Spatial Inquiry

We have always found it difficult to practice architecture in the way it was handed down to us by the professional guild and still experience and create architecture the way we found it to be meaningful. It seems to us that space and structure created for no further reason than to be perceived and experienced is a wonderful pursuit which has little commercial use in this cultural economy

Histologic and Morphometric Evaluation of Testes of Feral Tom Kittens and Cats

Background: Even with numerous successful Trap-Neuter-Release programs, feral cat populations continue to grow. Our laboratory is interested in determining if an underlying biological cause exists for the exuberant reproductive success in this once domestic subspecies. An earlier age for developing reproductive capacity (onset of spermatogenesis in males) may be one factor. For domestic toms, puberty is reported to occur around 8 months of age. Previous work by our laboratory has shown that normal morphologic sperm are present in vas deferens secretions of feral toms before 6 months of age. Therefore, our hypothesis was that in feral toms the onset of spermatogenesis occurred before 6 months of age. The study objective was to histologically evaluate testes from weanling (2 months of age) through adulthood (24 months of age) to determine when the onset of spermatogenesis occurs in feral toms. Methods: Feral toms were presented for castration at a local Humane Society during August-October 2014. Age was determined by records provided from feral cat colony managers and confirmed with dental eruption patterns. The age groups were: 2-2.5 months (weanling; n=6), 3-4 months (juvenile; n=6), 5-6 months (pubertal; n=6), and 12-24 months (adult; n=6). General anesthesia was induced and a routine open castration was performed. Both testicles from each cat were hemi-sectioned, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, cut into sections (6 µm), and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The slides were evaluated by a single observer (EB) blinded to age group using bright field microscopy (200X). Evidence of spermatogenesis was determined on the basis of presence of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubule lumen. In addition, perpendicular diameters measured from 5 tubules for each testis were averaged and mean ± SD was determined for each age group. Tubular diameter was compared using a Student’s t test where p < 0.05 was defined as significant. The presence of spermatozoa in the lumen was compared using a Chi-square test. Results: Evidence of spermatogenesis in weanling, juvenile, pubertal, and adult toms was 0%, 17%, 67%, and 100%, respectively (p < 0.05 between successive age groups). The seminiferous tubular diameter was significantly larger in each successive age group (weanlings 88.10 ± 10.88 µm; juveniles 109.8 ± 8.89 µm; pubertal 142.2 ± 16.89 µm; adult 237.90 ± 52.45 µm). Discussion: Juvenile feral toms in the current study had significantly wider tubular diameter than previously reported for domestic toms under 5 months of age (86 µm), which supports our hypothesis that spermatogenesis is occurring at an earlier age in ferals. However, the time of year the previous measurements in domestics was not reported. If these measurements were made outside of the breeding season, this may explain why the tubular diameters were smaller. Future studies are planned to determine if folliculogenesis occurs earlier in queens as well

Prescribing non-opioid drugs in end-stage kidney disease

Palliative care services are increasingly involved in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease, either alone or as a comorbid condition. Because renal impairment often changes the pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic effects of a drug, this presents a challenge for prescribers. This article provides guidance for prescribing non-opioid drugs commonly used for palliative care symptom relief in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD; i.e. Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5, eGFR &lt;15mL/min/1.73m²) whether or not they are receiving dialysis. Opioids are not included, nor symptom relief in the last hours–days of life, because specific guidance is available elsewhere. Tables have been produced to highlight, when possible, the most, intermediate and least ‘renally safe’ drugs for chronic use. However, sometimes the cautious use of a familiar drug may be preferable to an unfamiliar (albeit ‘renally safer’) one. Similarly, we do not advocate the automatic switching of patients to a ‘renally safer’ drug when an alternative is proving satisfactory. Finally, this article aims to complement and not replace specialist renal unit guidance

Androgen ablation mitigates tolerance to a prostate/prostate cancer-restricted antigen

SummaryTo understand the T cell response to prostate cancer, we created transgenic mice that express a model antigen in a prostate-restricted pattern and crossed these animals to TRAMP mice that develop spontaneous prostate cancer. Adoptive transfer of prostate-specific CD4 T cells shows that, in the absence of prostate cancer, the prostate gland is mostly ignored. Tumorigenesis allows T cell recognition of the prostate gland—but this recognition is tolerogenic, resulting in abortive proliferation and ultimately in hyporesponsiveness at the systemic level. Androgen ablation (the most common treatment for metastatic prostate cancer) was able to mitigate this tolerance—allowing prostate-specific T cells to expand and develop effector function after vaccination. These results suggest that immunotherapy for prostate cancer may be most efficacious when administered after androgen ablation

The life and keyboard works of (Franz) Xaver Scharwenka (1850–1924).

