Differences in geriatric anthropometric data between DXA-based subject-specific estimates and non-age-specific traditional regression models

Age, obesity, and gender can have a significant impact on the anthropometrics of adults aged 65 and older. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in body segment parameters derived using two methods: (1) a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) subject-specific method (Chambers et al., 2010) and (2) traditional regression models (de Leva, 1996). The impact of aging, gender, and obesity on the potential differences between these methods was examined. Eighty-three healthy older adults were recruited for participation. Participants underwent a whole-body DXA scan (Hologic QDR 1000/W). Mass, length, center of mass, and radius of gyration were determined for each segment. In addition, traditional regressions were used to estimate these parameters (de Leva, 1996). A mixed linear regression model was performed (α = 0.05). Method type was significant in every variable of interest except forearm segment mass. The obesity and gender differences that we observed translate into differences associated with using traditional regressions to predict anthropometric variables in an aging population. Our data point to a need to consider age, obesity, and gender when utilizing anthropometric data sets and to develop regression models that accurately predict body segment parameters in the geriatric population, considering gender and obesity.     

Solid State Enabled Reversible Four Electron Storage

We report that a solid‐state battery architecture enables the reversible, four electron storage of fully utilized solvothermally synthesized cubic‐FeS₂ (pyrite). With a sulfide based glass electrolyte we successfully confine electro‐active species and permit the safe use of a lithium metal anode. These FeS₂/Li solid‐state cells deliver a theoretical specific capacity of 894 mAh g^?1 at 60 °C. We find that nanoparticles of orthorhombic‐FeS₂ (marcasite) are generated upon recharge at 30–60 °C which explains a coincident change in rate kinetics.     

Massively Parallel Sequencing of Patients with Intellectual Disability,Congenital Anomalies and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders with a Targeted Gene Panel

Developmental delay and/or intellectual disability (DD/ID) affects 1–3% of all children. At least half of these are thought to have a genetic etiology. Recent studies have shown that massively parallel sequencing (MPS) using a targeted gene panel is particularly suited for diagnostic testing for genetically heterogeneous conditions. We report on our experiences with using massively parallel sequencing of a targeted gene panel of 355 genes for investigating the genetic etiology of eight patients with a wide range of phenotypes including DD/ID, congenital anomalies and/or autism spectrum disorder. Targeted sequence enrichment was performed using the Agilent SureSelect Target Enrichment Kit and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq2000 using paired-end reads. For all eight patients, 81–84% of the targeted regions achieved read depths of at least 20×, with average read depths overlapping targets ranging from 322× to 798×. Causative variants were successfully identified in two of the eight patients: a nonsense mutation in the ATRX gene and a canonical splice site mutation in the L1CAM gene. In a third patient, a canonical splice site variant in the USP9X gene could likely explain all or some of her clinical phenotypes. These results confirm the value of targeted MPS for investigating DD/ID in children for diagnostic purposes. However, targeted gene MPS was less likely to provide a genetic diagnosis for children whose phenotype includes autism.     

Lower extremity corrective reactions to slip events.

A significant number of injuries in the workplace is attributed to slips and falls. Biomechanical responses to actual slip events determine whether the outcome of a slip will be recovery or a fall. The goal of this study was to examine lower extremity joint moments and postural adjustments for experimental evidence of corrective strategies evoked during slipping in an attempt to prevent falling. Sixteen subjects walked onto a possibly oily vinyl tile floor, while ground reaction forces and body motion were recorded at 350 Hz. The onset of corrective reactions by the body in an attempt to recover from slips became evident at about 25% of stance and continued until about 45% into stance, i.e. on average between 190 and 350 ms after heel contact. These reactions included increased flexion moment at the knee and extensor activity at the hip. The ankle, on the other hand, acted as a passive joint (no net moment) during fall trials. Joint kinematics showed increased knee flexion and forward rotation of the shank in an attempt to bring the foot back towards the body. Once again, the ankle kinematics appeared to play a less dominant role (compared to the knee) in recovery attempts. This study indicates that humans generate corrective reactions to slips that are different than previously reported responses to standing perturbations translating the supporting surface.     

An RNA folding method capable of identifying pseudoknots and base triples

MOTIVATION: Recently, we described a Maximum Weighted Matching (MWM) method for RNA structure prediction. The MWM method is capable of detecting pseudoknots and other tertiary base-pairing interactions in a computationally efficient manner (Cary and Stormo, Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology, pp. 75-80, 1995). Here we report on the results of our efforts to improve the MWM method's predictive accuracy, and show how the method can be extended to detect base interactions formerly inaccessible to automated RNA modeling techniques. RESULTS: Improved performance in MWM structure prediction was achieved in two ways. First, new ways of calculating base pair likelihoods have been developed. These allow experimental data and combined statistical and thermodynamic information to be used by the program. Second, accuracy was improved by developing techniques for filtering out spurious base pairs predicted by the MWM program. We also demonstrate here a means by which the MWM folding method may be used to detect the presence of base triples in RNAs. AVAILABILITY: http://www.cshl.org/mzhanglab/tabaska/j axpage. html CONTACT: tabaska@cshl.org      

Actin Disruption by Latrunculin B Causes Turgor-Related Changes in Tip Growth of Saprolegnia ferax Hyphae

Hyphae of Saprolegnia ferax growing under normal or low-turgor conditions were exposed to 0.1-10 &mgr;g/ml latrunculin B, an actin inhibitor. In the first 10 s of addition, hyphae with normal turgor levels accelerated while those with low turgor decelerated, consistent with the suggestion that actin restrains or protrudes tips under these respective turgor conditions. Both sets of hyphae then decelerated and eventually ceased extension within 60 s. These changes were reflected in rhodamine-phalloidin staining patterns, which showed that actin caps were disrupted progressively under both conditions in a time-dependent manner. After 60 s, normal-turgored hyphae started to swell rapidly while low-turgored hyphae showed little or no swelling. Swelling was characteristically subapical, which is best explained by tip growth models which incorporate actin-mediated exocytosis.