Hrp59, an hnRNP M protein in Chironomus and Drosophila, binds to exonic splicing enhancers and is required for expression of a subset of mRNAs

Here, we study an insect hnRNP M protein, referred to as Hrp59. Hrp59 is relatively abundant, has a modular domain organization containing three RNA-binding domains, is dynamically recruited to transcribed genes, and binds to premRNA cotranscriptionally. Using the Balbiani ring system of Chironomus, we show that Hrp59 accompanies the mRNA from the gene to the nuclear envelope, and is released from the mRNA at the nuclear pore. The association of Hrp59 with transcribed genes is not proportional to the amount of synthesized RNA, and in vivo Hrp59 binds preferentially to a subset of mRNAs, including its own mRNA. By coimmunoprecipitation of Hrp59–RNA complexes and microarray hybridization against Drosophila whole-genome arrays, we identify the preferred mRNA targets of Hrp59 in vivo and show that Hrp59 is required for the expression of these target mRNAs. We also show that Hrp59 binds preferentially to exonic splicing enhancers and our results provide new insights into the role of hnRNP M in splicing regulation

Differential Test Performance in the American Educational System: The Impact of Race and Gender

Contrary to Herrnstein and Murray (1994) who claim that racial groups have different cognitive endowments and that these best explain differential test score achievements, our regression analyses document that there is less improvement in test scores per year of education for African-Americans and women. That is, the observed group test score differences do not appear to be due to racial cognitive differences but rather to other factors associated with group-linked experiences in the educational system. We found that 666 of the subjects in the Herrnstein-Murray database had actual IQ scores derived from school records. Using these as independent controls for IQ, we document that each of the test components that were the basis of the Herrnstein-Murray IQ scores was significantly associated with education level (p\u3c .001). Consequently, their IQ score appears to be an education-related measure rather than an IQ test, and thus challenges the validity of their analysis

SUPREME-HN: a retrospective biomarker study assessing the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Biomarcador; Carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeza y cuello; PD-L1Biomarker; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; PD-L1Biomarcador; Carcinoma de cèl·lules escamoses de cap i coll; PD-L1Background Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor cells (TCs) is associated with improved survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with immunotherapy, although its role as a prognostic factor is controversial. This study investigates whether tumoral expression of PD-L1 is a prognostic marker in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC treated with standard chemotherapy. Methods This retrospective, multicenter, noninterventional study assessed PD-L1 expression on archival R/M HNSCC tissue samples using the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay. PD-L1 high was defined as PD-L1 staining of ≥ 25% TC, with exploratory scoring at TC ≥ 10% and TC ≥ 50%. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prognostic value of PD-L1 status in terms of overall survival (OS) in patients with R/M HNSCC. Results 412 patients (median age, 62.0 years; 79.9% male; 88.2% Caucasian) were included from 19 sites in seven countries. 132 patients (32.0%) had TC ≥ 25% PD-L1 expression; 199 patients (48.3%) and 85 patients (20.6%) had TC ≥ 10% and ≥ 50%, respectively. OS did not differ significantly across PD-L1 expression (at TC ≥ 25% cutoff median OS: 8.2 months vs TC < 25%, 10.1 months, P = 0.55) or the ≥ 10% and ≥ 50% cutoffs (at TC ≥ 10%, median OS: 9.6 months vs TC < 10%, 9.4 months, P = 0.32, and at TC ≥ 50%, median OS 7.9 vs TC < 50%, 10.0 months, P = 0.39, respectively). Conclusions PD-L1 expression, assessed using the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay, was not prognostic of OS in patients with R/M HNSCC treated with standard of care chemotherapies.This study was sponsored by AstraZeneca. The protocol for this study was developed by the sponsor (AstraZeneca) and advisors. Data were collected collaboratively by the sponsor and clinical investigators. Statisticians employed by the sponsor analyzed the data. All authors participated in the preparation, review, and approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication

Characterisation of the natural attenuation of chromium contamination in the presence of nitrate using isotopic methods. A case study from the Matanza-Riachuelo river basin, Argentina

The groundwater contamination by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in a site of the Matanza-Riachuelo River basin (MRB), Argentina, has been evaluated by determining the processes that control the natural mobility and attenuation of Cr(VI) in the presence of high nitrate (NO3−) contents. The groundwater Cr(VI) concentrations ranged between 1.9E-5 mM and 0.04 mM, while the NO3− concentrations ranged between 0.5 mM and 3.9 mM

Características de personalidad del espectro esquizofrénico y Locus de control en padres no afectados de pacientes esquizofrénicos

