Reduced Necrosis and Content of Apoptotic M1 Macrophages in Advanced Atherosclerotic Plaques of Mice With Macrophage-Specific Loss of Trpc3

In previous work we reported that ApoeKO mice transplanted with bone marrow cells deficient in the Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 3 (TRPC3) channel have reduced necrosis and number of apoptotic macrophages in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Also, in vitro studies with polarized macrophages derived from mice with macrophage-specific loss of TRPC3 showed that M1, but not M2 macrophages, deficient in Trpc3 are less susceptible to ER stress-induced apoptosis than Trpc3 expressing cells. The questions remained (a) whether the plaque phenotype in transplanted mice resulted from a genuine effect of Trpc3 on macrophages, and (b) whether the reduced necrosis and macrophage apoptosis in plaques of these mice was a manifestation of the selective effect of TRPC3 on apoptosis of M1 macrophages previously observed in vitro. Here, we addressed these questions using Ldlr knockout (Ldlr−/−) mice with macrophage-specific loss of Trpc3 (MacTrpc3−/−/Ldlr−/− → Ldlr−/−). Compared to controls, we observed decreased plaque necrosis and number of apoptotic macrophages in MacTrpc3−/−/Ldlr−/− → Ldlr−/− mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a reduction in apoptotic M1, but not apoptotic M2 macrophages. These findings confirm an effect of TRPC3 on plaque necrosis and support the notion that this is likely a reflection of the reduced susceptibility of Trpc3-deficient M1 macrophages to apoptosis.Fil: Solanki, Sumeet. University of Toledo; Estados UnidosFil: Dube, Prabhatchandra R.. University of Toledo; Estados UnidosFil: Birnbaumer, Lutz. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Guillermo. University of Toledo; Estados Unido

Addressing the Multi-Channel Inverse Problem at High Energy Colliders: A Model Independent Approach to the Search for New Physics with Trileptons

We describe a method for interpreting trilepton searches at high energy colliders in a model-independent fashion and apply it to the recent searches at the Tevatron. The key step is to recognize that the trilepton signature is comprised of four experimentally very different channels defined by the number of tau-leptons in the trilepton state. Contributions from these multiple channels to the overall experimental sensitivity (cross section times branching ratio) are model-independent and can be parametrized in terms of relevant new particle masses. Given the trileptonic branching ratios of a specific model, these experimentally obtained multichannel sensitivities can be combined to obtain a cross section measurement that can be used to confront the model with data. Our model-independent results are more widely applicable than the current Tevatron trilepton results which are stated exclusively in terms of mSUGRA parameters of supersymmetry. The technique presented here can be expanded beyond trilepton searches to the more general "inverse problem" of experimentally discriminating between competing models that seek to explain new physics discovered in multiple channels.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures Changed content cosmetic changes for submission to JHE

Cultures and Colonization in Tamora Pierce\u27s Young Adult Novels

The content represented in young adult literature can be a shaping force for adolescents as they begin to understand more about themselves and the world around them. Fantasy fiction is especially powerful, as it allows readers to consider issues outside of their own experiences and learn through the characters of a fictional world. This thesis focuses specifically on the works of Tamora Pierce, and the ways in which she represents sociopolitical issues in her fictional world of Tortall. I analyze the ways in which Pierce’s works fulfill Landt’s standards of good multicultural literature, and how the representation she presents can educate readers in the real world. From Keladry of the Protector of the Small quartet, adolescent readers can learn to appreciate the value of cultures outside of their own. Pierce also deals with complex problems, such as slavery and colonization, and puts significant effort towards making her world respectful of enslaved and indigenous populations. Both Daine, of the Wild Magic quartet, and Beka, of the Beka Cooper trilogy, encounter slaves in their lines of work and endeavor to treat them as equals, setting a mold for readers on respect for others. While some of her characters from early novels, such as The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, fit the trope of white savior, Pierce’s more recent publications in the Trickster Duology work to break the stereotype of the white savior and provide a model for readers to follow as they approach issues surrounding indigenous groups in their own world. In addition to the value of these novels to individual readers, Pierce’s work has potential as a tool of pedagogy, and can be used in the classroom to structure discussions of sociopolitical issues in ways that allow young adult readers to engage with the texts and the wide variety of ideas they present

India's Contribution to the Mining, Extraction and Refining of Gold : Some Observations Related to the Pre-Christian Era

India has a very old and fascinating history of gold. Various aspects of the mining and metallurgy of gold were known to the Indians since time immemorial. In this paper, different types of the gold ore deposits', and the technique used in the extraction and refining of gold in ancient India as obtained from the literary sources 'composed in the pre-Christian era and some archa-eological findings are discussed. The recovery of a novel variety of high purity gold powder, known as Pipilaka Gold, from the auriferous soil of ant-hills, as stated in the Maheibharata, has also been discussed

