A Proposed Taxonomy of Anaerobic Fungi (Class Neocallimastigomycetes) Suitable for Large-Scale Sequence-Based Community Structure Analysis

Anaerobic fungi are key players in the breakdown of fibrous plant material in the rumen, but not much is known about the composition and stability of fungal communities in ruminants. We analyzed anaerobic fungi in 53 rumen samples from farmed sheep (4 different flocks), cattle, and deer feeding on a variety of diets. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region of the rrn operon revealed a high diversity of anaerobic fungal phylotypes across all samples. Clone libraries of the ITS1 region were constructed from DNA from 11 rumen samples that had distinctly different fungal communities. A total of 417 new sequences were generated to expand the number and diversity of ITS1 sequences available. Major phylogenetic groups of anaerobic fungi in New Zealand ruminants belonged to the genera Piromyces, Neocallimastix, Caecomyces and Orpinomyces. In addition, sequences forming four novel clades were obtained, which may represent so far undetected genera or species of anaerobic fungi. We propose a revised phylogeny and pragmatic taxonomy for anaerobic fungi, which was tested and proved suitable for analysis of datasets stemming from high-throughput next-generation sequencing methods. Comparing our revised taxonomy to the taxonomic assignment of sequences deposited in the GenBank database, we believe that >29% of ITS1 sequences derived from anaerobic fungal isolates or clones are misnamed at the genus level

The relationship between manual coordination and mental health

Motor coordination impairments frequently co-occur with other developmental disorders and mental health problems in clinically referred populations. But does this reflect a broader dimensional relationship within the general population? A clearer understanding of this relationship might inform improvements in mental health service provision. However, ascertainment and referral bias means that there is limited value in conducting further research with clinically referred samples. We, therefore, conducted a cross-sectional population-based study investigating children’s manual coordination using an objective computerised test. These measures were related to teacher-completed responses on a behavioural screening questionnaire [the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)]. We sampled 298 children (4–11 years old; 136 males) recruited from the general population. Hierarchical (logistic and linear) regression modelling indicated significant categorical and continuous relationships between manual coordination and overall SDQ score (a dimensional measure of psychopathology). Even after controlling for gender and age, manual coordination explained 15 % of the variance in total SDQ score. This dropped to 9 % after exclusion of participants whose SDQ responses indicated potential mental health problems. These results: (1) indicate that there is a clear relationship between children’s motor and mental health development in community-based samples; (2) demonstrate the relationship’s dimensional nature; and (3) have implications for service provision

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex, lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that is marked by deficits in social communication and interaction, and repetitive or restrictive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These symptoms can create challenges for individuals on the autism spectrum and their parents during the transition to adulthood, which may interfere with their ability to access and receive adequate and appropriate health care. Awareness of how the challenges associated with ASD may translate to healthcare barriers can help primary care providers address the complex needs of individuals who are on the autism spectrum and mitigate the risks of additional health disparities. This chapter starts with a case presentation to illustrate key considerations for serving a patient population with ASD and the differences between a medical versus social model of disability, then provides an overview of ASD and its common comorbidities and risk factors, discussion about special issues that arise during the transition to adulthood, common interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as practical tips to facilitate health care

A novel method for the determination of biliary clearance in humans

Biliary excretion is an important route of elimination and the biliary tract is a potential site of toxicity for many drugs and xenobiotics. Quantification of biliary excretion in healthy human volunteers is logistically challenging and is rarely defined during drug development. The current study uses a novel oroenteric tube coupled with a specialized clinical protocol to examine the pharmacokinetics of99mTechnetium (Tc-99m) mebrofenin, a compound that undergoes rapid hepatic uptake and extensive biliary excretion. A custommade multilumen oroenteric tube was positioned in the duodenum of healthy human volunteers. Subjects were positioned under a gamma camera and 2.5 mCi of Tc-99m mebrofenin was administered intravenously. Duodenal aspirates, blood samples, and urine were collected periodically for 3 hours. Two hours after Tc-99m mebrofenin administration, the gallbladder was contracted with an intravenous infusion of cholecystokinin-8. Gamma scintigraphy was used to determine the gallbladder ejection fraction in each subject. Total systemic clearance of Tc-99m mebrofenin approximated liver blood flow (Cltotal 17.3±1.7 mL/min/kg), and 35% to 84% of the Tc-99m mebrofenin dose was recovered in bile. However, when the data were corrected for the gallbladder ejection fraction, 71% to 92% of theexcreted Tc-99m mebrofenin dose was recovered. This novel croenteric tube and clinical protocol provide a useful method to quantify biliary excretion of xenobiotics in healthy human volunteers

Siblicide: The Psychology of Sibling Homicide

Siblicide has been overlooked in both the family violence literature and homicide studies. This is unsurprising as sibling abuse research in general has remained on the periphery until recently, and since then has tended to focus on non-lethal conflict, bullying or bi-directional aggression. This chapter examines the available literature to present a comprehensive overview of this poorly understood phenomenon. We report on prevalence rates, the sociodemographic context of offenses and the patterns and dynamics that underpin offender and victim characteristics - including age, birth order, gender, genetic-relatedness, race and cultural collectivism. Individual risk factors such as the influence of psychopathology and substance use are explored, as well the impact of developmental disorders, that is, Autism and Asperger’s syndrome. The chapter will conclude by examining sibling homicide in the context of sociobiological and psychoanalytical perspectives