In the last years, the schizophrenia research has been addressed to the detection of vulnerability markers in subjects at risk. This vulnerability called ‘schizotypy’ can be identified in clinically non-affected subjects with a genetic disposition to the disorder. The main objective of this work has been the study of personality traits of schizophrenic spectrum as a vulnerability markers, and the study of locus of control variable in non-affected parents of schizophrenic patients. Data has been obtained from 26 couples of non-affected parents of schizophrenic patients and from 26 couples of normal parents of normal subjects, a total of 104 subjects have been evaluated. The Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (Mason, Claridge and Jackson, 1995), the Cuestionario de Evaluación IPDE (Loranger, 1988), the Symptom Checklist Revised (Derogatis, 1977) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (Wallston, Wallston and DeVellis, 1974) have been used to test the subjects. The results has shown that parents of schizophrenic group have more negative schizotypal traits, more traits of the paranoid and avoidance personality disorders, more general psychopathological manifestations and a higher internal locus of control.La investigación en el campo de la esquizofrenia se ha dirigido, en los últimos años, a la detección de marcadores de vulnerabilidad en sujetos con riesgo al trastorno. Esta vulnerabilidad denominada «esquizotipia» puede ser identificada en sujetos clínicamente no afectados con una disposición heredada a desarrollar esquizofrenia. El objetivo de este trabajo se ha centrado en el estudio de las características de personalidad del espectro esquizofrénico como marcadores de vulnerabilidad y en el estudio de la variable locus de control en padres no afectados de pacientes esquizofrénicos. Los datos han sido obtenidos de 26 parejas de padres no afectados de pacientes con esquizofrenia y de 26 parejas de padres normales de sujetos normales, un total de 104 sujetos han sido evaluados. Los instrumentos utilizados en la evaluación han sido el Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (Masón, Claridge y Jackson, 1995), el Cuestionario de Evaluación IPDE (Loranger, 1988), el Symptom Checklist Revised (Derogatis, 1977) y el Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (Wallston, Wallston y DeVellis, 1974). Los resultados muestran que el grupo de padres de pacientes esquizofrénicos presentan más rasgos de esquizotipia negativa, más características del trastorno paranoide y por evitación de la personalidad, más manifestaciones psicopatológicas en general y un mayor locus de control interno

Precursores conductuales infantiles de los trastornos del espectro esquizofrénico : esquizofrenia y trastorno esquizotípico de la personalidad

Given the wide and growing appearance of studies on biobehavioural markers of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, we have pursued to synthesise the data focusing on the possible differences in such markers as precursors of development towards schizotypal disorder and schizophrenia. Following a conceptual setting of high-risk studies we first outline classic and recent works about psychobiological markers from the genetic risk paradigm for schizophrenia and, secondly, we present findings coming from studies that have used other than genetic markers and have focused on the analysis of the soft conditions of the spectrum (i.e., schizotypy and schizotypal personality disorder). Lastly, limitations and theoretical and applied implications of these studies are discussedDada la extensa y creciente aparición de trabajos sobre marcadores bioconductuales de los trastornos del espectro esquizofrénico, hemos pretendido realizar una tarea de síntesis de los datos aportados y orientarla a la cuestión de posibles diferencias en cuanto a precursores de la evolución hacia el trastorno esquizotípico y la esquizofrenia. Después de situar conceptualmente a los estudios de riesgo elevado, se revisan en primer lugar los trabajos clásicos y más recientes sobre marcadores pslcobiológicos dentro del paradigma del riesgo genético para la esquizofrenia y, en segundo lugar, se presentan los hallazgos de los trabajos que han tomado como marcadores de riesgo variables no sólo genéticas y que se han centrado en el estudio de las condiciones leves del espectro (esto es, esquizotipia y trastorno esquizotípico de la personalidad). Por último se discuten las limitaciones de los trabajos existentes y también sus implicaciones teóricas y aplicadas

Use of nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of dissolved nitrate to trace field-scale induced denitrification efficiency throughout an in-situ groundwater remediation strategy

