Distinct Types of Fibrocyte Can Differentiate from Mononuclear Cells in the Presence and Absence of Serum

Background: Ageing, immunity and stresstolerance are inherent characteristics of all organisms. In animals, these traits are regulated, at least in part, by forkhead transcription factors in response to upstream signals from the Insulin/Insulin–like growth factor signalling (IIS) pathway. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, these phenotypes are molecularly linked such that activation of the forkhead transcription factor DAF-16 both extends lifespan and simultaneously increases immunity and stress resistance. It is known that lifespan varies significantly among the Caenorhabditis species but, although DAF-16 signalling is highly conserved, it is unclear whether this phenotypic linkage occurs in other species. Here we investigate this phenotypic covariance by comparing longevity, stress resistance and immunity in four Caenorhabditis species. Methodology/Principal Findings: We show using phenotypic analysis of DAF-16 influenced phenotypes that among four closely related Caenorhabditis nematodes, the gonochoristic species (Caenorhabditis remanei and Caenorhabditis brenneri) have diverged significantly with a longer lifespan, improved stress resistance and higher immunity than the hermaphroditic species (C. elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae). Interestingly, we also observe significant differences in expression levels between the daf-16 homologues in these species using Real-Time PCR, which positively correlate with the observed phenotypes. Finally, we provide additional evidence in support of a role for DAF-16 in regulating phenotypic coupling by using a combination of wildtype isolates, constitutively active daf-16 mutants and bioinformatic analysis. Conclusions: The gonochoristic species display a significantly longer lifespan (p<0.0001) and more robust immune and stress response (p<0.0001, thermal stress; p<0.01, heavy metal stress; p<0.0001, pathogenic stress) than the hermaphroditic species. Our data suggests that divergence in DAF-16 mediated phenotypes may underlie many of the differences observed between these four species of Caenorhabditis nematodes. These findings are further supported by the correlative higher daf-16 expression levels among the gonochoristic species and significantly higher lifespan, immunity and stress tolerance in the constitutively active daf-16 hermaphroditic mutants

How does the built environment affect teenagers (aged 13–14) physical activity and fitness? A cross-sectional analysis of the ACTIVE Project

Built environments have been cited as important facilitators of activity and research using geographic information systems (GIS) has emerged as a novel approach in exploring environmental determinants. The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation Project used GIS to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of how teenager's (aged 13-14) environments impacted on their amount of activity and influences fitness. The ACTIVE Project recruited 270 participants aged 13-14 (year 9) from 7 secondary schools in south Wales, UK. Demographic data and objective measures of accelerometery and fitness were collected from each participant between September and December 2016. Objective data was mapped in a GIS alongside datasets relating to activity provision, active travel routes, public transport stops, main roads and natural resources. This study shows that fitness and physical activity are not correlated. Teenagers who had higher levels of activity also had higher levels of sedentary time/inactivity. Teenagers showed higher amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity if their homes were closer to public transport. However, they were also more active if their schools were further away from public transport and natural resources. Teenagers were fitter if schools were closer to natural resources. Sedentary behaviour, fitness and activity do not cluster in the same teenagers. Policymakers/planning committees need to consider this when designing teenage friendly environments. Access to public transport, active travel, green space and activities that teenagers want, and need could make a significant difference to teenage health

Diversity among monocyte derived stromal cells

Fibrocytes are monocyte-derived cells that morphologically look like fibroblasts, express both stromal and haematopoietic markers, and have been reported as being involved in wound healing and fibrosis. In-vitro derived fibrocytes can be differentiated in both serum-containing and serum-free environments and we wanted to study the relationship between these two fibrocytes; which potentially could be involved at different time points at a wound healing site. To investigate the relationship between serum-free and serum-containing derived fibrocytes monocytes were differentiated without serum. When these cells were placed in a serum-containing environment they became round, losing their fibroblast-like morphology. However when the reverse experiment was done on fibrocytes derived in a serum-containing environment there was no apparent effect on their morphology. The relationships between these two fibrocytes, as well as macrophages and fibroblasts was also examined using transcriptome analysis of 37000 genes, clustering the samples based on all the genes, and identifying those that were significantly different between the populations. This demonstrated that both fibrocyte populations are distinct from each other, as well as from both fibroblasts and macrophages. These data demonstrate that these two fibrocytes have different characteristics, suggesting that they may have different roles in the modulation of fibrosis in inflammation

Understanding the ‘lived experience’ of unaccompanied young women: challenges and opportunities for social work

This article reports a small-scale piece of qualitative research, undertaken within a specialist social work team for asylum-seeking or trafficked young people, in a rural local authority in the UK. Following a multi-perspectival approach, it utilised both discourse theory and psycho-social theory to describe how social workers were drawing both on ways of talking and ways of feeling in their constructions of young women. The research concluded that a relationship-based model of social work is essential to prevent practitioners from falling back onto generalised social discourses or unconsidered emotional responses. It is further argued that social workers involved with this group of young people need access to specialist sources of training and knowledge outside of their organisation, and that building national and international links between practitioners in this field could further strengthen practice

Debating Bill C-18: An Analysis of Power and Discourse in Parliamentary Proceedings on Canada’s Agricultural Growth Act

Bill C-18, Canada’s Agricultural Growth Act, amended several pieces of agricultural legislation and represents an important step in Canada’s efforts to modernize its agriculture and agri-food legislation. Although the bill received widespread support from many farm and seed organizations, the groups who critically opposed it cited potential implications such as increased corporate control, further restrictions to seed-saving practices, and financial hardships. How were these highly divergent perspectives accounted for within law and policy formation? Using a framework based on multiple forms of power, this article contributes to a broader and more integrated approach to exploring the ways power dynamics get articulated in law and policy debates. Discourse analysis of 32 parliamentary documents helps to shed light on a range of patterns regarding relations of power in the text and context of these debates. Based on this analysis, I discuss how varying and interconnected relations of power produced an imbalanced climate for agriculture and agri-food law and policy development—one that prioritizes economic freedom, global competitiveness, and private property rights. Further research regarding these varied and complex power relations is necessary for improving equity and accountability within these legislative contexts and, more generally, Canada’s agriculture and agri-food system