Social Work Students\u27 Research-Related Anxiety and Self-Efficacy: Research Instructors\u27 Perceptions and Teaching Innovations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine social work research instructors\u27 perceptions of research-related anxiety and research confidence among social work students, and teaching strategies to identify and manage anxiety. A national web-based survey of 186 BSW and MSW social work research instructors was conducted. Many BSW (70%) and MSW (61%) research instructors reported that they used specific activities or approaches to assess or impact upon student anxiety. Qualitative analysis results suggested a teaching model for social work research instructors designed to reduce students\u27 research-related anxiety, including by enhancing their research confidence. Strategies that instructors can use include creating a supportive class climate, providing activities that are emotion-, cognitive-, and action-focused as well as the use of strategic timing. These findings can be used to guide social work research instructors\u27 facilitation of students\u27 attainment of research competencies and help further students\u27 research–practice integration

Avaliação histológica e imuno-histoquímica da colonização vaginal por Leptospira em vacas com fluido vaginal positivo à PCR

A leptospirose nos bovinos é caracterizada por determinar perdas econômicas significativas devido a problemas de caráter reprodutivo além de queda na produção de carne e leite. Os abortamentos subsequentes podem ser ocasionados pela persistência do agente no trato reprodutivo, tornando-se, consequentemente, uma possível fonte de transmissão de leptospiras. O presente estudo objetivou investigar, através de avaliação histológica e imunohistoquímica, a colonização vaginal de vacas com reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) anti-Leptospira positiva no fluido vaginal. O estudo foi conduzido em duas etapas: a primeira identificou os animais portadores a partir da PCR em amostras de fluido vaginal, urina e rim pertencentes a 147 vacas destinadas ao abate comercial em matadouro, sob inspeção oficial, no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Na segunda etapa foi realizado o processamento histológico de fragmentos vaginais dos animais com fluido vaginal positivo à PCR utilizando as técnicas de hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e imunohistoquímica (IHQ). Das 147 amostras de fluido vaginal analisadas, 28% (41/147) apresentaram positividade na PCR e constituíram o grupo de trabalho para as análises histológicas. Ressalta-se que destas amostras, 82,92% (34/41) apresentaram também a presença de DNA leptospírico na urina e/ou rim, enquanto que 17,08% (7/41) foram negativos à PCR de urina e/ou rim. Não foram identificadas alterações patológicas vaginais compatíveis com a infecção por leptospiras nem se verificou a presença da bactéria no epitélio vaginal através das técnicas de HE e IHQ, respectivamente. Desta forma, apesar da evidência molecular da presença de DNA leptospírico no fluido vaginal de animais carreadores, aparentemente, o agente não coloniza a mucosa vaginal. Acreditamos que futuros estudos sejam necessários para avaliar a colonização por leptospiras em diversos locais do trato genital de vacas

A national assessment of urban forest carbon storage and sequestration in Canada

Abstract During a time of rapid urban growth and development, it is becoming ever more important to monitor the carbon fluxes of our cities. Unlike Canada’s commercially managed forests that have a long history of inventory and modelling tools, there is both a lack of coordinated data and considerable uncertainty on assessment procedures for urban forest carbon. Nonetheless, independent studies have been carried out across Canada. To improve upon Canada’s federal government reporting on carbon storage and sequestration by urban forests, this study builds on existing data to develop an updated assessment of carbon storage and sequestration for Canada’s urban forests. Using canopy cover estimates derived from ortho-imagery and satellite imagery ranging from 2008 to 2012 and field-based urban forest inventory and assessment data from 16 Canadian cities and one US city, this study found that Canadian urban forests store approximately 27,297.8 kt C (− 37%, + 45%) in above and belowground biomass and sequester approximately 1497.7 kt C year−1 (− 26%, + 28%). In comparison with the previous national assessment of urban forest carbon, this study suggested that in urban areas carbon storage has been overestimated and carbon sequestration has been underestimated. Maximizing urban forest carbon sinks will contribute to Canada’s mitigation efforts and, while being a smaller carbon sink compared to commercial forests, will also provide important ecosystem services and co-benefits to approximately 83% of Canadian people

Investigation of chronic infection by Leptospira spp. in asymptomatic sheep slaughtered in slaughterhouse.

The study aimed to evaluate the histopathological characteristics of renal lesions in chronically infected sheep and with low titers of anti-Leptospira antibodies from a slaughterhouse. In the serological analysis, 24.74% (48/194) presented seroreactivity with a titer equal to or greater than 100. Among these seroreactive sheep, titers of 100 were predominant (58.33%, 28/48), with the highest titer being 1,600 (2.08%, 1/48). Serogroup Sejroe (sv. Hardjo) was the most frequent at 35.42% (17/48). Leptospiral DNA was verified in 4.12% (8/194) of the kidney samples tested, and no urine sample was positive. All the samples corresponded to the pathogenic species L. interrogans. The eight amplicons with 202-nucleotides were identical with two mismatches (presented 100% of identity) using the PCR targeting to secY gene. Histological sections of PCR-positive kidneys were submitted to direct detection by the anti-LipL32 immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique. The Leptospira spp. antigen was evident in 62.5% (5/8) of the kidneys. Positive staining was observed in the cytoplasm of tubular cells and in the form of brownish aggregates that adhered to tubular epithelial cells and projected into the lumen. Inflammatory lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, ranging from mild to moderate, with multifocal distribution, was the predominant finding in seroreactive animals (33.33%, 16/48). The demonstration of the leptospiral antigen lining the renal tubules through IHC of naturally infected sheep confirmed by PCR characterizes renal colonization in a species with the presence of histological changes compatible with leptospirosis

Longevity of insulin receptor substrate1 null mice is not associated with increased basal antioxidant protection or reduced oxidative damage

Insulin receptor substrate-1 null (Irs1 −/−) mice are long lived and importantly they also demonstrate increased resistance to several age-related pathologies compared to wild type (WT) controls. Currently, the molecular mechanisms that underlie lifespan extension in long-lived mice are unclear although protection against oxidative damage may be important. Here, we determined both the activities of several intracellular antioxidants and levels of oxidative damage in brain, skeletal muscle, and liver of Irs1 −/− and WT mice at 80, 450, and 700 days of age, predicting that long-lived Irs1 −/− mice would be protected against oxidative damage. We measured activities of both intracellular superoxide dismutases (SOD); cytosolic (CuZnSOD) and mitochondrial (MnSOD), glutathione peroxide (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GHS). Of these, only hepatic CAT was significantly altered (increased) in Irs1 −/− mice. In addition, the levels of protein oxidation (protein carbonyl content) and lipid peroxidation (4-hydroxynonenal) were unaltered in Irs1 −/− mice, although the hepatic GSH/GSSG ratio, indicating an oxidized environment, was significantly lower in long-lived Irs1 −/− mice. Overall, our results do not support the premise that lifespan extension in Irs1 −/− mice is associated with greater tissue antioxidant protection or reduced oxidative damage