Reducing Sarah Lawrence\u27s Use of Plastics

Plastic use is gravely detrimental for both the environment and for humans; chemicals in plastic cause poor health effects in humans and endanger wildlife. This study focuses on a major source of plastics use on Sarah Lawrence’s campus: take out containers at the Pub. It evaluates plans for a reusable take out container system on campus and provides suggestions for financing and implementing the plan on campus.https://digitalcommons.slc.edu/undergrad_sustainproject/1002/thumbnail.jp

Role of prolyl hyrdoxylase domain enzymes in normal and malignant haematopoiesis

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) arises from a dysregulation in haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), leading to the production of highly proliferative blast cells. Current chemotherapies can eliminate these cells but fail to eradicate the leukaemic stem cell (LSC) source. There has been increasing interest in the microenvironment in which LSCs, as well as their haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) counterparts reside, with particular focus on the hypoxic nature of the niche. As such, this led us to investigate Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs) in leukaemia development where our previously published data shows that HIFs are tumour suppressors in AML. This thesis builds on this work, investigating the therapeutic potential of Prolyl Hydroxylases Domain (PHD) inhibition, which stabilises HIFs. Results show that deletion of the Phd isoforms Phd1 and Phd2 reduces leukaemic transformation and development in vitro. Additionally, when leukaemic cells deficient in Phd1 and Phd2 were transplanted into syngeneic lethally irradiated recipient mice, there was a reduction in leukaemic engraftment, resulting in an increase in disease latency when compared to the control cells. In addition, I further validated this result by using a doxycycline-inducible shRNA model to knockdown levels of Phd2 in leukaemic cells. Mirroring the results of the gene deletion study, Phd2 knockdown led to a regression of leukaemia both in vitro and in vivo. To further validate PHDs as therapeutic targets in AML, I investigated the impact of deletion of Phd1 and Phd2 specifically in the hematopoietic system using Vav-iCre. Steady state analysis of the HSPC and differentiated cell compartments found there were no significant differences when compared to control mice. Moreover, further utilising the inducible shRNA model, I acutely deleted Phd2 in vivo, discovering a decrease in the frequency and functionality of the HSC compartment, with no other discernible phenotypes. Given there were no significant detrimental effects on normal haematopoiesis, this study provides a strong rationale for studying the inhibition of Phds in combination with current chemotherapeutic regimes, aiming to provide targeted therapies for AML

Math Escape Rooms: A Novel Approach for Engaging Learners in Math Circles

Engaging middle and high school students in Math Circles requires time, planning and creativity. Finding novel approaches to maintain the interest of a variety of learners can be challenging. This paper outlines a model for developing and implementing math escape rooms as a unique structure for facilitating collaborative problem solving in a Math Circle. These escape rooms were designed and hosted by undergraduate secondary mathematics education majors. We provide possible structures for hosting escape rooms that could translate to a range of settings, as well as reflections and lessons learned through our experiences that could inform practitioners in other settings

'I live in extremes': A qualitative investigation of Autistic adults' experiences of inertial rest and motion

'Autistic inertia' is a term used by Autistic people to refer to difficulties with starting and stopping tasks. However, there has not been much research on Autistic inertia. The research that is available on Autistic inertia has mostly focused on the negative aspects of inertia, rather than on the possible benefits of needing to continue tasks. In this research, we wanted to understand more about Autistic people's experiences of inertia and to work out what things might influence these experiences. Autistic and non-Autistic researchers spoke in-depth to 24 Autistic adults. We identified four key ideas from people's responses. Autistic people spoke about their inertial 'difficulties moving from one state to another' and described how these challenges affected them 'every single day'. While they experienced inertia as 'the single most disabling part of being Autistic', people also described the positive aspects of inertia, including the joy they felt when completely immersed in a task. Our Autistic participants emphasised that inertial difficulties are experienced by everyone, the intensity of these task-switching difficulties might be especially challenging for Autistic people. Our findings also reveal how Autistic inertia can be seen both as a disabling and as an enabling condition

Comparison between Core-collapse Supernova Nucleosynthesis and Meteoric Stardust Grains: Investigating Magnesium, Aluminium, and Chromium

Isotope variations of nucleosynthetic origin among solar system solid samples are well documented, yet the origin of these variations is still uncertain. The observed variability of 54Cr among materials formed in different regions of the protoplanetary disk has been attributed to variable amounts of presolar, chromium-rich oxide (chromite) grains, which exist within the meteoritic stardust inventory and most likely originated from some type of supernova explosion. To investigate if core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) could be the site of origin of these grains, we analyze yields of CCSN models of stars with initial masses 15, 20, and 25 M⊙, and solar metallicity. We present an extensive abundance data set of the Cr, Mg, and Al isotopes as a function of enclosed mass. We find cases in which the explosive C ashes produce a composition in good agreement with the observed 54Cr/52Cr and 53Cr/52Cr ratios as well as the 50Cr/52Cr ratios. Taking into account that the signal at atomic mass 50 could also originate from 50Ti, the ashes of explosive He burning also match the observed ratios. Addition of material from the He ashes (enriched in Al and Cr relative to Mg to simulate the make-up of chromite grains) to the solar system's composition may reproduce the observed correlation between Mg and Cr anomalies, while material from the C ashes does not present significant Mg anomalies together with Cr isotopic variations. In all cases, nonradiogenic, stable Mg isotope variations dominate over the variations expected from 26Al

