Jekyll & Hyde: Evolution of a Superfamily

SummaryAminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations have been linked to neurological diseases, but aminoacylation may be unaffected. This protein superfamily also performs many other diverse functions. Yang et al. insightfully engineer a single mutation to unmask a cell signaling activity of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase [1]

Influence of regional precipitation patterns on stable isotopes in ice cores from the central Himalayas

Several ice cores have been recovered from the Dasuopu (DSP) Glacier and the East Rongbuk (ER) Glacier in the central Himalayas since the 1990s. Although the distance between the DSP and the ER ice core drilling sites is only 125 km, the stable isotopic record (18O or D) of the DSP core is interpreted in previous studies as a temperature proxy, while the ER core is interpreted as a precipitation proxy. Thus, the climatological significance of the stable isotopic records of these Himalayan ice cores remains a subject of debate. Based on analysis of regional precipitation patterns over the region, we find that remarkable discrepancy in precipitation seasonality between the two sites may account for their disparate isotopic interpretations. At the ER core site, the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) precipitation is dominating due to topographic blocking of the moisture from westerlies by the high ridges of Mt. Qomolangma (Everest), which results in a negative correlation between the ER 18O or D record and precipitation amount along the southern slope of the central Himalayas in response to the “amount effect”. At the DSP core site, in comparison with the ISM precipitation, the wintertime precipitation associated with the westerlies is likely more important owing to its local favorable topographic conditions for interacting with the western disturbances. Therefore, the DSP stable isotopic record may be primarily controlled by the westerlies. Our results have important implications for interpreting the stable isotopic ice core records recovered from different climatological regimes of the Himalayas

Similarity Attraction and Old School Values: African American Led Nonprofits and African American Youth

This article examines the role of similarity-attraction between African American-led nonprofits and the predominately African American youth they serve. Informed by interview data with executive directors, board members, volunteers, and students, this research captures how similarity-attraction operates in the context of three, well-established African American-led nonprofit organizations by utilizing an old-school values approach. The findings suggest that each of these programs provides a direct focus on African American history and positive role models. Further, these programs teach African American youth how to excel while being black, from people who know first-hand what that experience entails. Nonprofit program leaders become trusted sources of advice and, ultimately, build self-confidence in the youth they serve. Given the limited research that focuses on African American-led nonprofits, this research illuminates an important, understudied area in nonprofit studies

Self-authorship to Create and Shape the Identity of Women in STEM

Problem: The very low and declining percentage of females undertaking advanced science and mathematics subjects in Year 12 has been noted by the Office of the Chief Scientist (2014) and the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (Roberts, 2014). In 2011, only 28% of STEM-employed Australians were female, and this figure dropped to 14% for engineering students (Professionals Australia, 2014). Similar figures are evident in the US where Nobel Laureate Carol Grinder notes not only a deficit of women entering STEM-related fields, but also that many women experience many practical, psychological, and social barriers to continuing and advancing in their STEM careers 1. Given the low level of females employed in STEM-related careers and the high proportion of female primary preservice teachers, the focus on supporting and developing female STEM teachers is crucial. This study asserts that the communication and collaboration between female STEM teachers and females employed in STEM-related industries is key to raising the profile of females in this space, creating communities, and sharing expertise. Plan: To support the development of empowered and resilient women in STEM, the project employed a process of self-authorship (Kegan, 1994) to support and capture the emergent STEM identity of preservice teachers and engineering students. Self-authorship is “the ability to collect, interpret, and analyse information and reflect on one’s own beliefs in order to form judgements” (Baxter Magolda, 1998, p. 143). Self-authorship is “about the cognitive process people use to make meaning” (Creamer & Laughlin, 2005, p. 14). Action: Whilst working as members of a STEM Community of Practice comprising pre-service teachers and engineering students at Curtin University, members (students and academics) participated in guided reflective writing. Guiding questions asked about participants’ interest in STEM, influential others, their self-view as Steminists, how their self-view developed over the period of the project, and how they envisaged their future STEM selves. The Community of Practice was formed during an internally funded Makerspace in STEM project in 2016 that engaged higher education students on campus in a designated physical Makerspace in the Engineering Pavilion, virtually (via a closed Facebook site), and at an Independent Catholic girls’ school in Perth. Reflection: This presentation reports on the initial questions of influence and impact of the project, in particular the Community of Practice as an incubator to nurture professional identity. The narratives authored by the students and the research team (female academics) indicate diverse reasons for participating in the community and the reflections on personal and professional growth were insightful and support the physical and virtual modes of the community

Design and rationale of a randomized trial: Using short stay units instead of routine admission to improve patient centered health outcomes for acute heart failure patients (SSU-AHF)

