FA2H Dependent Fatty Acid 2-Hydroxylation in the Mammalian Nervous System

Myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. This unique membrane is comprised of approximately 70% lipid and 30% protein. The high lipid content is thought to be vital for its insulatory function. Galactosylceramide (GaICer) and sulfatide make up approximately 30% of total myelin lipids, with more than half of these galactolipids containing fatty acids hydroxylated at the C[subscript 2] position (2-hydroxy fatty acids). Despite their high abundance, very little is know about the biosynthesis of these 2-hydroxy galactolipids, and specific functions of the 2-hydroxyl group in myelin galactolipids remain speculative. To fill this gap, we recently cloned and characterized a human fatty acid 2-hydroxylase gene, FA2H, that is highly expressed in brain. To study the roles of fatty acid 2-hydoxylase and 2-hydroxy sphingolipids in the brain and other tissues, we have developed highly sensitive methodologies to measure in vitro fatty acid 2- hydroxylase and free 2-hydroxy fatty acids by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Utilizing these novel methods, here we demonstrate that FA2H is required for the formation of 2-hydroxy fatty acids (precursors of 2-hydroxy galactolipids) in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and 2-hydroxylation of free fatty acids is the first step for the biosynthesis of 2-hydroxy galactolipids. During the course of the study we developed FA2H knockdown using siRNA and shRNA. RNAi against FA2H revealed unexpected cellular phenotypes indicative of altered differentiation. Cells were 2.8-fold more migratory, exhibited increased proliferation, and were strongly resistant to cAMP induced differentiation. These findings open an exciting area of research involving 2- hydroxy lipids in cell growth, migration, and differentiation

Application of Electrified Fladry to Decrease Risk of Livestock Depredation by Wolves (\u3ci\u3eCanis lupus\u3c/i\u3e)

Wolf (Canis lupus) predation on livestock can cause economic and emotional hardships for livestock producers, complicating the balance of wolf conservation with other human interests. New management tools that decrease risk of predation may offer additional flexibility or efficiency for both livestock producers and management agencies. I examined 1) the efficacy of electrified fladry compared to fladry at protecting a food source from wolves in captivity, 2) the efficacy of electrified fladry for reducing wolf use of pastures and preventing depredations, and 3) the applicability of electrified\u27-fladry. In captivity I tested the reaction from 15 groups (46 wolves) to the presence of fladry, electrified fladry, or no barrier within their enclosures. During trials, a deer carcass was provided in one corner of the pen, and a strand of fladry (n = 5 pens), or electrified fladry (n = 5 pens), was strung across the pen to protect the food resource. Failure of the barriers was defined by at least one animal in a group moving across the barrier. Both fladry and electrified fladry effectively excluded wolves from a food resource for short durations of time (1\u27-14 days), but electrified fladry was more effective. My research indicated that although electrified fladry has the potential to reduce wolf depredations, animal learning, motivation, and personality play critical roles in the effectiveness of fladry systems. In Montana, I assigned 9 livestock operations to randomly receive a treatment (electrified fladry, n=6 pastures) or control (not receiving electrified fladry, n=6 pastures). I measured cost per kilometer for purchasing materials, number of people and hours required for installing and maintaining, as well as recording observations of potential difficulties with electrified fladry. I formed and distributed an exit\u27-survey to each rancher who participated in the study to assess opinions about the use of the technique. Wolf activity at the ranches was insufficient and I was not able to determine if electrified fladry was successful or unsuccessful for preventing livestock depredations. I found, however, that electrified fladry may be limited by costs associated with its purchase and that the application and effectiveness of electrified fladry may limit its usefulness for addressing wolf\u27-livestock conflict. The understanding of human perceptions of management tools is critical to determining the success of implementing management techniques and fostering participation and cooperation among stakeholders

Selective Foraging For Anthropogenic Resources By Black Bears: Minivans In Yosemite National Park

Black bears (Ursus americanus) forage selectively in natural environments. To determine if bears also forage selectively for anthropogenic resources we analyzed data on vehicles broken into by bears from Yosemite National Park, California. We classified vehicles into 9 categories based on their make and model and collected data on use (2001–2007) and availability (2004–2005). From 2001 to 2007 bears broke into 908 vehicles at the following rates: minivan (26.0%), sport–utility vehicle (22.5%), small car (17.1%), sedan (13.7%), truck (11.9%), van (4.2%), sports car (1.7%), coupe (1.7%), and station wagon (1.4%). Only use of minivans (29%) during 2004–2005 was significantly higher than expected (7%). We discuss several competing hypotheses about why bears selected minivans

