Genetic architecture of a reinforced, postmating, reproductive isolation barrier between Neurospora species indicates evolution via natural selection.

A role for natural selection in reinforcing premating barriers is recognized, but selection for reinforcement of postmating barriers remains controversial. Organisms lacking evolvable premating barriers can theoretically reinforce postmating isolation, but only under restrictive conditions: parental investment in hybrid progeny must inhibit subsequent reproduction, and selected postmating barriers must restore parents' capacity to reproduce successfully. We show that reinforced postmating isolation markedly increases maternal fitness in the fungus Neurospora crassa, and we detect the evolutionary genetic signature of natural selection by quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of the reinforced barrier.

Using geographic information systems to match local health needs with public health services and programs.

Local health departments (LHDs) play an important role in ensuring essential public health services. Geographic information system (GIS) technology offers a promising means for LHDs to identify geographic gaps between areas of need and the reach of public health services. We examined how large LHDs could better inform planning and investments by using GIS-based methodologies to align community needs and health outcomes with public health programs.

Is a premature rise in luteinizing hormone in the absence of increased progesterone levels detrimental to pregnancy outcome in GnRH antagonist in vitro fertilization cycles.

Objective: To determine whether a premature rise in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) without a concomitant increase in the level of progesterone is detrimental to pregnancy outcome in flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Large academic IVF practice.

Massive changes in genome architecture accompany the transition to self-fertility in the filamentous fungus Neurospora tetrasperma.

A large region of suppressed recombination surrounds the sex-determining locus of the self-fertile fungus Neurospora tetrasperma. This region encompasses nearly one-fifth of the N. tetrasperma genome and suppression of recombination is necessary for self-fertility.

The relationships among body size, biological sex, ethnicity, and healthy lifestyles in adolescents.

PURPOSE. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine whether actual weight, biological sex, and race/ethnicity were related to differences of weight perception, nutrition and activity knowledge, perceived difficulty, attitudes, and choices about living a healthy lifestyle in adolescents; and (b) describe the relationships among these variables. DESIGN AND METHODS.

Correlates among healthy lifestyle cognitive beliefs, healthy lifestyle choices, social support, and healthy behaviors in adolescents: implications for behavioral change strategies and future research.

Introduction: The foundation for healthy lifestyle behaviors begins in childhood. As such, the relationships among cognitive beliefs, healthy lifestyle choices, and healthy lifestyle behaviors in adolescents have been explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships among cognitive variables, social support, and healthy lifestyle behaviors in adolescents.

Measurement of radon and xenon binding to a cryptophane molecular host.

Xenon and radon have many similar properties, a difference being that all 35 isotopes of radon ((195)Rn-(229)Rn) are radioactive. Radon is a pervasive indoor air pollutant believed to cause significant incidence of lung cancer in many geographic regions, yet radon affinity for a discrete molecular species has never been determined. By comparison, the chemistry of xenon has been widely studied and applied in science and technology.

Associations between modest weight changes and onset and progression of lower urinary tract symptoms in two population-based cohorts.

Objectives: To conduct a study to determine whether weight changes were associated with the risk of developing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Obesity has been associated with LUTS in aging men.

Methods: The study population consisted of men participating in the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status among Men and the Flint Men's Health Study.

Washington State Death with Dignity Act: implications for long-term care.

The Washington Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) allows competent, terminally ill adults to request a lethal dose of medication from a physician. The purpose of this study was to explore knowledge of Directors of Nursing (DONs) in long-term care (LTC) and assisted living facilities regarding the DWDA. Findings of the survey provide insight into DONs' understanding of the law and whether they have provided staff education regarding how to respond to resident requests.

Thermal and Visual Observation of Water and Acetone Oscillating Heat Pipes.

A visual and thermal experimental investigation of four oscillating heat pipes (OHPs) was conducted to observe fluid flow of liquid plugs and vapor bubbles in the OHP and its effect on the temperature distribution and heat transfer performance in an OHP. These four OHPs consist of an open loop water OHP, an open loop acetone OHP, a closed loop water OHP, and a closed loop acetone OHP. These copper OHPs were constructed identically with all six turns in the same plane.

Incidence of non-AIDS-defining cancer in antiretroviral treatment-naïve subjects after antiretroviral treatment initiation: an ACTG longitudinal linked randomized trials analysis.

Background: Prospective data on factors associated with the non-AIDS-defining cancer (NADC) incidence in HIV-infected individuals are limited.

Methods: We examined the NADC incidence in 3,158 antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve subjects after ART initiation in AIDS Clinical Trials Group trials; extended follow-up was available for 2,122 subjects. Poisson regression was used to examine the associations between covariates and incident NADC.

Clinical management and follow-up of hypercholesterolemia among perinatally HIV-infected children enrolled in the PACTG 219C study.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is common in perinatally HIV-infected (HIV+) children, but little is known about the clinical course and management in this population.

Methods: We studied HIV+ children in a multisite prospective cohort study (Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 219C) and considered follow-up for 2 years after development of hypercholesterolemia. We estimated the time and factors associated with resolution of hypercholesterolemia and described changes in antiretroviral regimen and use of lipid-lowering medications.

Relation of clinical, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic features of cardiac amyloidosis to the presence of the transthyretin V122I allele in older African-American men.

