Collaborative Research: Locating the Mantle Component in Granite

Granitic plutons of the Coastal Maine Magmatic Province (CMMP) commonly display dramatic field relations that record interaction between magmas of markedly different composition (chemical and isotopic) and physical properties. Silicic magma chambers, derived from the crust, received influxes of denser mafic magma that spread out along the floor of these chambers to produce a compositional stratification know as Mafic and Silicic Layered Intrusions (MASLI). The spectacular field relations and large compositional variation in the vicinity of the interface between contrasting magma types are well document by recent studies. In contrast, the extent of physical and chemical coupling between the base of the chamber, that receives mafic influx, and the overlying silicic magma remains poorly understood. Three known or presumed MASLI plutons in the CMMP, the Vinalhaven, Deer Isle, and Mt. Waldo granites, have been selected for study to address this important issue. Specifically, what processes and other factors determine the extent to which heat and material are exchanged between contrasting magma types? Is heat and mass subsequently distributed to the upper reaches of the chamber? By combining textural, compositional and isotopic studies of zoned plagioclase and accessory minerals (using electron and ion-microprobe techniques), along with data for magmatic enclaves from each of the granites, the relative timing and extent of variation in composition of the magma from with individual minerals crystallized can be assessed. Comparison of internal variations among adjacent mineral grains will be used to constrain the relative extent to which material is redistributed within the chamber. Furthermore, studies such as this will enhance our understanding of magma chamber dynamics and growth, enable recognition of the contribution of mantle and crustal components in granite petrogenesis, and evaluate models for the growth and evolution of continental lithosphere

A Systematic Review of Electronic Portal Usage Among Patients with Diabetes

The objectives of this review were (1) to examine characteristics associated with enrollment and utilization of portals among patients with diabetes and (2) to identify barriers and facilitators of electronic patient portal enrollment and utilization. PubMed and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were systematically searched for papers reporting original research using quantitative or qualitative methods on characteristics, barriers, and facilitators associated with portal enrollment and utilization among patients with diabetes in the United States. The search was limited to articles published between February 1, 2005 (the date of the national symposium on personal health records) and January 1, 2014. Sixteen articles were identified. Of these, nine were quantitative, three were qualitative, and four used mixed-methods. Several demographic characteristics, having better-controlled diabetes, and providers who engaged in and encouraged portal use were associated with increased portal enrollment and utilization. Barriers to portal enrollment included a lack of patient (1) capacity, (2) desire, and (3) awareness of portal/portal functions. Barriers to portal utilization included (1) patient capacity, (2) lack of provider and patient buy-in to portal benefits, and (3) negative patient experiences using portals. Facilitators of portal enrollment and utilization were providers and family members recommending and engaging in portal use. Improved usability, increased access, educating patients how to use and benefit from portals, and greater endorsement by providers and family members might increase portal enrollment and utilization. As more providers and hospitals offer portals, addressing barriers and leveraging facilitators may help patients with diabetes achieve potential benefits

An Introduction to Glaciated Margins::The Sedimentary and Geophysical Archive

A glaciated margin is a continental margin that has been occupied by a large ice mass, such that glacial processes and slope processes conspire to produce a thick sedimentary record. Ice masses take an active role in sculpting, redistributing and reorganizing the sediment that they erode on the continental shelf, and act as a supply route to large fan systems (e.g. trough mouth fans, submarine fans) on the continental slope and continental rise. To many researchers, the term ‘glaciated margin’ is synonymous with modern day areas fringing Antarctica and the Arctic shelf systems, yet the geological record contains ancient examples ranging in age from Precambrian to Cenozoic. In the pre-Pleistocene record, there is a tendency for the configuration of the tectonic plates to become increasingly obscure with age. For instance, in the Neoproterozoic record, not everyone agrees on the location of rift margins and some fundamental continental boundaries remain unclear. Given these issues, this introductory paper has two simple aims: (1) to provide a brief commentary of relevant Geological Society publications on glaciated margins, with the landmark papers highlighted and (2) to explain the contents of this volume

Encouraging Patient Portal Use in the Patient-Centered Medical Home: Three Stakeholder Perspectives

BACKGROUND: Health care organizations are increasingly offering patients access to their electronic medical record and the ability to communicate with their providers through Web-based patient portals, thus playing a prominent role within the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). However, despite enthusiasm, adoption remains low. OBJECTIVE: We examined factors in the PCMH context that may affect efforts to improve enrollment in a patient portal. METHODS: Using a sociotechnical approach, we conducted qualitative, semistructured interviews with patients and providers from 3 primary care clinics and with national leaders from across a large integrated health care system. RESULTS: We gathered perspectives and analyzed data from 4 patient focus groups and one-on-one interviews with 1 provider from each of 3 primary care clinics and 10 program leaders. We found that leaders were focused on marketing in primary care, whereas patients and providers were often already aware of the portal. In contrast, both patients and providers cited administrative and logistical barriers impeding enrollment. Further, although leadership saw the PCMH as the logical place to focus enrollment efforts, providers and patients were more circumspect and expressed concern about how the patient portal would affect their practice and experience of care. Further, some providers expressed ambivalence about patients using the portal. Despite absence of consensus on how and where to encourage portal adoption, there was wide agreement that promoting enrollment was a worthwhile goal. CONCLUSIONS: Patients, clinicians, and national leaders agreed that efforts were needed to increase enrollment in the patient portal. Opinions diverged regarding the suitability of the PCMH and, specifically, the primary care clinic for promoting patient portal enrollment. Policymakers should consider diverse stakeholder perspectives in advance of interventions to increase technology adoption

