The corneal endothelium in development, disease and surgery

Aims: The cornea is a tough, transparent tissue providing the primary refractive element of the eye. The stroma consists of specially arranged collagen required for corneal transparency. Correct stromal hydration is important in the maintenance of transparency, a feature controlled by the endothelial cells on the posterior surface of the cornea. The aims of this research were firstly to investigate the morphology of corneal endothelial cells and their expression of the sodium bicarbonate cotransporter during avian embryonic development and secondly, to clarify the effect of disease, surgery and drugs on the posterior cornea including in particular the corneal endothelium. Methods: The corneal endothelial cell morphology and posterior stroma were examined using transmission electron microscopy to determine the ultrastructure of the cells and collagen fibril arrangement in the stroma in all results chapters. Immunohistochemistry and A-scan ultrasonography were employed to identify the presence of the Na+HCO3- cotransporter and to determine the thickness changes in embryonic chick cornea, respectively. Electron tomography was also used to determine the collagen arrangement in Descemet’s membrane. Results: The expression of the Na+HCO3- cotransporter was identified in the endothelial layer of the embryonic chicks at all stages imaged. Central corneal thickness increased in the initial stages of development before a plateau between the E12-E15 developmental period followed by a steady thickness decrease. The ultrastructure of Descemet’s membrane was determined using electron tomography of transverse and en face resin embedded sections from which a model was produced. Polygonal and elongated structures were observed with proteoglycans present at the intermodal regions of the collagenous structures. The polygonal lattice visualised in en face sections appeared to be composed of stacked globular domains which were integrated into the collagen type VIII model. Predominant changes in the Col8a2 knock-in mouse models were observed in the posterior cornea. Differences included increased proteoglycans at the Descemet’s endothelial interface, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and focal posterior oedema. This animal model exhibits features similar to those seen in the human form of early-onset Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, unlike previous models reported. The final chapter is concerned with regeneration of the corneal endothelial cells. Tissue from posterior corneal surgery examined using electron microscopy revealed the presence of the host endothelial cells and fibrous tissue at the interface in non-Descemet’s membrane stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and interface haze in Descemet’s membrane stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty. However, these features did not appear to interfere with the adhesion of the graft nor the clarity. Finally, ultrastructural analysis of Rho-kinase inhibited cells showed cells with typical morphology when compared with the untreated group Conclusions: 1) The Na+HCO3- cotransporter is present in the embryonic cornea. It is possible that the cotransporter is involved in the developmental stages and probably the thickness changes we observe during this period. 2) The ultrastructure of Descemet’s membrane appears to be composed of stacked globular domains arranged in a polygonal lattice alongside more elongated structures interspersed with proteoglycans within the internodal regions. 3) Our studies have helped validate Col4a2 mice as a promising Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy model. 4) Our investigation into posterior corneal surgery revealed ultrastructural changes that occur post-surgery at the graft interface

Mutations within the P-Loop of Kir6.2 Modulate the Intraburst Kinetics of the Atp-Sensitive Potassium Channel

The ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel exhibits spontaneous bursts of rapid openings, which are separated by long closed intervals. Previous studies have shown that mutations at the internal mouth of the pore-forming (Kir6.2) subunit of this channel affect the burst duration and the long interburst closings, but do not alter the fast intraburst kinetics. In this study, we have investigated the nature of the intraburst kinetics by using recombinant Kir6.2/SUR1 KATP channels heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Single-channel currents were studied in inside-out membrane patches. Mutations within the pore loop of Kir6.2 (V127T, G135F, and M137C) dramatically affected the mean open time (τo) and the short closed time (τC1) within a burst, and the number of openings per burst, but did not alter the burst duration, the interburst closed time, or the channel open probability. Thus, the V127T and M137C mutations produced longer τo, shorter τC1, and fewer openings per burst, whereas the G135F mutation had the opposite effect. All three mutations also reduced the single-channel conductance: from 70 pS for the wild-type channel to 62 pS (G135F), 50 pS (M137C), and 38 pS (V127T). These results are consistent with the idea that the KATP channel possesses a gate that governs the intraburst kinetics, which lies close to the selectivity filter. This gate appears to be able to operate independently of that which regulates the long interburst closings

The Iowa Homemaker vol.6 no.4

Table of Contents The Purnell Bill by Anna E. Richardson, page 1 Living in a Cooperative House by Helen Bascom, page 2 The Lure of a Shawl, page 3 Your Five Foot Shelf, page 4 With the Iowa State Home Economics Association by Mrs. Fred E. Ferguson, page 6 Editorial, page 7 4-H Page, page 8 Eternal Question, page 10 Pleasing the Tastes of 800 Girls by Frances Jones, page 11 Planning for Canning by Kathern Ayres, page 12 Who’s There and Where by Cleo Fitzsimmons, page 1

The Iowa Homemaker vol.5, no.11

Table of Contents Choosing the Profession of Homemaking by Anna E. Richardson, page 1 Opportunities Offered in Hospital Dietetics by Grace Magee, page 2 Selecting Your Spring Wardrobe by Betty Barker, page 2 Soft Water for the Housewife by Arthur W. Turner, page 3 Do You Have a Tea Room Complex? by Gladys Branson, page 4 The Designer – Her Place by Helen Dahl, page 4 Girls’ 4-H Page, page 5 With the Iowa State Home Economics Association, page 6 Editorial, page 7 Who’s There and Where, page 8 Marketing as a Business Proposition by Ruetta Day Blinks, page 9 The Eternal Question, page 10 Are You Furnishing Your Home?, page 11 The Heart of the Home by Frances Jones, page 1

