Impacts of wetland dieback on carbon dynamics: A comparison between intact and degraded mangroves.

Mangroves are effective blue carbon sinks and are the most carbon rich ecosystems on earth. However, their areal extent has declined by over one-third in recent decades. Degraded mangrove forests result in reduced carbon captured and lead to release of stored carbon into the atmosphere by CO2 emission. The aim of this study was to assess changes in carbon dynamics in a gradually degrading mangrove forest on Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. Remote sensing techniques were applied to estimate the distribution of intact and degraded mangroves. Forest structure, sediment carbon storage, sediment CO2 effluxes and dissolved organic and inorganic carbon in pore and surface waters across intact and degraded parts were assessed. On average intact mangroves showed 31% sediment organic carbon in the upper 30 cm compared to 20% in degraded mangrove areas. A loss of 1.51 MgCO2 ha-1 yr-1 for degraded sites was calculated. Water samples showed a hypersaline environment in the degraded mangrove area averaging 93 which may have caused mangrove dieback. Sediment CO2 efflux within degraded sites was lower than values from other studies where degradation was caused by clearing or cutting, giving new insights into carbon dynamics in slowly degrading mangrove systems. Results of water samples agreed with previous studies where inorganic carbon outwelled from mangroves might enhance ecosystem connectivity by potentially buffering ocean acidification locally. Wetlands will be impacted by a variety of stressors resulting from a changing climate. Results from this study could inform scientists and stakeholders on how combined stresses, such as climate change with salinity intrusion may impact mangrove's blue carbon sink potential and highlight the need of future comparative studies of intact versus degraded mangrove stands.

Genomic Epidemiology as a Public Health Tool to Combat Mosquito-Borne Virus Outbreaks.

Next-generation sequencing technologies, exponential increases in the availability of virus genomic data, and ongoing advances in phylogenomic methods have made genomic epidemiology an increasingly powerful tool for public health response to a range of mosquito-borne virus outbreaks. In this review, we offer a brief primer on the scope and methods of phylogenomic analyses that can answer key epidemiological questions during mosquito-borne virus public health emergencies. We then focus on case examples of outbreaks, including those caused by dengue, Zika, yellow fever, West Nile, and chikungunya viruses, to demonstrate the utility of genomic epidemiology to support the prevention and control of mosquito-borne virus threats. We extend these case studies with operational perspectives on how to best incorporate genomic epidemiology into structured surveillance and response programs for mosquito-borne virus control. Many tools for genomic epidemiology already exist, but so do technical and nontechnical challenges to advancing their use. Frameworks to support the rapid sharing of multidimensional data and increased cross-sector partnerships, networks, and collaborations can support advancement on all scales, from research and development to implementation by public health agencies.

Aging in Rats Differentially Affects Markers of Transcriptional and Translational Capacity in Soleus and Plantaris Muscle.

Alterations in transcriptional and translational mechanisms occur during skeletal muscle aging and such changes may contribute to age-related atrophy. Herein, we examined markers related to global transcriptional output (i.e., myonuclear number, total mRNA and RNA pol II levels), translational efficiency [i.e., eukaryotic initiation and elongation factor levels and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) levels] and translational capacity (ribosome density) in the slow-twitch soleus and fast-twitch plantaris muscles of male Fischer 344 rats aged 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (n = 9-10 per group). We also examined alterations in markers of proteolysis and oxidative stress in these muscles (i.e., 20S proteasome activity, poly-ubiquinated protein levels and 4-HNE levels). Notable plantaris muscle observations included: (a) fiber cross sectional area (CSA) was 59% (p < 0.05) and 48% (p < 0.05) greater in 12 month vs. 3 month and 24 month rats, respectively, suggesting a peak lifetime value near 12 months and age-related atrophy by 24 months, (b) MPS levels were greatest in 18 month rats (p < 0.05) despite the onset of atrophy, (c) while regulators of ribosome biogenesis [c-Myc and upstream binding factor (UBF) protein levels] generally increased with age, ribosome density linearly decreased from 3 months of age and RNA polymerase (Pol) I protein levels were lowest in 24 month rats, and d) 20S proteasome activity was robustly up-regulated in 6 and 24 month rats (p < 0.05). Notable soleus muscle observations included: (a) fiber CSA was greatest in 6 month rats and was maintained in older age groups, and (b) 20S proteasome activity was modestly but significantly greater in 24 month vs. 3/12/18 month rats (p < 0.05), and (c) total mRNA levels (suggestive of transcriptional output) trended downward in older rats despite non-significant between-group differences in myonuclear number and/or RNA Pol II protein levels. Collectively, these findings suggest that plantaris, not soleus, atrophy occurs following 12 months of age in male Fisher rats and this may be due to translational deficits (i.e., changes in MPS and ribosome density) and/or increases in proteolysis rather than increased oxidative stress and/or alterations in global transcriptional mechanisms.