3D multi-robot patrolling with a two-level coordination strategy

Teams of UGVs patrolling harsh and complex 3D environments can experience interference and spatial conflicts with one another. Neglecting the occurrence of these events crucially hinders both soundness and reliability of a patrolling process. This work presents a distributed multi-robot patrolling technique, which uses a two-level coordination strategy to minimize and explicitly manage the occurrence of conflicts and interference. The first level guides the agents to single out exclusive target nodes on a topological map. This target selection relies on a shared idleness representation and a coordination mechanism preventing topological conflicts. The second level hosts coordination strategies based on a metric representation of space and is supported by a 3D SLAM system. Here, each robot path planner negotiates spatial conflicts by applying a multi-robot traversability function. Continuous interactions between these two levels ensure coordination and conflicts resolution. Both simulations and real-world experiments are presented to validate the performances of the proposed patrolling strategy in 3D environments. Results show this is a promising solution for managing spatial conflicts and preventing deadlocks

Comment on: `Pipe Network Model for Scaling of Dynamic Interfaces in Porous Media'

We argue that a proposed exponent identity [Phys. Rev. Lett 85, 1238 (2000)] for interface roughening in spontaneous imbibition is wrong. It rests on the assumption that the fluctuations are controlled by a single time scale, but liquid conservation imposes two distinct time scales.Comment: 1 page, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Vibrio ponticus, a new pathogen of cultured cobia

Most of the members of the family Vibrionaceae are natural inhabitants of marine and estuarine ecosystem and several of them are pathogens in cultured aquatic organisms. Vibriosis caused by some pathogenic Vibrio spp., can cause huge mortality in marine fish culture systems. Intermittent mortality with haemorrhagic lesions on the fin, body surface, and head, exophthalmia (Fig.1) and stopping of feeding activity were noticed in cobia (25±5 cm length; 17±4 g weight) reared in sea cages off Polem, Goa during June 2015. The clinical signs lasted for a week with a total mortality of 12%. Isolation of bacteria aseptically from liver and kidney was done

A semester-long project-oriented biochemistry laboratory based on Helicobacter pylori urease

Here we present the development of a 13 week project-oriented biochemistry laboratory designed to introduce students to foundational biochemical techniques and then enable students to perform original research projects once they have mastered these techniques. In particular, we describe a semester-long laboratory that focuses on a biomedically relevant enzyme-Helicobacter pylori (Hp) urease-the activity of which is absolutely required for the gastric pathogen Hp to colonize the human stomach. Over the course of the semester, students undertake a biochemical purification of Hp urease, assess the success of their purification, and investigate the activity of their purified enzyme. In the final weeks of the semester, students design and implement their own experiments to study Hp urease. This laboratory provides students with an understanding of the importance of biochemistry in human health while empowering them to engage in an active area of research

Final-year medical students’ ratings of service-learning activities during an integrated primary care block

Background. Service learning (SL) has as its pedagogy the ability to link medical education to the community through the identification of healthcare needs for citizens residing in rural and urban underserved communities. Integrated Primary Care (IPC) is a clinical block through which final-year medical students manage common presenting problems in context and engage the community in a reciprocal manner.Objective. To assess the educational value and enjoyment of the 27 SL activities (SLAs) undertaken by final-year medical students as part of the IPC block.Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among final-year medical students (N=245), focusing on logbook activities during 1 academic year.Results. Students reported positively on the educational value of the majority of the 17 clinical SLAs, but only 3 activities were ranked the same for enjoyment and educational value. For non-clinical activities, only 2 of 10 were matched for educational and enjoyment value. There was no significant difference in the rating of educational value and enjoyment between rural and urban underserved sites.Conclusions. The study provided insight into clinical and non-clinical SLAs that accumulate value for students when they are based in primary healthcare settings. The lack of enjoyment on reflective activities is a concern that should be explored through a qualitative review of SLAs

Risk of nevirapine-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome among HIV-infected pregnant women: The Medunsa National Pharmacovigilance Centre, 2007 - 2012

Background. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an acute life-threatening condition often elicited by drugs. The government’s indecisiveness in deciding to stop the use of nevirapine (NVP) in HIV-infected pregnant women owing to the increase of SJS among this population groupin South Africa prompted this investigation.Objectives. To investigate if pregnancy is a risk factor for SJS among HIV-infected women taking NVP-containing regimens and registeredwithin the Medunsa National Pharmacovigilance Centre database.Methods. A matched case-control study with 5:1 matching was conducted. Women with SJS (cases) taking NVP-containing regimens were matched with women without SJS (controls) taking NVP-containing regimens. Controls were randomly selected and matched to cases by hospital, age, treatment duration and CD4 count. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine if pregnancy was a risk factor for SJS.Results. Six SJS cases were identified and 30 controls selected. The median age of both cases and controls was 29 years and the averageCD4 counts were 237 and 234 cells/ìl respectively. Subjects were on NVP treatment for 18 - 31 days before the onset of SJS. Controls did not develop SJS after treatment of between 1 and 365 days. Pregnancy increased the chances of developing SJS 14-fold (OR 14.28, p=0.006,95% CI 1.54 - 131.82).Conclusions. NVP-containing ARV regimens taken during pregnancy increase the risk of developing SJS. Healthcare workers are advisedto offer informed consent to patients and recommend effective  contraception methods if NVP treatment is considered. In the light of ourfindings, further studies of the association between NVP, pregnancy and SJS are necessary before general conclusions can be reached