MiRNA-21 has anti-inflammatory effects in the macrophage response to peritonitis.

This project investigated the role of miRNA-21 in the macrophage response to peritonitis; with the goal of understanding whether the associated mechanism has potential benefits in the clinical treatment of peritonitis. A novel therapeutic intervention in the treatment of peritonitis could modulate the host immune response to decrease an exaggerated pro-inflammatory innate response and then prevent or ameliorate the development of sepsis and organ failure. We found the following: 1. MiRNA-21 expression increases in peritoneal macrophages after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. 2. Over expression of miRNA-21 decreases TNF-a secretion from macrophages after LPS stimulation. Suppression of miRNA-21 expression results in increased TNF-a and IL-6, together with decreased IL-10 after LPS stimulation. 3. Protein targets of miRNA-21 after LPS stimulation were not significantly different following suppression of miRNA-21. 4. NF-?B and ERK signaling was unaffected by suppression of miRNA-21. 5. MiRNA-21 is beneficial in survival following induction of peritonitis with LPS. 6. MiRNA-21 does not affect survival following induction of peritonitis with cecal ligation and puncture. These findings demonstrate that although miRNA-21 is beneficial in modulating the macrophage response to LPS, the effect is buried in the multiple pathways activated after the clinically more relevant model of cecal ligation and puncture. The improved understanding of the anti-inflammatory effects of miRNA-21 in the macrophage response to peritonitis may result in a targeted therapy to intervene in clinical peritonitis

The Functional Application of the Propeller Load Curve for Fixed Pitch Propellers

This thesis attempts to help the flight test community by using the propeller load curve (also known as prop load) to find brake horsepower (BHP) easily with only a propeller tachometer. This thesis also covers the equation for the propeller load curve. The flight test was done using a Piper Cherokee 180 equipped with a Lycoming 0-360-A3A engine. The flight test data were collected at University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI). This data were then compared to the prop load from the engine manufacturer. Based on the result of this flight test, using the prop load equation from the Lycoming will result in BHP that is within 96% agreement to the flight test BHP. The result of the test will also show that the equation for the propeller load curve at sea level is HP = K × (RPM3) where K = constant (Aircraft 1949). This thesis will also prove that if you are not at sea level, the equation then becomes HP = (√σ × K × RPM3) where σ = the atmospheric density ratio. Recommendations include additional tests with multiple engines on a test stand

Development of a Coding Instrument to Assess the Quality and Content of Anti-Tobacco Video Games

Previous research has shown the use of electronic video games as an effective method for increasing content knowledge about the risks of drugs and alcohol use for adolescents. Although best practice suggests that theory, health communication strategies, and game appeal are important characteristics for developing games, no instruments are currently available to examine the quality and content of tobacco prevention and cessation electronic games. This study presents the systematic development of a coding instrument to measure the quality, use of theory, and health communication strategies of tobacco cessation and prevention electronic games. Using previous research and expert review, a content analysis coding instrument measuring 67 characteristics was developed with three overarching categories: type and quality of games, theory and approach, and type and format of messages. Two trained coders applied the instrument to 88 games on four platforms (personal computer, Nintendo DS, iPhone, and Android phone) to field test the instrument. Cohen's kappa for each item ranged from 0.66 to 1.00, with an average kappa value of 0.97. Future research can adapt this coding instrument to games addressing other health issues. In addition, the instrument questions can serve as a useful guide for evidence-based game development.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco ProductsNational Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Communication and EducationCommunication Studie

Planning for sedentary behaviour interventions: office workers' survey and focus group responses

Aims: As sedentary behaviour is becoming more prominent in office-based work environments, this study aimed to explore office workers' perception of sedentary behaviour, explore potential behavioural strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace and identify barriers which may hamper behaviour change. Methods: A total of 140 office workers were recruited and surveyed from the same workplace. The survey included questions regarding perception of relationship between sitting time and health. Following the survey, 12 employees also participated in focus groups to identify potential sedentary behaviour intervention strategies and barriers. The responses from the survey and focus groups were thematically analysed. Results: In total, 88% of all participants surveyed agreed that there was a relationship between sitting time and their health. The most prominent theme identified was musuloskeletal complaints followed by general health and weight gain or obesity. The focus groups identified that interventions targeting reducing siting time should include education, supportive and knowledgeable managers, and a variety of behaviour change strategies to address individual preferences and barriers. Conclusion: Multiple behavioural strategies were identified, which appear to be appropriate for sedentary behaviour change

Revitalizing Public Interest Lawyering in the 1990\u27s: The Story of One Effort to Address the Problem of Homelessness