Gads (Grb2-related adaptor downstream of Shc) is required for BCR-ABL-mediated lymphoid leukemia.

Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias, including chronic myeloid leukemia and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), are driven by the oncogenic BCR-ABL fusion protein. Animal modeling experiments utilizing retroviral transduction and subsequent bone marrow transplantation have demonstrated that BCR-ABL generates both myeloid and lymphoid disease in mice receiving whole bone marrow transduced with BCR-ABL. Y177 of BCR-ABL is critical to the development of myeloid disease, and phosphorylation of Y177 has been shown to induce GRB2 binding to BCR-ABL, followed by activation of the Ras and phosphoinositide 3 kinase signaling pathways. We show that the GRB2-related adapter protein, GADS, also associates with BCR-ABL, specifically through Y177 and demonstrate that BCR-ABL-driven lymphoid disease requires Gads. BCR-ABL transduction of Gads(-/-) bone marrow results in short latency myeloid disease within 3-4 weeks of transplant, while wild-type mice succumb to both a longer latency lymphoid and myeloid diseases. We report that GADS mediates a unique BCR-ABL complex with SLP-76 in BCR-ABL-positive cell lines and B-ALL patient samples. These data suggest that GADS mediates lymphoid disease downstream of BCR-ABL through the recruitment of specific signaling intermediates.

Decreased eIF3e/Int6 expression causes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast epithelial cells.

eIF3e/Int6 is a component of the multi-subunit eIF3 complex, which binds directly to the 40S ribosome to facilitate ribosome recruitment to mRNA and hence protein synthesis. Reduced expression of eIF3e/Int6 has been found in up to 37% of human breast cancers, and expression of a truncated mutant version of the mouse eIF3e/Int6 protein leads to malignant transformation of normal mammary cells. These findings suggest that eIF3e/Int6 is a tumor suppressor; however, a recent study has reported that a reduction of eIF3e/Int6 expression in breast cancer cells leads to reduced translation of oncogenes, suggesting that eIF3e/Int6 may in fact have an oncogenic role in breast cancer. To gain a better understanding of the role of eIF3e/Int6 in breast cancer, we have examined the effects of decreased eIF3e/Int6 expression in an immortalized breast epithelial cell line, MCF-10A. Surprisingly, we find that decreased expression of eIF3e/Int6 causes breast epithelial cells to undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We show that EMT induced by a decrease in eIF3e/Int6 expression imparts invasive and migratory properties to breast epithelial cells, suggesting that regulation of EMT by eIF3e/Int6 may have an important role in breast cancer metastasis. Furthermore, we show that reduced eIF3e/Int6 expression in breast epithelial cells causes a specific increase in the expression of the key EMT regulators Snail1 and Zeb2, which occurs at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Together, our data indicate a novel role of eIF3e/Int6 in the regulation of EMT in breast epithelial cells and support a tumor suppressor role of eIF3e/Int6.

CBL-B is required for leukemogenesis mediated by BCR-ABL through negative regulation of bone marrow homing.

