Gene transfer to adult human lung tissue ex vivo

The potential of gene therapy for treatment of lung disease remains unrealised. Early model systems often resulted in promising efficiency of gene transfer, only to prove irreproducible in the clinic. While problems such as induction of host immune responses and duration of expression also need to be addressed, it is now widely believed that alternative, relevant models which more accurately reflect gene transfer efficiencies in human lungs are urgently required. We report here on a human lung slice culture system to assess gene transfer to adult lung epithelium. A lacZ-expressing adenovirus (AdCA35lacZ) was used as a reporter vector. A solution of AdCA35lacZ was instilled via bronchioles into resected lung tissue, a route analogous to clinical administration. Following a 1 h incubation, the tissue was inflated with a 0.4% agarose solution, instilled via the same bronchioles. Once solidified, 500 mm slices of the tissue were prepared and cultured for 4 days. b-Galactosidase staining revealed lacZ transgene expression in bronchiolar and alveolar cells of the lung slices throughout the 4 days in culture. This system, which can also be used to study other viral and liposome vectors, could prove to be a useful alternative model for assessing gene delivery to adult human lung epithelium

Livelihood Strategies and Outcomes of Fisher Folks in Selected Rural Coastal Communities of Ghana

People choose livelihood strategies that provide them with livelihood outcomes. For those living in poverty, livelihood strategies are usually varied and often complex. This study explores the livelihood strategies and outcomes of fisher folks in rural coastal communities. This paper focuses on two sub-themes: livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes of fisher folks in four selected rural coastal communities in the Volta and Central Regions of Ghana. This study adopted a mixed method research approach with a sequential mixed method research design. The population included fisher folks - fishermen, fish mongers, fish processors, boat owners, net owners, outboard motor owners, middle men and women in the fishing industry in the selected communities. Eighty purposively sampled respondents were tasked to respond to interpreted and aided in answering questionnaires since most of them could not read and write. Twenty fisher folks were interviewed from each of the four communities. In addition, one focus group discussion (fgd) was held in each of the four communities. In testing for consistency of findings, interpretative technique was employed in analysing the qualitative data, whilst simple percentage was employed for the quantitative data collected. The research established three predominant livelihood strategies pursued in the study settings. These are livelihood diversification, intensification and migration. The livelihood outcomes they aimed to achieve were to: improve health and wellbeing; increase food security; have access to resources; increase income; and decrease vulnerability. The study categorised fisher folks who strive to achieve their livelihood outcomes into three, namely, ‘positive’, ‘mid’, and ‘negative’. The study recommended the need for investment in livelihood activities within rural fishing communities as a way of broadening fisher folks’ entitlements and capabilities. Keywords: Capabilities, Coastal Communities, Empowerment, Fishing, Ghana, Livelihood, Livelihood Strategies, Livelihood Outcomes. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/48-05 Publication date:May 31st 201

Evidence-based professional development of science teachers in two countries

The focus of this collaborative research project of King’s College London, and the Weizmann Institute, Israel. project is on investigating the ways in which teachers can demonstrate accomplished teaching in a specific domain of science and on the teacher learning that is generated through continuing professional development programs (CPD) that lead towards such practice. The interest lies in what processes and inputs are required to help secondary school science teachers develop expertise in a specific aspect of science teaching. It focuses on the design of the CPD programmes and examines the importance of an evidence-based approach through portfolio-construction in which professional dialogue pathes the way for teacher learning. The set of papers highlight the need to set professional challenge while tailoring CPD to teachers' needs to create the environment in which teachers can advance and transform their practice. The cross-culture perspective added to the richness of the development and enabled the researchers to examine which aspects were fundamental to the design by considering similarities and differences between the domains

Absence of p53 in Clara cells favours multinucleation and loss of cell cycle arrest

