Explore the vast range of titles available.

Findings from family and twin studies support a genetic contribution to the development of sexual orientation in men. However, previous studies have yielded conflicting evidence for linkage to chromosome Xq28. We conducted a genome-wide linkage scan on 409 independent pairs of homosexual brothers (908 analyzed individuals in 384 families), by far the largest study of its kind to date. We identified two regions of linkage: the pericentromeric region on chromosome 8 (maximum two-point LOD = 4.08, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.59), which overlaps with the second strongest region from a previous separate linkage scan of 155 brother pairs; and Xq28 (maximum two-point LOD = 2.99, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.76), which was also implicated in prior research. Results, especially in the context of past studies, support the existence of genes on pericentromeric chromosome 8 and chromosome Xq28 influencing development of male sexual orientation.

We examined whether recalled childhood gender nonconformity and self-reported adult gender nonconformity is familial, using data from 1154 families selected for having at least two homosexual brothers. Specifically, we examined the extent to which homosexual men’s variation in gender nonconformity runs in families by examining pairs of genetic brothers who were both homosexual ( N  = 672–697 full sibling concordant pairs). We also examined similarity between homosexual and heterosexual brothers ( N  = 79–82 full sibling discordant pairs). Consistent with past studies, concordant pairs yielded modest positive correlations consistent with moderate genetic and/or familial environmental effects on gender nonconformity. Unlike results of smaller past studies, discordant pairs also yielded modest positive, though nonsignificant, correlations. Our results support the feasibility of supplementing genetic studies of male sexual orientation with analyses of gender nonconformity variation.

Male sexual orientation is influenced by environmental and complex genetic factors. Childhood gender nonconformity (CGN) is one of the strongest correlates of homosexuality with substantial familiality. We studied brothers in families with two or more homosexual brothers (409 concordant sibling pairs in 384 families, as well as their heterosexual brothers), who self-recalled their CGN. To map loci for CGN, we conducted a genome-wide linkage scan (GWLS) using SNP genotypes. The strongest linkage peaks, each with significant or suggestive two-point LOD scores and multipoint LOD score support, were on chromosomes 5q31 (maximum two-point LOD = 4.45), 6q12 (maximum two-point LOD = 3.64), 7q33 (maximum two-point LOD = 3.09), and 8q24 (maximum two-point LOD = 3.67), with the latter not overlapping with previously reported strongest linkage region for male sexual orientation on pericentromeric chromosome 8. Family-based association analyses were used to identify associated variants in the linkage regions, with a cluster of SNPs (minimum association p  = 1.3 × 10 –8 ) found at the 5q31 linkage peak. Genome-wide, clusters of multiple SNPs in the 10 –6 to 10 –8 p -value range were found at chromosomes 5p13, 5q31, 7q32, 8p22, and 10q23, highlighting glutamate-related genes. This is the first reported GWLS and genome-wide association study on CGN. Further increasing genetic knowledge about CGN and its relationships to male sexual orientation should help advance our understanding of the biology of these associated traits.

To better understand sexual orientation from an evolutionary perspective, we investigated whether, compared to heterosexual men, the fewer direct descendants of homosexual men could be counterbalanced by a larger number of other close biological relatives. We also investigated the extent to which three patterns generally studied separately––handedness, number of biological older brothers, and hair-whorl rotation pattern––correlated with each other, and for evidence of replication of previous findings on how each pattern related to sexual orientation. We surveyed at Gay Pride and general community festivals, analyzing data for 894 heterosexual men and 694 homosexual men, both groups predominantly (~80%) white/non-Hispanic. The Kinsey distribution of sexual orientation for men recruited from the general community festivals approximated previous population-based surveys. Compared to heterosexual men, homosexual men had both more relatives, especially paternal relatives, and more homosexual male relatives. We found that the familiality for male sexual orientation decreased with relatedness, i.e., when moving from first-degree to second-degree relatives. We also replicated the fraternal birth order effect. However, we found no significant correlations among handedness, hair whorl rotation pattern, and sexual orientation, and, contrary to some previous research, no evidence that male sexual orientation is transmitted predominantly through the maternal line.

Family and twin studies suggest that genes play a role in male sexual orientation. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of male sexual orientation on a primarily European ancestry sample of 1,077 homosexual men and 1,231 heterosexual men using Affymetrix single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. We identified several SNPs with p  < 10 −5 , including regions of multiple supporting SNPs on chromosomes 13 (minimum p  = 7.5 × 10 −7 ) and 14 ( p  = 4.7 × 10 −7 ). The genes nearest to these peaks have functions plausibly relevant to the development of sexual orientation. On chromosome 13, SLITRK6 is a neurodevelopmental gene mostly expressed in the diencephalon, which contains a region previously reported as differing in size in men by sexual orientation. On chromosome 14, TSHR genetic variants in intron 1 could conceivably help explain past findings relating familial atypical thyroid function and male homosexuality. Furthermore, skewed X chromosome inactivation has been found in the thyroid condition, Graves’ disease, as well as in mothers of homosexual men. On pericentromeric chromosome 8 within our previously reported linkage peak, we found support ( p  = 4.1 × 10 −3 ) for a SNP association previously reported (rs77013977, p  = 7.1 × 10 −8 ), with the combined analysis yielding p  = 6.7 × 10 −9 , i.e., a genome-wide significant association.