BCR-ABL induces chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) through the aberrant regulation of multiple signaling substrates. Previous research has shown that BCR-ABL mediates down-modulation of CBL-B protein levels. A murine bone marrow transplantation (BMT) study was performed to assess the contribution of Cbl-b to BCR-ABL-induced disease. The predominant phenotype in the Cbl-b(-/-) recipients was a CML-like myeloproliferative disease (MPD) similar to that observed in the wild-type animals, but with a longer latency, diminished circulating leukocyte numbers and reduced spleen weights. Despite the decreased leukemic burden in comparison to their wild-type counterparts, the Cbl-b(-/-) animals displayed enhanced numbers of Gr-1(+)/Mac-1(+) spleen cells and neutrophilia. On the basis of prior evidence of CBL-B-dependent motility toward SDF-1α, we hypothesized that Cbl-b deficiency might impair bone marrow localization during transplantation. Homing experiments showed reduced migration of Cbl-b(-/-) cells to the bone marrow. Intrafemoral transplantation of BCR-ABL-transduced Cbl-b(-/-) cells revealed equivalent latency of disease development to the wild-type transplants, supporting the conclusion that Cbl-b deficiency diminishes homing of leukemic cells to the bone marrow, and perturbs the proliferation of BCR-ABL-expressing malignant clones during CML development.

Characteristics of homeless HIV-positive outreach responders in urban US and their success in primary care treatment.

Homeless HIV+ persons with persistent mental illness and substance use disorders need services, but are hard to reach and enrol into treatment. Connecting them to services is a major challenge of the AIDS epidemic. This report describes characteristics of homeless HIV+ substance abusers who responded to outreach and enrolled in integrated treatment services. The target population was urban, homeless, HIV+ individuals with substance dependence and/or mental illness diagnoses. Health and physical functioning were measured using a refinement of the Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey. Questions based on the PRIME-MD measured subjects' mental health status. Outreach occurred at shelters, soup kitchens, and on the streets. The outreach team consisted of a nurse, substance abuse counsellor, and a formerly homeless person. Outreach contacted 3,059 individuals; 1,446 entered the clinic, 110 of 206 eligible candidates enrolled in the study, and 82.7% of study participants completed 12-month follow-up interviews. Enrollees exhibited 5th percentile composite health scores. They reported heavy street drug use and unmet service needs particularly for housing and financial assistance. Outreach successfully recruited targeted individuals into treatment. They stayed in treatment and demonstrated improvements on measures of physical and mental health 12-months later.

Use of an interactive game to increase food acceptance--a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Techniques to improve food selection in healthy children with long standing food refusal are limited. The use of educational games has been successful in getting children to increase knowledge in healthy eating, but it is uncertain whether this translates into behaviour change. Therefore the purpose of this study was to test the use of an interactive food game to increase food acceptance in healthy-weight school-age children with chronic food refusal. METHODS: Children attended an outpatient clinic and played an interactive game with a therapist and one parent during which non-preferred foods were consumed. Weekly recording of food consumption occurred with diet analysis by a Registered Dietitian three times during a 1-year time span. RESULTS: The children increased their repertoire of foods and had a more balanced intake. The changes in intake were incorporated into their daily meal patterns in the home setting and were maintained for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: An interactive food game is a successful tool for increasing food variety in healthy children with chronic food refusal. As this report included only three subjects, the results will be used for subsequent work on this topic.

Relationship between juvenile obesity, dietary energy and fat intake and physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of juvenile obesity to dietary fat, particularly saturated fat, and with dietary energy (controlling for activity patterns). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, evaluation of diet and activity patterns of obese and non-obese children and adolescents. SUBJECTS: A total of 181 children, aged 4-16 y. Subjects were divided into two groups: obese (body mass index, BMI, > 95th percentile for age and sex), 40 males and 51 females; and non-obese (BMI < 75th percentile for age and sex), 35 males and 55 females. MEASUREMENTS: Dietary intake was analyzed with a dietary history interview; activity patterns were analyzed with an activity interview and body fat was measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: The obese subjects consumed significantly more total calories, total fat in grams and saturated fatty acids (SFA) in grams than did the non-obese subjects. Based on step-wise multiple regression, the total energy consumed, not total fat or SFA, had the strongest relationship to the subject's percentage body fat, controlling for activity levels. CONCLUSION: We suggest that, although obese children and adolescents consume more dietary energy and fat than non-obese children and adolescents, there is a stronger relationship between total energy consumed and juvenile adiposity than with dietary fat or type of dietary fat consumed.

