Benefits of Psychological Androgyny in Adolescence: The Role of Gender Role Self-Concept in School-Related Well-Being

It has been repeatedly shown that the extent to which individuals adopt stereotypically masculine and feminine traits in their self-concept impacts their health and well-being. This is especially important in adolescence, when developmental changes and social pressures to conform to stereotypical gender roles can affect psychological functioning. However, previous studies investigating relationship between gender role self-concept and well-being in adolescents focused mostly on general well-being rather than well-being in specific contexts. Given that school is one of the most important contexts for adolescents’ development and well-being, the aim of this study was to investigate differences between adolescents with different gender role self-concepts (masculine, feminine, androgynous and undifferentiated) in school-related well-being. In line with the new conceptualization of well-being uniting hedonic (pleasure attainment and pain avoidance) and eudemonic (self-actualization and having meaningful purpose in one’s life) approaches, the present study used a measure of school-related well-being encompassing five domains suggested in the EPOCH (Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness and Happiness) model as well as a superordinate well-being factor. A total of 999 Austrian adolescents (52.2% girls, M(age) = 13.79, SD(age) = 1.53) answered inventories assessing adolescents’ gender role self-concept (GRI-JUG) and school-related well-being (EPOCH-G-S). The results supported the androgyny model of well-being, showing clear advantages of having both positive masculine and feminine qualities in one’s self-concept for optimal levels of school-related well-being. In addition, our results indicated the strong importance of femininity in adolescence and the school context. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Coral larvae for restoration and research: a large-scale method for rearing Acropora millepora larvae, inducing settlement, and establishing symbiosis

Here we describe an efficient and effective technique for rearing sexually-derived coral propagules from spawning through larval settlement and symbiont uptake with minimal impact on natural coral populations. We sought to maximize larval survival while minimizing expense and daily husbandry maintenance by experimentally determining optimized conditions and protocols for gamete fertilization, larval cultivation, induction of larval settlement by crustose coralline algae, and inoculation of newly settled juveniles with their dinoflagellate symbiont Symbiodinium. Larval rearing densities at or below 0.2 larvae mL -1 were found to maximize larval survival and settlement success in culture tanks while minimizing maintenance effort. Induction of larval settlement via the addition of a ground mixture of diverse crustose coralline algae (CCA) is recommended, given the challenging nature of in situ CCA identification and our finding that non settlement-inducing CCA assemblages do not inhibit larval settlement if suitable assemblages are present. Although order of magnitude differences in infectivity were found between common Great Barrier Reef Symbiodinium clades C and D, no significant differences in Symbiodinium uptake were observed between laboratory-cultured and wild-harvested symbionts in each case. The technique presented here for Acropora millepora can be adapted for research and restoration efforts in a wide range of broadcast spawning coral species

Coral larvae for restoration and research: A large-scale method for rearing Acropora millepora larvae, inducing settlement, and establishing symbiosis

© 2017 Pollock et al. Here we describe an efficient and effective technique for rearing sexually-derived coral propagules from spawning through larval settlement and symbiont uptake with minimal impact on natural coral populations. We sought to maximize larval survival while minimizing expense and daily husbandry maintenance by experimentally determining optimized conditions and protocols for gamete fertilization, larval cultivation, induction of larval settlement by crustose coralline algae, and inoculation of newly settled juveniles with their dinoflagellate symbiont Symbiodinium. Larval rearing densities at or below 0.2 larvae mL-1 were found to maximize larval survival and settlement success in culture tanks while minimizing maintenance effort. Induction of larval settlement via the addition of a ground mixture of diverse crustose coralline algae (CCA) is recommended, given the challenging nature of in situ CCA identification and our finding that non settlement-inducing CCA assemblages do not inhibit larval settlement if suitable assemblages are present. Although order of magnitude differences in infectivity were found between common Great Barrier Reef Symbiodinium clades C and D, no significant differences in Symbiodinium uptake were observed between laboratory-cultured and wild-harvested symbionts in each case. The technique presented here for Acropora millepora can be adapted for research and restoration efforts in a wide range of broadcast spawning coral species