Despite annual exhortations to graduating law students to accept the responsibilities as well as the benefits of entering the legal profession, the prognosis for public interest law in the 1990\u27s is uncertain. There have been significant decreases in federal and private funding of public interest organizations, sweeping changes in the composition of the federal judiciary, and a decline in the matriculation of public interest lawyers due to the increasing salary gap between the private and public sector. Together these factors raise serious questions about the future effectiveness of the traditional model of the full-time public interest litigator and call for the development of alternative models of public interest lawyering suited to the financial, judicial, and personnel constraints of current practice

Revitalizing Public Interest Lawyering in the 1990\u27s: The Story of One Effort to Address the Problem of Homelessness

Despite annual exhortations to graduating law students to accept the responsibilities as well as the benefits of entering the legal profession, the prognosis for public interest law in the 1990\u27s is uncertain. There have been significant decreases in federal and private funding of public interest organizations, sweeping changes in the composition of the federal judiciary, and a decline in the matriculation of public interest lawyers due to the increasing salary gap between the private and public sector. Together these factors raise serious questions about the future effectiveness of the traditional model of the full-time public interest litigator and call for the development of alternative models of public interest lawyering suited to the financial, judicial, and personnel constraints of current practice

The development of a ε-polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold for CNS repair

Potential treatment strategies for the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) currently favour a combinatorial approach incorporating several factors, including exogenous cell transplantation and biocompatible scaffolds. The use of scaffolds for bridging the gap at the injury site is very appealing although there has been little investigation into CNS neural cell interaction and survival on such scaffolds before implantation. Previously we demonstrated that aligned micro-grooves 12.5-25 µm wide on ε-polycaprolactone (PCL) promoted aligned neurite orientation and supported myelination. In this study we identify the appropriate substrate and its topographical features required for the design of a 3D scaffold intended for transplantation in SCI. Using an established myelinating culture system of dissociated spinal cord cells, recapitulating many of the features of the intact spinal cord, we demonstrate that astrocytes plated on the topography secrete soluble factors(s) that delay oligodendrocyte differentiation but do not prevent myelination. However, as myelination does occur after a further 10-12 days in culture this does not prevent the use of PCL as a scaffold material as part of a combined strategy for the repair of SCI

Front loading the curriculum: early placement experiences enhance career awareness and motivation for students with diverse career options

Deciding which career path is right for undergraduate students can be challenging and positive outcomes are linked to early work placements. The aim of the current study was to explore the student experience following the introduction of early career-based awareness-raising and reflective learning opportunities in first-year sport and exercise science-based students. Students met with the first-year coordinator to discuss career progression and career aspirations. From this meeting, students were allocated a placement. Following the placement visit, students submitted a reflection piece addressing their experiences at the placement site with six themes identified including: 1) positive experience; 2) degree selection; 3) exposure and reinforcement of practices; 4) career awareness; 5) supervisor impact; and 6) negative experience. The provision of early placement for students in an observational capacity appears to be beneficial to first year experience to assist in consolidating their choice of degree

Adverse outcome pathway and risks of anticoagulant rodenticides to predatory wildlife

Despite a long history of successful use, routine application of some anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) may be at a crossroad due to new regulatory guidelines intended to mitigate risk. An adverse outcome pathway for ARs was developed to identify information gaps and end points to assess the effectiveness of regulations. This framework describes chemical properties of ARs, established macromolecular interactions by inhibition of vitamin K epoxide reductase, cellular responses including altered clotting factor processing and coagulopathy, organ level effects such as hemorrhage, organism responses with linkages to reduced fitness and mortality, and potential consequences to predator populations. Risk assessments have led to restrictions affecting use of some second-generation ARs (SGARs) in North America. While the European regulatory community highlighted significant or unacceptable risk of ARs to nontarget wildlife, use of SGARs in most EU member states remains authorized due to public health concerns and the absence of safe alternatives. For purposes of conservation and restoration of island habitats, SGARs remain a mainstay for eradication of invasive species. There are significant data gaps related to exposure pathways, comparative species sensitivity, consequences of sublethal effects, potential hazards of greater AR residues in genetically resistant prey, effects of low-level exposure to multiple rodenticides, and quantitative data on the magnitude of nontarget wildlife mortality

Motivational interviewing to reduce substance-related consequences: Effects for incarcerated adolescents with depressed mood

Background: The impact of depressed mood on Motivational Interviewing (MI) to reduce risky behaviors and consequences in incarcerated adolescents was examined in this brief report. Methods: Adolescents (N = 189) were randomly assigned to receive MI or Relaxation Training (RT). Results: At 3-month follow-up assessment, MI significantly reduced risks associated with marijuana use, with a trend towards reducing risks associated with alcohol use. There was also a trend for depressive symptoms to be associated with reduced risks after release. Interaction effects were non-significant, indicating no moderating effects for depressed mood on treatment outcome. Conclusions: MI may be a useful treatment for incarcerated adolescents in order to reduce risks and consequences associated with substance use after release