Comment: De Facto Parents in Maryland: When Will the Law Recognize Their Rights?

Rachel and Allison were in a committed same-sex relationship beginning in 1990. Although they never legally married, the couple decided to manifest their love by having a child in 2001. Rachel and Allison both agreed that Rachel would carry the child by way of an anonymous sperm donor. Their child, Kevin, was born on September 3, 2002. Allison was present in the delivery room and even cut the umbilical cord. From the time Kevin was born until the summer of 2009 when Rachel and Allison ended their relationship, the couple equally raised and cared for Kevin, sharing all major and minor decisions concerning him. Kevin refers to Rachel as “mommy” and Allison as “mama.” After nineteen years of their relationship, Allison moved out of their shared residence, leaving Kevin with Rachel. Directly following their separation, Allison was able to visit with Kevin three days per week. After only two months of this visitation agreement, Rachel refused Allison further contact with Kevin, prompting Allison to seek judicial relief. However, the jurisdiction that both parties live in does not recognize the parent-child relationship that Allison has with Kevin. Therefore, Allison cannot have contact or visitation with Kevin, without Rachel’s approval. While the above narrative is fictional, it is analogous to many real accounts of de facto parents. The situation presented and the problems that derive from it are issues that many individuals in traditional relationships, as well as in same-sex relationships, have to deal with because of the lack of recognition of de facto parenthood

Comment: De Facto Parents in Maryland: When Will the Law Recognize Their Rights?

Rachel and Allison were in a committed same-sex relationship beginning in 1990. Although they never legally married, the couple decided to manifest their love by having a child in 2001. Rachel and Allison both agreed that Rachel would carry the child by way of an anonymous sperm donor. Their child, Kevin, was born on September 3, 2002. Allison was present in the delivery room and even cut the umbilical cord. From the time Kevin was born until the summer of 2009 when Rachel and Allison ended their relationship, the couple equally raised and cared for Kevin, sharing all major and minor decisions concerning him. Kevin refers to Rachel as “mommy” and Allison as “mama.” After nineteen years of their relationship, Allison moved out of their shared residence, leaving Kevin with Rachel. Directly following their separation, Allison was able to visit with Kevin three days per week. After only two months of this visitation agreement, Rachel refused Allison further contact with Kevin, prompting Allison to seek judicial relief. However, the jurisdiction that both parties live in does not recognize the parent-child relationship that Allison has with Kevin. Therefore, Allison cannot have contact or visitation with Kevin, without Rachel’s approval. While the above narrative is fictional, it is analogous to many real accounts of de facto parents. The situation presented and the problems that derive from it are issues that many individuals in traditional relationships, as well as in same-sex relationships, have to deal with because of the lack of recognition of de facto parenthood

Validation of Three Body Composition Techniques with a Comparison of Ultrasound Abdominal Fat Depths against an Octopolar Bioelectrical Impedance Device

International Journal of Exercise Science 5(3) : 205-213, 2012. The aims of this study were to cross-validate three clinical-grade measures of body composition, using an octopolar Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), an ultrasound analyzer (US) and Air-Displacement Plethysmography (ADP) and second to compare the US scans of total abdominal, subcutaneous and visceral fat depths (mm) against the trunk percent fat (%BF) from the octopolar BIA. Twenty-six college-aged (22.9 ± 1.35 years) men (n = 18) and women (n = 8) volunteered to participate in this study. Body composition was assessed using BIA (total and by segments), ADP and US. In addition, total abdominal, subcutaneous and visceral fat layers were measured using the US. All measurements were done in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines. The %BF comparing the three clinical grade machines were all significantly correlated and no significant differences were found using a 1-way ANOVA. All three fat depths were significantly correlated to the trunk fat % via BIA, while significant differences were found for the 1-way ANOVA. A Tukey post-hoc test showed significant differences between the BIA trunk %BF and both subcutaneous and visceral US fat depths. Having valid ways to measure body composition and visceral fat that is accessible in terms of being transportable, cost effective, and simple to use, should become a part of preventive medicine

Cognitive rehabilitation for early stage Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study with an Irish population

Objectives Research shows that cognitive rehabilitation (CR) has the potential to improve goal performance and enhance well-being for people with early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This single subject, multiple baseline design (MBD) research investigated the clinical efficacy of an 8-week individualised CR intervention for individuals with early stage AD. Methods Three participants with early stage AD were recruited to take part in the study. The intervention consisted of eight sessions of 60–90 minutes of CR. Outcomes included goal performance and satisfaction, quality of life, cognitive and everyday functioning, mood, and memory self-efficacy for participants with AD; and carer burden, general mental health, quality of life, and mood of carers. Results Visual analysis of MBD data demonstrated a functional relationship between CR and improvements in participants’ goal performance. Subjective ratings of goal performance and satisfaction increased from baseline to post-test for three participants and were maintained at follow-up for two. Baseline to post-test quality of life scores improved for three participants, whereas cognitive function and memory self-efficacy scores improved for two. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that CR can improve goal performance, and is a socially acceptable intervention that can be implemented by practitioners with assistance from carers between sessions. This study represents one of the promising first step towards filling a practice gap in this area. Further research and randomised-controlled trials are required

Functional genomics with a comprehensive library of transposon mutants for the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20.