Coral larvae for restoration and research: a large-scale method for rearing Acropora millepora larvae, inducing settlement, and establishing symbiosis

Here we describe an efficient and effective technique for rearing sexually-derived coral propagules from spawning through larval settlement and symbiont uptake with minimal impact on natural coral populations. We sought to maximize larval survival while minimizing expense and daily husbandry maintenance by experimentally determining optimized conditions and protocols for gamete fertilization, larval cultivation, induction of larval settlement by crustose coralline algae, and inoculation of newly settled juveniles with their dinoflagellate symbiont Symbiodinium. Larval rearing densities at or below 0.2 larvae mL -1 were found to maximize larval survival and settlement success in culture tanks while minimizing maintenance effort. Induction of larval settlement via the addition of a ground mixture of diverse crustose coralline algae (CCA) is recommended, given the challenging nature of in situ CCA identification and our finding that non settlement-inducing CCA assemblages do not inhibit larval settlement if suitable assemblages are present. Although order of magnitude differences in infectivity were found between common Great Barrier Reef Symbiodinium clades C and D, no significant differences in Symbiodinium uptake were observed between laboratory-cultured and wild-harvested symbionts in each case. The technique presented here for Acropora millepora can be adapted for research and restoration efforts in a wide range of broadcast spawning coral species

SNPs Associated with Cerebrospinal Fluid Phospho-Tau Levels Influence Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial disease. While large genome-wide association studies have had some success in identifying novel genetic risk factors for AD, case-control studies are less likely to uncover genetic factors that influence progression of disease. An alternative approach to identifying genetic risk for AD is the use of quantitative traits or endophenotypes. The use of endophenotypes has proven to be an effective strategy, implicating genetic risk factors in several diseases, including anemia, osteoporosis and heart disease. In this study we identify a genetic factor associated with the rate of decline in AD patients and present a methodology for identification of other such factors. We have used an established biomarker for AD, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (ptau181) levels as an endophenotype for AD, identifying a SNP, rs1868402, in the gene encoding the regulatory sub-unit of protein phosphatase B, associated with CSF ptau181 levels in two independent CSF series . We show no association of rs1868402 with risk for AD or age at onset, but detected a very significant association with rate of progression of disease that is consistent in two independent series . Our analyses suggest that genetic variants associated with CSF ptau181 levels may have a greater impact on rate of progression, while genetic variants such as APOE4, that are associated with CSF Aβ42 levels influence risk and onset but not the rate of progression. Our results also suggest that drugs that inhibit or decrease tau phosphorylation may slow cognitive decline in individuals with very mild dementia or delay the appearance of memory problems in elderly individuals with low CSF Aβ42 levels. Finally, we believe genome-wide association studies of CSF tau/ptau181 levels should identify novel genetic variants which will likely influence rate of progression of AD

Australia

Australia is a vast island continent with a unique flora and fauna. The economy is dependent on bulk commodity exports, and agricultural exports accounted for approximately A$29 billion in 2009, or 4.6% of total exports (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics 2010). However, the Australian pesticide market is small, estimated to be about 2-3% of the total global market for pesticides. Early experiments with microbial control included field trials in the late 1960s with the granulosis virus of codling moth in apple orchards, and in the 1970s with Elcar, the nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) of Helicoverpa zea. Initial success was limited, with poor field efficacy and direct competition with new chemical insecticides. Early large scale field trials with the granulosis virus of potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, gave promising results (Reeda and Springetta 1971), but a commercial product was not registered. The number of microbial pesticides registered in Australia has increased in the last decade (Table 18), with the widescale use of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk). A crisis in insecticide resistance in Helicoverpa species in the late 1990s led to adoption of area-wide integrated pest management in the commercial cotton and sorghum industries, where biopesticides are used to manage resistance to chemical insecticides and to reduce secondary pest outbreaks (such as silver leaf white fly) by maintaining beneficial insect populations. Biopesticides are also used in areas of special concern such as national parks, in the expanding ‘organic’ market, and for export markets such as wine, where the industry restricts the use of synthetic insecticides (Hunter 2010)..