In the framework of the Life+ InSiTrate project, a pilot-plant was established to demonstrate the viability of inducing in-situ heterotrophic denitrification to remediate nitrate (NO3−)-polluted groundwater. Two injection wells supplied acetic acid by pulses to an alluvial aquifer for 22 months. The monitoring was performed by regular sampling at three piezometers and two wells located downstream. In the present work, the pilot-plant monitoring samples were used to test the usefulness of the isotopic tools to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment. The laboratory microcosm experiments determined an isotopic fractionation (ε) for N-NO3− of −12.6 and for O-NO3− of −13.3 . These ε15NNO3/N2 and ε18ONO3/N2 values were modelled by using a Rayleigh distillation equation to estimate the percentage of the induced denitrification at the pilot-plant while avoiding a possible interference from dilution due to non-polluted water inputs. In some of the field samples, the induced NO3− reduction was higher than 50% with respect to the background concentration. The field samples showed a reduced slope between δ18O-NO3− and δ15N-NO3− (0.7) compared to the laboratory experiments (1.1). This finding was attributed to the reoxidation of NO2− to NO3− during the treatment. The NO3− isotopic characterization also permitted the recognition of a mixture between the denitrified and partially or non-denitrified groundwater in one of the sampling points. Therefore, the isotopic tools demonstrated usefulness in assessing the implementation of the field-scale induced denitrification strategy

The recent neophyte Opuntia aurantiaca (Cactaceae): distribution and potential invasion in the Iberian Peninsula

The Cactaceae, and especially its most emblematic genus, Opuntia, is one of the groups of plants with greater invasion potential in the Iberian Peninsula. One of the most recently detected species is Opuntia aurantiaca, a small cactus with an enormous capacity of dispersion. Probably native to Argentina and Uruguay, it behaves as a very aggressive invader in Australia and South Africa. In Europe, it only occurs on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Catalonia and Valencian Community). In this study, the geographic range of the species is accurately delineated at the peninsular level. Detected firstly at the beginning of the last decade in Navajas (Castelló Province), it has been subsequently observed in other places of Castelló, but also in Valencia, Tarragona and Barcelona, and since 2017 in Girona. With all gathered occurrence data, the potential distribution of O. aurantiaca is estimated (for the current climatic conditions as well as for different scenarios of global warming). Despite the fact that the species seems to be spreading, maps of potential distribution do not forecast large expansions to other areas of the Iberian Peninsula, both for the present and for the year 2070.This work received financial support from the “Proyecto Intramural Especial, PIE” (grant no. 201630I024) from the CSIC (Spain) and from the “Ajuts a Grups de Recerca Consolidats” (grants nos. 2014-SGR514-GREB and 2017-SGR1116) from the Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain).Abstract Introduction Materials & methods The study species Search for occurrences Ecological niche modelling Results and Discussion Current distribution range of Opuntia aurantiaca in the Iberian Peninsula Present and future potential distribution of Opuntia aurantiaca Acknowledgement

Circumsolar energetic particle distribution on 2011 November 3

Late on 2011 November 3, STEREO-A, STEREO-B, MESSENGER, and near-Earth spacecraft observed an energetic particle flux enhancement. Based on the analysis of in situ plasma and particle observations, their correlation with remote sensing observations, and an interplanetary transport model, we conclude that the particle increases observed at multiple locations had a common single source active region and the energetic particles filled a very broad region around the Sun. The active region was located at the solar backside (as seen from Earth) and was the source of a large flare, a fast and wide coronal mass ejection, and an EIT wave, accompanied by type II and type III radio-emission. In contrast to previous solar energetic particle events showing broad longitudinal spread, this event showed clear particle anisotropies at three widely separated observation points at 1AU, suggesting direct particle injection close to the magnetic footpoint of each spacecraft, lasting for several hours.We discuss these observations and the possible scenarios explaining the extremely broad particle spread for this event

Ideación suicida y sintomatología obsesivo-compulsiva en una muestra de adolescentes

El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar la relación entre la sintomatologfa obsesivo-compulsiva (SOC) y la ideación suicida en una muestra elegida al azar (n=1525) proveniente de la población de estudiantes de 8° de EGB de la ciudad de Barcelona. Por otra parte, se estudiará la presencia de dicha síntomatología en la población origen de la muestra. La relación entre la alta SOC y la ideación suicida ha sido fuente de pocas investigaciones, las cuales frecuentemente se han centrado en el trastorno Obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC) y su relación con la conducta suicida. Es por ello que el estudio de la relación entre la alta SOC y ideación suicida no está exento de interés por el carácter novedoso del mismo. Los resultados indican que, tal y como se establecía en la hipótesis principal del trabajo, aquellos sujetos que cuyas puntuaciones son más elevadas en la escala que mide SOC presentan mayor ideación suicida. Se discute la posible implicación que dicho hallazgo supone en el marco de la práctica clínica y se establecen posibles estrategias para prevenir e identificar precozmente la conducta suicida en sujetos de alto riesgo