The atmosphere is vastly underexplored as a habitable ecosystem for microbial organisms. In this study, we investigated 795 timeresolved metagenomes from tropical air, generating 2.27 terabases of data. Despite only 9 to 17% of the generated sequence data currently being assignable to taxa, the air harbored a microbial diversity that rivals the complexity of other planetary ecosystems. The airborne microbial organisms followed a clear diel cycle, possibly driven by environmental factors. Interday taxonomic diversity exceeded day-to-day and month-to-month variation. Environmental time series revealed the existence of a large core of microbial taxa that remained invariable over 13 mo, thereby underlining the longterm robustness of the airborne community structure. Unlike terrestrial or aquatic environments, where prokaryotes are prevalent, the tropical airborne biomass was dominated by DNA from eukaryotic phyla. Specific fungal and bacterial species were strongly correlated with temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration, making them suitable biomarkers for studying the bioaerosol dynamics of the atmosphere.

BackgroundThe presence of different antibodies in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before detectable joint inflammation points to a source of RA autoimmunity different then synovium. Recent data [1] support that RA-related autoimmunity may originate at a mucosal site: oral, lung and gastrointestinal mucosa. Special emphasis is on the antibodies of IgG class and their effector function of binding to Fc gamma receptors (FcRγ) on many different immune cells.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the presence and possible association between humoral immunity to food antigens and disease activity in patients with early treatment naive RA (eRA). Also, we examined the expression of FcRγ (CD16) on lymphocytes, NK cells and granulocytes in peripheral blood of these patients and its possible relation with humoral food immunity.MethodsStudy included 50 patients newly diagnosed with RA, who had not received any corticosteroid or DMARD therapy and whose conventional radiographs of hands and feet showed no structural damage. Control group consisted of 106 healthy volunteers. The presence and intensity of serum IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies to cow's milk proteins (CMP) and gliadin were determined by ELISA assays. The expression of CD16 and CD56 on immunocompetent cells of peripheral blood was performed by flow cytometry.ResultsSignificantly enhanced levels of IgG antibodies to gliadin were detected in patients with eRA in comparison with healthy controls (p=0.028). Levels of IgA and IgM antibodies to CMP were significantly higher in sera of eRA patients compared to healthy controls (p=0.0009, p<0.0001, respectively). The percentage of CD16+ lymphocytes and CD16+CD56+ cells in peripheral blood were significantly decreased in patients with eRA compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively). No significant difference in the percentage of CD16+ granulocytes in peripheral blood between the examined groups was detected, however significantly higher mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD16 on granulocytes was detected in patients with eRA (p<0.0001). MFI of CD16 expression on lymphocytes was significantly increased in patients with eRA in comparison with healthy individuals (p=0.004). The significant decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes in patients with eRA (p=0.002) was detected. Positive correlation was found between IgG anti-gliadin antibodies and CD16 expression on lymphocytes (r=0.360, p=0.025). Furthermore, these antibodies inversely correlated with the percentage of CD16+ granulocytes (r=-0.326, p=0.045).ConclusionsSignificantly higher levels of antibodies to food antigens like gliadin and CMP are present in sera of patients with eRA and could have possible role in the early stages of this disease through activating IgG receptors on immunocompetent cells.ReferencesDemoruelle MK, Deane KD, Holers VM. When and where does inflammation begin in rheumatoid arthritis? Curr Opin Rheumatol 2014; 26:64–71.Disclosure of InterestNone declared

ABSTRACTBacillus velezensis strain SGAir0473 (Firmicutes) was isolated from tropical air collected in Singapore. Its genome was assembled using short reads and single-molecule real-time sequencing and comprises one chromosome with 4.18 Mb. The genome consists of 3,937 protein-coding genes, 86 tRNAs, and 27 rRNAs.

ABSTRACTThe thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermoleovorans was isolated from a tropical air sample collected in Singapore. The genome was sequenced on the PacBio RS II platform and consists of one chromosome with 3.6 Mb and one plasmid with 75 kb. The genome comprises 3,509 protein-coding genes, 88 tRNAs, and 27 rRNAs.

This practical new resource provides you with a much wider choice of analytical solutions to the everyday problems you encounter in electromagnetic modeling. The book enables you to use cutting-edge method-of-moments procedures, with new theories and techniques that help you optimize computer performance in numerical analysis of composite metallic and dielectric structures in the complex frequency domain. For the first time, comparisons and unique combinations of techniques bring the elements of flexibility, ease of implementation, accuracy, and efficiency into clear view. Numerous examples are given - from simple to complex - including scatterers, antennas and microwave circuits. You get an in-depth presentation of intricate models, including TV UHF panels, horn, parabolic, microstrip patch antennas, and many others. More than 800 equations and 150 illustrations support key topics.