Dietary Supplementation with Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Production, Health and Culling Parameters in Transitioning Holstein Cows

Lactating Holstein cows were assigned to one of three dietary CLA treatments. Study objectives were to determine the effects of a protected (lipid-encapsulated tran-10, cis- 12) CLA on milk production, health and culling frequency, reproduction and overall feasibility in large commercial dairy operations. Results indicate that CLA is capable of inducing milk fat depression (MFD) within 15 d following parturition and the reduced milk energy output likely indicates an improved energetic status. However, feeding CLA had no effect on other productions, metabolic, health, or culling variables

On the interpretation of concealed questions

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Linguistics and Philosophy, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-152).Determiner phrases have the ability to act as "concealed questions" (CQs), embedded questions in sentences like John knows the time (i.e., John knows what time it is). The fact that know and wonder differ in their ability to embed CQs partially motivated the hypothesis (Grimshaw 1979) that verbs select the possible syntactic categories of their complements independently of selection for the semantic type of their complements. Theories of CQ meaning generally follow Grimshaw in assuming them to denote questions, or else take them to denote individual concepts (intensions of individuals; Heim 1979, Romero 2005). This dissertation argue that the former assumption does not easily describe the semantically conditioned distribution of CQs, which can be embedded under only those verbs which allow propositional complements as well as question complements. The latter assumption, on the other hand, incorrectly predicts that any DP with an individual concept meaning can be used as a CQ.(cont.) We therefore need a new theory of CQ denotations, and this dissertation proposes that CQs denote propositions, so that the time in John knows the time actually denotes the proposition that the time is x, where x has the value of whatever the current time might be. In this theory, relatively little machinery is required to restrict the distribution of CQs, and it is possible to restrict propositional denotations to only those DPs which can act as CQs, using facts about relational nouns and the composition of relative clause modification.by Lance Edward Nathan.Ph.D

The Influence of Age, Health Literacy, and Affluence on Adolescents’ Capacity to Consent to Research

While adults are assumed to have the capacity to consent to medical research, and young children to have no capacity, adolescents’ capacity to consent is not well described. Adapting the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research (MacCAT-CR), we describe adolescents’ capacity to consent to medical research and factors influencing that capacity. Our pilot study included a community-based sample of 30 adolescents, 14 to 21 years of age, who completed the MacCAT-CR after undergoing a simulated informed consent process. We found that adolescents’ capacity to consent to research was associated with age, health literacy, and family affluence. These findings suggest that investigators and institutional review boards should be aware that factors other than age may influence capacity to consent, and, for modifiable factors, such as health literacy, consent processes for medical research with adolescents can be modified

Effects of Heat Stress and Plane of Nutrition on Production and Metabolism in Growing Pigs

We heat-stressed growing pigs and evaluated the differential effects of environmental hyperthermia and reduced feed intake. Our results indicate that hyperthermia directly effects production and metabolism and many of these are independent of reduced nutrient intake. Identifying how and why heat stress alters metabolism and physiology are prerequisites in developing ameliorating strategies to prevent the reduction in performance and lost income typically observed during the warm summer months

Measures of Success: A Snapshot of the Montana Wolf Program in 2009

Montana’s gray wolf (Canis lupus) population continues to be secure, while the political and legal environments remain dynamic. Wolf delisting is a two-step process. Biological recovery criteria must be met and clearly demonstrated, along with an adequate regulatory framework. Secondly, the delisting decision must be upheld during inevitable legal challenges. The northern Rockies wolf population has met or exceeded numeric and connectivity requirements for many years. The northern Rockies gray wolf population was initially delisted in 2008, but a legal challenge reinstated federal legal protections under the Endangered Species Act mid-summer. By the end of 2008, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks estimated a minimum of 497 wolves in 84 verified packs, 34 of which met the definition of breeding pair. Federal delisting efforts resumed early in 2009 and took effect throughout Montana on 4 May. The second delisting decision was challenged again in Federal Court, although a preliminary injunction request to reinstate federal protections was denied in September. With delisting in Montana, the wolf was automatically reclassified as a species in need of management. Montana’s laws, administrative rules, and management plan also took effect. Montana Tribes lead wolf management activities on their respective reservations. The first fair chase wolf hunting season in Montana occurred in 2009. Seventy-two wolves were harvested through a quota-based framework. Wolves and their management continue to be controversial to a diversity of publics for a wide variety of reasons. Nonetheless, Montana’s wolf program has a solid regulatory foundation and the population is biologically sound. This presentation will provide an update on a variety of topics