Invasive Alien Species biosecurity in England and Wales

Biological invasions have been recognised as the one of the greatest threats, after habitat loss, to biodiversity globally. Non-native species, also called alien species (as used by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)), are species moved (intentionally or unintentionally) through human activity outside their natural distribution into novel terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Throughout history, humans have been moving and transporting species around the world, but as a result of global transport, trade and recreation, the rate of introductions is increasing. Non-native species that have negative ecological, economic or social impacts in their novel range are termed invasive alien species (IAS). Methods to prevent the introduction and spread of IAS are increasingly being recognised as the most cost effective means of reducing the impacts of IAS and are central to the CBD, EU Regulation 1143/2014 and the Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy for Great Britain. Biosecurity measures cover all activities aimed at preventing the introduction and/or spread of IAS. Since IAS result from human activities, it is necessary to look at the human dimensions of IAS management. Research on the social psychological processes that shape stakeholder opinions and behaviours can help agencies structure interventions in a way that motivates people to act more consistently. This thesis applied an interdisciplinary approach and used Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behaviour as a framework to explore the human dimensions which are important factors to understand and manage IAS. The thesis applied a mixed methods approach including biological and social science methodologies. Individual dimensions (e.g. knowledge, risk, attitudes, experience) helped to determine individuals’ intentions to adopt preventative behaviours; and group dimensions (e.g. subjective norms, social networks) played an essential role especially in this thesis for water users. This thesis was able to confirm that awareness around IAS and communication campaigns such as Check Clean Dry is increasing. However, whilst these dimensions were useful to determine an individual’s intention to behave, stakeholders perceived a lack of behavioural control as the behaviour was difficult to actually perform without the right infrastructure in place (e.g. cleaning stations). Whilst interventions such as local information, awareness campaigns, signs, training and legislative measures have been implemented in an attempt to increase perceived behavioural control, they should be not assume behaviour change. To increase intention to behave the UK government should invest in infrastructure at high risk and highly used sites. Providing infrastructure for stakeholders will bridge the gap between intention to behave and actually changing behaviours. For example, as more individuals use wash down stations, this will increase visibility of biosecurity behaviour; seeing people use wash down stations can potentially have a positive effect in encouraging others to wash down their equipment and therefore create a social norm spread through social networks

Determinants of a transcriptionally competent environment at the GM-CSF promoter

Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is produced by T cells, but not B cells, in response to immune signals. GM-CSF gene activation in response to T-cell stimulation requires remodelling of chromatin associated with the gene promoter, and these changes do not occur in B cells. While the CpG methylation status of the murine GM-CSF promoter shows no correlation with the ability of the gene to respond to activation, we find that the basal chromatin environment of the gene promoter influences its ability to respond to immune signals. In unstimulated T cells but not B cells, the GM-CSF promoter is selectively marked by enrichment of histone acetylation, and association of the chromatin-remodelling protein BRG1. BRG1 is removed from the promoter upon activation concomitant with histone depletion and BRG1 is required for efficient chromatin remodelling and transcription. Increasing histone acetylation at the promoter in T cells is paralleled by increased BRG1 recruitment, resulting in more rapid chromatin remodelling, and an associated increase in GM-CSF mRNA levels. Furthermore, increasing histone acetylation in B cells removes the block in chromatin remodelling and transcriptional activation of the GM-CSF gene. These data are consistent with a model in which histone hyperacetylation and BRG1 enrichment at the GM-CSF promoter, generate a chromatin environment competent to respond to immune signals resulting in gene activation

Hospitality and The Kingdom of God: Our Invitation to Join the Work of Restoration

Hospitality engages a world imagined by God, taking on the heart of God, and choosing to live in ways responsive to theactive presence of God in the world. Hospitality, by nature, is subversive as it restores creation through seemingly minorand simple actions which effect healing, health, and wholeness. Practitioners of hospitality take on the ministry of Christfashioning their lives and choices after his, attending to the needs of others, trusting in the abundance of God, and livingin rhythm with God’s work in the world. Hospitality engages the Table Ministry of Christ in the world inviting all whowould dine to come and partake of God’s lavish abundance. Hospitality sees the Kingdom of God as the Creator’srestored gathering with humanity taking form around the Banquet Table as it is both present now and coming in thefuture. Hospitality understands that the work of the Incarnation happened not so God could merely die, but that Godcould walk and talk with humanity showing us how to live into the life God has for us and to invite us into that ministry ofrestoration and co-creation. Hospitality, attentive to God, invites and welcomes all who would come and dine at theBanquet Table co-creating the Kingdom of God as it pushes out into the liminal places of the world where strangers arewelcomed, guests become hosts, and the Body of Christ continues to incarnate the presence of God in this world. TheBanquet Table, the Kingdom of God, the Incarnation of God on earth together form the ministry of hospitality—an imagelarge enough for a wild, creative, and passionate God to love the whole of creation into healing, wholeness, andrestoration

Turning to art as a positive way of living with cancer: A qualitative study of personal motives and contextual influences