(Franz) Xaver Scharwenka (1850–1924) was a highly acclaimed performer, teacher, editor, and composer of international fame during the late Romantic period. Overshadowed by the innovative styles of a number of contemporaneous composers including Ravel, Debussy, and Scriabin, Scharwenka\u27s works gradually disappeared from the teaching studio and the concert hall. Regrettably, his compositions, although critically acclaimed in his lifetime, are now for the most part out of print and rarely performed. This study explores Scharwenka\u27s works as a significant addition to the repertory of the late Romantic literature for study and performance. This research project, the result of a lengthy investigation of the piano works of Xaver Scharwenka, presents a biographical account of Scharwenka\u27s life and an examination of his repertory by genre including the Polish Dances, sonatas, concerti, and selected character pieces. A complete list of works, a discography, and a bibliography are found at the end of the document

BohrerEllieR2016(1).pdf

Background: Even with numerous successful Trap-Neuter-Release programs, feral cat populations continue to grow. Our laboratory is interested in determining if an underlying biological cause exists for the exuberant reproductive success in this once domestic subspecies. An earlier age for developing reproductive capacity (onset of spermatogenesis in males) may be one factor. For domestic toms, puberty is reported to occur around 8 months of age. Previous work by our laboratory has shown that normal morphologic sperm are present in vas deferens secretions of feral toms before 6 months of age. Therefore, our hypothesis was that in feral toms the onset of spermatogenesis occurred before 6 months of age. The study objective was to histologically evaluate testes from weanling (2 months of age) through adulthood (24 months of age) to determine when the onset of spermatogenesis occurs in feral toms. Methods: Feral toms were presented for castration at a local Humane Society during August-October 2014. Age was determined by records provided from feral cat colony managers and confirmed with dental eruption patterns. The age groups were: 2-2.5 months (weanling; n=6), 3-4 months (juvenile; n=6), 5-6 months (pubertal; n=6), and 12-24 months (adult; n=6). General anesthesia was induced and a routine open castration was performed. Both testicles from each cat were hemi-sectioned, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, cut into sections (6 µm), and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The slides were evaluated by a single observer (EB) blinded to age group using bright field microscopy (200X). Evidence of spermatogenesis was determined on the basis of presence of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubule lumen. In addition, perpendicular diameters measured from 5 tubules for each testis were averaged and mean ± SD was determined for each age group. Tubular diameter was compared using a Student’s t test where p < 0.05 was defined as significant. The presence of spermatozoa in the lumen was compared using a Chi-square test. Results: Evidence of spermatogenesis in weanling, juvenile, pubertal, and adult toms was 0%, 17%, 67%, and 100%, respectively (p < 0.05 between successive age groups). The seminiferous tubular diameter was significantly larger in each successive age group (weanlings 88.10 ± 10.88 µm; juveniles 109.8 ± 8.89 µm; pubertal 142.2 ± 16.89 µm; adult 237.90 ± 52.45 µm). Discussion: Juvenile feral toms in the current study had significantly wider tubular diameter than previously reported for domestic toms under 5 months of age (86 µm), which supports our hypothesis that spermatogenesis is occurring at an earlier age in ferals. However, the time of year the previous measurements in domestics was not reported. If these measurements were made outside of the breeding season, this may explain why the tubular diameters were smaller. Future studies are planned to determine if folliculogenesis occurs earlier in queens as well.Keywords: Puberty, Castration, Spermatogenesis, Feline, Seminiferous TubuleKeywords: Puberty, Castration, Spermatogenesis, Feline, Seminiferous Tubul

BohrerCUE Poster 2015.pptx

Background: Even with numerous successful Trap-Neuter-Release programs, feral cat populations continue to grow. Our laboratory is interested in determining if an underlying biological cause exists for the exuberant reproductive success in this once domestic subspecies. An earlier age for developing reproductive capacity (onset of spermatogenesis in males) may be one factor. For domestic toms, puberty is reported to occur around 8 months of age. Previous work by our laboratory has shown that normal morphologic sperm are present in vas deferens secretions of feral toms before 6 months of age. Therefore, our hypothesis was that in feral toms the onset of spermatogenesis occurred before 6 months of age. The study objective was to histologically evaluate testes from weanling (2 months of age) through adulthood (24 months of age) to determine when the onset of spermatogenesis occurs in feral toms. Methods: Feral toms were presented for castration at a local Humane Society during August-October 2014. Age was determined by records provided from feral cat colony managers and confirmed with dental eruption patterns. The age groups were: 2-2.5 months (weanling; n=6), 3-4 months (juvenile; n=6), 5-6 months (pubertal; n=6), and 12-24 months (adult; n=6). General anesthesia was induced and a routine open castration was performed. Both testicles from each cat were hemi-sectioned, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, cut into sections (6 µm), and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The slides were evaluated by a single observer (EB) blinded to age group using bright field microscopy (200X). Evidence of spermatogenesis was determined on the basis of presence of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubule lumen. In addition, perpendicular diameters measured from 5 tubules for each testis were averaged and mean ± SD was determined for each age group. Tubular diameter was compared using a Student’s t test where p < 0.05 was defined as significant. The presence of spermatozoa in the lumen was compared using a Chi-square test. Results: Evidence of spermatogenesis in weanling, juvenile, pubertal, and adult toms was 0%, 17%, 67%, and 100%, respectively (p < 0.05 between successive age groups). The seminiferous tubular diameter was significantly larger in each successive age group (weanlings 88.10 ± 10.88 µm; juveniles 109.8 ± 8.89 µm; pubertal 142.2 ± 16.89 µm; adult 237.90 ± 52.45 µm). Discussion: Juvenile feral toms in the current study had significantly wider tubular diameter than previously reported for domestic toms under 5 months of age (86 µm), which supports our hypothesis that spermatogenesis is occurring at an earlier age in ferals. However, the time of year the previous measurements in domestics was not reported. If these measurements were made outside of the breeding season, this may explain why the tubular diameters were smaller. Future studies are planned to determine if folliculogenesis occurs earlier in queens as well.Keywords: Feline, Castration, Puberty, Seminiferous Tubule, Spermatogenesi