Improving cognitive development of low-birth-weight premature infants with the COPE program: a pilot study of the benefit of early NICU intervention with mothers.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a parent-focused intervention program (COPE) on infant cognitive development and maternal coping. A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 42 mothers of low-birth-weight (LBW) premature infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with follow-up at 3 months' and 6 months' corrected ages. COPE mothers received the four-phase educational-behavioral program that began 2-4 days postbirth and continued through 1 week following discharge from the NICU. Comparison mothers received audiotaped information during the same four time frames. Results indicated that COPE infants had significantly higher mental development scores at a 3 months' corrected age (M = 100.3) than did the comparison infants (M = 93.9), and this difference widened at 6 months' corrected age, with COPE infants scoring 14 points higher. COPE mothers were significantly less stressed by the NICU sights and sounds and had significantly stronger beliefs about what behaviors and characteristics to expect from their premature infants. Findings from this study support the need for further testing of early NICU interventions with parents to determine their effectiveness on parental coping and infant developmental outcomes.

General aviation crashes involving military personnel as pilots.

BACKGROUND: Injuries sustained in off-duty activities are a major cause of mortality and morbidity among military personnel. Reducing these off-duty fatalities is a continuing priority of the military. METHODS: General aviation crashes recorded by the National Transportation Safety Board between 1983 and 1998 were analyzed for military pilots (n = 205) and other military personnel (n = 185), and compared with all other general aviation crashes (n = 32,807) to identify differences in the crash circumstances and sustained injury severities. RESULTS: During the 16-yr study period, a total of 45 military pilots and 52 other military personnel were fatally injured while flying general aviation flights. Military pilots who were involved in general aviation crashes were more likely to have advanced licenses and higher total flight times when compared with other military personnel and civilian pilots (p < 0.05). Among the three groups of pilots, other military personnel had the least flying time and the largest percentage of student/private licenses. Military personnel had significantly less time in type in the 90-d and 30-d periods preceding the crash compared with civilians (p < 0.05). Shoulder restraint usage was associated with less severe injuries for all groups. We estimate that general aviation deaths have cost the military at least $405 million since 1983. CONCLUSIONS: General aviation crashes are a costly source of mortality and morbidity for military personnel, particularly military pilots. Interventions aimed at improving safety of military personnel in the general aviation setting warrant special consideration.

Validating a practical approach to determine weight control in obese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To study the usefulness of a mathematical index for assessing changes in body composition of obese children and adolescents who undergo a weight control program. DESIGN: A short-term longitudinal (mean of 19 months) cohort study. SUBJECTS: Sixty-seven obese children and adolescents (38 M, 29 F, age 6-16 (mean 11)y) who took part in a clinic-based weight control program. MEASUREMENTS: Percentage body fat was assessed at the start of the program by underwater weighing (UWW) and by bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Response to the program was assessed by a mathematical index (MI), based on observed and expected changes in height and weight, and by changes in percentage fat as measured by BIA. RESULTS: Adiposity, as assessed by BIA at the start of the program, was highly correlated to that obtained by UWW (r = 0.96 for fat-free mass). Changes in the MI over the program were correlated fairly well (r = -0.81, SEE = 3.57 kg) with changes in percentage fat as assessed by BIA. CONCLUSION: Using change in BIA as criterion, the MI is valid for assessing changes in percentage body fat of obese children and adolescents over time. This index is of use to clinicians who lack body composition equipment and need a quick method to analyze the effectiveness of a weight control program in obese children and adolescents.

Effectiveness of outreach to homeless substance abusers.

Substance abuse is a frequent and complicating feature of homelessness. Barriers to service access have prevented homeless individuals from receiving substance abuse care. Outreach to homeless persons is a mechanism for identifying homeless substance abusers and engaging them in treatment. This study describes a program of substance abuse treatment conducted by a medical care provider for homeless persons in Baltimore, Maryland and compares characteristics of outreach recipients to those of walk-in clients. The study also examines the differences in drug abuse pathology and selected treatment outcomes among homeless and non-homeless clients and the extent to which homeless persons are unidentified in the drug abuse treatment reporting system of the state. Homelessness is about 5.5 times more prevalent in the clientele of drug abuse treatment programs than is reflected in the statewide substance abuse management information system of Maryland. Composite scores on the Addiction Severity Index for homeless individuals are significantly higher (reflecting more serious problems) on every measure in the interview, compared to non-homeless individuals. Except for residential treatment settings, homeless persons demonstrate a shorter length-of-stay in substance abuse treatment than housed clients. Our outreach effort successfully located its targets. Outreach clients reported significantly higher levels of substance abuse than walk-in clients. In addition 42.3% of outreach contacts became service recipients. These findings indicate that outreach can be a successful method of targeting and engaging a segment of homeless substance abusers who are otherwise difficult to engage in treatment.

