Major Histocompatibility Complex I and II Expression and Lymphocytic Subtypes in Muscle of Horses with Immune-Mediated Myositis.

BackgroundMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) I and II expression is not normally detected on sarcolemma, but is detected with lymphocytic infiltrates in immune-mediated myositis (IMM) of humans and dogs and in dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy.Hypothesis/objectivesTo determine if sarcolemmal MHC is expressed in active IMM in horses, if MHC expression is associated with lymphocytic subtype, and if dysferlin is expressed in IMM.AnimalsTwenty-one IMM horses of Quarter Horse-related breeds, 3 healthy and 6 disease controls (3 pasture myopathy, 3 amylase-resistant polysaccharide storage myopathy [PSSM]).MethodsImmunohistochemical staining for MHC I, II, and CD4+, CD8+, CD20+ lymphocytes was performed on archived muscle of IMM and control horses. Scores were given for MHC I, II, and lymphocytic subtypes. Immunofluorescent staining for dysferlin, dystrophin, and a-sarcoglycan was performed.ResultsSarcolemmal MHC I and II expression was detected in 17/21 and 15/21 of IMM horses, respectively, and in specific fibers of PSSM horses, but not healthy or pasture myopathy controls. The CD4+, CD8+, and CD20+ cells were present in 20/21 IMM muscles with CD4+ predominance in 10/21 and CD8+ predominance in 6/21 of IMM horses. Dysferlin, dystrophin, and a-sarcoglycan staining were similar in IMM and control muscles.Conclusions and clinical importanceDeficiencies of dysferlin, dystrophin, and a-sarcoglycan are not associated with IMM. Sarcolemmal MHC I and II expression in a proportion of myofibers of IMM horses in conjunction with lymphocytic infiltration supports an immune-mediated etiology for IMM. The MHC expression also occured in specific myofibers in PSSM horses in the absence of lymphocytic infiltrates

Benefits of walking and solo experiences in UK wild places

This paper examines human–nature interaction and how therapeutic this relationship is by investigating the efficacy of structured outdoor experience. Two walking and solo experience (WSEs) explored university students' (aged 20–43 years) perceptions of walking through and being with nature. The first was a 5-day journey (n = 4; 3 females and 1 male) and the second (n = 5; 3 females and 2 males) took place over two weekends, with a 2-week interval in-between. Pre- and post-experience interviews, journal writing, group discussions and a 9-month follow-up interviews were used to collect data and thematic analysis [Braun and Clarke (Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol 2006;3:77–101.)] was applied. Both WSEs were considered together during analysis, as well as comparisons made between the two, in order to evaluate implications for practice. Benefits of the WSE that contributed to a general sense of well-being were: (i) gaining a sense of freedom and escape; (ii) gaining a sense of awareness and sensitivity to one's environment and its influence (iii) gaining confidence in being able to cope and take action; (iv) gaining a sense of perspective on and appreciation for life. Furthermore, the meaning participants formed in relation to their environment before, during and after the WSE, and the activity within that environment, played a role in their sense of well-being and in their motivations to re-access nature in other places. Findings suggest that WSEs are a cost effective way to give rise to beneficial and durable experiences, but a more holistic approach to policy is needed

Promoting students’ sexual and reproductive health in peer-led programmes at two South African universities: Emergent tensions and dilemmas

Sexual and reproductive health programmes with students in higher education in South Africa, are a neglected area of intervention. We report on piloting the peer-facilitated Auntie Stella intervention material at two South African universities. This participatory methodology encourages critical thinking by opening discussion on managing relationships, sexual decision-making, gender-based violence and risk-safety. The format involves various cards featuring a letter, a facilitated discussion, an answer-response and action points. Six focus groups of participants were facilitated by postgraduate students over four months. Using thematic analysis four tensions were identified in the student discussions: HIV awareness was in tension with relationship practices; awareness of risk was in tension with denial of vulnerability; awareness of individuals’ rights was in tension with claims on these rights; and HIV knowledge was in tension with HIV stigma. The Auntie Stella material has the potential to open up discursive spaces amongst students, and to develop agency in sexual decision-making

