Traditional Woodcarving in Elmina: The Creation of a Fishing Canoe

Objectives: My objectives for this project were three fold: To learn the process of carving the dugout canoe base through both observation and participation. To investigate the cultural importance of the fishing canoe in Elmina. To investigate the trade of canoe carving within the context of the Elmina community. Methodology: My methodology includes observation, participation and interview. I spent a month researching canoe carving in Cape Coast and Elmina, Ghana, while keeping my research focused mainly on the Elmina community. I apprenticed and worked for a week with three carvers from Prampram who were in Elmina to complete a job there. I also spent time trying to locate carvers, as well as interviewing carpenters and fisherman about canoes. I interviewed a fisherman about the trade of boat carving, and about fishing culture I general. I also formally interviewed one carpenter about the craft of carpentry, as well as an informal interview with another carpenter. I informally interviewed all three carvers I worked with to get a better grasp on the craft of carving. Findings: I learned about the tools the carvers use, how they use them, and the steps necessary to complete a canoe. The process requires permits for acquiring the tree, as well as transporting it. Some preliminary carving is done in the bush with a chainsaw, but only roughing out the canoe. Once the canoe arrives at the coast where it will be finished, the carvers use a chainsaw, tetewa, and asenkuma to carve out the canoe base. The carvers work in a series of stages, reaching as far under the side of the canoe as possible with their tools, then turning the canoe with the jack to work and reach the next section. I also did a small amount of research on carpentry, learning the basic process the canoe undergoes after the base is finished. Conclusion: Through this research process I learned as much about how to research, as I did about canoe carving. I learned to be proactive in finding sources, and always to make one or two backup plans if something falls through. I learned that the tradition of carving is very much alive, and an integral part of the fishing community, Elmina in particular. I also learned that carving still utilizes some traditional tools, and uses them right alongside motorized technologies. This does not cheapen the traditional craft, but instead grants it a space in the modern world. I also conclude that there is still much research that could be done regarding this topic. Virtually untouched by my research have been the decorative painting styles of the Fanti, the decorative carving on the outside of the crafts, and the carpentry used to complete these canoes

Rapamycin Inhibits Proliferation of Hemangioma Endothelial Cells by Reducing HIF-1-Dependent Expression of VEGF

Hemangiomas are tumors formed by hyper-proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. This is caused by elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Here we show that elevated VEGF levels produced by hemangioma endothelial cells are reduced by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. mTOR activates p70S6K, which controls translation of mRNA to generate proteins such as hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). VEGF is a known HIF-1 target gene, and our data show that VEGF levels in hemangioma endothelial cells are reduced by HIF-1α siRNA. Over-expression of HIF-1α increases VEGF levels and endothelial cell proliferation. Furthermore, both rapamycin and HIF-1α siRNA reduce proliferation of hemangioma endothelial cells. These data suggest that mTOR and HIF-1 contribute to hemangioma endothelial cell proliferation by stimulating an autocrine loop of VEGF signaling. Furthermore, mTOR and HIF-1 may be therapeutic targets for the treatment of hemangiomas

Ecto-protein kinases and phosphatases: an emerging field for translational medicine

Progress in translational research has led to effective new treatments of a large number of diseases. Despite this progress, diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disorders still are at the top in death statistics and disorders such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis represent an increasing disease burden in the aging population. Novel strategies in research are needed more than ever to overcome such diseases. The growing field of extracellular protein phosphorylation provides excellent opportunities to make major discoveries of disease mechanisms that can lead to novel therapies. Reversible phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of sites in the extracellular domains of matrix, cell-surface and trans-membrane proteins is emerging as a critical regulatory mechanism in health and disease. Moreover, a new concept is emerging from studies of extracellular protein phosphorylation: in cells where ATP is stored within secretory vesicles and released by exocytosis upon cell-stimulation, phosphorylation of extracellular proteins can operate as a messenger operating uniquely in signaling pathways responsible for long-term cellular adaptation. Here, we highlight new concepts that arise from this research, and discuss translation of the findings into clinical applications such as development of diagnostic disease markers and next-generation drugs

The Carboxylpropeptide of Type I Procollagen in Skin Fibrillogenesis

Previous studies suggested that the antinopropeptide of type 1 procollagen may initiate fibril formation. The purpose of this investigation was to study the location of the carboxypropeptide of type 1 procollagen during collagen fibrillogenesis. Chick embryonic and posthatching skin specimens were studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy and by immunoblotting with antibodies against the amino and carboxypropeptide of type 1 procollagen. The carboxylpropeptide was demonstrated at the surface of collagen fibrils, 20–40nm in diameter (10-day embryos) and in fibrils, 40–65nm (21-day embryos). In addition, the carboxylpropeptide was found at the cell surface and free in the ground substance. The aminopropeptide was only seen in fibrils, 20–30nm in diameter, as previously reported. Ratios of pN-collagen/pC-collagen increased from 16 days embryonic to 3 and 9 days postembryonic skins. This study suggests that both pN-collagen (antinopropeptide plus collagen) arid pC-collagen (carboxylpropetide plus collagen) participate in fibrillogenesis

Imaging skeletal muscle using second harmonic generation and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy

We describe experimental results on label free imaging of striated skeletal muscle using second harmonic generation (SHG) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. The complementarity of the SHG and CARS data makes it possible to clearly identify the main sarcomere sub-structures such as actin, myosin, acto-myosin, and the intact T-tubular system as it emanates from the sarcolemma. Owing to sub-micron spatial resolution and the high sensitivity of the CARS microscopy technique we were able to resolve individual myofibrils. In addition, key organelles such as mitochondria, cell nuclei and their structural constituents were observed revealing the entire structure of the muscle functional units. There is a noticeable difference in the CARS response of the muscle structure within actin, myosin and t-tubule areas with respect to laser polarization. We attribute this to a preferential alignment of the probed molecular bonds along certain directions. The combined CARS and SHG microscopy approach yields more extensive and complementary information and has a potential to become an indispensable method for live skeletal muscle characterization