Induction of myosin cross-reactive antibody and cytolytic T cell responses in mice with Streptococcus pyogenes

Impetigo and pharyngitis are two common suppurative infections in man elicited by Streptococcus pyogenes that lead to autoimmune complications in susceptible individuals. Although the underlying mechanisms for the onset of post-streptococcal autoimmunity have yet to be established, experimental information gained thus far suggests that the resultant pathology is a consequence of immunological cross-reactivity between streptococcal antigens, namely the anti-phagocytic factor M protein and host proteins, specifically myosin. Experimental animal model systems developed to date have predominantly relied on the immunization of adult animals with M protein emulsed in adjuvant. In the laboratory we have undertaken studies with mice to examine the capacity of S. pyogenes as whole organism without adjuvant to elicit autoreactive B and T lymphocytes.;We have observed that immunizing mice with heat-killed preparations of S. pyogenes as neonates, but not adults, induces the production of host cross-reactive serum antibodies akin to those documented in cases of post-streptococcal autoimmunity. Western blot analysis of monoclonal antibodies generated from mice immunized with S. pyogenes suggests that antibodies induced in neonatal mice preferentially recognize the cardiac isoforms of mouse skeletal myosin, whereas, antibodies derived from adult mice primarily recognize determinants shared by all isoforms of mouse skeletal myosin. In addition, we have demonstrated the ability of neonatal, but not adult, mice to mount a myosin-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response following immunization with S. pyogenes. Our observations indicate that the response is additionally dependent on the genetic background of mice, the route of immunization, and requires M protein.;In summation, our results suggest that in susceptible individuals exposure to S. pyogenes early in life may serve as a priming event and following a subsequent event later in life, possibly re-exposure to S. pyogenes, allow the initiation of the pathology associated with post-streptococcal autoimmunity. These results contribute to the understanding of the development of the mechanisms of post-streptococcal autoimmune complications and may ultimately contribute to the development of effective diagnostic intervention strategies

Comparison of Student Success by Course Delivery Methods at an Eastern Tennessee Community College

The purpose of this study was to compare academic success based on methods of course delivery for students in a computer applications course at an East Tennessee community college. Additionally, the researcher examined demographic relationships of age, gender, and race to student academic performance in the different delivery methods. The researcher used final course grades as a determinant of academic success. The study was focused on students who took the INFS 1010 Computer Applications course during the academic years, 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14 at a southeast Tennessee community college. The population consisted of 1,177 students who took the INFS 1010 Computer Applications course over a 3-year period. The independent variable method of course delivery is generally defined as traditional, online, or blended. The dependent variable academic success is generally defined as final course grade. A student was considered an academically successful completer of the course by attaining a final course grade of A, B, C, or D. It should be noted that if a student is transferring to another institution, the receiving institution may or may not accept the course credit of a student who received a D grade in this course. However, at the studied institution students receiving final course grades of A, B, C, or D in INFS 1010 are considered successful course completers. The research questions in this study were addressed through data analysis with Chi-Square 2-way contingency table analysis testing procedures. When areas of significance were identified, follow-up pairwise comparisons were conducted to evaluate relationships between the proportions. The quantitative findings revealed no significant overall relationships in final course grades among the 3 delivery methods. However, some relationships were noted within delivery methods by demographic characteristics. The findings of the online delivery method indicated significant relationships among all 3 demographic categories (gender, age, and race) studied. Significant grade relationships were identified in the gender and race categories within the blended delivery method. However, within the traditionally delivered sections of this course the only demographic area with significant findings was the age category

Values in education policy-making with special reference to the FE Teachers' salaries structure and to the MacFarlane review of 16-19 provision

