Contiguous ∼16 Mb 1p36 deletion: Dominant features of classical distal 1p36 monosomy with haplo-lethality

Monosomy 1p36 results from heterozygous deletions of the terminal short chromosome 1 arm, the most common terminal deletion in humans. The microdeletion is split in two usually non-overlapping and clinically distinct classical distal and proximal 1p36 monosomy syndromes. Using comparative genome hybridization, MLPA and qPCR we identified the largest contiguous ∼16 Mb terminal 1p36 deletion reported to date. It covers both distal and proximal regions, causes a neonatally lethal variant with virtually exclusive features of distal 1p36 monosomy, highlighting the key importance of the gene-rich distal region for the "compound" 1p36 phenotype and a threshold deletion-size effect for haplo-lethality.

Greek Economists for Reform.com

This blog publishes articles by leading academic economists on issues relevant to economic policy and reforms in Greece. The crisis in Greece is also a time of opportunity: ambitious reforms can be undertaken that will not only stave off bankruptcy, but also modernize Greece’s economy and raise the productivity and incomes of Greek citizens on a sustainable basis. The articles in this blog aim to offer constructive proposals and impartial analysis of potential, proposed or implemented reforms that are based on the principles of modern economics and on lessons from recent cutting-edge research.

Distinct proteinase K-resistant prion protein fragment in goats with no signs of disease in a classical scrapie outbreak

Considerable efforts have been directed toward the identification of small-ruminant prion diseases, i.e., classical and atypical scrapie as well as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Here we report the in-depth molecular analysis of the proteinase K-resistant prion protein core fragment (PrP(res)) in a highly scrapie-affected goat flock in Greece. The PrP(res) profile by Western immunoblotting in most animals was that of classical scrapie in sheep. However, in a series of clinically healthy goats we identified a unique C- and N-terminally truncated PrP(res) fragment, which is akin but not identical to that observed for atypical scrapie. These findings reveal novel aspects of the nature and diversity of the molecular PrP(res) phenotypes in goats and suggest that these animals display a previously unrecognized prion protein disorder.

Verifying Harder's Conjecture for Classical and Siegel Modular Forms

A conjecture by Harder shows a surprising congruence between the coefficients of “classical” modular forms and the Hecke eigenvalues of corresponding Siegel modular forms, contigent upon “large primes” dividing the critical values of the given classical modular form. Harder’s Conjecture has already been verified for one-dimensional spaces of classical and Siegel modular forms (along with some two-dimensional cases), and for primes p 37. We verify the conjecture for higher-dimensional spaces, and up to a comparable prime p.

Greek Life and God Attachment: the Interaction of Sorority Influence and Religiosity on Women's Body Shame

The present study investigated the relationships between sorority women’s internalization of Greek thin ideals and body image, and dimensions of sorority women’s religiosity and body image. A combined relationship among sorority women’s internalization of Greek thin ideals, body image, and religiosity was also examined. Based on previous research it was expected that women’s internalization of Greek thin ideals would be associated with worse body image (in terms of body shame, body esteem, and drive for thinness) and that women’s religiosity (in terms of secure attachment to God) would be associated with better body image. Combinations of Greek thin ideal internalization and God attachment were expected to significantly predict changes in women’s body image. Women completed a series of survey measures assessing their awareness and internalization of Greek sociocultural thin ideals and their sense of community within their particular sorority. Women also completed a series of survey measures assessing their body shame, body esteem, and drive for thinness, in addition to survey measures assessing dimensions of their religiosity. The study’s findings revealed that women’s internalization of Greek thin ideals was associated with worse body image outcomes and that anxious attachment to God was associated with worse body image outcomes, particularly in relation to body shame. Moderation analyses revealed that Greek thin ideal internalization significantly interacted with anxious God attachment to predict body shame.