Interview with the Daughters of Marjorie Faucett Patterson

https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/scmotheroftheyear/1010/thumbnail.jp

Epigenetic Influences of Mobile Genetic Elements on Ciliate Genome Architecture and Evolution

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are transient genetic material that can move either within a single organism\u27s genome or between individuals or species. While historically considered “junk” DNA (i.e., deleterious or at best neutral), more recent studies reveal the potential adaptive advantages MGEs provide in lineages across the tree of life. Ciliates, a group of single-celled microbial eukaryotes characterized by nuclear dimorphism, exemplify how epigenetic influences from MGEs shape genome architecture and patterns of molecular evolution. Ciliate nuclear dimorphism may have evolved as a response to transposon invasion and ciliates have since co-opted transposons to carry out programmed DNA deletion. Another example of the effect of MGEs is in providing mechanisms for lateral gene transfer (LGT) from bacteria, which introduces genetic diversity and, in several cases, may drive ecological specialization in ciliates. As a third example, the integration of viral DNA, likely through transduction, provides new genetic materials and can change the way host cells defend themselves against other viral pathogens. We argue that the acquisition of MGEs through non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance, coupled with their effects on ciliate genome architecture and persistence throughout evolutionary history, exemplify how the transmission of mobile elements should be considered a mechanism of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

Rapid review on safeguarding to inform the Healthy Child Programme 5 to 19

This is the final version of the article. Available from PHE Publications via the DOI in this recordSummary of key points 1. The purpose of this rapid review is to update the evidence in relation to safeguarding guidance in the Healthy Child Programme for 5 to 19 year-olds. 2. It synthesises evidence about ‘what works’ in prevention and early intervention as regards child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse and exploitation, intimate partner violence (IPV), female genital mutilation (FGM) and gang violence. 3. Focusing on the period 2006 to 2015, a total of 27 systematic reviews and 9 additional randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are included. 4. Key messages on identifying families in need of additional support, the effective implementation of interventions, and workforce skills and training are also included, as is evidence on the economic aspects of safeguarding

Self-management strategies used by head and neck cancer survivors following completion of primary treatment:a directed content analysis

Objective: Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors encounter unique challenges following treatment. This study aimed to identify self‐management strategies that HNC survivors use to overcome these posttreatment challenges. Methods: Twenty‐seven individuals from 4 designated cancer centres in Ireland were interviewed about self‐management strategies that helped them overcome challenges following HNC treatment. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analysed using directed content analysis. Results: Twenty self‐management strategy types (encompassing 77 specific strategies) were identified. The most frequently used self‐management strategy types were self‐sustaining (used by 26 survivors), self‐motivating (n = 25), and proactive problem solving (n = 25). The most frequently used specific strategies were adaptive approaches to ongoing physical consequences of HNC and its treatment (n = 24), customising dietary practices (n = 24), and maintaining a positive outlook (n = 22). Conclusions: The study identified strategies that helped HNC survivors to self‐manage posttreatment challenges. This information could inform the design/development of self‐management interventions tailored towards HNC survivors

‘Ear stones’ in crocodylians: a cross-species comparative and ontogenetic survey of otolith structures

The vestibular system of the inner ear is a crucial sensory organ, involved in the sensation of balance and equilibrium. It consists of three semicircular canals that sense angular rotations of the head and the vestibule that detects linear acceleration and gravity. The vestibule often contains structures, known as the otoliths or ‘ear stones’. Otoliths are present in many vertebrates and are particularly well known from the fossil record of fish, but surprisingly have not been described in detail in most tetrapods, living or extinct. Here, we present for the first time a survey of the otoliths of a broad sample of extant crocodylian species, based on computed tomography scans. We find that otoliths are present in numerous crocodylian species of different growth stages, and they continue to increase in size during ontogeny, with positive allometry compared to skull length. Our results confirm that otoliths are a common component of the crocodylian vestibular system, and suggest they play an important role in sensory detection. Otoliths are likely common, but overlooked, constituents of the inner ear in tetrapods, and a broader study of their size, shape and distribution promises insight into sensory abilities.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Divergence in transcriptional and regulatory responses to mating in male and female fruitflies

