Smallholder Farmer Adoption of Climate-Related Adaptation Strategies: The Importance of Vulnerability Context, Livelihood Assets, and Climate Perceptions.

Despite increased research characterizing the adaptive capacity of households and communities, there are few empirical studies that test why farmers adopt costly climate-related adaptive strategies, which strategies are implemented, and farmers' perceptions of climate changes. In this study, we analyzed determinants for smallholder farmer adoption of adaptation strategies in Chiapas, Mexico. We conducted 291 surveys with landowners in eight coffee farming communities. Farmers were asked which of 21 adaptation strategies they had engaged in, within five categories: migration, storage, land use diversification, community investment, and market exchange. We found the most frequent strategies included planting shade coffee, diversifying crop varieties, shifting sow date, building living walls, reforesting, or engaging in soil conservation. Although many farmers have experienced natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes, they were most concerned by long-term threats to crops like coffee rust and higher temperatures, that require costly adaptive investments. We find farmers adapt to climate events because of their vulnerability context (i.e., experience with disasters and distance to markets). Land holdings (i.e., natural capital), farm equipment (i.e., physical capital), and group membership (i.e., social capital), were also key factors influencing adaptation. Finally, farmers with strong perceptions of drought and temperature change were most likely to adapt. These results suggest policy makers should have a multi-pronged approach to: improve farmers' resource base through explicitly promoting adaptation strategies like crop and income diversification; inform climate perceptions through workshops on climate and weather; and strengthen participation in community and producer organizations to increase smallholder adaptation.

Aneuploidy screening by non-invasive prenatal testing in twin pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in twin pregnancy. METHODS: Two sets of maternal blood samples from twin pregnancies were analyzed at our laboratory using NIPT: 115 stored samples from pregnancies with known outcome (Clinical Study A) and 487 prospectively collected samples for which outcomes were requested from providers (Clinical Study B). NIPT was used to screen for the presence of fetal aneuploidy on chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y in all cases, and results were compared with outcomes when known. RESULTS: In Clinical Study A, all 115 samples were classified correctly by NIPT: three cases of trisomy 21 (one fetus affected), one of monochorionic trisomy 18 (both fetuses affected) and 111 euploid. In Clinical Study B, a NIPT result was reported for 479 (98.4%) of the 487 samples. Aneuploidy was detected or suspected in nine (1.9%) cases: seven cases of trisomy 21 detected, one case of trisomy 21 suspected and one case with trisomy 21 detected and trisomy 18 suspected. Information on aneuploidy outcome was available for 171 (35.7%) cases in Clinical Study B. Of the nine cases with aneuploidy detected or suspected, six were confirmed to be a true positive in at least one twin based on karyotype or birth outcome and two were suspected to be concordant based on ultrasound findings; the one known discordant result was for the aneuploidy suspected case. No false negatives were reported. CONCLUSION: NIPT performed well in the detection of trisomy 21 in twin pregnancy, with a combined false-positive frequency for trisomies 13, 18 and 21 of 0% for Clinical Study A and 0.2% for Clinical Study B. © 2016 Illumina. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Effect of a dairy- and calcium-rich diet on weight loss and appetite during energy restriction in overweight and obese adults: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A diet rich in dairy and calcium (Ca) has been variably associated with improvements in body composition and decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Our objective was to determine if a dietary pattern high in dairy and Ca improves weight loss and subjective appetite to a greater extent than a low dairy/Ca diet during energy restriction in overweight and obese adults with metabolic syndrome. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 49 participants were randomized to one of two treatment groups: Control (low dairy, ≈ 700 mg/day Ca, -500 kcal/day) or Dairy/Ca (high dairy, ≈ 1400 mg/day Ca, -500 kcal/day) for 12 weeks. Body composition, subjective ratings of appetite, food intake, plasma satiety hormones, glycemic response and inflammatory cytokines were measured. RESULTS: Control (-2.2 ± 0.5 kg) and Dairy/Ca (-3.3 ± 0.6 kg) had similar weight loss. Based on self-reported energy intake, the percentage of expected weight loss achieved was higher with Dairy/Ca (82.1 ± 19.4%) than Control (32.2 ± 7.7%; P=0.03). Subjects in the Dairy/Ca group reported feeling more satisfied (P=0.01) and had lower dietary fat intake (P=0.02) over 12 weeks compared with Control. Compared with Control, Dairy/Ca had higher plasma levels of peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY, P=0.01) during the meal tolerance test at week 12. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was reduced at 30 min with Dairy/Ca compared with Control (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a dairy- and Ca-rich diet was not associated with greater weight loss than control. Modest increases in plasma PYY concentrations with increased dairy/Ca intake, however, may contribute to enhanced sensations of satisfaction and reduced dietary fat intake during energy restriction.

