Person to Person in Ecuador

While still in the midst of their study abroad experiences, students at Linfield College write reflective essays. Their essays address issues of cultural similarity and difference, compare lifestyles, mores, norms, and habits between their host countries and home, and examine changes in perceptions about their host countries and the United States. In this essay, Whitney Brittingham describes her observations during her study abroad program at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador

Downregulation of endogenous TRAIL and its effect on the human cancer cell line KELLY

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been shown to exert an unexpected pro-survival, pro-proliferative and pro-invasive effect on a subset of human cancer cell lines. Recent clinical studies report that increased expression of endogenous TRAIL is associated with decreased disease-specific survival in renal cell carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma which are resistant to TRAIL induced apoptosis. The present work investigated the role of endogenous TRAIL as an intrinsic growth factor in apoptosis-resistant human cancer cells. Several cell lines derived from solid human tumors were studied, among them the neuroblastoma cell line KELLY, a cancer cell line resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. First, to investigate whether TRAIL-knockdown could inhibit cell growth, the use of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) for endogenous TRAIL was established and a successful knockdown was verified on both mRNA and protein level. Second, the functional impact of the knockdown of endogenous TRAIL was investigated by measuring cell growth and cell death after transfection: Interestingly, the human neuroblastoma cell line KELLY unexpectedly showed markedly reduced cell growth upon knockdown of endogenous TRAIL. Furthermore, knockdown of TRAIL induced cell death in KELLY cells, which was dependent on caspase-signaling and rescued by the addition of soluble TRAIL. Thus, endogenous TRAIL functions as an intrinsic survival and growth factor in the neuroblastoma cell line KELLY. The present work provided first evidence that the expression of endogenous TRAIL can be specifically downregulated through siRNA knockdown to inhibit survival and growth of cancer cells in-vitro, which are resistant to TRAIL induced apoptosis. The present data strongly supports the potential of endogenous TRAIL to function as a novel therapeutic target in cancer therapy. In the light of the emerging clinical use of siRNAs for cancer therapy, targeting TRAIL by RNA interference may provide a valuable treatment approach for patients with cancers resistant to TRAIL induced apoptosis and high expression levels of endogenous TRAIL.Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) zeigt eine unerwartete Wachstums-, Überlebens- und Invasionsfördernde Wirkung auf einzelne Apoptose-resistente humane Tumorzelllinien. Gleichzeitig wurde in klinischen Studien belegt, dass der Nachweis einer gesteigerten Expression von endogenem TRAIL im Tumorgewebe von Patienten mit Nierenzellkarzinomen und Cholangiokarzinomen mit einer Verminderung der tumorspezifischen Überlebensrate vergesellschaftet ist. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Bedeutung von endogenen TRAIL als intrinsischer Wachstumsfaktor auf Apoptose-resistente Tumorzellen untersucht. Die Analyse umfasste Zelllinien solider Tumoren, insbesondere die humane Neuroblastoma Zelllinie KELLY, die eine Resistenz gegenüber TRAIL-induzierter Apoptose aufweist. In einem ersten Schritt wurde ein effizienter TRAIL-knockdown mittels small interfering RNAs (siRNA) methodologisch etabliert und die erfolgreiche Abregulierung von endogenen TRAIL auf mRNA- und Proteinebene nachgewiesen. In einem zweiten Schritt wurde die funktionelle Auswirkung der Abregulation von endogenen TRAIL auf das Proliferations- und Apoptoseverhalten der Tumorzellen untersucht: Interessanterweise führte der spezifische knockdown von TRAIL mittels siRNA zu einer unmittelbaren Proliferationshemmung der Neuroblastoma Zelllinie KELLY. Darüber hinaus wurde durch den knockdown von endogenem TRAIL ein Caspase-abhängiger Zelltod der KELLY Zellen induziert. Die Zugabe von exogenem TRAIL konnte die Apoptose der KELLY Zellen nach Behandlung mit TRAIL-siRNA effizient vermindern. Endogenes TRAIL wirkt somit als intrinsischer Überlebens- und Wachstumsfaktor für die Neuroblastoma Zelllinie KELLY. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt erstmals, dass die Expression von endogenem TRAIL durch die Anwendung von siRNA erfolgreich reduziert werden kann und das TRAIL-knockdown das Wachstum einer Apoptose-resistenten Zelllinie inhibiert. Diese Ergebnisse unterstützen die Hypothese, dass TRAIL einen potentiellen Angriffspunkt für die Behandlung Apoptose-resistenter Tumoren darstellen könnte. Vor dem Hintergrund der beginnenden klinischen Anwendung von siRNA könnte RNA-Interferenz mit TRAIL einen interessanten Ansatzpunkt für die Behandlung von Tumoren mit einer Resistenz gegenüber TRAIL induzierter Apoptose sowie einer hoher Expression von endogenen TRAIL darstellen