Mating induces extensive physiological, biochemical and behavioural changes in female animals of many taxa. In contrast, the overall phenotypic and transcriptomic consequences of mating for males, hence how they might differ from those of females, are poorly described. Post mating responses in each sex are rapidly initiated, predicting the existence of regulatory mechanisms in addition to transcriptional responses involving de novo gene expression. That post mating responses appear different for each sex also predicts that the genome-wide signatures of mating should show evidence of sex-specific specialisation. In this study, we used high resolution RNA sequencing to provide the first direct comparisons of the transcriptomic responses of male and female Drosophila to mating, and the first comparison of mating-responsive miRNAs in both sexes in any species. As predicted, the results revealed the existence of sex- and body part-specific mRNA and miRNA expression profiles. More genes were differentially expressed in the female head-thorax than the abdomen following mating, whereas the opposite was true in males. Indeed, the transcriptional profile of male head-thorax tissue was largely unaffected by mating, and no differentially expressed genes were detected at the most stringent significance threshold. A subset of ribosomal genes in females were differentially expressed in both body parts, but in opposite directions, consistent with the existence of body part-specific resource allocation switching. Novel, mating-responsive miRNAs in each sex were also identified, and a miRNA-mRNA interactions analysis revealed putative targets among mating-responsive genes. We show that the structure of genome-wide responses by each sex to mating is strongly divergent, and provide new insights into how shared genomes can achieve characteristic distinctiveness

Nucleolar Proteins Suppress Caenorhabditis elegans Innate Immunity by Inhibiting p53/CEP-1

The tumor suppressor p53 has been implicated in multiple functions that play key roles in health and disease, including ribosome biogenesis, control of aging, and cell cycle regulation. A genetic screen for negative regulators of innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans led to the identification of a mutation in NOL-6, a nucleolar RNA-associated protein (NRAP), which is involved in ribosome biogenesis and conserved across eukaryotic organisms. Mutation or silencing of NOL-6 and other nucleolar proteins results in an enhanced resistance to bacterial infections. A full-genome microarray analysis on animals with altered immune function due to mutation in nol-6 shows increased transcriptional levels of genes regulated by a p53 homologue, CEP-1. Further studies indicate that the activation of innate immunity by inhibition of nucleolar proteins requires p53/CEP-1 and its transcriptional target SYM-1. Since nucleoli and p53/CEP-1 are conserved, our results reveal an ancient immune mechanism by which the nucleolus may regulate immune responses against bacterial pathogens

Energy replacement diminishes the effect of exercise on postprandial lipemia in boys

This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Metabolism: clinical and experimental and the definitive published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2015.12.001Purpose: Acute bouts of exercise reduce postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations ([TAG]) in healthy boys and girls; however, it is not known whether this effect is mediated by the energy deficit. This study examined whether the exercise-induced reduction in postprandial [TAG] persists after immediate dietary replacement of the exercise energy expenditure (EE). Methods: Eighteen healthy 11- to 13-year-old boys (mean(SD): body mass 41.3(8.4) kg; peak oxygen uptake ( VO 2) 55(5) mL·kg-1·min-1) completed three, 2-day conditions in a within-measures, crossover design separated by 14 days. On day 1, participants rested (CON), exercised at 60% peak VO 2 inducing a net EE of 32 kJ·kg-1 body mass (EX-DEF) or completed the same exercise with the net EE replaced immediately (EX-REP). On day 2, capillary blood samples were taken in the fasted state and at pre-determined intervals throughout the 6.5 h postprandial period. A standardised breakfast and lunch meal were consumed immediately and 4 h, respectively, after the fasting sample. Results: Based on ratios of the geometric means (95% confidence intervals (CI) for ratios), EX-DEF fasting [TAG] was 19% and 15% lower than CON (-32 to -4%, ES = 1.15, P = 0.02) and EX-REP (-29 to 0%, ES = 0.91, P = 0.05) respectively; CON and EX-REP were similar (-4%; P = 0.59). The EX-DEF total area under the [TAG] versus time curve was 15% and 16% lower than CON (-27 to 0%, ES = 0.55, P = 0.05) and EX-REP (-29 to -2%, ES = 0.62, P = 0.03) respectively; CON and EX-REP were not different (2%; -13 to 20%, P = 0.80). Conclusion: Immediate replacement of the exercise-induced energy deficit negates the reduction in postprandial [TAG] in boys; this highlights the importance of maintaining a negative energy balance immediately post-exercise to maximise the metabolic health benefits of exercise