Changes in the pore network structure of Hanford sediment after reaction with caustic tank wastes.

At the former nuclear weapon production site in Hanford, WA, caustic radioactive tank waste leaks into subsurface sediments and causes dissolution of quartz and aluminosilicate minerals, and precipitation of sodalite and cancrinite. This work examines changes in pore structure due to these reactions in a previously-conducted column experiment. The column was sectioned and 2D images of the pore space were generated using backscattered electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. A pre-precipitation scenario was created by digitally removing mineral matter identified as secondary precipitates. Porosity, determined by segmenting the images to distinguish pore space from mineral matter, was up to 0.11 less after reaction. Erosion-dilation analysis was used to compute pore and throat size distributions. Images with precipitation had more small and fewer large pores. Precipitation decreased throat sizes and the abundance of large throats. These findings agree with previous findings based on 3D X-ray CMT imaging, observing decreased porosity, clogging of small throats, and little change in large throats. However, 2D imaging found an increase in small pores, mainly in intragranular regions or below the resolution of the 3D images. Also, an increase in large pores observed via 3D imaging was not observed in the 2D analysis. Changes in flow conducting throats that are the key permeability-controlling features were observed in both methods.

Lymphocyte enzymatic antioxidant responses to oxidative stress following high-intensity interval exercise.

The purposes of this study were to 1) examine the immune and oxidative stress responses following high-intensity interval training (HIIT); 2) determine changes in antioxidant enzyme gene expression and enzyme activity in lymphocytes following HIIT; and 3) assess pre-HIIT, 3-h post-HIIT, and 24-h post-HIIT lymphocyte cell viability following hydrogen peroxide exposure in vitro. Eight recreationally active males completed three identical HIIT protocols. Blood samples were obtained at preexercise, immediately postexercise, 3 h postexercise, and 24 h postexercise. Total number of circulating leukocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, as well as lymphocyte antioxidant enzyme activities, gene expression, cell viability (CV), and plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels, were measured. Analytes were compared using a three (day) × four (time) ANOVA with repeated measures on both day and time. The a priori significance level for all analyses was P < 0.05. Significant increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were observed in lymphocytes following HIIT. No significant increases in lymphocyte SOD, CAT, or GPX gene expression were found. A significant increase in TBARS was found immediately post-HIIT on days 1 and 2. Lymphocyte CV in vitro significantly increased on days 2 and 3 compared with day 1. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in CV at 3 h compared with pre- and 24 h postexercise. These findings indicate lymphocytes respond to oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. Additionally, HIIT causes oxidative stress but did not induce a significant postexercise lymphocytopenia. Analyses in vitro suggest that lymphocytes may become more resistant to subsequent episodes of oxidative stress. Furthermore, the analysis in vitro confirms that lymphocytes are more vulnerable to cytotoxic molecules during recovery from exercise.

Problems in determination of skeletal lead burden in archaeological samples: an example from the First African Baptist Church population.

Human bone lead content has been demonstrated to be related to socioeconomic status, occupation and other social and environmental correlates. Skeletal tissue samples from 135 individuals from an early nineteenth century Philadelphia cemetery (First African Baptist Church) were studied by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence for lead content. High bone lead levels led to investigation of possible diagenetic effects. These were investigated by several different approaches including distribution of lead within bone by X-ray fluorescence, histological preservation, soil lead concentration and acidity as well as location and depth of burial. Bone lead levels were very high in children, exceeding those of the adult population that were buried in the cemetery, and also those of present day adults. The antemortem age-related increase in bone lead, reported in other studies, was not evidenced in this population. Lead was evenly deposited in areas of taphonomic bone destruction. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence studies revealed no consistent pattern of lead microdistribution within the bone. Our conclusions are that postmortem diagenesis of lead ion has penetrated these archaeological bones to a degree that makes their original bone lead content irretrievable by any known method. Increased bone porosity is most likely responsible for the very high levels of lead found in bones of newborns and children.