The major APN transcript of the alveolar type II epithelial cell originates from a unique upstream promoter region.

Aminopeptidase N (APN, EC 3.4.11.2) is an ectopeptidase expressed in lung at the apical surface of alveolar type II epithelial cells. Its expression is upregulated during fetal lung development. To begin to understand the regulation of APN expression during lung development, we used the rapid modification of cDNA ends (RACE) to clone the 5' end of the major APN transcript in rat lung and alveolar type II cells. The cloned sequence revealed a unique 135 bp untranslated exon which genomic cloning and restriction mapping indicated was located more than 14 kb upstream from the coding sequence. A 172 bp genomic fragment flanking the untranslated exon produced a high level of expression of a reporter gene in transient transfection assays using a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. The DNA fragment includes elements known to be important for expression of lung specific proteins, including the surfactant-associated proteins A, B, and C and the Clara cell specific protein. Comparison of the APN genomic sequences and gene structure from human and rat suggests that the exon present in the rat lung transcript may result from the use of a previously uncharacterized APN promoter.

The COPE program: a strategy to improve outcomes of critically ill young children and their parents.

Critically ill young children and their parents are subjected to multiple stressors during hospitalization, which may predispose them to short- and long-term negative outcomes. Nurses who care for children who are critically ill and their families during and following their intensive care unit stay must be knowledgeable of the impact of a child's critical illness on the family and factors influencing adjustment to the stressful experience. Knowledge of these issues is essential in planning effective intervention strategies to enhance coping outcomes in this population. This article (a) discusses how young children and their parents are affected by critical illness; (b) outlines major sources of stress for families; (c) identifies factors influencing coping outcomes; and (d) describes the COPE program, a newly devised early intervention program for critically ill young children and their parents.

Coping with marital separation: smoothing the transition for parents and children.

Divorce is a stressful multistage process that can have long-lasting negative outcomes for parents and children. Pediatric nurse practitioners are often the first health care professionals to be informed of family transitions. Therefore they must be knowledgeable of the impact of divorce on parents and children to implement appropriate interventions to enhance coping outcomes in this population. This article discusses the effects of divorce on parents and children and identifies intervention strategies that can be used by nurse practitioners when dealing with separated families. Description of the COPE Program, an intervention program recently implemented with parents and young children experiencing marital separation, is also highlighted.

Breaking through the barriers: healthcare for the homeless.

National welfare reform is predicted to increase the number of homeless persons. This will affect the health care system by increasing the number of uninsured people and by multiplying the number of homeless persons seeking care in hospital emergency departments. Homeless persons have four major barriers to care: financial, bureaucratic, programmatic, and personal. The authors provide an overview of the homeless population, outline the barriers to health care for persons who are homeless, and highlight the major health care needs of this population. Finally, a community-based service delivery system developed by one agency in responding to the need of homeless persons is provided as a model of care.

Building healthier families: helping parents and children cope with divorce.

Marital separation and divorce are stressful transitions for families. Due to the multitude of stressors imposed, parents and children are at risk for negative emotional, behavioral, and psychological outcomes. Advanced practice nurses are in an excellent position to provide early interventions to separated families that may prevent the need for mental health services that are costly to families and communities. This article discusses the effects of divorce on children and parents and provides guidelines for assessment and intervention with separated families. A description of the Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment (COPE) program, a newly developed intervention program for separated parents and their young children, is also included.

Helping mothers cope with a critically ill child: a pilot test of the COPE intervention.

The purpose of this study was to pilot test the effects of a theoretically driven intervention program (COPE = Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment) on the coping outcomes of critically ill children and their mothers. Thirty mothers of 1- to 6-year-old children in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) were randomly assigned to receive COPE or a comparison program. Mothers who received the COPE program: (a) provided more support to their children during intrusive procedures; (b) provided more emotional support to their children; (c) reported less negative mood state and less parental stress related to their children's emotions and behaviors; and (d) reported fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms and less parental role change four weeks following hospitalization. Results indicate the need to educate parents regarding their children's responses as they recover from critical illness and how they can assist their children in coping with the stressful experience.