Aurora-A and Polo-Like Kinases are Important Diagnostic and Therapeutic Markers in Hodgkin Lymphoma and Mimics

Background: Aurora-A (AA) and Polo-like kinases (PLK) are mitotic kinases that regulate the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. It has been demonstrated that AA acts as an upstream regulator of PLK, mediating its phosphorylation in the presence of a cofactor named Bora. PLK is activated by AA to promote checkpoint recovery in mitosis. AA and PLK are implicated in the tumorigenesis of solid tumors, and, recently, in B- and T-cell non Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). They play a key role in tumor proliferation and disease progression in highly aggressive B-cell NHL. They also serve as indicators of disease activity and are thus attractive potential therapeutic targets. Expression of AA and/or PLK has not yet been assessed in Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL) and its mimics. This study assesses AA and PLK expression in different CHL types, such as nodular sclerosis type, mixed cellularity type, and lymphocyte rich type, and their mimics: nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL).Design:We assessed 27 CHL cases, 16 NLPHL cases, and 8 PMBL cases for AA and PLK expression by immunohistochemistry. CHL cases included the following: 8 mixed cellularity CHL, 1 lymphocyte rich CHL, and 18 nodular sclerosis CHL. A mouse monoclonal AA-antibody (1:1000 dilution, Abcam, UK) and a PLK-antibody (1:500 dilution, Cell Signaling Technologies, USA) were used. Each case was semi-quantitatively graded for percentage of positive cells (\u3c50% vs. \u3e50%), for staining intensity (1-3+), and for localization (nuclear vs. cytoplasmic). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed independently by 2 pathologists (KMH and KVI). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher\u27s exact test.Results:AA was expressed in 100% of CHL and NLPHL cases. AA stained predominantly cytoplasm of tumor cells in both NLPHL and CHL. PLK was expressed in 100% of NLPHL and 96% of CHL cases (1 mixed cellularity type CHL did not stain for PLK). PLK showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining for both NLPHL and CHL. In contrast, only 37% of PMBL cases were positive for AA and PLK (Table 1). In the CHL group, cases with more than 50% of tumor cells expressing PLK tended to present with higher stage and extranodal disease. In the NLPHL group, PLK correlated with higher stage (III-IV) disease at presentation (p=0.044). No statistically significant differences were found in either intensity or localization of AA or PLK within or between NLPHL and CHL cohorts.Aurora-A PositiveAurora-A NegativePLK PositivePLK NegativeClassic Hodgkin Lymphoma270261Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma160160Primary Mediastinal B-cell Lymphoma3535Table 1. AA and PLK positivity in CHL, NLPHL, and PMBL.AA was expressed in CHL but not PMBL (p=0.0002)PLK was expressed in CHL but not PMBL (p=0.0009)AA was expressed in NLPHL but not PMBL (p=0.0013)PLK was expressed in NLPHL but not PMBL (p=0.0013). Conclusion: AA and PLK are commonly expressed in CHL and NLPHL but not in PMBL. Thus, they are useful markers in the distinction of CHL or NLPHL from PMBL. PLK is a useful marker for the prognostication of NLPHL. AA and PLK are attractive potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of CHL and NLPHL. Additional studies are underway to characterize an array of hematopoietic lesions known to overlap with CHL.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2019clinres/1027/thumbnail.jp

Observing cosmic string loops with gravitational lensing surveys

We show that the existence of cosmic strings can be strongly constrained by the next generation of gravitational lensing surveys at radio frequencies. We focus on cosmic string loops, which simulations suggest would be far more numerous than long (horizon-sized) strings. Using simple models of the loop population and minimal assumptions about the lensing cross section per loop, we estimate the optical depth to lensing and show that extant radio surveys such as CLASS have already ruled out a portion of the cosmic string model parameter space. Future radio interferometers, such as LOFAR and especially SKA, may constrain $G\mu/c^2 < 10^{-9}$ in some regions of parameter space, outperforming current constraints from pulsar timing and the CMB by up to two orders of magnitude. This method relies on direct detections of cosmic strings, and so is less sensitive to the theoretical uncertainties in string network evolution that weaken other constraints.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures. v3: Some clarification of text, revised figure, appendix added. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

The pseudomonas aeruginosa secreted protein PA2934 decreases apical membrane expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

We previously reported that Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 secretes a protein that can reduce the apical membrane expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Here we report that we have used a proteomic approach to identify this secreted protein as PA2394, and we have named the gene cif, for CFTR inhibitory factor. We demonstrate that Cif is a secreted protein and is found associated with outer membrane-derived vesicles. Expression of Cif in Escherichia coli and purification of the C-terminal six-His-tagged Cif protein showed that Cif is necessary and sufficient to mediate the reduction in apical membrane expression of CFTR and a concomitant reduction in CFTR-mediated Cl&minus; ion secretion. Cif demonstrates epoxide hydrolase activity in vitro and requires a highly conserved histidine residue identified in &alpha;/&beta; hydrolase family enzymes to catalyze this reaction. Mutating this histidine residue also abolishes the ability of Cif to reduce apical membrane CFTR expression. Finally, we demonstrate that the cif gene is expressed in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung and that nonmucoid isolates of P. aeruginosa show greater expression of the gene than do mucoid isolates. We propose a model in which the Cif-mediated decrease in apical membrane expression of CFTR by environmental isolates of P. aeruginosa facilitates the colonization of the CF lung by this microbe. <br /