Molecular karyotyping using an SNP array for genomewide genotyping.

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal imbalances are a major cause of developmental defects as well as cancer and often constitute the key in identification of novel disease related genes. Classical cytogenetic methods are limited in resolution and dependent on highly skilled labour, while methods with higher resolution, based on molecular cytogenetics approaches such as matrix CGH, are not widely available. METHODS: We have developed and evaluated a method we term "molecular karyotyping", using readily available and easy to handle oligonucleotide arrays originally designed for parallel genomewide analysis of over 10,000 SNPs. We show that we can easily and reliably detect unbalanced chromosomal aberrations of various sizes from as little as 250 ng of DNA on a single microarray, based on fluorescence intensity information from clusters of SNPs. RESULTS: We determined the resolution of this method through analysis of 20 trios with 21 previously confirmed subtle aberrations sizing between 0.2 and 13 Mb. Duplications and deletions of at least 5 Mb in size were reliably detectable, but detection of smaller aberrations was dependent on the number of SNPs they contained, thus seven of 10 different deletions analysed, with sizes ranging from 0.2 to 3.7 Mb, were not detectable due to insufficient SNP densitiy in the respective region. CONCLUSIONS: Deduction of reliable cut off levels for array peaks in our series of well characterised patients allows the use of the GeneChip Mapping 10K SNP array for performing rapid molecular karyotyping from small amounts of DNA for the detection of even subtle deletions and duplications with high sensitivity and specificity.

Center for Synchrotron Biosciences' U2B beamline: an international resource for biological infrared spectroscopy.

A synchrotron infrared (IR) beamline, U2B, dedicated to the biomedical and biological sciences has been constructed and is in operation at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) of Brookhaven National Laboratory. The facility is operated by the Center for Synchrotron Biosciences of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in cooperation with the NSLS. Owing to the broadband nature of the synchrotron beam with brightness 1000 times that of conventional sources, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy experiments are feasible on diffraction-limited sample areas at high signal-to-noise ratios and with relatively short data-acquisition times. A number of synchrotron IR microscopy experiments that have been performed in the mid-IR spectral range (500-5000 cm(-1)) are summarized, including time-resolved protein-folding studies in the microsecond time regime, IR imaging of neurons, bone and other biological tissues, as well as imaging of samples of interest in the chemical and environmental sciences. Owing to the high flux output of this beamline in the far-IR region (50-500 cm(-1)), investigations of hydrogen bonding and dynamic molecular motions of biomolecules have been carried out from 10 to 300 K using a custom-made cryostat and an evacuated box. This facility is intended as an international resource for biological IR spectroscopy fully available to outside users based on competitive proposal.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism alleles in the insulin receptor gene are associated with typical migraine.

We have identified a migraine locus on chromosome 19p13.3/2 using linkage and association analysis. We isolated 48 single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the locus, of which we genotyped 24 in a Caucasian population comprising 827 unrelated cases and 765 controls. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the insulin receptor gene showed significant association with migraine. This association was independently replicated in a case-control population collected separately. We used experiments with insulin receptor RNA and protein to investigate functionality for the migraine-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We suggest possible functions for the insulin receptor in migraine pathogenesis.

Migraine with aura susceptibility locus on chromosome 19p13 is distinct from the familial hemiplegic migraine locus.

Migraine is a common neurological disease with a major genetic component. Recently, it has been proposed that a single locus on chromosome 19p13 contributes to the genetic susceptibility of both rare familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) and more common types of migraine, migraine with aura and migraine without aura. We analyzed 16 families for co-segregation of migraine with aura and chromosome 19p13 markers. Using multipoint model-free linkage analysis, we obtained a lod score of 4.28 near D19S592. Using an affecteds-only model of linkage, we observed a lod score of 4.79 near D19S592. We were able to provide statistical evidence that this locus on chromosome 19p13 is most likely not the gene CACNA1A, mutations in which cause FHM. These data indicate that chromosome 19p13 contains a locus which contributes to the genetic susceptibility of migraine with aura that is distinct from the FHM locus.

