Routine testing of fetal Rhesus D status in Rhesus D negative women using cell-free fetal DNA: An investigation into the preferences and information needs of women

Objective: The goal of this study is to investigate women's preferences and information needs for routine implementation of fetal Rhesus D (RhD) typing using cell-free fetal DNA. Methods: A questionnaire was developed following focus groups and interviews with both health professionals and RhD negative (RhD-) women offered fetal RhD genotyping within a research study and distributed to RhD- women attending routine antenatal appointments in four National Health Service hospitals. Current knowledge of blood types, anti-D administration, fetal RhD genotyping and future practices were explored. Results: A total of 19 respondents participated in interviews and focus groups, and 270 respondents completed the questionnaires. Questionnaire respondents overwhelmingly felt that the test should be offered to all RhD- women (92.1%), and 75.9% said that they would accept this test. Most were happy to have the test even if it involved extra blood tests (89.3%) or appointments (79%). The knowledge of blood groups was poor. Although 90.7% knew that the baby could have a different blood group from themselves, only 34% knew that blood groups are inherited from both parents. More than 40% were not aware that anti-D would not be required if their baby was RhD-. Conclusions: Women would welcome the introduction of routine fetal RhD genotyping. Information leaflets and training of midwives will be essential for implementation to ensure good understanding regarding testing. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Diagnostic accuracy of routine antenatal determination of fetal RHD status across gestation: population based cohort study.

To assess the accuracy of fetal RHD genotyping using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma at different gestational ages

Th17 cell master transcription factor RORC2 regulates HIV-1 gene expression and viral outgrowth

Among CD4+ T cells, T helper 17 (Th17) cells are particularly susceptible to HIV-1 infection and are depleted from mucosal sites, which causes damage to the gut barrier, resulting in a microbial translocation-induced systemic inflammation, a hallmark of disease progression. Furthermore, a proportion of latently infected Th17 cells persist long term in the gastrointestinal lymphatic tract where a low-level HIV-1 transcription is observed. This residual viremia contributes to chronic immune activation. Thus, Th17 cells are key players in HIV pathogenesis and viral persistence. It is, however, unclear why these cells are highly susceptible to HIV-1 infection. Th17 cell differentiation depends on the expression of the master transcriptional regulator RORC2, a retinoic acid-related nuclear hormone receptor that regulates specific transcriptional programs by binding to promoter/enhancer DNA. Here, we report that RORC2 is a key host cofactor for HIV replication in Th17 cells. We found that specific inhibitors that bind to the RORC2 ligand-binding domain reduced HIV replication in CD4+ T cells. The depletion of RORC2 inhibited HIV-1 infection, whereas its overexpression enhanced it. RORC2 was also found to promote HIV-1 gene expression by binding to the nuclear receptor responsive element in the HIV-1 long terminal repeats (LTR). In treated HIV-1 patients, RORC2+ CD4 T cells contained more proviral DNA than RORC2- cells. Pharmacological inhibition of RORC2 potently reduced HIV-1 outgrowth in CD4+ T cells from antiretroviral-treated patients. Altogether, these results provide an explanation as to why Th17 cells are highly susceptible to HIV-1 infection and suggest that RORC2 may be a cell-specific target for HIV-1 therapy