Cervical os marsupialization in the initial management of a rare case of obstructive uterine didelphys with ipsilateral renal agenesis

Introduction: Uterine didelphys is an uncommon Mullerian anomaly that often is associated with obstructive pathology. Without early intervention, obstruction can progress to potentially fatal complications including pyometra and sepsis. Due to the rarity and variability of this condition, treatment options have not been systematically studied. Case Description: In this case report, we discuss a 16-year-old female who presented with acute sepsis secondary to pyometra in the setting of chronic dysmenorrhea and purulent vaginal discharge. On imaging, she was found to have uterus didelphys with right renal agenesis and a hypoplastic right cervix along with a pelvic fluid collection. During exam under anesthesia, no obstructing hemivagina was found, however the right cervical os was identified with purulent material draining from it and identified as the site of obstruction. The right cervical os was extended and its edges marsupialized. The patient recovered well postoperatively with a course of antibiotics and continued to be followed in an outpatient setting, where she was started on Depo Provera for menstrual suppression. She remained asymptomatic for months, but after discontinuing the Depo for some time, began to experience pelvic pain and purulent vaginal discharge again. While she agreed to resume Depo treatment, definitive treatment with right hemihysterectomy was discussed and eventually undertaken. Discussion: Although hemihysterectomy may be required in many cases, the technique of marsupialization of a cervical os is unique and may be a new approach to patients with non-classic anatomic presentations of obstructive symptoms with uterine didelphys

Australia

Australia is a vast island continent with a unique flora and fauna. The economy is dependent on bulk commodity exports, and agricultural exports accounted for approximately A$29 billion in 2009, or 4.6% of total exports (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics 2010). However, the Australian pesticide market is small, estimated to be about 2-3% of the total global market for pesticides.\ud \ud Early experiments with microbial control included field trials in the late 1960s with the granulosis virus of codling moth in apple orchards, and in the 1970s with Elcar, the nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) of Helicoverpa zea. Initial success was limited, with poor field efficacy and direct competition with new chemical insecticides. Early large scale field trials with the granulosis virus of potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, gave promising results (Reeda and Springetta 1971), but a commercial product was not registered.\ud \ud The number of microbial pesticides registered in Australia has increased in the last decade (Table 18), with the widescale use of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk). A crisis in insecticide resistance in Helicoverpa species in the late 1990s led to adoption of area-wide integrated pest management in the commercial cotton and sorghum industries, where biopesticides are used to manage resistance to chemical insecticides and to reduce secondary pest outbreaks (such as silver leaf white fly) by maintaining beneficial insect populations. Biopesticides are also used in areas of special concern such as national parks, in the expanding ‘organic’ market, and for export markets such as wine, where the industry restricts the use of synthetic insecticides (Hunter 2010)..

Inhibiting the immunoproteasome exacerbates the pathogenesis of systemic Candida albicans infection in mice

Apart from its role in MHC class I antigen processing, the immunoproteasome has recently been implicated in the modulation of T helper cell differentiation under polarizing conditions in vitro and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases in vivo. In this study, we investigated the influence of LMP7 on T helper cell differentiation in response to the fungus Candida albicans. We observed a strong effect of ONX 0914, an LMP7-selective inhibitor of the immunoproteasome, on IFN-γ and IL-17A production by murine splenocytes and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with C. albicans in vitro. Using a murine model of systemic candidiasis, we could confirm reduced generation of IFN-γ- and IL-17A-producing cells in ONX 0914 treated mice in vivo. Interestingly, ONX 0914 treatment resulted in increased susceptibility to systemic candidiasis, which manifested at very early stages of infection. Mice treated with ONX 0914 showed markedly increased kidney and brain fungal burden which resulted in enhanced neutrophil recruitment and immunopathology. Together, these results strongly suggest a role of the immunoproteasome in promoting proinflammatory T helper cells in response to C. albicans but also in affecting the innate antifungal immunity in a T helper cell-independent manner.publishe