The Tribal Sovereign as Citizen: Protecting Indian Country Health and Welfare Through Federal Environmental Citizen Suits

This Article suggests that federal environmental citizen suits can serve tribal sovereignty interests without presenting the legal risks tribes face when they attempt direct regulation of non-Indians. Section I briefly describes governmental regulatory roles tribes may play in the implementation of federal environmental law and policy. Section II overviews the conceptual and procedural framework for tribal claims as citizens. Section III argues that in bringing environmental citizen suits, tribal governments exercise their inherent sovereign power and responsibility to protect the health and welfare of tribal citizens and the quality of the Indian country environment. Section IV concludes that, while suits directed at one facility cannot and should not replace comprehensive tribal programs, they offer concrete benefits to tribes without risking adverse judicial decisions on the scope of tribal sovereignty and Indian country

Influence of genotype and age of explant source on the capacity for somatic embryogenesis of two Cavendish banana cultivars (Musa acuminata Colla, AAA)

The embryogenic capacities of flower explants from one- and two-week-old male inflorescence buds from Musa acuminata Cavendish, AAA, genotypes ‘Williams’ and ‘Grand Naine’ were investigated. Explants of hands with immature flowers were excised and induced for embryogenesis. Highlysignificant differences were found in the embryogenic response, depending on the genotype and the developmental stage of the buds from which the explants were excised. After four months of induction, the total percentage of callus formed ranged from 97.81% in explants of two-week-old ‘Williams’ buds to 52.11% in explants of two-week-old ‘Grand Naine’ buds. Embryogenic callus formation was, on average, higher in the two-week-old ‘Williams’ explants (10.01%) than in the one-week-old explants (0.78%). The opposite was true for ‘Grand Naine’, with 7.51% embryogenic callus produced in explants of one-week-old buds compared to 2.49% in two-week-old buds. Selected embryogenic calluses that were successfully established on proliferation medium led to embryogenic cell suspensions with good regeneration capacities. Fifteen to thirty-five percent of the embryos germinated, demonstrated high plant-conversion capacity (99%). The effect of the interaction between the developmental age ofexplant and the genotype on the embryogenesis response is discussed

Exercise training enhanced myocardial endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) function in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats

Abstract Background Different mechanisms of diabetic-induced NO dysfunction have been proposed and central to most of them are significant changes in eNOS function as the rate-limiting step in NO bioavailability. eNOS exists in both monomeric and dimeric conformations, with the dimeric form catalyzing the synthesis of nitric oxide, while the monomeric form catalyzes the synthesis of superoxide (O2-). Diabetic-induced shifts to decrease the dimer:monomer ratio is thought to contribute to the degradation of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Exercise has long been useful in the management of diabetes. Although exercise-induced increases expression of eNOS has been reported, it is unclear if exercise may alter the functional coupling of eNOS. Methods To investigate this question, Goto-Kakizaki rats (a model of type II diabetes) were randomly assigned to a 9-week running program (train) or sedentary (sed) groups. Results Exercise training significantly (p 4), but not in the presence of exogenous BH4. Exercise training also significantly decreased NADPH-dependent O2- activity. Conclusion Exercise-induced increased eNOS dimerization resulted in an increased coupling of the enzyme to facilitate production of NO at the expense of ROS generation. This shift that could serve to decrease diabetic-related oxidative stress, which should serve to lessen diabetic-related complications.</p

Cloning, in silico structural characterization and expression analysis of MfAtr4, an ABC transporter from the banana pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis

ABC transporters are membrane proteins that use the energy released from the hydrolysis of ATP to drive the transport of compounds across biological membranes. In some plants, pathogenic fungi ABC transporters play a role as virulence factors by mediating the export of plant defense compounds or fungal virulence factors. Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the causal agent of black Sigatoka disease in banana, is the main constraint for the banana industry worldwide. So far, little is known about molecular mechanism that it uses to infect the host. In this study, degenerated primers designed from fungal ABC transporters known to be involved in virulence were used to isolate homologs from M. fijiensis. Here, we reported the full cloning of MfAtr4 a putative ortholog of MgAtr4, an ABC transporter of the related Mycosphaerella graminicola with a function in virulence. Similarities and differences with its presumed ortholog MgAtr4 are described, and the putative function of MfAtr4 are discussed. Analysis of MfAtr4 gene expression in field banana samples exhibiting visible symptoms of black Sigatoka disease indicated a higher expression of MfAtr4 during the first symptomatic stages in comparison to the late necrotrophic phases, suggesting a role for MfAtr4 in the early stages of pathogenic development of M. fijiensis.Key words: ABC transporters, virulence factors, MgAtr4 ortholog, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, black Sigatoka, Musa sp

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for the treatment of pancreatic neoplasms in children: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative study

BackgroundTo better characterize short- term and long- term outcomes in children with pancreatic tumors treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).MethodsPatients 21 years of age or younger who underwent PD at Pediatric Surgical Oncology Collaborative (PSORC) hospitals between 1990 and 2017 were identified. Demographic, clinical information, and outcomes (operative complications, long- term pancreatic function, recurrence, and survival) were collected.ResultsSixty- five patients from 18 institutions with a median age of 13 years (4 months- 22 years) and a median (IQR) follow- up of 2.8 (4.3) years were analyzed. Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPN) was the most common histology. Postoperative complications included pancreatic leak in 14% (n = 9), delayed gastric emptying in 9% (n = 6), marginal ulcer in one patient, and perioperative (30- day) death due to hepatic failure in one patient. Pancreatic insufficiency was observed in 32% (n = 21) of patients, with 23%, 3%, and 6% with exocrine, or endocrine insufficiencies, or both, respectively. Children with SPN and benign neoplasms all survived. Overall, there were 14 (22%) recurrences and 11 deaths (17%). Univariate analysis revealed non- SPN malignant tumor diagnosis, preoperative vascular involvement, intraoperative transfusion requirement, pathologic vascular invasion, positive margins, and need for neoadjuvant chemotherapy as risk factors for recurrence and poor survival. Multivariate analysis only revealed pathologic vascular invasion as a risk factor for recurrence and poor survival.ConclusionThis is the largest series of pediatric PD patients. PD is curative for SPN and benign neoplasms. Pancreatic insufficiency is the most common postoperative complication. Outcome is primarily associated with histology.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156233/2/pbc28425.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156233/1/pbc28425_am.pd