Utilization of Simulation Software to Enhance the Learning Experience for Students at the Worldwide Campus

The purpose of this presentation is to introduce benefits, best practices and examples of simulation software in online course environments. The research team does not have any affiliation with the introduced software platforms

Using Small UAS for STEM Education: Introducing Robotics and Mechatronics with Drones

Several global developments point to importance of STEM-related education and studies. Every industry sector faces challenges in the recruiting of qualified personnel, due to retiring employees and general economic growth. Also, several domains, foremost automotive and aviation are undergoing a tremendous shift towards electrification to achieve sustainability. Hence, sparking the interest in STEM studies, education and vocational training cannot start early enough. This paper introduces the benefits of the educational use of sUAS by identifying core benefits in the three domains of learning – cognitive, affective, psycho-motor. Preliminary data and survey results from from several science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) drone providers worldwide will be used to identify and underline the benefits of this educational concepts

Primary thyroid MALToma- a rare diagnosis of an unassuming thyroid nodule.

Primary thyroid lymphoma, although a rare malignancy, can arise in common chronic inflammatory conditions such as Hashimoto\u27s thyroiditis. Incidental finding of a thyroid nodule with chronic thyroid inflammation warrants further investigation. Early detection of malignancy can play a vital role in improved outcomes. We report a case of a 60-year-old male who presented to the clinic for a routine visit. An enlarged, firm, non-tender thyroid gland was appreciated on exam with high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Fine needle aspiration of the mass revealed nonspecific atypical lymphocytes. The pathology and immunohistochemical stains were consistent with histologic impression of extra nodal marginal B-cell lymphoma (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT] lymphoma) and Hashimoto\u27s thyroiditis. Patient was treated with thyroxine after complete surgical excision of left thyroid lobe and remains in remission with close follow-up with his primary care provider. Primary thyroid MALT lymphoma follows an indolent process and remains asymptomatic in most patients. These are usually found to arise at sites of ongoing chronic inflammation with underlying autoimmune or infectious etiologies. Treatment modalities include surgical excision and/or radiation therapy for localized lesions, with both radiation and chemotherapy indicated for disseminated disease

The regulation of N-terminal Huntingtin (Htt552) accumulation by Beclin1

Aim: Huntingtin protein (Htt) was a neuropathological hallmark in human Huntington's Disease. The study aimed to investigate whether the macroautophagy regulator, Beclin1, was involved in the degradation of Htt. Methods: PC12 cells and primary cultured brain neurons of rats were examined. pDC316 adenovirus shuttle plasmid was used to mediate the expression of wild-type Htt-18Q-552 or mutant Htt-100Q-552 in PC12 cells. The expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3 II and Beclin1, as well as the lysosome-associated enzymes Cathepsin B and L was evaluated using Western blotting. The locations of Beclin1 and Htt were observed with immunofluorescence and confocal microscope. Results: Htt552 expression increased the expression of LC3 II, Beclin1, cathepsin B and L in autophagy/lysosomal degradation pathway. Treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or the proteasome inhibitors lactacystin and MG-132 increased Htt552 levels in PC12 cells infected with Ad-Htt-18Q-552 or Ad-Htt-100Q-552. The proteasome inhibitor caused a higher accumulation of Htt552-18Q than Htt552-100Q, and the autophagy inhibitor resulted in a higher accumulation of Htt552-100Q than Htt552-18Q. Similar results were observed in primary cultured neurons infected with adenovirus. In Htt552-expressing cells, Beclin1 was redistributed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Htt siRNA prevented Beclin1 redistribution in starvation conditions. Blockade of Beclin1 nuclear export by leptomycin B or Beclin1 deficiency caused by RNA interference induced the formation of mHtt552 aggregates. Conclusion: Beclin1 regulates the accumulation of Htt via macroautophagy

Overcoming myelosuppression due to synthetic lethal toxicity for FLT3-targeted acute myeloid leukemia therapy.