Examining the Influence of Healthy Eating Identity on Shopping Behaviors

Eating identity is shown to be a promising measure capable of enhancing our understanding of nutrition behavior. Persons with healthy eating identities are less likely to consume the typical American diet and report healthier diets in general. While there are several studies linking healthy eating identity and diet, there is currently no research examining healthy eating identity in relation to food shopping behavior, an important aspect of nutritional intake. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of healthy eating identity on shopping behaviors including supermarket utilization, supercenter utilization, likelihood of shopping at the nearest store, distance to the primary store, distance between nearest and utilized store, shopping frequency, and shopping miles. A cross-sectional telephone survey of 780 household food shoppers from an eight-county region in South Carolina ascertained information on Eating Identity Type Inventory (EITI), food shopping behaviors, and demographic factors. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to generate shopping distance measures. Four general model structures were considered for linear and logistic regression analyses of each of the outcome variables. The unstandardized regression coefficient for healthy eating identity was reported for linear models, and odds ratios were reported for logistic models. There was no evidence of a significant association between healthy eating identity and the shopping behaviors of interest at the 0.05 alpha level. Though not significant, associations were positive for supermarket utilization, distance between nearest and utilized store, and shopping miles and negative for supercenter utilization and likelihood of shopping at the nearest store as expected. Findings suggest a modifying effect of urbanicity on the relationship between healthy eating identity and likelihood of shopping at the nearest store as well as distance to the primary store. The results imply that healthy eating identity may exert more of an influence on shopping behaviors in urban participants compared to non-urban participants. Studying urban and non-urban areas separately is advisable for future studies to determine whether healthy eating identity exerts a significant influence on food shopping behaviors in either of these environments

A comparative study of the benthic population in weir ponds draining watersheds of the Fernow Experimental Forest, Parsons, West Virginia

A study of the benthos of weir ponds draining watersheds of the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF) was conducted in 1994-1995. The objectives of this study were: (1) to relate differences in weir pond faunas to watershed treatments on the FEF, and (2) to compare current weir pond faunas to those described in 1973 by Steve Harris. In 1971-1972, there were fewer invertebrates but greater taxa richness than in 1994-1995. Total density varied among weir pond and between studies with numbers in the 1971- 1972 study ranging from 26,168 to 79,259 individuals collected, while numbers in the 1994-1995 study raged from 72,779 to 103,743 individuals collected. Mean density among weir ponds in 1994-1995 was not significantly different. In 1971-1972, the weir ponds differed greatly with most of the differences between weir ponds of forested and deforested watersheds. The family Chironomidae was the most abundant group in all four weir ponds in 1971-1972. In the 1994-1995, study the family Chironomidae was only most abundant in weir ponds 3 and 4. Zooplankton populations were very high in the 1994-1995 study, which accounted for 58 percent and 66 percent of the total density for weir ponds 1 and 6

Reupholstery: A Guide for Prop Masters

Upholstery is something that is often looked upon as a daunting task. With a full guide to reinforcement for stage use, options in foundations, and charts to compute fabric yardages, this thesis will provide professional prop masters with a guide to heighten their standards of upholstery onstage. Featuring options and ideals for varying skill sets; it will assist prop masters with more information regarding the topic with options particular to the theatrical profession. In lieu of an expansive library of upholstery books that feature a variety of techniques, the information included in this document will serve as a supplemental guide of the best practices for theatrical use

Kinetics and mechanisms of the oxidation of rhenium(V) oxo and thiolato complexes by alkyl hydroperoxides and orthoquinones

Mononuclear rhenium(V) compounds MeReO(mtp)NC5H4X where mtpH2 is 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol have been prepared from MeReO(mtp)2 by the addition of pyridines with electron-donating substituents in the para or meta position; X = 4-Me, 4-But, 3-Me, 4-Ph, and H. Analogous compounds MeReO(edt)N5H4X, edtH2 = 1,2-ethanedithiol, were prepared similarly. The equilibrium constants for the reaction, Dimer + 2 Py = 2 M-Py, are in the range 2.5--31.6 x 102. Both groups of monomeric compounds react with quinones (phenanthrenequinone, PQ, and 3,5-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone, DBQ) displacing the pyridine ligand and forming Re(VII) catecholate complexes. With PQ, the reaction M-Py + PQ = MPCat + Py is an equilibrium. The equilibrium constants, KQ, have been measured at 298 K. Second-order rate constants were determined in both directions. The reactions of M-Py complexes with DBQ proceeded to completion allowing the forward rate constants to be determined;Aqueous methyldioxorhenium (MDO), prepared in situ from methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) and hypophosphorous acid, abstracts an oxygen atom from tertiary alkyl hydroperoxides. This regenerates MTO and forms the tertiary alcohol with rate constants 3.71 x 104 L mol-1 s -1 (t-BuOOH) and 3.47 x 104 L mol -1 s-1 (t-AmOOH) at 25.0°C in aqueous 1.0 M HOTf. In a separate study, the concomitant slow decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides and MTO (to ReO4-) was investigated. The rate law is v = k[MTO][ROOH]/[H+], with k = 7.4 x 10-5 s-1 (R = tBu) and k = 8.4 x 10-5 s-1 (R = t-Am) at 25.0°C in aq. solution at mu 1.0 M. 1H NMR spectroscopy and GC revealed organic products suggestive of radical reactions. The products from tBuOOH are acetone, methanol, tertbutyl methyl ether, methane, ethane, and tertbutyl methyl peroxide. With CH2DReO3, it could be shown that both t-BuOOH and MTO were sources of the methane