BACKGROUND: The p53 oncosuppressor protein is a critical mediator of the response to injury in mammalian cells and is mutationally inactivated in the majority of lung malignancies. In this analysis, the effects of p53-deficiency were investigated in short-term primary cultures of murine bronchiolar Clara cells. Clara cells, isolated from gene-targeted p53-deficient mice, were compared to cells derived from wild type littermates. RESULTS: p53 null cultures displayed abnormal morphology; specifically, a high incidence of multinucleation, which increased with time in culture. Multinucleated cells were proficient in S phase DNA synthesis, as determined by BrdU incorporation. However, multinucleation did not reflect altered rates of S phase synthesis, which were similar between wild type and p53-/- cultures. Nucleation defects in p53-/- Clara cells associated with increased centrosome number, as determined by confocal microscopy of pericentrin-stained cultures, and may highlight a novel role of p53 in preserving genomic integrity in lung epithelial cells. Effects of p53-deficiency were also studied following exposure to DNA damage. A p53-dependent reduction in the BrdU index was observed in Clara cells following ionizing radiation. The reduction in BrdU index in wild type cells displayed serum-dependency, and occurred only in the absence of serum. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that in murine primary Clara cell culture, cell cycle arrest is a p53-mediated response to DNA damage, and that extracellular factors, such as serum, influence this response. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight functions of wild type p53 protein in bipolar spindle formation, centrosome regulation, and growth control in bronchiolar Clara cells

The Southern California Attractions Industry

This report examines the competitive environment for attractions in Southern California in order to identify potential market opportunities for an attractions component in the Burbank Towncenter Project. This report used a combination of information sources, including market research materials from the Harrison Price Company, secondary published sources, telephone interviews, and polls

The Passive Journalist: How sources dominate the local news

This study explores which sources are “making” local news and whether these sources are simply indicating the type of news that appears, or are shaping newspaper coverage. It provides an empirical record of the extent to which sources are able to dominate news coverage from which future trends in local journalism can be measured. The type and number of sources used in 2979 sampled news stories in four West Yorkshire papers, representing the three main proprietors of local newspapers in the United Kingdom, were recorded for one month and revealed the relatively narrow range of routine sources; 76 per cent of articles cited only a single source. The analysis indicates that journalists are relying less on their readers for news, and that stories of little consequence are being elevated to significant positions, or are filling news pages at the expense of more important stories. Additionally, the reliance on a single source means that alternative views and perspectives relevant to the readership are being overlooked. Journalists are becoming more passive, mere processors of one-sided information or bland copy dictated by sources. These trends indicate poor journalistic standards and may be exacerbating declining local newspaper sales

First grade reading materials of high interest level for children from the ages of seven through twelve.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Characterisation of lectin binding patterns of mouse bronchiolar and rat alveolar epithelial cells in culture

This work was supported by the Salvesen Trust. SMcB was a Marie Curie fellow funded by the European Commission. RB is funded by the Government of Malta.Lung epithelial cell differentiation pathways remain unclear. This is due in part to the plasticity of these cells and the lack of markers which accurately reflect their differentiation status. The aim of this study was to determine if lectin binding properties are useful determinants of functional differentiation status in vitro. Mouse Clara cells were cultured for 5 days. During this time, no alteration in differentiation was evident by electron microscopy. No significant alteration in binding reactivity of Bauhinia purpurea (BPA), Maclura pomifera (MPA), Concanavalin A, Wheat germ or Helix pomatia lectins occurred in cultures compared with Clara cells in mouse lung tissue. In contrast, nitrotetrazolium blue reductase activity and CC10 expression declined in culture. Rat type II cells were cultured for 8 days. Between days 0 and 4, the number of type II cells identified by electron microscopy was constant at 70–80%, decreasing to 8% by day 6. In contrast, by day 4, only 42% cells retained alkaline phosphatase activity. BPA and MPA reactivity was altered at day 0 and day 4 respectively, compared with cells in situ. Therefore, the reactivity of lectins analysed here does not reflect functional differentiation status of cultured mouse Clara cells. However, BPA and MPA reactivity may be a sensitive indicator of alterations in rat type II cell differentiation in vitro.peer-reviewe