in King County, Washington: A Secret Shopper Study

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2013Background: The cultural practice of betel nut chewing with known detrimental health effects has become more geographically widespread through migration, and subsequently, global disease patterns have changed. Immigrants are at risk for oral health and multi system diseases due to continued patterns of betel nut use. Although legal in the U.S., little is known about the availability, purchasing patterns, and regulation of betel nut products. We documented the availability of betel nut and the consumer experience of buying betel nut in King County, Washington. Methods: We created a census sample of all Asian stores in King County, Washington through an internet search and in person store visits. We used a Secret Shopper design method to identify all stores that sold betel nut products and to document consumer experience and buying conditions of betel nut. We examined product pricing, labeling and marketing information of betel nut products purchased and developed a Product Information Score to evaluate products warning and consumer information properties. Results: Twenty-seven Asian stores (42%) sold betel nut products in King County. We identified 60 different types of betel nut products: 67% did not have warning labels, 22% had promotional advertising, 30% were marketed to children. No stores had warning signs about betel nut health risks, and all betel nut products without tobacco were available for self selection by consumers. Gutka was sold in 26% of stores and all gutka products were sold behind the counter. All regions of the Seattle metropolitan area contained stores that sold betel nut and regions of greater Asian population density had more betel nut stores. Conclusion: Betel nut is widely available, accessible, and inexpensive in King County, Washington. Stores inadequately warn consumers of betel nut health risks due to lack of in store warning signs, lack of age requirements for purchasing, easy access to most products, and limited product package warning information. Policy changes are needed to better regulate the betel nut market for consumer protection. Betel nut awareness campaigns are needed to promote prevention and cessation of betel nut use in order to reduce poor health outcomes among betel nut users

Concentrations of lead, cadmium and barium in urban garden-grown vegetables: The impact of soil variables

Paired vegetable/soil samples from New York City and Buffalo, NY, gardens were analyzed for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and barium (Ba). Vegetable aluminum (Al) was measured to assess soil adherence. Soil and vegetable metal concentrations did not correlate; vegetable concentrations varied by crop type. Pb was below health-based guidance values (EU standards) in virtually all fruits. 47% of root crops and 9% of leafy greens exceeded guidance values; over half the vegetables exceeded the 95th percentile of market-basket concentrations for Pb. Vegetable Pb correlated with Al; soil particle adherence/incorporation was more important than Pb uptake via roots. Cd was similar to market-basket concentrations and below guidance values in nearly all samples. Vegetable Ba was much higher than Pb or Cd, although soil Ba was lower than soil Pb. The poor relationship between vegetable and soil metal concentrations is attributable to particulate contamination of vegetables and soil characteristics that influence phytoavailability.Funding for this research was provided by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science