SNP genotyping by multiplexed solid-phase amplification and fluorescent minisequencing.

The emerging role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in clinical association and pharmacogenetic studies has created a need for high-throughput genotyping technologies. We describe a novel method for multiplexed genotyping of SNPs that employs PCR amplification on microspheres. Oligonucleotide PCR primers were designed for each polymorphic locus such that one of the primers contained a recognition site for BbvI (a type IIS restriction enzyme), followed by 11 nucleotides of locus-specific sequence, which reside immediately upstream of the polymorphic site. Following amplification, this configuration allows for any SNP to be exposed by BbvI digestion and interrogated via primer extension, four-color minisequencing. Primers containing 5' acrylamide groups were attached covalently to the solid support through copolymerization into acrylamide beads. Highly multiplexed solid-phase amplification using human genomic DNA was demonstrated with 57 beads in a single reaction. Multiplexed amplification and minisequencing reactions using bead sets representing eight polymorphic loci were carried out with genomic DNA from eight individuals. Sixty-three of 64 genotypes were accurately determined by this method when compared to genotypes determined by restriction-enzyme digestion of PCR products. This method provides an accurate, robust approach toward multiplexed genotyping that may facilitate the use of SNPs in such diverse applications as pharmacogenetics and genome-wide association studies for complex genetic diseases.

Direct interaction of the spinal muscular atrophy disease protein SMN with the small nucleolar RNA-associated protein fibrillarin.

Disruption of the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene leads to selective loss of spinal motor neurons, resulting in the fatal human neurodegenerative disorder spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMN has been shown to function in spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) biogenesis and pre-mRNA splicing. We have demonstrated that SMN also interacts with fibrillarin, a highly conserved nucleolar protein that is associated with all Box C/D small nucleolar RNAs and functions in processing and modification of rRNA. Fibrillarin and SMN co-immunoprecipitate from HeLa cell extracts indicating that the proteins exist as a complex in vivo. Furthermore, in vitro binding studies indicate that the interaction between SMN and fibrillarin is direct and salt-stable. We show that the glycine/arginine-rich domain of fibrillarin is necessary and sufficient for SMN binding and that the region of SMN encoded by exon 3, including the Tudor domain, mediates the binding of fibrillarin. Tudor domain missense mutations, including one found in an SMA patient, impair the interaction between SMN and fibrillarin (as well as the common snRNP protein SmB). Our results suggest a function for SMN in small nucleolar RNP biogenesis (akin to its known role as an snRNP assembly factor) and reveal a potential link between small nucleolar RNP biogenesis and SMA.

Dredged material decontamination demonstration for the port of New York/New Jersey.

Management of contaminated dredged material is a significant challenge in the Port of New York and New Jersey as a result of more stringent regional ocean placement regulations with escalating costs for upland placement. One component of an overall management plan can be the application of a decontamination technology followed by creation of a product suitable for beneficial use. This concept is the focus of a project now being carried out by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, the US Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and regional university groups that have included Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Stevens Institute of Technology. The project has progressed through phased testing of commercial technologies at the bench scale (15 liters) (Marcor, Metcalf & Eddy, Gas Technology Institute, Westinghouse Science & Technology, BioGenesis, International Technology, and BioSafe) and pilot-scale (1.5-500m(3)) (BioGenesis, Gas Technology Institute, and Westinghouse Science & Technology) levels. The technologies developed by Gas Technology Institute and BioGenesis are now going forward to commercial demonstration facilities that are intended to treat from 23000 to 60000m(3) of dredged material during their first operational period in 2001-2002. Beneficial use products are soils and cement. Treatment costs for the final commercial facilities are estimated at US$ 39 per m(3). Selection of the technologies was made based on the effectiveness of the treatment process, evaluation of the possible beneficial use of the treated materials, and other factors. Major elements of the project are summarized here.

A family physician's guide to monitoring methotrexate.

