Theories of schizophrenia: a genetic-inflammatory-vascular synthesis

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia, a relatively common psychiatric syndrome, affects virtually all brain functions yet has eluded explanation for more than 100 years. Whether by developmental and/or degenerative processes, abnormalities of neurons and their synaptic connections have been the recent focus of attention. However, our inability to fathom the pathophysiology of schizophrenia forces us to challenge our theoretical models and beliefs. A search for a more satisfying model to explain aspects of schizophrenia uncovers clues pointing to genetically mediated CNS microvascular inflammatory disease. DISCUSSION: A vascular component to a theory of schizophrenia posits that the physiologic abnormalities leading to illness involve disruption of the exquisitely precise regulation of the delivery of energy and oxygen required for normal brain function. The theory further proposes that abnormalities of CNS metabolism arise because genetically modulated inflammatory reactions damage the microvascular system of the brain in reaction to environmental agents, including infections, hypoxia, and physical trauma. Damage may accumulate with repeated exposure to triggering agents resulting in exacerbation and deterioration, or healing with their removal. There are clear examples of genetic polymorphisms in inflammatory regulators leading to exaggerated inflammatory responses. There is also ample evidence that inflammatory vascular disease of the brain can lead to psychosis, often waxing and waning, and exhibiting a fluctuating course, as seen in schizophrenia. Disturbances of CNS blood flow have repeatedly been observed in people with schizophrenia using old and new technologies. To account for the myriad of behavioral and other curious findings in schizophrenia such as minor physical anomalies, or reported decreased rates of rheumatoid arthritis and highly visible nail fold capillaries, we would have to evoke a process that is systemic such as the vascular and immune/inflammatory systems. SUMMARY: A vascular-inflammatory theory of schizophrenia brings together environmental and genetic factors in a way that can explain the diversity of symptoms and outcomes observed. If these ideas are confirmed, they would lead in new directions for treatments or preventions by avoiding inducers of inflammation or by way of inflammatory modulating agents, thus preventing exaggerated inflammation and consequent triggering of a psychotic episode in genetically predisposed persons

Embedding Video-based Learning Modules for Library Research Methods in an Online Graduate Engineering Degree Program

At the University of California, Berkeley, the College of Engineering has launched a fully online Master's degree program in integrated circuits.  As part of this program, students are required to complete a comprehensive capstone project requiring access to the research literature and training on its use.The Library plays an important role in providing the information resources and instruction to help students succeed in their capstone.  In response to student need, we designed an online instruction environment that supports common information challenges, uses rich and robust instructional videos to explain information concepts and demonstrate research techniques, accommodates different learning styles, and engages students through interactive and feedback-rich instructional resources.This paper showcases the value that we derived from the use of popular digital and web-based formats and publishing sites and through experimentation with emerging instructional techniques.  It documents our team and technology-driven approach to developing the instructional modules, outlines our lessons learned, and discusses issues we encountered in supporting fully online degree programs

Embedding Video-based Learning Modules for Library Research Methods in an Online Graduate Engineering Degree Program

At the University of California, Berkeley, the College of Engineering has launched a fully online Master's degree program in integrated circuits.  As part of this program, students are required to complete a comprehensive capstone project requiring access to the research literature and training on its use.The Library plays an important role in providing the information resources and instruction to help students succeed in their capstone.  In response to student need, we designed an online instruction environment that supports common information challenges, uses rich and robust instructional videos to explain information concepts and demonstrate research techniques, accommodates different learning styles, and engages students through interactive and feedback-rich instructional resources.This paper showcases the value that we derived from the use of popular digital and web-based formats and publishing sites and through experimentation with emerging instructional techniques.  It documents our team and technology-driven approach to developing the instructional modules, outlines our lessons learned, and discusses issues we encountered in supporting fully online degree programs

Genetic and genomic analysis of the tree legume Pongamia pinnata as a feedstock for biofuels

The tree legume Pongamia {Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre [syn. Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi]} is emerging as an important biofuels feedstock. It produces about 30 kg per tree per year of seeds, containing up to 55% oil (w/v), of which approximately 50% is oleic acid (C18:1). The capacity for biological N fixation places Pongamia in a more sustainable position than current nonlegume biofuel feedstocks. Also due to its drought and salinity tolerance, Pongamia can grow on marginal land not destined for production of food. As part of the effort to domesticate Pongamia our research group at The University of Queensland has started to develop specific genetic and genomic tools. Much of the preliminary work to date has focused on characterizing the genetic diversity of wild populations. This diversity is reflective of the outcrossing reproductive biology of Pongamia and necessitates the requirement to develop clonal propagation protocols. Both the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of Pongamia have been sequenced and annotated (152,968 and 425,718 bp, respectively), with similarities to previously characterized legume organelle genomes. Many nuclear genes associated with oil biosynthesis and nodulation in Pongamia have been characterized. The continued application of genetic and genomic tools will support the deployment of Pongamia as a sustainable biofuel feedstock