The fluroxene mediated degradation of cytochromes P-450

The degradation of cytochromes P-450 by fluroxene (2,2,2-trifluoroethyl vinyl ether) has been investigated. Fluroxene is shown to specifically degrade cytochromes P-450 in vivo and in vitro without affecting the levels of the other microsomal enzymes, cytochrome ~S a.nd NADPH-cytochrome~ reductase. Fluroxene appears to degrade the haem moiety of cytochromes P-450 but does not affect the level of the apoprotein. The degradation of cyto-chromes P-450 by fluroxene is accompanied by a loss of E-nitroanisole 0-demethylase and biphenyl 4-hydroxylase activities and a decrease in the extent of aniline binding is observed. By using cytochromes P-450 dependent reactions which are catalysed by specific type P-450 cytochromes,~.~· the hydroxylation of benzpyrene, the N-demethylation of ethyl-morphine and the binding of ethyl isocyanide, it is established that only cytochrome P-450 is degraded by fluroxene in vivo following phenobarbital induction of animals, and both cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome P-448 following methylcholanthrene induction. The same type P-450 cytochromes are shown to be degraded by fluroxene in vitro in phenobarbital and methylcholanthrene induced microsomes. This was established from studies of the kinetics of the fluroxene mediated degradation of cyto-chromes P-450. In addition, the K values for the flurox-m ene mediated degradation of cytochromes P-450 differ with iii the different inducing agents and indicate the involve-ment of two different type P-450 cytochromes in the degradation reaction in methylcholanthrene induced micro-somes. Metabolic activation of cytochromes P-450 by the cyto-chromes P-450 drug metabolising pathway appears to be essential for the fluroxene mediated degradation of cyto-chromes P-450. Since none of the known or proposed metabolites of fluroxene can mimic the degradation of cytochromes P-450 by fluroxene, a reactive species is proposed to be involved. By varying the experimental conditions, and with the use of inhibitors of cytochromes P-450, the likely sequence of events in the fluroxene mediated degradation of cytochromes P-450 is shown to be as follows: fluroxene is metabolised by cytochrome P-450 to a transient reactive intermediate which has the ability to degrade the haem moiety of cytochrome P-450 and cyto-chrome P-448. By comparing the ability of various analogues of fluroxene to degrade cytochromes P-450, it is established that the formation of the proposed reactive intermediate is dependent on the presence of the vinyl moiety of the molecule. Initial studies indicate that the reactive species may take the form of an epoxide

Enhancing Social Work Research Education Through Research Field Placements

The increase focus on the role of research in the social service sector, pressure for practitioners to engage in research and the demand for integration of research and practice challenges faculties about ways in which to engage social work students in research. This paper evaluates a research based practicum program within a social work faculty at one Canadian university aimed at meeting this need. The objectives of the practicum include providing opportunities to integrate research theory/methods with practice; develop a broad range of research knowledge and skills; reduce negative stereotypes; instill passion and excitement for research; and connect students with agencies to engage in community based research. The mixed methods evaluation of the practicum included semi-structured qualitative interviews with former and current directors (n=2); an online survey with past practicum students (n=15); and a pre- and post-test attitude/skills assessment, a self reflection journal exercise, and a focus group with students currently in practicum (n=7). Findings suggest benefits of the research practicum across stakeholders as well as several challenges and opportunities for program enhancement. Research practicum is an innovative way of engaging students in applied research which can augments research capacity, mitigate negative stereotypes about research, and better prepare future social work practitioners

Calling time: How to remove fossil fuel sponsorships from sports, arts & events

Sports, arts and major events are deeply embedded in the Australian way of life. Weekend matches, concerts and festivals bring us together - to cheer, to share pride and excitement, to feel connected to each other and to keep building our national story. When we barrack for our beloved teams, discover the work of a new local artist or laugh until our cheeks hurt at a comedy show, we are taking part in a ritual that has shaped social and cultural life in Australia for generations. Climate change – driven by burning coal, oil and gas – is putting all of this at risk. From flooded festivals, to concerts cancelled by bushfire threats and unsafe heat disrupting play at the tennis, footy and more, climate change is wreaking havoc on the activities and events we love..

Hydrilla Infestations in Florida Freshwater Bodies: How Results from a Management Needs Assessment Survey Helped Develop Suitable Information Delivery Platforms

Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic plant that is expensive to control and exhibits increasing resistance to commonly used herbicides. Alternative control tactics for implementation in novel integrated management strategies are being investigated, but information needs to be delivered to stakeholders so new tactics can be adopted and used. Here, we report results from a low-cost, Web-based survey that assessed stakeholder access to hydrilla management information in Florida. We highlight the general benefits of needs assessment surveys for project development and exemplify how results from such surveys can be used by Extension professionals to tailor their information platforms to stakeholder-preferred outlets

