Symbiont Diversity of Zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium Spp.) In Porities Astreoides and Montastraea Cavernosa from a Reciprocal Transplant in the Lower Florida Keys

In recent years, coral reefs worldwide have suffered high mortality rates due to coral bleaching, a phenomenon contributing to a 40% decrease in coral cover in the Florida Keys since the 1997/98 El Niño event. In the Florida Keys, coral from inshore reefs are known to be more thermotolerant than their conspecifics from offshore reefs but the mechanism behind this difference is unclear. In this study we conducted a two-year, reciprocal transplant of Porites astreoides and Montastraea cavernosa from an inshore and offshore reef in the lower Florida Keys to determine if changes in the dominant symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium spp.) could explain variation in holobiont tolerance as well as to assess the possibility of acclimatization to a changing stress regime. Increased complexity and diversity was demonstrated in the composition of Symbiodinium spp. from both coral species collected at the offshore reef when compared to conspecifics collected inshore. As a result of this complexity, the offshore reef samples displayed higher numbers of transitions of zooxanthellae subclade types between seasons, while inshore fragments demonstrated more stability and may explain previously measured thermotolerance. Additionally, the known thermotolerant subclade type D1 was associated with one M. cavernosa fragment from the inshore reef. When fragments were transplanted, compositional patterns of Symbiodinium spp. were retained from site of collection, indicating a lack of acclimatization to a new environment over the lengthy two-year experiment. These results demonstrate variability in the dominant Symbiodinium spp. of P. astreoides and M. cavernosa conspecifics from inshore and offshore reefs in the lower Florida Keys and point to possible patterns in holobiont thermotolerance. This variability may be key to the continued persistence of these species in the face of climate change, but future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms and range in which these subclade types withstand thermal stress

Hypoxia significantly reduces aminolaevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX synthesis in EMT6 cells

We have studied the effects of hypoxia on aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) synthesis in EMT6 monolayer cultures characterized by different cell densities and proliferation rates. Specifically, after ALA incubation under hypoxic or normoxic conditions, we detected spectrofluorometrically the PpIX content of the following populations: (a) low-density exponentially growing cells; (b) high-density fed-plateau cells; and (c) high-density unfed-plateau cells. These populations were selected either for the purpose of comparison with other in vitro studies (low-density exponentially growing cells) or as representatives of tumour regions adjacent to (high-density fed-plateau cells) and further away from (high-density unfed-plateau cells) capillaries. The amount of PpIX per cell produced by each one of these populations was higher after normoxic ALA incubation. The magnitude of the effect of hypoxia on PpIX synthesis was dependent on cell density and proliferation rate. A 42-fold decrease in PpIX fluorescence was observed for the high-density unfed-plateau cells. PpIX production by the low-density exponential cells was affected the least by ALA incubation under hypoxic conditions (1.4-fold decrease), whereas the effect on the high-density fed-plateau population was intermediate (20-fold decrease). © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Forest Bathing Environments in Virtual Reality: Enhancing Well-being through Immersive Nature Experiences

Cursos e Congresos, C-155[Abstract] The present study proposes an innovative approach to promote wellbeing by developing forest bathing environments in virtual reality (VR). Forest bathing, a practice rooted in traditional Japanese culture, involves immersing oneself in a forest atmosphere to enhance physical and mental health. VR technology enables the opportunity to recreate and simulate these natural environments, allowing individuals to experience the benefits of forest bathing regardless of their physical location and limitations of physical access to natural environments. This study aims to design and evaluate the effectiveness of a VR forest bathing environment in improving well-being, stress reduction, and overall relaxationCITIC is funded by the Xunta de Galicia through the collaboration agreement between the Consellería de Cultura, Educación, Formación Profesional e Universidades and the Galician universities for the reinforcement of the research centres of the Galician University System (CIGUS)

Post-Translational Control of Retinoblastoma Protein Phosphorylation

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) functions through multiple mechanisms to serve as a tumor suppressor. pRB has been well characterized to be inactivated through phosphorylation by CDKs. pRB dephosphorylation and activation is a much less characterized aspect of pRB function. In this thesis, I detail work to study the post translational control of pRB phosphorylation. Here I present work detailing efforts to generate a gene targeted mouse which disrupts PP1 binding to the C-terminus of pRB, allowing for detailed study of the mechanisms of pRB dephosphorylation. This work also details an examination of acetylation in the C-terminus of pRB, which disrupts CDK phosphorylation of pRB. I generated a site specific antibody to examine K873/K874 acetylation, and carried out characterization of this set of post-translational modifications. This work highlights the complex mechanisms surrounding pRB phosphorylation state and regulation of pRB activation

Impact of local implementation in the cities of Rosenheim, Ulm and Zurich and the administrative districts of Ravensburg and St. Wendel to the recipients and their capabilities

