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Heteromorphic sex chromosomes (XY or ZW) present problems of gene dosage imbalance between the sexes, and with the autosomes. Mammalian X chromosome inactivation was long thought to imply a critical need for dosage compensation in vertebrates. However, the universal importance of sex chromosome dosage compensation was questioned by mRNA abundance measurements that demonstrated sex chromosome transcripts are neither balanced between the sexes or with autosomes in monotreme mammals or birds. Here, we demonstrate unbalanced mRNA levels of X genes in platypus males and females that correlate with differential loading of histone modifications, and confirm that transcripts of Z genes are unbalanced between males and females also in chicken. However, we found that in both species, median male to female protein abundance ratios were 1:1, implying an additional level of post-transcriptional control. We conclude that parity of sex chromosome output is achieved in birds, as well as all mammal groups, by a combination of transcriptional and post-transcriptional control, consistent with an essential role for sex chromosome dosage compensation in vertebrates.

Background Traditional biomonitoring approaches have delivered a basic understanding of biodiversity, but they cannot support the large-scale assessments required to manage and protect entire ecosystems. This study used DNA metabarcoding to assess spatial and temporal variation in species richness and diversity in arthropod communities from 52 protected areas spanning 3 Canadian ecoregions. Results This study revealed the presence of 26,263 arthropod species in the 3 ecoregions and indicated that at least another 3,000–5,000 await detection. Results further demonstrate that communities are more similar within than between ecoregions, even after controlling for geographical distance. Overall α-diversity declined from east to west, reflecting a gradient in habitat disturbance. Shifts in species composition were high at every site, with turnover greater than nestedness, suggesting the presence of many transient species. Conclusions Differences in species composition among their arthropod communities confirm that ecoregions are a useful synoptic for biogeographic patterns and for structuring conservation efforts. The present results also demonstrate that metabarcoding enables large-scale monitoring of shifts in species composition, making it possible to move beyond the biomass measurements that have been the key metric used in prior efforts to track change in arthropod communities.

Currently there are nine known examples of transmissible cancers in nature. They have been observed in domestic dog, Tasmanian devil, and six bivalve species. These tumours can overcome host immune defences and spread to other members of the same species. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are known to play roles in tumorigenesis and immune system evasion. Despite their potential importance in transmissible cancers, there have been no studies on ncRNA function in this context to date. Here, we present possible applications of the CRISPR/Cas system to study the RNA biology of transmissible cancers. Specifically, we explore how ncRNAs may play a role in the immortality and immune evasion ability of these tumours.

IntroductionEvidence-based occupational therapy home programmes for children with unilateral cerebral palsy have demonstrated efficacy; however, uptake into routine practice is varied. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the therapist-perceived supports and barriers to using occupational therapy home programmes for children with unilateral cerebral palsy, based on evidence of best practice in the United Kingdom.MethodFourteen occupational therapists completed semi-structured telephone interviews. Using a qualitative framework analysis approach, support and barrier factors were indexed against the Theoretical Domains Framework, before being categorised more broadly using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour Model.FindingsCommon supports included: (a) strong leadership within the team to facilitate the translation of occupational therapy home programmes and evidence-based interventions into service-specific protocols; (b) knowledge exchange within professional networks and (c) mentorship. Common barriers included: (a) lack of resources; (b) restricted opportunities to review occupational therapy home programmes and (c) difficulties keeping up-to-date with the evidence in this area.ConclusionTo be effective, occupational therapy home programmes need to be based on evidence of best practice; analysis indicated an urgent need to capture outcomes, record parental practice, further integrate ‘occupation’ within goal-setting, and develop use of conceptual models of practice to both enhance family-centred care and articulate the profession’s unique contribution.

We present the results of 41 AMS and 49 stable isotope determinations of animal bones retrieved at seven Saami offering places or sieiddit from Finnish Lapland. The offered remains are dominated by reindeer, but other wild and domesticated species were also present. AMS dates and artefacts suggest that six of the studied sieiddit were being utilized as offering places by the 13th century, and that votive activity continued with varying intensity until around 1900. The AMS dates and stable isotope analyses of the sieidi bones produced interesting, somewhat unexpected, results that reflect various aspects of human-animal interaction in Finnish Lapland. In addition to information about Finland’s sieidi sites in terms of utilization chronology and the species offered at them, the study provides a major body of new data from animal species that lived in Finnish Lapland during AD 1000–1900.

IntroductionOccupational therapy home programmes for children with cerebral palsy have a robust evidence-base, but their content and usage in United Kingdom practice is unknown.MethodA national onl...

Objective To describe the effects of a look-alike, sound-alike medication error on the glycemic control and psychiatric well-being of a 23-year-old man. Case Summary A 23-year-old man presented to the university-based Integrated Multidisciplinary Program of Assertive Community Treatment (IMPACT) team with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, most recent episode manic, and hypertension. The patient was prescribed chlorpromazine 100 mg daily to treat symptoms of psychosis and anxiety. The anxiety, however, persisted and escalated over the following 2 weeks. Upon physical examination of the patient's medications, it was discovered that the patient was inadvertently given chlorpropamide in place of the chlorpromazine. Evaluations, clinical presentation, the medication list, and criteria for an adverse drug event indicated a probable relationship (7 of 12) between the use of chlorpropamide and a hypoglycemic episode. The medication error was noted and corrective actions were taken. Within 1 week of the corrective actions, the patient's anxiety improved. Discussion When working with psychiatric patients, it is important to physically review all medications when expected responses are not achieved or when new psychiatric or physiological symptoms present. Approximately one-fourth of medication errors in the United States are drug name confusion errors. These errors must be universally addressed by all parties involved in the medication process. Effective safeguards are available and must be implemented by manufacturers, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and all health care professionals to prevent look-alike, sound-alike medication errors.

Background PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) increases LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by stimulating the degradation of Low Density Lipoprotein receptors (LDL-r). This protein is now of high interest because antibodies which inhibit its effect on LDL-r are being developed. A severe hypercholesterolemia and / or an elevation of lipoprotein(a) can be treated with lipoprotein apheresis (LA) in high-risk patients. Methods We measured serum PCSK9 levels in patients eligible for the extracorporeal treatment: in 40 patients (Cohort I) who were treated with different systems before and after apheresis sessions and in the intervals between sessions. 10 patients (Cohort II) who were eligible but did not start LA yet served as controls. Results Patients' baseline serum PCSK9 levels were elevated relative to healthy volunteers and LA sessions acutely reduced the mean PCSK9 concentrations by 51%. Comparison of the effectiveness of the different LA methods demonstrated the DSA and HELP were more effective than the DALI system. After 24 h PCSK9 levels had returned to baseline compared to 8 days for the LDL-C concentrations to return to its pre-apheresis levels. In Cohort II baseline PCSK9 levels were similar to those in Cohort I. Conclusion The acute reductions of PCSK9 by apheresis may be beneficial with respect to increasing the effectiveness of lipid-lowering drugs and with respect to an anti-atherosclerotic effect. In the future, antagonists to PCSK9 will probably be combined with or possibly replace LA in patients with a very high cardiovascular risk.