Breast cancer dependence on MCL-1 is due to its canonical anti-apoptotic function-AAM

High levels of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family member MCL-1 are frequently found in breast cancer and, appropriately, BH3-mimetic drugs that specifically target MCL-1’s function in apoptosis are in development as anti-cancer therapy. MCL-1 also has reported non-canonical roles that may be relevant in its tumour-promoting effect. Here we investigate the role of MCL-1 in clinically relevant breast cancer models and address whether the canonical role of MCL-1 in apoptosis, which can be targeted using BH3-mimetic drugs, is the major function for MCL-1 in breast cancer. We show that MCL-1 is essential in established tumours with genetic deletion inducing tumour regression and inhibition with the MCL-1-specific BH3-mimetic drug S63845 significantly impeding tumour growth. Importantly, we found that the anti-tumour functions achieved by MCL-1 deletion or inhibition were completely dependent on pro-apoptotic BAX/BAK. Interestingly, we find that MCL-1 is also critical for stem cell activity in human breast cancer cells and high MCL1 expression correlates with stemness markers in tumours. This strongly supports the idea that the key function of MCL-1 in breast cancer is through its anti-apoptotic function. This has important implications for the future use of MCL-1-specific BH3-mimetic drugs in breast cancer treatment

Characterisation of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium isolates from wild birds in northern England from 2005 – 2006

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies have shown that a number of serovars of <it>Salmonella enterica </it>may be isolated from wild birds, and it has been suggested that wild birds may play a role in the epidemiology of human and livestock salmonellosis. However, little is known about the relationship between wild bird <it>S. enterica </it>strains and human- and livestock- associated strains in the United Kingdom. Given the zoonotic potential of salmonellosis, the main aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of <it>S. enterica </it>infections in wild birds in the north of England and, in particular, to determine if wild bird isolates were similar to those associated with disease in livestock or humans.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty two <it>Salmonella enterica </it>isolates were collected from wild birds in northern England between February 2005 and October 2006, of which 29 were <it>S. enterica </it>serovar Typhimurium (<it>S</it>. Typhimurium); one <it>S</it>. Newport, one <it>S</it>. Senftenberg, and one isolate could not be classified by serotyping. Further analysis through phage typing and macro-restriction pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that wild passerine deaths associated with salmonellosis were caused by closely-related <it>S</it>. Typhimurium isolates, some of which were clonal. These isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested, capable of invading and persisting within avian macrophage-like HD11 cells <it>in vitro</it>, and contained a range of virulence factors associated with both systemic and enteric infections of birds and mammals. However, all the isolates lacked the <it>sopE </it>gene associated with some human and livestock disease outbreaks caused by <it>S</it>. Typhimurium.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The wild bird isolates of <it>S. enterica </it>characterised in this investigation may not represent a large zoonotic risk. Molecular characterisation of isolates suggested that <it>S</it>. Typhimurium infection in wild passerines is maintained within wild bird populations and the causative strains may be host-adapted.</p

Irisin Levels Are Lower in Young Amenorrheic Athletes Compared with Eumenorrheic Athletes and Non-Athletes and Are Associated with Bone Density and Strength Estimates

Irisin and FGF21 are novel hormones implicated in the “browning” of white fat, thermogenesis, and energy homeostasis. However, there are no data regarding these hormones in amenorrheic athletes (AA) (a chronic energy deficit state) compared with eumenorrheic athletes (EA) and non-athletes. We hypothesized that irisin and FGF21 would be low in AA, an adaptive response to low energy stores. Furthermore, because (i) brown fat has positive effects on bone, and (ii) irisin and FGF21 may directly impact bone, we hypothesized that bone density, structure and strength would be positively associated with these hormones in athletes and non-athletes. To test our hypotheses, we studied 85 females, 14–21 years [38 AA, 24 EA and 23 non-athletes (NA)]. Fasting serum irisin and FGF21 were measured. Body composition and bone density were assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, bone microarchitecture using high resolution peripheral quantitative CT, strength estimates using finite element analysis, resting energy expenditure (REE) using indirect calorimetry and time spent exercising/week by history. Subjects did not differ for pubertal stage. Fat mass was lowest in AA. AA had lower irisin and FGF21 than EA and NA, even after controlling for fat and lean mass. Across subjects, irisin was positively associated with REE and bone density Z-scores, volumetric bone mineral density (total and trabecular), stiffness and failure load. FGF21 was negatively associated with hours/week of exercise and cortical porosity, and positively with fat mass and cortical volumetric bone density. Associations of irisin (but not FGF21) with bone parameters persisted after controlling for potential confounders. In conclusion, irisin and FGF21 are low in AA, and irisin (but not FGF21) is independently associated with bone density and strength in athletes

Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Primary and Recurrent Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors

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