Molecular Analysis of N6-Methyladenine Patterns in \u3cem\u3eTetrahymena thermophila\u3c/em\u3e Nuclear DNA

We have cloned two DNA fragments containing 5\u27-GATC-3\u27 sites at which the adenine is methylated in the macronucleus of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. Using these cloned fragments as molecular probes, we analyzed the maintenance of methylation patterns at two partially and two uniformly methylated sites. Our results suggest that a semiconservative copying model for maintenance of methylation is not sufficient to account for the methylation patterns we found during somatic growth of Tetrahymena. Although we detected hemimethylated molecules in macronuclear DNA, they were present in both replicating and nonreplicating DNA. In addition, we observed that a complex methylation pattern including partially methylated sites was maintained during vegetative growth. This required the activity of a methylase capable of recognizing and modifying sites specified by something other than hemimethylation. We suggest that a eucaryotic maintenance methylase may be capable of discriminating between potential methylation sites to ensure the inheritance of methylation patterns

Guest Artist Recital: Elizabeth Suderburg, Singer; Pamela Vokolek, Harp; March 21, 1975

Hayden AuditoriumFriday EveningMarch 21, 19758:15 p.m

The Coming Millennium: Enduring Issues Confronting Catholic Health Care

Professor Singer and Ms. Johnson Lantz provide a cogent overview of Catholic health care in the United States and address the key issues affecting Catholic health care in the coming years. In particular, (1) clarity in canonical and ethical interpretation; (2) industry consolidation; and (3) next generation sponsorship and the impact of these issues are discussed in detaiL The authors conclude that successful Catholic health care organizations must maintain strong mission and business fundamentals in an increasingly competitive reimbursement and regulatory environment

Recital: Elizabeth Suderberg, Singer; Robert Suderburg, Piano; March 19, 1975

Hayden AuditoriumWednesday EveningMarch 19, 19758:15 p.m

A Work In Progress : Investigating the identity of the artist teacher/ freelance artist tutor and its implications for learning throughout the life course

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Social Capital and the Paradox of Poor but Healthy Groups in the United States

Increased income strongly correlates with improved health and lower mortality risk. Yet in spite of having a lower mean and median income, both Hispanics and the foreign-born living within the U.S. have higher longevity compared with native-born, non-Hispanics. We explored the role of structural social capital in conferring protection against poor health outcomes among Hispanics and the foreign-born in the US. We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III 1988–1994 linked to prospective mortality follow up to examine the relationship between five measures of structural social capital and: (1) intermediate health outcomes (blood pressure, plasma fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and total cholesterol) and (2) a distal outcome (all cause mortality). The foreign-born and Hispanics generally had lower measures of structural social capital relative to native-born non-Hispanics. Additionally, while structural social capital was protective against poor health or mortality among native-born persons, the association disappeared for Hispanics and the foreign-born

Mill Dam Effects on Freshwater Mussel Growth in an Alabama Stream

Small dams are common in the southeastern U.S., yet few studies have quantified their effects on the region’s aquatic biota such as imperiled freshwater mussels. I investigated why freshwater mussels are more abundant and larger immediately downstream from a small dam than conspecifics in up- or downstream reaches. I attempted to answer 2 questions. First, is the larger size of mussels immediately below mill dams attributable to faster growth or greater age? Second, do sites up-and downstream from dams differ in mussel food quantity or quality? I thin-sectioned shells to age mussels and compare growth rates between populations. Additionally, I measured total suspended solids (TSS) from filtered water samples seasonally. I analyzed length-at-age data using multiple growth models and found that mill reach mussels grew faster than up- and downstream populations. TSS quantity varied seasonally but was generally highest in the impoundment and mill reach from spring-fall. TSS organic-to-inorganic ratios were highest in the upstream reach from spring-fall but highest in the impoundment and mill reach during winter. Temperature was consistently higher in all seasons in the impoundment and mill reach. My data suggest that some small impoundments enhance mussel food resources and growth conditions in downstream reaches. Increased food quantity and quality combined with elevated temperatures are the likely mechanisms responsible for promoting rapid shell growth downstream from some impoundments. These heretofore undocumented positive effects of small dams suggest that some older, more stable dams may actually benefit or promote the persistence of imperiled mussel populations. Positive effects of small dams and the degree of imperilment of mollusk populations should be factored into cost-benefit analyses when prioritizing sites for dam removal projects

State of Metropolitan America: On the Front Lines of Demographic Transformation

Examines 2000-09 demographic and economic trends and highlights five new realities: growth and outward expansion, population diversification, aging, uneven higher educational attainment, and income polarization. Analyzes national and regional challenges

Design and applicability of DNA arrays and DNA barcodes in biodiversity monitoring

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rapid and accurate identification of species is a critical component of large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs. DNA arrays (micro and macro) and DNA barcodes are two molecular approaches that have recently garnered much attention. Here, we compare these two platforms for identification of an important group, the mammals.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our analyses, based on the two commonly used mitochondrial genes cytochrome <it>c </it>oxidase I (the standard DNA barcode for animal species) and cytochrome b (a common species-level marker), suggest that both arrays and barcodes are capable of discriminating mammalian species with high accuracy. We used three different datasets of mammalian species, comprising different sampling strategies. For DNA arrays we designed three probes for each species to address intraspecific variation. As for DNA barcoding, our analyses show that both cytochrome <it>c </it>oxidase I and cytochrome b genes, and even smaller fragments of them (mini-barcodes) can successfully discriminate species in a wide variety of specimens.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study showed that DNA arrays and DNA barcodes are valuable molecular methods for biodiversity monitoring programs. Both approaches were capable of discriminating among mammalian species in our test assemblages. However, because designing DNA arrays require advance knowledge of target sequences, the use of this approach could be limited in large scale monitoring programs where unknown haplotypes might be encountered. DNA barcodes, by contrast, are sequencing-based and therefore could provide more flexibility in large-scale studies.</p

Depression, Anxiety, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and a History of Pervasive Gender-Based Violence Among Women Asylum Seekers Who Have Undergone Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Retrospective Case Review

We sought to evaluate the frequency of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and any experiences of violence in women who had undergone Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and were seeking asylum in the United States. We undertook a retrospective qualitative descriptive study of FGM/C cases seen in an asylum clinic over a 2-year period. Standardized questionnaires provided quantitative scores for anxiety, depression and PTSD. Clients’ personal and physician medical affidavits were analyzed for experiences of violence. Of the 13 cases, anxiety and depression were exhibited by 92 and 100% of women, while all seven women screened for PTSD had symptoms. Qualitative analysis revealed extensive violence perpetrated against these women, demonstrating that FGM/C is only part of the trauma experienced. The high level of mental health disorders and endured violence has implications for providers working with FGM/C survivors and indicates the need for accessible mental health services and trauma-informed care