Nearly 85% of acute heart failure (AHF) patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with acute heart failure are hospitalized. Once hospitalized, within 30 days post-discharge, 27% of patients are re-hospitalized or die. Attempts to improve outcomes with novel therapies have all failed. The evidence for existing AHF therapies are poor: No currently used AHF treatment is known to improve long-term outcomes. ED treatment is largely the same today as 40 years ago. Admitting patients who could have avoided hospitalization may contribute to adverse outcomes. Hospitalization is not benign; patients enter a vulnerable phase post-discharge, at increased risk for morbidity and mortality. When hospitalization is able to be shortened or avoid completely, certain risks can be mitigated, including risk of medication errors, in-hospital falls, delirium, nosocomial infections, and other iatrogenic complications. Additionally, patients would prefer to be home, not hospitalized. Furthermore, hospitalization and re-hospitalization for AHF predominantly affects patients of lower socioeconomic status (SES). Avoiding hospitalization in patients who do not require admission may improve outcomes and quality of life, while reducing costs. Short stay unit (SSU: <24 h, also referred to as an ‘observation unit’) management of AHF may be effective for lower risk patients. However, to date there have only been small studies or retrospective analyses on the SSU management for AHF patients. In addition, SSU management has been considered ‘cheating’ for hospitals trying to avoid 30-day readmission penalties, as SSUs or observation units do not count as an admission. However, more recent analyses demonstrate differential use of observation status has not led to decreases in re-admission, suggesting this concern may be misplaced. Thus, we propose a robust clinical effectiveness trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of this patient-centered strategy

Cigarette Smoking and Secondhand Smoke Exposure Before and After a Tobacco-Free Olympic Policy Period : Qingdao, China

Introduction: We explored the impact of a temporary tobacco-free public policy for the 2008 Summer Olympics on the smoking prevalence and secondhand smoke exposure among the population of a co-hosting city, Qingdao, China. Methods: The Qingdao Diabetes Survey was analyzed for 2006 (n = 4599) and 2009 (n = 4680), which are survey years before and after the tobacco-free Olympics public policy period (July 2007 to January 2009). We analyzed the differences in self-reported smoking prevalence and exposure to secondhand smoke at home and/or workplace, and compared odds of smoking by survey year and of exposure to secondhand smoke among nonsmokers. Results: From 2006 to 2009, the male smoking prevalence declined from 51.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 49.0% to 53.9%) to 42.6% (95% CI = 40.2% to 45.1%), and the proportion of lighter smokers decreased more. Among nonsmokers, the secondhand smoke exposure rate declined from 62.2% (95% CI = 60.5% to 63.9%) to 56.8% (95% CI = 55.1% to 58.6%). Regression analyses show 34% lower odds of men smoking after Olympics (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.57% to 0.77%). Rural residents and individuals who are not retired were more likely to smoke. Female nonsmokers report 17% less exposure to secondhand smoke after Olympics (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.70% to 0.98%). Urban nonsmokers were more likely to be exposed than their rural counterparts. Conclusions: Smoking prevalence among men and secondhand smoke exposure among women significantly decreased in Qingdao, China, after the tobacco-free Olympics public policy period. As only the proportion of lighter smokers decreased, this may help explain why urban nonsmokers reported increased exposure. Unintended increased secondhand smoke exposure and cessation support need to be addressed in large-scale policy campaigns. Implications: Hosting the Olympic Games can help to initiate large-scale tobacco-free public policies for hosting cities. Although previous studies have demonstrated reduction in nonsmoker exposure to secondhand smoke, the impact on the hosting city's smoking prevalence or exposure rates is unclear. After the Olympic Games in Qingdao, China, smoking prevalence among men significantly decreased, mostly due to light smokers. Secondhand smoke exposure at home and/or workplace significantly decreased among female nonsmokers. Urban nonsmokers had an unintended consequence of increased secondhand smoke exposure after the tobacco-free Olympic policy period. Concurrent promotion of cessation support for heavier smokers may be needed.Peer reviewe

Polymorphisms in HSD17B1: Early Onset and Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease in Women with Down Syndrome

Background/Aims. Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In women with Down syndrome, we examined the relation of polymorphisms in hydroxysteroid-17beta-dehydrogenase (HSD17B1) to age at onset and risk of AD. HSD17B1 encodes the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD1), which catalyzes the conversion of estrone to estradiol. Methods. Two hundred and thirty-eight women with DS, nondemented at baseline, 31–78 years of age, were followed at 14–18-month intervals for 4.5 years. Women were genotyped for 5 haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HSD17B1 gene region, and their association with incident AD was examined. Results. Age at onset was earlier, and risk of AD was elevated from two- to threefold among women homozygous for the minor allele at 3 SNPs in intron 4 (rs676387), exon 6 (rs605059), and exon 4 in COASY (rs598126). Carriers of the haplotype TCC, based on the risk alleles for these three SNPs, had an almost twofold increased risk of developing AD (hazard ratio = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1–3.1). Conclusion. These findings support experimental and clinical studies of the neuroprotective role of estrogen

Detection of cortisol in serum using quantitative resonance Raman spectroscopy

Measurement of cortisol in serum is used commonly as an indicator of stress and disease. Conventional analytical techniques have limited utility given that they remain largely laboratory based, they do not directly measure the deemed biologically active free cortisol, and there is no robust correlation between the free cortisol measurements within serum and saliva. It would therefore be desirable to measure both the free and total cortisol readily within the same matrix in a portable device in the field or at the bedside. This paper demonstrates the utility of a portable Raman approach to measure both the biological active free cortisol as well as total cortisol in human serum, compared to a laboratory-based chemiluminescence analysis technique. This alternative portable Raman method produced results that were consistent with results obtained from previous methods, which has the potential for further miniaturisation for point of test applications