In the period covered by the thesis (1945-87), teachers' salaries were negotiated between representatives of the local authorities and the teachers' associations in the Burnham Committees. This study explores how far the results of those negotiations, the Burnham Reports, have shaped 16-f education provision by reference to the 1950-51 Further Education negotiations on the one hand and the 1979-80 Macfarlane Review of 16-19 provision on the other. A contribution is made to the debate on the theory of policy-making, based on the observed influence of the values of policy-makers on the final outcomes within those two studies. The thesis is organised into four main parts. Part I introduces the work as a whole; Parts II and III present and analyse original empirical data; Part IV provides the theoretical underpinning. First, the context for the research is outlined. The methodology is described at the outset, since it explains why the two major studies were selected as providing the best sources for the work. The major developments affecting 16-f provision since 1945 are then summarised. The second part sets out the detail of the negotiations leading to the 1951 Burnham (FE) Report, the source of the current FE salary structure, and gives a commentary on their implications. Part III explores the issues raised in the Macfarlane Review. The theoretical section of the study is developed in Part IV, where the new, distinctive contribution of this study to the theory of policy-making is presented. The thesis provides new data on two areas of policy-making of great interest to contemporary education policy-makers. Additionally, in its conclusion it makes a contribution to the theory of policy-making, suggesting that the values of individual policy-makers and contingent factors - including, particularly and principally, the dimension of time - have the greatest impact on policy outcomes

Alternative Perspectives on Selection: Social Impact and Validation of Graduate Selection within a Multinational Oil Company

This research investigates various theoretical perspectives on graduate selection. Four standpoints are examined: organisational justice in selection, the emergence of the psychological contract, the influence of social moderators on selection predictive validity, and assessment centre construct validity. Two studies were conducted into the graduate selection procedures of a multinational oil company (Shell International). In Study A, applicants were contacted in retrospect and asked about their experiences of the selection process. In Study B, a longitudinal design was employed whereby applicants responded to questionnaires at various time points within the selection process and following four months of employment, In Study B, data were also collected from the organisation, including ratings of applicants' potential at selection and subsequent potential four months post-entry. The results of both studies highlight the dynamic nature of the interaction between potential recruits and the organisation during the selection process. Differences between applicants' prior expectations of procedural justice and their perceptions of reality measured immediately after a selection method, are found to have an impact on several selection outcome variables. The selection decision is found to have a direct impact on applicants' reactions to procedural justice, with unsuccessful applicants having lower perceptions of procedural justice when measured post-, but not pre-communication of the outcome decision. The dynamic nature of the psychological contract is shown from selection to four months post entry, with recruits' perceptions generally becoming more congruent with the organisation's perspective. The results also highlight the potential influence of selection and socialisation moderators of predictive validity. Finally, poor assessment centre construct validity is demonstrated, despite the small number of criteria used and the reasonable predictive validity. Overall, this research illustrates the advantage of conducting integrated research which simultaneously examines multiple perspectives on selection. In conclusion, the original contributions of this research to selection theory, and a number of implications for practice are discussed

Towards mitigation of greenhouse gases by small changes in farming practices: understanding local barriers in Spain.

Small changes in agricultural practices have a large potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the implementation of such practices at the local level is often limited by a range of barriers. Understanding the barriers is essential for defining effective measures, the actual mitigation potential of the measures, and the policy needs to ensure implementation. Here we evaluate behavioural, cultural, and policy barriers for implementation of mitigation practices at the local level that imply small changes to farmers. The choice of potential mitigation practices relevant to the case study is based on a literature review of previous empirical studies. Two methods that include the stakeholders? involvement (experts and farmers) are undertaken for the prioritization of these potential practices: (a) Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) of the choices of an expert panel and (b) Analysis of barriers to implementation based on a survey of farmers. The MCA considers two future climate scenarios ? current climate and a drier and warmer climate scenario. Results suggest that all potential selected practices are suitable for mitigation considering multiple criteria in both scenarios. Nevertheless, if all the barriers for implementation had the same influence, the preferred mitigation practices in the case study would be changes in fertilization management and use of cover crops. The identification of barriers for the implementation of the practices is based on the econometric analysis of surveys given to farmers. Results show that farmers? environmental concerns, financial incentives and access to technical advice are the main factors that define their barriers to implementation. These results may contribute to develop effective mitigation policy to be included in the 2020 review of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy

Transformational Leadership Preparation in a Post-COVID World: US Perspectives

The term Powerful Learning Experience (PLE) is an outgrowth of a University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) project. Colleagues who were engaged in the Leaders Supporting Diverse Learners (LSDL) project, along with researchers examining exemplary educational leadership programs refined the original framework. The version described in the following article is based on Young’s (2019) presentation of the framework to the World Educational Leadership Summit (WELS). The PLE framework consists of ten key attributes that encourage active teaching and learning processes, problem-based, context-rich products, and other evidence of learning outcomes. The authors have found that leadership preparation experiences that reflect a combination of these ten attributes facilitate deeper understanding of educational leadership and the development of knowledge and skills that are both transferable to a variety of contexts and adaptable for multiple challenges

Near Fatal and Fatal Asthma and Air Pollution – are we missing an opportunity to ask key questions?

There is an increasing body of evidence supporting the link between asthma attacks and air pollution in children. To our knowledge, there has only been one reported case of a fatal asthma attack in a child associated with air pollution and this was in the UK. This article considers why there is a lack of evidence on fatal/near-fatal asthma and air pollution. We also explore three challenges. First, fatal and near-fatal asthma events are rare and not yet well understood. Second, measuring and interpreting personal exposure to air pollution with sufficient temporal and spatial detail are challenging to interpret in the context of individual fatal or near-fatal asthma attacks. Third, current studies are not designed to answer the question of whether or to what extent air pollution is associated with fatal/near-fatal asthma attacks in children. Conclusive evidence is not yet available and systems of data collection for both air pollution and fatal and near-fatal asthma attacks should be enhanced to ensure risk can be determined and impact minimised

Characteristics of Patients Experiencing Extrapyramidal Symptoms or Other Movement Disorders Related to Dopamine Receptor Blocking Agent Therapy

Purpose/background: Dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs), also known as antipsychotics, are medications widely used to treat a growing number of mental health diagnoses. However, their utility is limited by the potential to cause serious adverse movement reactions. Akathisia, dystonia, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia (collectively known as extrapyramidal symptoms or EPSs) are associated with reduced social and occupational functioning, negative patient attitudes toward treatment, and nonadherence to pharmacotherapy. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening reaction that can result from DRBA use and cause musculoskeletal dysfunction. The aim of this study is to profile patients who have developed DRBA-related movement adverse effects and identify risk factors significantly associated with each subtype of EPSs or other movement disorders (OMDs) such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Methods/procedures: A report of all potential DRBA-related EPSs or OMDs occurrences within a large community hospital network was generated using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) and 10th Revision (ICD-10) billing codes. Each patient encounter was manually reviewed to confirm that a documented case of DRBA-related EPSs or OMDs had indeed occurred and subsequently determine the likely causative agent(s). Findings/results: The resultant cohort of 148 patients experiencing unique DRBA-related EPS or OMD events was analyzed. The average patient was female, middle-aged, and overweight. The most common DRBAs precipitating EPSs or OMDs were haloperidol and quetiapine. In the population studied, age was significantly associated with the subtype of EPSs experienced such that those patients with akathisia and dystonia tended to be younger, whereas those with tardive dyskinesia tended to be older. Body mass index (BMI) category was also negatively correlated with the incidence of dystonia. In addition, it was observed that exposure to specific DRBAs, classes, and routes of administration significantly affected the risk of developing different subtypes of EPSs or OMDs in the study population. Implications/conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe an association between age and BMI with the risk of akathisia and dystonia, respectively, in patients taking DRBAs. Other trends observed with age and BMI in patients developing DRBA-related EPSs support previously reported findings. Expanding the knowledge base of individual characteristics associated with the risk of developing different subtypes of EPSs or OMDs can help providers and patients anticipate and attempt to mitigate these reactions, and may ultimately improve adherence to DRBA therapy