Why do some women turn to creative art-making after a diagnosis of cancer? Eleven women provided qualitative accounts that were analyzed following guidelines for interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Some described taking up artistic leisure activities initially in order to manage emotional distress. Others emphasized their need for positive well-being, taking up art to experience achievement and satisfaction, to regain a positive identity, and to normalize family dynamics in the context of living with cancer. Participants’ turn to art-making was facilitated by biographical and contextual factors, including pre-existing craft skills, long-standing personal values and coping philosophies, family role models for managing adversity, and the supportive encouragement of family and friends. Other research has acknowledged that positive lifestyle change and post-traumatic growth can occur after a cancer diagnosis, and this study reveals a multi-faceted process. The findings suggest a need for further research into the experiences that facilitate positive lifestyle change and subjective well-being among people who are living with cancer

Transcriptomic analysis of mouse EL4 T cells upon T cell activation and in response to protein synthesis inhibition via cycloheximide treatment

T cell activation involves the recognition of a foreign antigen complexed to the major histocompatibility complex on the antigen presenting T cell to the T cell receptor. This leads to activation of signaling pathways, which ultimately leads to induction of key cytokine genes responsible for eradication of foreign antigens. We used the mouse EL4 T cell as a model system to study genes that are induced as a result of T cell activation using phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionomycin (I) as stimuli. We were also interested to examine the importance of new protein synthesis in regulating the expression of genes involved in T cell activation. Thus we have pre-treated mouse EL4 T cells with cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, and left the cells unstimulated or stimulated with PMA/I for 4 h. We performed microarray expression profiling of these cells to correlate the gene expression with chromatin state of T cells upon T cell activation [1]. Here, we detail further information and analysis of the microarray data, which shows that T cell activation leads to differential expression of genes and inducible genes can be further classified as primary and secondary response genes based on their protein synthesis dependency. The data is available in the Gene Expression Omnibus under accession number GSE13278

Changes in Chromatin Accessibility Across the GM-CSF Promoter upon T Cell Activation Are Dependent on Nuclear Factor κB Proteins

Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a key cytokine in myelopoiesis and aberrant expression is associated with chronic inflammatory disease and myeloid leukemias. This aberrant expression is often associated with constitutive nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. To investigate the relationship between NF-κB and GM-CSF transcription in a chromatin context, we analyzed the chromatin structure of the GM-CSF gene in T cells and the role of NF-κB proteins in chromatin remodeling. We show here that chromatin remodeling occurs across a region of the GM-CSF gene between −174 and +24 upon T cell activation, suggesting that remodeling is limited to a single nucleosome encompassing the proximal promoter. Nuclear NF-κB levels appear to play a critical role in this process. In addition, using an immobilized template assay we found that the ATPase component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, brg1, is recruited to the GM-CSF proximal promoter in an NF-κB–dependent manner in vitro. These results suggest that chromatin remodeling across the GM-CSF promoter in T cells is a result of recruitment of SWI/SNF type remodeling complexes by NF-κB proteins binding to the CD28 response region of the promoter

“It gave me something big in my life to wonder and think about which took over the space … and not MS”: Managing well-being in multiple sclerosis through art-making

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright @ 2014 Informa UK Ltd.Background and aim: Individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often face progressive loss of function, uncertainty and disruption to self-image and valued roles. Previous studies show that creative self-expression is valued by some people living with long-term illness, yet its meaning for people living with MS is unclear. This research study explored the meanings of leisure-based visual art-making for people living with MS. Method: This qualitative study followed guidelines for Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Single semi-structured interviews were conducted with five adults (2 males; 3 females; 40–65 years), recruited from MS Ireland. Findings: Participants valued art-making for contributing to a more satisfying way of life; for filling occupational voids and using time well. Deep immersion offered respite from worry about illness. Creative classes offered social camaraderie and opportunities for learning and development. Art-making processes and products were highly affirmative, increasing emotional well-being and promoting self-worth. Most felt that they expressed valued aspects of self through their art. Art-making appeared to assist with identity maintenance, accommodating functional losses associated with MS whilst opening “new doors”. Conclusion: Art-making offered a multi-faceted means of supporting identity and increasing fulfilment in lives that were restricted in many ways by MS

The Mitogen-Induced Increase in T Cell Size Involves PKC and NFAT Activation of Rel/NF-κB-Dependent c-myc Expression

AbstractCell growth during the G1 stage of the cell cycle is partly controlled by inducing c-myc expression, which in B cells is regulated by the NF-κB1 and c-Rel transcription factors. Here, we show that c-myc-dependent growth during T cell activation requires c-Rel and RelA and that blocking this growth by inhibiting protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) coincides with a failure to upregulate c-myc due to impaired RelA nuclear import and inhibition of NFAT-dependent c-rel transcription. These results demonstrate that different Rel/NF-κB dimers regulate the mitogenic growth of mature T and B cells, with a signaling pathway incorporating PKCθ and NFAT controlling c-Rel/RelA-induced c-myc expression in activated T cells