Evaluating Native American Bird Use and Bird Assemblage Variability along the Oregon Coast

Native American use of birds on the Oregon coast is not well known and has never been synthesized to present a regional understanding. We rectify this by analyzing data from 26 zooarchaeological assemblages, including three previously unpublished bird assemblages: Umpqua/Eden (35DO83), Whale Cove (35LNC60), and the Dunes Site (35CLT27). We employ a series of non-parametric randomization tests to directly evaluate patterns of taxonomic diversity, correlations with nearby breeding colonies, and broader procurement strategies discussed in ethnohistorical accounts. We compare the assemblages to contemporary surveys of naturally beached birds as observed by COASST (Coastal Observation Seabird Survey Team) and evaluate whether archaeological specimens were scavenged from the beach. While 71% of the identified bird remains belong to just three families (Anatidae, Alcidae, and Procellariidae), closer analysis reveals the incredible diversity of birds used by Oregon coast Native Americans. The assemblages vary considerably in terms of taxonomic diversity and composition, leading us to conclude that people used birds opportunistically, likely incorporating multiple strategies, including hunting, collecting beached carcasses and targeting cormorant colonies. We hope that the methods and approaches employed here will inspire other archaeologists to devote more attention to bird assemblages, and how their study can inform conservation efforts

"The daily grunt": middle class bias and vested interests in the 'Getting in Early' and 'Why Can't They Read?' reports.

It is a long-standing and commonly held belief in the UK and elsewhere that the use of elite forms of language reflects superior intellect and education. Expert opinion from sociolinguistics, however, contends that such a view is the result of middle-class bias and cannot be scientifically justified. In the 1960s and 1970s,such luminaries as Labov (1969) and Trudgill (1975) were at pains to point out to educationalists, with some success, that this 'deficit 'view of working-class children's communicative competence is not a helpful one. However, a close reading of recent think-tank reports and policy papers on language and literacy teaching in schools reveals that the linguistic deficit hypothesis has resurfaced and is likely to influence present-day educational policy and practice. In this paper I examine in detail the findings, claims and recommendations of the reports and I argue that they are biased, poorly researched and reflect the vested interests of certain specialist groups, such as speech and language therapists and companies who sell literacy materials to schools. I further argue that we need to, once again, inject the debate with the social dimensions of educational failure, and we need to move away from the pathologisation of working-class children's language patterns

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of invasive versus conservative management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

INTRODUCTION: Current management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is variable, with little evidence from randomised controlled trials to guide treatment. Guidelines emphasise intervention in many patients, which involves chest drain insertion, hospital admission and occasionally surgery. However, there is evidence that conservative management may be effective and safe, and it may also reduce the risk of recurrence. Significant questions remain regarding the optimal initial approach to the management of PSP

Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in Northern Elephant Seals, California

Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. prevalence and antimicrobial drug sensitivity were determined in northern elephant seals that had not entered the water and seals that were stranded on the California coast. Stranded seals had a higher prevalence of pathogenic bacteria, possibly from terrestrial sources, which were more likely to be resistant

4-Sodium phenyl butyric acid has both efficacy and counter-indicative effects in the treatment of Col4a1 disease

Mutations in the collagen genes COL4A1 and COL4A2 cause Mendelian eye, kidney and cerebrovascular disease including intracerebral haemorrhage, and common collagen IV variants are a risk factor for sporadic intracerebral haemorrhage. COL4A1 and COL4A2 mutations cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and basement membrane (BM) defects, and recent data suggest an association of ER stress with intracerebral haemorrhage due to a COL4A2 mutation. However, the potential of ER-stress as a therapeutic target for the multi-systemic COL4A1 pathologies remains unclear. We performed a preventative oral treatment of Col4a1 mutant mice with the chemical chaperone phenyl butyric acid (PBA), which reduced adult intracerebral haemorrhage. Importantly, treatment of adult mice with established disease also reduced intracerebral haemorrhage. However, PBA treatment did not alter eye and kidney defects, establishing tissue specific outcomes of targeting Col4a1-derived ER stress, and therefore this treatment may not be applicable for patients with eye and renal disease. While PBA treatment reduced ER-stress and increased collagen IV incorporation into BMs, the persistence of defects in BM structure and reduced ability of the BM to withstand mechanical stress indicate PBA may be counter-indicative for pathologies caused by matrix defects. These data establish that treatment for COL4A1 disease requires a multi-pronged treatment approach that restores both ER homeostasis and matrix defects. Alleviating ER-stress is a valid therapeutic target for preventing and treating established adult intracerebral haemorrhage, but collagen IV patients will require stratification based on their clinical presentation and mechanism of their mutations

Religious faith and psychosocial adaptation among stroke patients in Kuwait: A mixed method study

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright @ 2012 Springer Science+Business Media.Religious faith is central to life for Muslim patients in Kuwait, so it may influence adaptation and rehabilitation. This study explored quantitative associations among religious faith, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in 40 female stroke patients and explored the influence of religion within stroke rehabilitation through qualitative interviews with 12 health professionals. The quantitative measure of religious faith did not relate to life satisfaction or self-efficacy in stroke patients. However, the health professionals described religious coping as influencing adaptation post-stroke. Fatalistic beliefs were thought to have mixed influences on rehabilitation. Measuring religious faith among Muslims through a standardized scale is debated. The qualitative accounts suggest that religious beliefs need to be acknowledged in stroke rehabilitation in Kuwait