Molecular imaging phenotyping for selecting and monitoring radioligand therapy of neuroendocrine neoplasms

Neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) is an umbrella term that includes a widely heterogeneous disease group including well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). The site of origin of the NENs is linked to the intrinsic tumour biology and is predictive of the disease course. It is understood that NENs demonstrate significant biologic heterogeneity which ultimately translates to widely varying clinical presentations, disease course and prognosis. Thus, significant emphasis is laid on the pre-therapy evaluation of markers that can help predict tumour behavior and dynamically monitors the response during and after treatment. Most well-differentiated NENs express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) which make them appropriate for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). However, the treatment outcomes of PRRT depend heavily on the adequacy of patient selection by molecular imaging phenotyping not only utilizing pre-treatment SSTR PET bu

Evaluation of barriers to national CO2 geological storage assessments

A survey to evaluate the main perceived barriers to national CO2 storage assessments was carried out in 2015, targeting countries where some Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) activity was known or where CCS could potentially be implemented in the future. All the questionnaire respondents indicated that some level of national assessment had been achieved. In most cases, these assessments had been sufficient to allow policy makers to make informed decisions about priorities for follow-up actions. Where national storage assessments had been carried out, the major barriers had been mainly overcome through strong political and regulatory support for CCS and policies enabling access to relevant data

A summary of the methodology for the seismic stratigraphic interpretation for the 'GlaciStore' bid to IODP

This report summarises the methodology followed for the seismic interpretation of sedimentary strata that are the overburden sequence and the Palaeogene strata that are prospective CO2 storage formations, in the UK Central North Sea. The interpretation of selected 2D and 3D seismic reflection, well and borehole data in the UK North and Central North Sea is targeted to inform the preparation of the ‘GlaciStore’ proposal for scientific drilling submitted to the International Ocean Discovery Programme (IODP). Drilling sites proposed to IODP lie within the UK and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea. The methodology is described for the interpretation of seismic data for proposed sites within UK waters. The seismic interpretation was undertaken in collaboration with Norwegian members of the GlaciStore consortium. The seismic interpretation was divided into two teams according to depth, into ‘shallower and ‘deeper’ seismic interpretation activities, appropriate to the fields of expertise and experience of the interpreters. The ‘shallower seismic’ interpreters considered strata of latest Neogene and Quaternary age which were deposited during major glacial and interglacial cycles. The ‘deeper seismic’ interpreters considered slightly older strata of Mid Eocene to Quaternary in age. Seven potential UK drill sites were selected to address the scientific objectives in the proposal. 2D and 3D seismic, well, borehole and bathymetry data were used to map buried and open tunnel valleys and to identify any evidence for the presence of shallow gas in the ‘shallower seismic’ interpretation at each drill site. Only sites without any indication of shallow gas features were considered as these pose a serious hazard for drilling. 2D and 3D seismic and well datasets and existing interpretations were collated for the ‘deeper seismic’ interpretation. The hydrocarbon exploration well log data, which were found to be of variable quality, were used to identify and map a number of stratigraphical surfaces of Cenozoic age, and included Quaternary strata, around the grid of seismic lines. Maps from some of the key stratigraphical surfaces are presented, selected to inform the drilling proposal. A plot of acoustic velocity data was prepared to inform future conversion of the seismic interpretation to true vertical depth. Future work, based on the seismic interpretation undertaken to underpin the drilling proposal, is identified. Features observed within the ‘shallower’ and ‘deeper’ seismic interpretations that warrant further investigation are: a chaotic zone within the Quaternary sequence; prograding units within the Eocene Horda Formation; basin centre sandstone bodies as prospective CO2 storage strata within the Horda Formation; systematic mapping of cross-cutting, buried tunnel valleys in the Quaternary sequence from 3D seismic data