Molecular Mechanisms of Uranium Reduction by Clostridia and its Manipulation

The objective of this grant is to examine and manipulate the molecular mechanisms in Clostridia to make them better agents for uranyl [U(VI)] bioremediation

Development of combinatorial bacteria for metal and radionuclide bioremediation

The grant concerned chromate [Cr(VI)] bioremediation and it was our aim from the outset to construct individual bacterial strains capable of improved bioremediation of multiple pollutants and to identify the enzymes suited to this end. Bacteria with superior capacity to remediate multiple pollutants can be an asset for the cleanup of DOE sites as they contain mixed waste. I describe below the progress made during the period of the current grant, providing appropriate context

Role of nitric oxide in Salmonella typhimurium-mediated cancer cell killing

Background: Bacterial targeting of tumours is an important anti-cancer strategy. We previously showed that strain SL7838 of Salmonella typhimurium targets and kills cancer cells. Whether NO generation by the bacteria has a role in SL7838 lethality to cancer cells is explored. This bacterium has the mechanism for generating NO, but also for decomposing it. Methods: Mechanism underlying Salmonella typhimurium tumour therapy was investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. NO measurements were conducted either by chemical assays (in vitro) or using Biosensors (in vivo). Cancer cells cytotoxic assay were done by using MTS. Bacterial cell survival and tumour burden were determined using molecular imaging techniques. Results: SL7838 generated nitric oxide (NO) in anaerobic cell suspensions, inside infected cancer cells in vitro and in implanted 4T1 tumours in live mice, the last, as measured using microsensors. Thus, under these conditions, the NO generating pathway is more active than the decomposition pathway. The latter was eliminated, in strain SL7842, by the deletion of hmp- and norV genes, making SL7842 more proficient at generating NO than SL7838. SL7842 killed cancer cells more effectively than SL7838 in vitro, and this was dependent on nitrate availability. This strain was also ca. 100% more effective in treating implanted 4T1 mouse tumours than SL7838

A 10-year Review of Surgical Management of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare skin cancer. Standard treatment in the United Kingdom (UK) is either surgical wide local excision (WLE) or Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). It is unclear which approach has the lower recurrence rate.Objectives: We undertook a retrospective comparative review of DFSP surgical management in the UK National Health Service (NHS) in order to define:1) current surgical practice for primary and recurrent DFSP2) local recurrence rates for primary DFSP3) survival outcomes for DFSP.Methods: Retrospective clinical case-note review of patients with histologically-confirmed DFSP (January 2004–2014) who have undergone surgical treatment.Results: Surgical management of 483 primary and 64 recurrent DFSP in 11 plastic surgery and 15 dermatology departments was analysed. Almost 75% of primary DFSP (n=362) were treated with WLE and 20.1% (n=97) with MMS. For recurrent DFSP, 68.7% (n=44) and 23.4% (n=15) underwent WLE and MMS, respectively. Recurrent primary DFSP occurred in 6 patients after WLE and none after MMS. Median follow-up was 4.8 years [IQR 3.5, 5.8] with 8 reported deaths during the follow-up analysis period; one confirmed to be DFSP-related.Conclusions: WLE was the commonest surgical modality used to treat DFSP across the UK. The local recurrence rate was very low, occurring only after WLE. Although a prospective RCT may provide more definitive outcomes, in the absence of a clearly superior surgical modality, treatment decisions should be based on patient preference, clinical expertise and cost

Does the group leader matter? The impact of monitoring activities and social ties of group leaders on the repayment performance of groupbased lending Eritrea

This paper analyzes whether the effects of monitoring and social ties of the group leader and other group members on repayment performance of groups differ, using data from an extensive questionnaire held in Eritrea among participants of 102 groups. We hypothesize that the monitoring activities and social ties of the group leader have a stronger positive impact on the repayment performance of groups. The results show that social ties of the group leader do have a positive effect on repayment performance of groups, whereas this is not true for social ties of other group members. We do not find evidence for the hypothesis that monitoring activities of the group leader have a stronger positive impact on group repayment performance. All variables measuring monitoring activities, either of the group leader or the other group members, are found to be statistically insignificant.

Predicted distribution of High Nature Value farmland in the Republic of Ireland

peer-reviewedHigh Nature Value (HNV) farmland is typically characterised by low-intensity farming associated with high biodiversity and species of conservation concern. Mapping the occurrence and distribution of such farmland are useful for appropriate targeting of conservation measures and supporting associated rural communities. We mapped the likely distribution of HNV farmland in the Republic of Ireland using a linear regression model incorporating established European indicators, adapted for Ireland and weightings based on expert opinion. The indicators used were semi-natural habitat cover, stocking density, hedgerow density, river and stream density and soil diversity, with highest weightings placed on the first two indicators (40% and 30%, respectively). The map provides information on the likely occurrence and distribution of HNV farmland in each electoral division as a reference point for future monitoring of the distribution of HNV farmland in the Republic of Ireland in order to assist with planning and policy development for the rural environment.This study was conducted by Teagasc and IT Sligo as part of the IDEAL-HNV project [Ref. 11/S/108], funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under the National Development Plan 2007–2013

Ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density in multifragmentation of Au + Au

The ratio of the shear viscosity ($\eta$) to entropy density ($s$) for the intermediate energy heavy-ion collisions has been calculated by using the Green-Kubo method in the framework of the quantum molecular dynamics model. The theoretical curve of $\eta/s$ as a function of the incident energy for the head-on Au+Au collisions displays that a minimum region of $\eta/s$ has been approached at higher incident energies, where the minimum $\eta/s$ value is about 7 times Kovtun-Son- Starinets (KSS) bound (1/4$\pi$). We argue that the onset of minimum $\eta/s$ region at higher incident energies corresponds to the nuclear liquid gas phase transition in nuclear multifragmentation.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figure