4-H Programming for Urban Youth in Des Moines, Iowa

Within Polk County, Iowa there existed a need for additional 4-H programming in the Des Moines Metro area geared toward middle and high school aged youth. Information was gathered in regards to the barriers this age group experienced which has led to their lack of participation. Through this Creative Component I identified two key barriers, location and cost, and, along with utilizing the Positive Youth Development concepts of belonging and mastery, developed youth programming for this particular group. Once the information was gathered I created 15 hours of relevant curriculum on the topics of STEM, Cooking, and Communication and Interview skills to be delivered to middle and high school youth in Des Moines at no cost

ACTH and polymorphisms at steroidogenic loci as determinants of aldosterone secretion and blood pressure

The majority of genes contributing to the heritable component of blood pressure remain unidentified, but there is substantial evidence to suggest that common polymorphisms at loci involved in the biosynthesis of the corticosteroids aldosterone and cortisol are important. This view is supported by data from genome-wide association studies that consistently link the CYP17A1 locus to blood pressure. In this review article, we describe common polymorphisms at three steroidogenic loci (CYP11B2, CYP11B1 and CYP17A1) that alter gene transcription efficiency and levels of key steroids, including aldosterone. However, the mechanism by which this occurs remains unclear. While the renin angiotensin system is rightly regarded as the major driver of aldosterone secretion, there is increasing evidence that the contribution of corticotropin (ACTH) is also significant. In light of this, we propose that the differential response of variant CYP11B2, CYP11B1 and CYP17A1 genes to ACTH is an important determinant of blood pressure, tending to predispose individuals with an unfavourable genotype to hypertension

The evolution of entrepreneurial finance – 10 years after the global financial crisis [Editorial]

In the period following the global financial crisis, as banks and private equity investors withdrew from early stage entrepreneurial finance markets in the United Kingdom and developed economies (Mac an Bhaird, 2014; Wilson and Silver, 2013), there was a profusion in supply of alternative sources of early stage entrepreneurial finance (World Bank, 2013). These new financing options for firms partly alleviated the adverse effects of pro-cyclical provision of entrepreneurial finance (Mac an Bhaird et al., 2019). The large increase in provision of nontraditional sources of finance for the real economy was viewed as revolutionary (Harrison, 2013) and potentially transformative (Bruton et al., 2015), and its sustained use over more than a decade suggests that it is more than a passing fad. The amount of finance procured from these sources has grown significantly in a very short time period and is estimated to surpass investment from traditional sources of funding in the near future (Barnett, 2015). These developments have significant implications in relation to the supply of, and demand for, entrepreneurial finance, including well-established issues which primarily stem from information asymmetries, such as agency, signalling, moral hazard and adverse selection. The emergence of new sources of alternative finance introduces additional concerns in relation to regulation, investor protection, ownership and governance, among other issues (Bruton et al., 2015). The significant increase in the supply and use of alternative sources of finance has been facilitated to a large extent by the expansion of the Internet and use of social media. The increase in supply of, and demand for, alternative sources of finance has been accompanied by a burgeoning literature on the subject, due primarily to the availability of data that are accessible from the online platforms and websites. Over a decade has passed since the increased provision and use of alternative finance in its various forms and amounts, providing us with an opportunity to assess and analyse its adoption and to appraise how its provision may be improved for the benefit of investors and borrowers. At this juncture, we should have adequate evidence to increase the efficiency of provision from alternative sources, in order to improve the supply of finance in private debt and equity markets and to provide greater diversification and depth in financial markets. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been to the forefront in publishing innovative studies on topical issues at the nexus of entrepreneurship and innovation (e.g. Volume 19, Issue 1, ‘Green innovation – connecting governance, practices and outcomes’). This special issue continues in that tradition, publishing state-of-the-art studies on a variety of issues related to innovations in entrepreneurial finance. This special issue is significantly different from other journal special issues on this subject (e.g. Baldock and Mason, 2015; Harrison, 2015; Owen et al., 2019) in the range and breadth of issues investigated and analysed. The studies represent a broad geographic spread, including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. A broad range of financing innovations are also considered, including blockchain, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, equity-based crowdfunding and mobile payment systems. Each article provides a unique contribution to our knowledge of entrepreneurial finance, and a brief summary is provided in the following section. [...

Analysis of nuclear fiber cell compaction in transparent and cataractous diabetic human lenses by scanning electron microscopy

BACKGROUND: Compaction of human ocular lens fiber cells as a function of both aging and cataractogenesis has been demonstrated previously using scanning electron microscopy. The purpose of this investigation is to quantify morphological differences in the inner nuclear regions of cataractous and non-cataractous human lenses from individuals with diabetes. The hypothesis is that, even in the presence of the osmotic stress caused by diabetes, compaction rather than swelling occurs in the nucleus of diabetic lenses. METHODS: Transparent and nuclear cataractous lenses from diabetic patients were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Measurements of the fetal nuclear (FN) elliptical angles (anterior and posterior), embryonic nuclear (EN) anterior-posterior (A-P) axial thickness, and the number of EN fiber cell membrane folds over 20 μm were compared. RESULTS: Diabetic lenses with nuclear cataract exhibited smaller FN elliptical angles, smaller EN axial thicknesses, and larger numbers of EN compaction folds than their non-cataractous diabetic counterparts. CONCLUSION: As in non-diabetic lenses, the inner nuclei of cataractous lenses from diabetics were significantly more compacted than those of non-cataractous diabetics. Little difference between diabetic and non-diabetic compaction levels was found, suggesting that diabetes does not affect the degree of compaction. However, consistent with previous proposals, diabetes does appear to accelerate the formation of cataracts that are similar to age-related nuclear cataracts in non-diabetics. We conclude that as scattering increases in the diabetic lens with cataract formation, fiber cell compaction is significant