Die konsequente fachlich-methodische Umsetzung des Fachkonzepts Sozialraumorientierung (SRO) wirkt sich in den Hilfen zur Erziehung nachweislich auf die Adressatinnen und deren Verwirklichungschancen aus. Konkret bewirkt der konsequente Vollzug der sieben sozialarbeiterischen Handlungsschritte Ressourcenerhebung (1), Erhebung Wille der Adressatin (2), Festlegung Richtungsziele (3), Ressourcencheck und Nutzung Ressourcen des sozialen Raumes (4), Planung Schritte/Maßnahmen und Hilfeplan/Vereinbarung/Kontrakt (5), sozialraumorientierte Durchführung der Hilfe (6) und Ergebnisauswertung (7), dass die Adressatinnen… ...wissen, was sie wollen, …ihre Stärken und Möglichkeiten kennen, …wissen, welche Unterstützung und Infrastruktur aus dem sozialen Raum sie darüber hinaus zur Zielerreichung nutzen können, …wissen, dass sie gezielt etwas verändern können, …ihre eigenen Möglichkeiten, die gewollte Situation herbeizuführen, kennen, …wissen, wo sie zusätzliche Unterstützung für die Zielerreichung erhalten können, …ihre Ziele zumindest teilweise erreichen, …und dass sich ihre Verwirklichungschancen signifikant verbessern. Dies belegen die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden empirischen Untersuchung, welche in den Landkreisen Ravensburg und St. Wendel sowie den Städten Rosenheim, Ulm und Zürich durchgeführt wurde. Die Studie identifiziert mittels qualitativem Verfahren neun Umsetzungstypen. Die ersten sieben sind verifiziert und finden Aufnahme in die Typologie: • SRO-Master • SRO-Fachkräfte • Willen- und Zielorientierte • SRO-Praktikerinnen • Lösungsorientierte • Zielorientierte • Konzeptlose und/oder Dokumentationsmüde • Lückenhafte • Hilfevorbereitende. Mittels quantitativem Verfahren kann zudem ein statistischer Zusammenhang zwischen der Nutzung theoretisch-fachlicher Grundlagen der SRO, dem systematischen SRO-Vorgehen, der Berücksichtigung der Wirkfaktoren sowie den zu erwartenden Hinweisen auf realisierte Verwirklichungschancen nachgewiesen werden. Demzufolge gilt: Je konsequenter die theoretisch-fachlichen Grundlagen der SRO genutzt werden und je konsequenter das Fachkonzept fachlich-methodisch umgesetzt wird, desto positiver wirkt sich dies auf die Adressatinnen, deren Zielerreichung und die Verbesserung deren Verwirklichungschancen aus. Die aus den Ergebnissen der vorliegenden Untersuchung gebildete Theorie ist auf andere das Fachkonzept Sozialraumorientierung umsetzende Städte und Landkreise und auf weitere Bereiche der Sozialen Arbeit (Einzelfallhilfe im gesetzlichen und freiwilligen Kontext) übertragbar, da sie auch in diesen ihre Gültigkeit hat (Theorie mittlerer Reichweite).The consistent implementation of the social space concept (SRO) in the field of educational support has a verifiable impact on the recipients and their capabilities. In more concrete terms, the consistent implementation of the seven steps in social work which are: identifying the resources (1), identifying the recipient’s will (2), determination of goals (3), checking resources and utilization of resources of the social space (4), planning of the steps to be taken/measures and support plan/agreement/contract (5), social space-oriented implementation of support measures (6) and outcome evaluation (7) has the following effects on the recipients: • They know what they want. • They know their personal strengths and abilities. • They know what support and infrastructure of the social space they can use additionally in pursuit of their goals. • They know they can change something volitionally. • They know their own capacity to create an intended outcome. • They know where they can get additional help to reach their goals. • They reach their goals at least partially. • Their capabilities improve significantly. This is confirmed by the results of the present empirical study which was conducted in the administrative districts of Ravensburg and St. Wendel and in the cities of Rosenheim, Ulm and Zürich. The study identifies nine implementation types using qualitative methods. The first seven are verified and are included in the typology: • SRO master • SRO professionals • Will and goal-oriented • SRO practitioners • Solution-oriented • Goal-oriented • Lacking a concept and/or being weary of documentation • Incomplete • Preparing support. Moreover, using quantitative methods a statistical relationship could be established between the use of the theoretical and technical principles of SRO, the systematic SRO approach, the consideration of the effective factors and the expected indications of realized capabilities. Consequently the following applies: The more consistent the theoretical and technical principles of SRO are used and the more consistent the concept is being implemented, the more positive is the outcome for the recipients in terms of their achievement of objectives and the improvement of their capabilities. The theory based on the results of the present study is a theory of medium range and applies equally to other cities and administrative districts that implemented the SRO concept and also to further fields of social work (individual case work in the legal and voluntary context)

Oxidative stress dependent microRNA-34a activation via PI3Kα reduces the expression of sirtuin-1 and sirtuin-6 in epithelial cells

Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and SIRT6, NAD(+)-dependent Class III protein deacetylases, are putative anti-aging enzymes, down-regulated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by the accelerated ageing of the lung and associated with increased oxidative stress. Here, we show that oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide) selectively elevates microRNA-34a (miR-34a) but not the related miR-34b/c, with concomitant reduction of SIRT1/-6 in bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS2B), which was also observed in peripheral lung samples from patients with COPD. Over-expression of a miR-34a mimic caused a significant reduction in both mRNA and protein of SIRT1/-6, whereas inhibition of miR-34a (antagomir) increased these sirtuins. Induction of miR-34a expression with H2O2 was phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) dependent as it was associated with PI3Kα activation as well as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) reduction. Importantly, miR-34a antagomirs increased SIRT1/-6 mRNA levels, whilst decreasing markers of cellular senescence in airway epithelial cells from COPD patients, suggesting that this process is reversible. Other sirtuin isoforms were not affected by miR-34a. Our data indicate that miR-34a is induced by oxidative stress via PI3K signaling, and orchestrates ageing responses under oxidative stress, therefore highlighting miR-34a as a new therapeutic target and biomarker in COPD and other oxidative stress-driven aging diseases