UnlabelledThe genomes of sulfate-reducing bacteria remain poorly characterized, largely due to a paucity of experimental data and genetic tools. To meet this challenge, we generated an archived library of 15,477 mapped transposon insertion mutants in the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20. To demonstrate the utility of the individual mutants, we profiled gene expression in mutants of six regulatory genes and used these data, together with 1,313 high-confidence transcription start sites identified by tiling microarrays and transcriptome sequencing (5' RNA-Seq), to update the regulons of Fur and Rex and to confirm the predicted regulons of LysX, PhnF, PerR, and Dde_3000, a histidine kinase. In addition to enabling single mutant investigations, the D. alaskensis G20 transposon mutants also contain DNA bar codes, which enables the pooling and analysis of mutant fitness for thousands of strains simultaneously. Using two pools of mutants that represent insertions in 2,369 unique protein-coding genes, we demonstrate that the hypothetical gene Dde_3007 is required for methionine biosynthesis. Using comparative genomics, we propose that Dde_3007 performs a missing step in methionine biosynthesis by transferring a sulfur group to O-phosphohomoserine to form homocysteine. Additionally, we show that the entire choline utilization cluster is important for fitness in choline sulfate medium, which confirms that a functional microcompartment is required for choline oxidation. Finally, we demonstrate that Dde_3291, a MerR-like transcription factor, is a choline-dependent activator of the choline utilization cluster. Taken together, our data set and genetic resources provide a foundation for systems-level investigation of a poorly studied group of bacteria of environmental and industrial importance.ImportanceSulfate-reducing bacteria contribute to global nutrient cycles and are a nuisance for the petroleum industry. Despite their environmental and industrial significance, the genomes of sulfate-reducing bacteria remain poorly characterized. Here, we describe a genetic approach to fill gaps in our knowledge of sulfate-reducing bacteria. We generated a large collection of archived, transposon mutants in Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20 and used the phenotypes of these mutant strains to infer the function of genes involved in gene regulation, methionine biosynthesis, and choline utilization. Our findings and mutant resources will enable systematic investigations into gene function, energy generation, stress response, and metabolism for this important group of bacteria

Predictors of Driving in Individuals with Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Evaluations on fitness-to-drive of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) usually involve the administration of several physical, visual, and cognitive tests. In some instances, a practical road test is also administered. The use of several tests, many of which are only remotely driving-related, increases the time, cost, and human resources involved in the evaluation process, and sometimes lead to erroneous decisions. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of using a short battery of a few highly predictive tests to predict fitness-to-drive of individuals with MS. Fortyfour individuals with relapsing–remitting MS (age = 46 ± 11 years, 37 females) and Expanded Disability Status Scale values between 1 and 7 were administered selected physical, visual and cognitive tests including the Stroke Driver Screening Assessment (SDSA) battery. Performance on 12 cognitive and three visual tests were significantly associated with participants’ performance on a practical road test. The Stroop Color test, Direction, Compass, and Road Sign Recognition tests from the SDSA, and the Speed of Processing test from Useful Field of View test battery together explained 59% of the variance and predicted the pass or fail outcome on the road test with 91% accuracy, 70% sensitivity, and 97% specificity. The five psychometric/off-road tests, which together can be administered in less than 45 minutes, cost approximately $150, and is 91% accurate, can be used as a screening battery. Those who pass should be further tested on-road to finally decide their fitness-to-drive while those of fail should be further evaluated, trained, or advised on alternative transportation means. Future studies are needed to confirm and validate the findings in this study

Prion protein gene sequence and chronic wasting disease susceptibility in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