The oral microbiome of denture wearers is influenced by natural dentition

Objectives: The composition of dental plaque has been well defined, whereas currently there is limited understanding of the composition of denture plaque and how it directly influences denture related stomatitis (DS). The aims of this study were to compare the microbiomes of denture wearers, and to understand the implications of these towards inter-kingdom and host-pathogen interactions within the oral cavity. Methods: Swab samples were obtained from 123 participants wearing either a complete or partial denture; the bacterial composition of each sample was determined using bar-coded illumina MiSeq sequencing of the bacterial hypervariable V4 region of 16S rDNA. Sequencing data processing was undertaken using QIIME, clustered in Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and assigned to taxonomy. The dentures were sonicated to remove the microbial flora residing on the prosthesis, sonicate was then cultured using diagnostic colorex Candida media. Samples of unstimulated saliva were obtained and antimicrobial peptides (AMP) levels were measured by ELISA. Results: We have shown that dental and denture plaques are significantly distinct both in composition and diversity and that the oral microbiome composition of a denture wearer is variable and is influenced by the location within the mouth. Dentures and mucosa were predominantly made up of Bacilli and Actinobacteria. Moreover, the presence of natural teeth has a significant impact on the overall microbial composition, when compared to the fully edentulous. Furthermore, increasing levels of Candida spp. positively correlate with Lactobacillus spp. AMPs were quantified, though showed no specific correlations. Conclusions: This is the first study to provide a detailed understanding of the oral microbiome of denture wearers and has provided evidence that DS development is more complex than simply a candidal infection. Both fungal and bacterial kingdoms clearly play a role in defining the progression of DS, though we were unable to show a defined role for AMPs

Stem-Boring Caterpillars of Switchgrass in the Midwestern United States

Lepidopteran stem borers were collected from switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., tillers showing symptoms of infestation at seven locations in Illinois and Iowa, with additional observations made on larval and adult activity. Blastobasis repartella (Dietz) (Coleophoridae), whose only known host is switchgrass, was common in plots grown for \u3e5 yr, whereas the polyphagous stalk borer, Papaipema nebris (Guenée) (Noctuidae), was abundant in newly established (i.e., first- and second year) switchgrass. Haimbachia albescens Capps (Crambidae) was collected from two locations in Illinois, making switchgrass the first known host for this species. Entry holes made by B. repartella and H. albescens were usually 1-2 cm above the soil surface, precluding discrimination between these species based on external appearance of damage. Although P. nebris often entered stems within 5 cm of the soil surface, they also seemed to move between stems and were the only species entering stems at heights \u3e15 cm. Adults of B. repartella were active on and above the switchgrass canopy by 2130 hours, with peak activity at ≈0230 hours. Activity of B. repartella adults seemed greatly reduced on one night with relatively cool temperatures and low wind speeds. Data from switchgrass and giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida L., suggest P. nebris larvae move out of switchgrass during July in search of hosts with larger diameter stems, although by then hosts such as corn, Zea mays L., or Miscanthus spp. may have outgrown the potential for serious damage. However, switchgrass could contribute to greater adult populations of P. nebris if thick-stemmed hosts such as giant ragweed are not managed

Stem-Boring Caterpillars of Switchgrass in the Midwestern United States

Lepidopteran stem borers were collected from switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., tillers showing symptoms of infestation at seven locations in Illinois and Iowa, with additional observations made on larval and adult activity. Blastobasis repartella (Dietz) (Coleophoridae), whose only known host is switchgrass, was common in plots grown for \u3e5 yr, whereas the polyphagous stalk borer, Papaipema nebris (Guenée) (Noctuidae), was abundant in newly established (i.e., first- and second year) switchgrass. Haimbachia albescens Capps (Crambidae) was collected from two locations in Illinois, making switchgrass the first known host for this species. Entry holes made by B. repartella and H. albescens were usually 1-2 cm above the soil surface, precluding discrimination between these species based on external appearance of damage. Although P. nebris often entered stems within 5 cm of the soil surface, they also seemed to move between stems and were the only species entering stems at heights \u3e15 cm. Adults of B. repartella were active on and above the switchgrass canopy by 2130 hours, with peak activity at ≈0230 hours. Activity of B. repartella adults seemed greatly reduced on one night with relatively cool temperatures and low wind speeds. Data from switchgrass and giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida L., suggest P. nebris larvae move out of switchgrass during July in search of hosts with larger diameter stems, although by then hosts such as corn, Zea mays L., or Miscanthus spp. may have outgrown the potential for serious damage. However, switchgrass could contribute to greater adult populations of P. nebris if thick-stemmed hosts such as giant ragweed are not managed

Investing in Equity: Creating Equitable Funding for Women Peacebuilders

Although women are vital to the success and sustainability of peace efforts, and despite progress made by the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda over the past two decades, women peacebuilders remain severely underfunded — and the funding that is available to them is often unresponsive to their needs and characterized by a power disparity between funder and funded. In order to advance women’s inclusion in peace and justice processes, this report examines what equitable funding partnerships are, why they are essential to peacebuilding, and how they can best be cultivated, providing evidence from the field to support its findings, conclusions and recommendations.https://digital.sandiego.edu/ipj-research/1002/thumbnail.jp

A user-friendly database of coastal flooding in the United Kingdom from 1915–2014

Coastal flooding caused by extreme sea levels can be devastating, with long-lasting and diverse consequences. Historically, the UK has suffered major flooding events, and at present 2.5 million properties and £150 billion of assets are potentially exposed to coastal flooding. However, no formal system is in place to catalogue which storms and high sea level events progress to coastal flooding. Furthermore, information on the extent of flooding and associated damages is not systematically documented nationwide. Here we present a database and online tool called ‘SurgeWatch’, which provides a systematic UK-wide record of high sea level and coastal flood events over the last 100 years (1915-2014). Using records from the National Tide Gauge Network, with a dataset of exceedance probabilities and meteorological fields, SurgeWatch captures information of 96 storms during this period, the highest sea levels they produced, and the occurrence and severity of coastal flooding. The data are presented to be easily assessable and understandable to a range of users including, scientists, coastal engineers, managers and planners and concerned citizens