Methotrexate has a long history of use in the treatment of various immunologic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Although the drug is usually prescribed by a subspecialist, a family physician may assume responsibility for monitoring methotrexate therapy. Major toxic effects, such as hepatic, pulmonary, renal and bone marrow abnormalities, require careful monitoring. Minor toxic effects, such as stomatitis, malaise, nausea, diarrhea, headaches and mild alopecia, are common but respond to folate supplementation. Methotrexate is administered once weekly as a single dose or in divided doses given over a 24-hour period. To reduce the incidence of major toxic effects, methotrexate should never be given in daily doses. Relative contraindications include renal dysfunction, liver disease, active infectious disease and excessive alcohol consumption. Both women and men of reproductive age should use birth control during methotrexate therapy. Potential drug interactions include salicylates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are both commonly used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. A premethotrexate evaluation is important to ensure proper patient selection for this effective but potentially toxic drug.

Living kidney donation: recovery and return to activities of daily living.

To determine donor nephrectomy outcomes, a one page 20-item survey of 42 cases was reviewed, including demographics, intervals to normal activities (e.g., driving a car, returning to work), and an open inquiry about the donation process. Hospital records were also reviewed. Nephrectomy under general anesthesia was through an anterior flank, extra-retroperitoneal approach with postoperative epidural pain control. Early self-care, progressive ambulation, and prescriptive pulmonary care were undertaken to facilitate recovery. Length of stay averaged 3.4 (range 2-8) d, and mean hospitalization charge was $15 169 (range $10 733-S29 579). Thirty-four donors were employed outside the home; 18 (53%) returned to work within 4 wk, and the average duration away from work was 4.6 wk (range 6 d 10 wk). Within 2 wk, 25 (59%) were driving an automobile. Usual activities of daily living were fully performed by all donors at a mean of 4.8 wk (minimum 5 d). Forty respondents would donate again, and one might; one did not respond to this question. None reported intermediate or long-term disabilities and all reported return to their pre-donation level of activity. With the anterior extra-retroperitoneal nephrectomy, most donors were out of the hospital within 4 d, were driving within 2 wk, and returned to gainful employment within 4 wk. Living kidney donation, as viewed by the donors, was a positive experience, which appeared to disrupt their lives minimally.

A cysteine-rich motif in poliovirus protein 2C(ATPase) is involved in RNA replication and binds zinc in vitro.

Protein 2C(ATPase) of picornaviruses is involved in the rearrangement of host cell organelles, viral RNA replication, and encapsidation. However, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which 2C(ATPase) engages in these processes are not known. To characterize functional domains of 2C(ATPase), we have focused on a cysteine-rich motif near the carboxy terminus of poliovirus 2C(ATPase). This region, which is well conserved among enteroviruses and rhinoviruses displaying an amino acid arrangement resembling zinc finger motifs, was studied by genetic and biochemical analyses. A mutation that replaced the first cysteine residue of the motif with a serine was lethal. A mutant virus which lacked the second of four potential coordination sites for zinc was temperature sensitive. At the restrictive temperature, RNA replication was inhibited whereas translation and polyprotein processing, assayed in vitro and in vivo, appeared to be normal. An intragenomic second-site revertant which reinserted the missing coordination site for zinc and recovered RNA replication at the restrictive temperature was isolated. The cysteine-rich motif was sufficient to bind zinc in vitro, as assessed in the presence of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol by a colorimetric assay. Zinc binding, however, was not required for hydrolysis of ATP. 2C(ATPase) as well as its precursors 2BC and P2 were found to exist in a reduced form in poliovirus-infected cells.

Urinary biomarkers as indicators of renal disease.

Using modern technology, minute quantities of LMWP, prostanoids, growth factors, intra-renal and extra-renal enzymes can be measured in urine. Excretory patterns that are characteristic for site and mechanism of renal injury often can be found. It is possible to recognise urinary biomarker patterns that suggest the putative environmental nephrotoxin. Our own studies performed in subjects with low level occupational and environmental exposures in New Jersey confirm the pattern specificity and threshold effects for Cr, Hg and Pb. In addition, we have been able to show that increased NAG and IAP excretion following Pb exposure correlates with current (blood Pb) but not with the cumulative Pb burden (bone Pb). The relatively specific characteristic patterns of biomarker excretion are lost as renal failure progresses. Moreover, renal injury that results in tubular proteinuria may not progress to renal failure. Nevertheless, urine biomarkers can help to establish acceptable levels and identify the need for long term surveillance to ascertain when clinical renal disease may result.