The sequence of the prion protein gene (PRNP) affects susceptibility to spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases in many species. In white-tailed deer, both coding and non-coding single nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified in this gene that correlate to chronic wasting disease (CWD) susceptibility. Previous studies examined individual nucleotide or amino acid mutations; here we examine all nucleotide polymorphisms and their combined effects on CWD. A 626 bp region of PRNP was examined from 703 free-ranging white-tailed deer. Deer were sampled between 2002 and 2010 by hunter harvest or government culling in Illinois and Wisconsin. Fourteen variable nucleotide positions were identified (4 new and 10 previously reported). We identified 68 diplotypes comprised of 24 predicted haplotypes, with the most common diplotype occurring in 123 individuals. Diplotypes that were found exclusively among positive or negative animals were rare, each occurring in less than 1% of the deer studied. Only one haplotype (C, odds ratio 0.240) and 2 diplotypes (AC and BC, odds ratios of 0.161 and 0.108 respectively) has significant associations with CWD resistance. Each contains mutations (one synonymous nucleotide 555C/T and one nonsynonymous nucleotide 286G/A) at positions reported to be significantly associated with reduced CWD susceptibility. Results suggest that deer populations with higher frequencies of haplotype C or diplotypes AC and BC might have a reduced risk for CWD infection – while populations with lower frequencies may have higher risk for infection. Understanding the genetic basis of CWD has improved our ability to assess herd susceptibility and direct management efforts within CWD infected areas.https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/faculty_staff_works/1029/thumbnail.jp

Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) Guidelines for CYP2C9 and HLA-B Genotype and Phenytoin Dosing

Phenytoin is a widely used antiepileptic drug with a narrow therapeutic index and large inter-patient variability partly due to genetic variations in CYP2C9. Furthermore, the variant allele HLA-B*15:02 is associated with an increased risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in response to phenytoin treatment. We summarize evidence from the published literature supporting these associations and provide recommendations for the use of phenytoin based on CYP2C9 and/or HLA-B genotype (also available on PharmGKB: www.pharmgkb.org)

Nobiletin Affects Circadian Rhythms and Oncogenic Characteristics in a Cell-Dependent Manner

The natural product nobiletin is a small molecule, widely studied with regard to its therapeutic effects, including in cancer cell lines and tumors. Recently, nobiletin has also been shown to affect circadian rhythms via their enhancement, resulting in protection against metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that nobiletin’s anti-oncogenic effects, such as prevention of cell migration and formation of anchorage independent colonies, are correspondingly accompanied by modulation of circadian rhythms. Concurrently, we wished to determine whether the circadian and anti-oncogenic effects of nobiletin differed across cancer cell lines. In this study, we assessed nobiletin’s circadian and therapeutic characteristics to ascertain whether these effects depend on cell line, which here also varied in terms of baseline circadian rhythmicity. Three cell culture models where nobiletin’s effects on cell proliferation and migration have been studied previously were evaluated: U2OS (bone osteosarcoma), which possesses robust circadian rhythms; MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma), which has weak circadian rhythms; and MDA-MB-231 (breast adenocarcinoma), which is arrhythmic. We found that circadian, migration, and proliferative effects following nobiletin treatment were subtle in the U2OS and MCF7 cells. On the other hand, changes were clear in MDA-MB-231s, where nobiletin rescued rhythmicity and substantially reduced oncogenic features, specifically two-dimensional cell motility and anchorage-independent growth. Based on these results and those previously described, we posit that the effects of nobiletin are indeed cell-type dependent, and that a positive correlation may exist between nobiletin’s circadian and therapeutic effects

Economic costs of chronic disease through lost productive life years (PLYs) among Australians aged 45–64 years from 2015 to 2030:Results from a microsimulation model

Objectives: To project the number of older workers with lost productive life years (PLYs) due to chronic disease and resultant lost income; and lost taxes and increased welfare payments from 2015 to 2030. Design, setting and participants: Using a microsimulation model, Health&WealthMOD2030, the costs of chronic disease in Australians aged 45–64 were projected to 2030. The model integrates household survey data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Surveys of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDACs) 2003 and 2009, output from long-standing microsimulation models (STINMOD (Static Incomes Model) and APPSIM (Australian Population and Policy Simulation Model)) used by various government departments, population and labour force growth data from Treasury, and disease trends data from the Australian Burden of Disease and Injury Study (2003). Respondents aged 45–64 years in the SDACs 2003 and 2009 formed the base population. Main outcome measures: Lost PLYs due to chronic disease; resultant lost income, lost taxes and increased welfare payments in 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030. Results: We projected 380 000 (6.4%) people aged 45–64 years with lost PLYs in 2015, increasing to 462 000 (6.5%) in 2030—a 22% increase in absolute numbers. Those with lost PLYs experience the largest reduction in income than any other group in each year compared to those employed full time without a chronic disease, and this income gap widens over time. The total economic loss due to lost PLYs consisted of lost income modelled at $A12.6 billion in 2015, increasing to$A20.5 billion in 2030—a 62.7% increase. Additional costs to the government consisted of increased welfare payments at $A6.2 billion in 2015, increasing to$A7.3 billion in 2030—a 17.7% increase; and a loss of $A3.1 billion in taxes in 2015, increasing to$A4.7 billion in 2030—a growth of 51.6%. Conclusions: There is a need for greater investment in effective preventive health interventions which improve workers’ health and work capacity.Full Tex