Previous studies have shown that 3% to 4% of African Americans carry an amyloidogenic allele of the human serum protein transthyretin (TTR V122I). The allele appears to have an absolute anatomic risk for cardiac amyloid deposition after 65 years of age. In this study, a case-control comparison was performed of clinical, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic characteristics of 23 age at risk carriers of the amyloidogenic allele and 46 age-, gender-, and ethnically matched noncarriers being evaluated for cardiac disease using standard clinical testing.

Does loss of spasticity matter? A 10-year follow-up after selective dorsal rhizotomy in cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Nineteen children (four females, 15 males; mean age 4y 7mo, SD 1y 7mo) with bilateral spastic CP, were prospectively assessed at baseline and 18 months, 3 years, and 10 years after SDR. Assessments included the Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity, the Gross Motor Function Measure 88 (GMFM-88) and the Wilson gait scale for ambulation, neurological investigations, and passive joint range of motion assessment.

Identifying genes that impact on aroma profiles produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the production of higher alcohols.

During alcoholic fermentation, many volatile aroma compounds are formed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, including esters, fatty acids, and higher alcohols. While the metabolic network that leads to the formation of these compounds is reasonably well mapped, surprisingly little is known about specific enzymes involved in specific reactions, the regulation of the network, and the physiological roles of individual pathways within the network. Furthermore, different yeast strains tend to produce significantly different aroma profiles.

Associations between variants in the cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme gene (PTGS2) and development of benign prostate enlargement.

Objective: To determine if polymorphisms in the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzyme gene (prostaglandin synthase 2; PTGS2) were associated with development of benign prostate enlargement (BPE), and whether associations were modified by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Materials And Methods: Participants were men residing in Olmsted County, MN, who were between 40 and 79 years of age in 1990 (N= 356). Prostate volume was measured by transrectal ultrasound and men reported all the medications that they were taking at the time of the examination.

Proteomic analysis of grape berry cell cultures reveals that developmentally regulated ripening related processes can be studied using cultured cells.

Background: This work describes a proteomics profiling method, optimized and applied to berry cell suspensions to evaluate organ-specific cultures as a platform to study grape berry ripening. Variations in berry ripening within a cluster(s) on a vine and in a vineyard are a major impediment towards complete understanding of the functional processes that control ripening, specifically when a characterized and homogenous sample is required. Berry cell suspensions could overcome some of these problems, but their suitability as a model system for berry development and ripening needs to be established first.

Associations between longitudinal changes in serum estrogen, testosterone, and bioavailable testosterone and changes in benign urologic outcomes.

Some men have rapid increases in benign prostatic enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and it is not clear how sex steroid hormones contribute to the rates of change in these urologic outcomes. Therefore, the authors conducted a population-based cohort study of 648 men residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1990 to 2007, to examine associations between baseline sex steroid hormones, the rate of change in these hormones, and the rates of change in LUTS, maximum urinary flow rate, and prostate volume. Annual changes in hormone levels and urologic outcomes were calculated using mixed-effects regression models.

The effects of body mass index on changes in prostate-specific antigen levels and prostate volume over 15 years of follow-up: implications for prostate cancer detection.

Objective: To investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) and BMI change with change in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and to assess the possible roles of PSA hemodilution and prostate volume in explaining the obesity and PSA association.

Methods: In 1990, a randomly selected cohort of Caucasian men, aged 40 to 79 years, from Olmsted County, Minnesota, completed questionnaires ascertaining demographic characteristics, current medical conditions, and medications biennially, with a subset undergoing blood draws and clinical examinations. Linear mixed models were used to predict annual changes and intercepts of individual changes in BMI, PSA, prostate volume, plasma volume, and PSA mass, adjusting for age in 545 men with at least 2 serial PSA, BMI, and prostate volume measurements.

Regulation of low-threshold afferent activity may contribute to short-term habituation in Aplysia californica.

The goal of this study was to characterize the contribution of a population of low-threshold mechanoreceptors to short-term habituation of siphon-elicited reflex responses in Aplysia californica. Since the location of their somata is unknown, we refer to them as the Unidentified Low-Threshold mechanoreceptors (ULTs). The ULTs operate in parallel to the higher-threshold and well-characterized LE sensory neurons, yet little is known regarding their contribution to behavioral plasticity.

The effects of type 2 diabetes and hypertension on changes in serum prostate specific antigen levels: results from the Olmsted County study.

Objective: Men with type 2 diabetes have lower concomitant prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels; however, the influence of metabolic conditions on PSA changes over time remains unknown. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess associations between type 2 diabetes and hypertension and changes in serum PSA levels.

Methods: In 1990, a randomly selected cohort of Caucasian men, ages 40-79, from Olmsted County, MN completed questionnaires ascertaining demographic characteristics, current medical conditions and medications biennially, with 633 men undergoing blood draws.

The effects of metabolic conditions on prostate cancer incidence over 15 years of follow-up: results from the Olmsted County Study.

Objective: • To determine if combinations of obesity, hypertension and diabetes influence the development of prostate cancer over 15 years of follow-up.

Patients And Methods: • In 1990, a randomly selected cohort of Caucasian men from Olmsted County, MN, USA, aged 40-79 years, was recruited; 2445 completed a questionnaire that included physician-diagnosed diabetes and hypertension. • Anthropometric measures were collected during clinical examination.

Measures of autonomic nervous system activity and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity may play an important role in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Men with severe LUTS and men with mild or no LUTS completed the Valsalva maneuver, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test, tilt-table, and deep breathing tests. There were no differences between men with severe LUTS compared to men with mild or no LUTS (all P values > 0.