Proceedings IMWA 2010

Abstract A research-grade passive treatment system was constructed to receive 1000 L/minute of mine water from abandoned boreholes (pH 5.95, net alkalinity 29 mg/L CaCO₃, Fe 192 mg/L, Zn 11 mg/L, Cd 17 μg/L, Pb 60 μg/L and As 64 μg/L). The 2-ha system includes an oxidation pond followed by parallel treatment trains of aerobic wetlands, vertical flow bioreactors, re-aeration ponds, and horizontal-flow limestone beds and a final polishing wetland. Final effluent waters had pH >7 and contained < 1 mg/L total Fe and < 0.1 mg/L total Zn, with concentrations of Cd, Pb and As below detectable limits. Key Words hard rock mining, metal mining, acid mine drainage, natural treatment systems Introduction This paper describes the initial evaluation of an innovative, ecologically engineered passive system designed to treat abandoned ferruginous Pb-Zn mine waters at the Tar Creek Superfund Site, part of the historic Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, USA. Significant quantities of Pb and Zn were produced from the TSMD from the 1890s through the 1960s. By the early 1970s when mining ceased, two and nine million tons of Pb and Zn, respectively, had been produced During mining, large capacity dewatering operations pumped approximately 50,000 m³ d⁻¹ of water from the mines (Reed et al. 1955). Upon decline and cessation of mining, groundwater began to accumulate in the mine voids. By late 1979, metal-rich waters began to discharge via artesian pressure into Tar Creek and its tributaries. The first documented discharges of mine drainage were at a location near southeast Commerce, OK (Oklahoma Water Resources Board 1983) and were subsequently identified for passive treatment implementation Methods For this study, periodic water quality and quantity data collection efforts for the subject discharges began in 1998, with regular monthly sampling beginning in 2004 and continuing to the present. The targeted discharges have circum-neutral pH (5.96 ± 0.06), total alkalinity of 405 ± 13 mg/L as CaCO₃ and combined flow rates of up to 1000 L/minute. Metals and sulfate concentrations are elevated above expected levels and degrade the receiving waters ). Design and construction details for the passive treatment system are summarized in Sydney, NS IMWA 2010 "Mine Water and Innovative Thinking" Wolkersdorfer & Freund Results and Discussion In the year of operation, the passive treatment system performed as designed from a water quality perspective ( Other metals of specific interest in these waters were Cd, Pb, and As. All three were removed to below detection limits (0.64, 19.5 and 22 µg/L, respectively) before the outflow of the second process units, presumably through sorptive processes. Although the vertical-flow bioreactors were designed to remove Cd and Pb as well as Zn, Cd and Pb rarely remained in measureable concentrations at this stage of the treatment system. The other trace metal found in significant concentrations in these waters was Ni. A small percentage (<10%) of Ni was removed through co-precipitation and sorption in Cell 1. However, the majority of Ni (≈ 95%) was removed via re- IMWA 2010 Sydney, NS "Mine Water and Innovative Thinking&quot

Building leaders for the UN Ocean Science Decade : a guide to supporting early career women researchers within academic marine research institutions

Diverse and inclusive marine research is paramount to addressing ocean sustainability challenges in the 21st century, as envisioned by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Despite increasing efforts to diversify ocean science, women continue to face barriers at various stages of their career, which inhibits their progression to leadership within academic institutions. In this perspective, we draw on the collective experiences of thirty-four global women leaders, bolstered by a narrative review, to identify practical strategies and actions that will help empower early career women researchers to become the leaders of tomorrow. We propose five strategies: (i) create a more inclusive culture, (ii) ensure early and equitable career development opportunities for women ECRs, (iii) ensure equitable access to funding for women ECRs, (iv) offer mentoring opportunities and, (v) create flexible, family-friendly environments. Transformational, meaningful, and lasting change will only be achieved through commitment and collaborative action across various scales and by multiple stakeholders.Peer reviewe

The Conservation Status of Marine Bony Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean

The greater Caribbean biogeographic region covered in this report (representing 38 countries and territories) encompasses an outstanding marine bony shorefish richness of approximately 1,360 species, with many (53%) being endemic. This report provides an overview of the conservation status of greater Caribbean shorefishes, with detailed information available through the IUCN Red List, and gives recommendations

Building leaders for the UN Ocean Science Decade: a guide to supporting early career women researchers within academic marine research institutions

Diverse and inclusive marine research is paramount to addressing ocean sustainability challenges in the 21st century, as envisioned by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Despite increasing efforts to diversify ocean science, women continue to face barriers at various stages of their career, which inhibits their progression to leadership within academic institutions. In this perspective, we draw on the collective experiences of thirty-four global women leaders, bolstered by a narrative review, to identify practical strategies and actions that will help empower early career women researchers to become the leaders of tomorrow. We propose five strategies: (i) create a more inclusive culture, (ii) ensure early and equitable career development opportunities for women ECRs, (iii) ensure equitable access to funding for women ECRs, (iv) offer mentoring opportunities and, (v) create flexible, family-friendly environments. Transformational, meaningful, and lasting change will only be achieved through commitment and collaborative action across various scales and by multiple stakeholders