Activating mutations in FLT3 confer poor prognosis for individuals with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinically active investigational FLT3 inhibitors can achieve complete remissions but their utility has been hampered by acquired resistance and myelosuppression attributed to a 'synthetic lethal toxicity' arising from simultaneous inhibition of FLT3 and KIT. We report a novel chemical strategy for selective FLT3 inhibition while avoiding KIT inhibition with the staurosporine analog, Star 27. Star 27 maintains potency against FLT3 in proliferation assays of FLT3-transformed cells compared with KIT-transformed cells, shows no toxicity towards normal human hematopoiesis at concentrations that inhibit primary FLT3-mutant AML blast growth, and is active against mutations that confer resistance to clinical inhibitors. As a more complete understanding of kinase networks emerges, it may be possible to define anti-targets such as KIT in the case of AML to allow improved kinase inhibitor design of clinical agents with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity

Sexuality Education Websites for Adolescents: A Framework-Based Content Analysis

The web has unique potential for adolescents seeking comprehensive sexual health information. As such, it is important to understand the nature, scope, and readability of the content and messaging provided by sexuality educational websites. We conducted a content analysis of 14 sexuality education websites for adolescents, based on the 7 essential components (sexual and reproductive health and HIV, relationships, sexual rights and sexual citizenship, pleasure, violence, diversity, and gender) of the International Planned Parenthood Framework for Comprehensive Sexuality Education. A majority of content across all sites focused on sexual and reproductive health and HIV, particularly pregnancy and STI prevention, and other information about STIs and HIV. No other topic comprised more than 10% of content coverage across a majority of sites. The authors found little discussion of gender issues, sexual rights, sexual diversity, or sexual violence. Most sites provided brief references to sexual pleasure, generally moderated with cautionary words. The language used implied a heterosexual female audience. Reading levels for most sites were above the 9th-grade level, with several at the college level. These findings have implications for enhancing online sexuality education and broadening the coverage of essential topics

Maintenance of Paternal Methylation and Repression of the Imprinted H19 Gene Requires MBD3

Paternal repression of the imprinted H19 gene is mediated by a differentially methylated domain (DMD) that is essential to imprinting of both H19 and the linked and oppositely imprinted Igf2 gene. The mechanisms by which paternal-specific methylation of the DMD survive the period of genome-wide demethylation in the early embryo and are subsequently used to govern imprinted expression are not known. Methyl-CpG binding (MBD) proteins are likely candidates to explain how these DMDs are recognized to silence the locus, because they preferentially bind methylated DNA and recruit repression complexes with histone deacetylase activity. MBD RNA and protein are found in preimplantation embryos, and chromatin immunoprecipitation shows that MBD3 is bound to the H19 DMD. To test a role for MBDs in imprinting, two independent RNAi-based strategies were used to deplete MBD3 in early mouse embryos, with the same results. In RNAi-treated blastocysts, paternal H19 expression was activated, supporting the hypothesis that MBD3, which is also a member of the Mi-2/NuRD complex, is required to repress the paternal H19 allele. RNAi-treated blastocysts also have reduced levels of the Mi-2/NuRD complex protein MTA-2, which suggests a role for the Mi-2/NuRD repressive complex in paternal-specific silencing at the H19 locus. Furthermore, DNA methylation was reduced at the H19 DMD when MBD3 protein was depleted. In contrast, expression and DNA methylation were not disrupted in preimplantation embryos for other imprinted genes. These results demonstrate new roles for MBD3 in maintaining imprinting control region DNA methylation and silencing the paternal H19 allele. Finally, MBD3-depleted preimplantation embryos have reduced cell numbers, suggesting a role for MBD3 in cell division

Guide to antimicrobial therapy 2017

Sepsis still remains the leading cause of admissions and deaths in the ICU. The administration of antibiotics is imperative in its treatment. Like many areas of medicine the knowledge of sepsis and antibiotic use has markedly increased especially the later in areas of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. It becomes urgent to continually evaluate and apply this knowledge, hence the need to revise this antimicrobial guide after 5 years. The threat that one day antibiotics may be obsolete is not a fallacy. Often we are oblivious to the fact that we, the prescribers play a significant role in the propagation of resistant organisms through poor prescribing habits. Antibiotic stewardship calls for a multidisciplinary approach to the handling of antibiotics. A chapter has been dedicated to this. The book remains true to its aims as a convenient up-to-date pocket guide for local doctors caring for the critically ill septic patient. However it must be emphasised that the recommendations do not over ride sound clinical judgement and local antibiotic-susceptibility data. We would like to thank our reviewers for their expertise and invaluable recommendations. This book has been a culmination of many hours of evidence review and exchange of opinions. We hope it will be a useful compendium for daily practice