Analysis of nuclear fiber cell compaction in transparent and cataractous diabetic human lenses by scanning electron microscopy

BACKGROUND: Compaction of human ocular lens fiber cells as a function of both aging and cataractogenesis has been demonstrated previously using scanning electron microscopy. The purpose of this investigation is to quantify morphological differences in the inner nuclear regions of cataractous and non-cataractous human lenses from individuals with diabetes. The hypothesis is that, even in the presence of the osmotic stress caused by diabetes, compaction rather than swelling occurs in the nucleus of diabetic lenses. METHODS: Transparent and nuclear cataractous lenses from diabetic patients were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Measurements of the fetal nuclear (FN) elliptical angles (anterior and posterior), embryonic nuclear (EN) anterior-posterior (A-P) axial thickness, and the number of EN fiber cell membrane folds over 20 μm were compared. RESULTS: Diabetic lenses with nuclear cataract exhibited smaller FN elliptical angles, smaller EN axial thicknesses, and larger numbers of EN compaction folds than their non-cataractous diabetic counterparts. CONCLUSION: As in non-diabetic lenses, the inner nuclei of cataractous lenses from diabetics were significantly more compacted than those of non-cataractous diabetics. Little difference between diabetic and non-diabetic compaction levels was found, suggesting that diabetes does not affect the degree of compaction. However, consistent with previous proposals, diabetes does appear to accelerate the formation of cataracts that are similar to age-related nuclear cataracts in non-diabetics. We conclude that as scattering increases in the diabetic lens with cataract formation, fiber cell compaction is significant

Resistance to the antimicrobial agent fosmidomycin and an FR900098 prodrug through mutations in the deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase gene (dxr)

There is a pressing need for new antimicrobial therapies to combat globally important drug-resistant human pathogens, including Plasmodium falciparum malarial parasites, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli. These organisms all possess the essential methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis, which is not found in humans. The first dedicated enzyme of the MEP pathway, 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr), is inhibited by the phosphonic acid antibiotic fosmidomycin and its analogs, including the N-acetyl analog FR900098 and the phosphoryl analog fosfoxacin. In order to identify mutations in dxr that confer resistance to these drugs, a library of E. coli dxr mutants was screened at lethal fosmidomycin doses. The most resistant allele (with the S222T mutation) alters the fosmidomycin-binding site of Dxr. The expression of this resistant allele increases bacterial resistance to fosmidomycin and other fosmidomycin analogs by 10-fold. These observations confirm that the primary cellular target of fosmidomycin is Dxr. Furthermore, cell lines expressing Dxr-S222T will be a powerful tool to confirm the mechanisms of action of future fosmidomycin analogs

Deaf individuals’ bilingual abilities: American Sign Language proficiency, reading skills, and family characteristics

The current study investigated the bilingual abilities of 55 Deaf individuals, examining both American Sign Language (ASL) competency and English reading skills. Results revealed a positive relationship between ASL competency and English skills, with highly competent signers scoring higher on a measure of reading comprehension. Additionally, family characteristics (e.g., parental education level, family hearing status) were entered into the analysis to ascertain their effect on Deaf individuals’ bilingual abilities. The findings support the theory that competency in ASL may serve as a bridge to the acquisition of English print. Moreover, the findings provide support for the critical period hypothesis for first language acquisition and its later impact on other cognitive and academic skills

Gender-affirming hormone therapy, vascular health and cardiovascular disease in transgender adults

Gender-affirming or cross-sex hormone therapy is integral to the management of transgender individuals yet our appreciation of the effects of such hormones on cardiovascular health is limited. Insights into vascular pathophysiology and outcomes in transgender people receiving sex steroids could be fundamental in providing better care for this population through the management of cardiovascular risk and more broadly advance our understanding of the role of sex and gender in vascular health and disease. In addition, there is a need to understand how gender-affirming hormone therapy impacts cardiovascular disease risk and events as transgender individuals age. This review explores the available evidence on the associations between gender-affirming hormones and cardiovascular events such as coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, thrombosis, lipid abnormalities, and diabetes mellitus. Current research about vascular outcomes in adults receiving hormonal therapy is limited by the absence of large cohort studies, lack of appropriate control populations, and inadequate data acquisition from gender identity services. Existing epidemiological data suggest that the use of estrogens in transgender females confers an increased risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Conversely, transgender males receiving testosterone lack any consistent or convincing evidence of increased risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. Further studies are required to confirm whether such risk exists and the mechanisms by which they occur