Cargo Specific Regulation Of Cytoplasmic Dynein By Effector Proteins

Axonal transport is vital for the development and survival of neurons. The transport of cargo and organelles from the axon to the cell body is driven almost completely by the molecular motor, cytoplasmic dynein. Yet, it remains unclear how dynein is spatially and temporally regulated given the variety of cargo that must be properly localized to maintain cellular function. Previous work has suggested that adaptor proteins provide a mechanism for cargo-specific regulation of motors. During my thesis work, I have investigated the role of mammalian Hook proteins, Hook1 and Hook3, as potential motor adaptors. Using optogenetic and single molecule assays, I found that Hook proteins interact with both dynein and dynactin, to effectively activate dynein motility, inducing longer run lengths and higher velocities than the previously characterized dynein activator, BICD2. In addition, I found that complex formation requires the N-terminal domain of Hook proteins, which resembles the calponin-homology domain of EB proteins yet cannot bind directly to microtubules. In collaborative studies, we found the Hook domain directly interacts with a helix of the dynein light intermediate chain and this interaction is important for Hook-induced processive motility of dynein. In my final project, I found that Hook1 mediates the transport of TrkB-BDNF signaling endosomes in primary hippocampal neurons. Using live cell microscopy and microfluidic devices, Hook1 depletion resulted in a significant decrease in the flux and processivity of BDNF-Qdots along the mid-axon, an effect specific for Hook1 but not Hook3. Together, my work suggests that dynein effectors like Hook proteins can differentially regulate dynein to allow for organelle-specific tuning of the motor for precise intracellular trafficking

Metabolic Flexibility Among Women after a Single High Fat Meal

PURPOSE: Obese women have increased rates of metabolic diseases compared to those of healthy weight status. Additionally, African-American (AA) women have higher rates of metabolic disease compared to Caucasian (CA) women. Metabolic inflexibility is the inability to adjust substrate oxidation in response to dietary intake; potentially leading to weight gain and the development of metabolic disease. Few studies have investigated the impact of weight status and/or ethnicity on the metabolic response of women to a single high fat meal. An acute unfavorable metabolic response may contribute to the higher incidence of metabolic disease among not only obese, but also AA women. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact that weight status (lean vs. overweight/obese) and/or ethnicity (CA vs. AA) has on metabolic health in women in response to a single high fat meal. METHODS: CA (n= 15; age=26.27±5.65 yrs; BMI=30.72±11.92kg/m2) and AA (n= 12; age=26.75±6.65yrs; BMI=28.32±6.91kg/m2) women consumed a high fat shake (1062 calories, 56% fat). Blood was drawn and resting energy expenditure (REE) and substrate oxidation (estimated using indirect calorimetry) were assessed at baseline/fasted (T1), 120 minutes post-shake, (T2) 240 minutes post-shake (T3). RESULTS: Lipid and carbohydrate oxidation significantly increased among all women in response to the high fat meal (

Prediction of failure or success in the junior high school based on certain elementary criteria

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Draft International AntiCounterfeiting Code: Neo-Realism as a Vehicle for Analyzing the Effect of Nonsignatories\u27 Perceptions on the Development of an Anticounterfeiting Norm

NOTE - The United States, the European Common Market (EEC), Canada, and Japan are currently considering a draft convention entitled Agreement on Measures to Discourage the Importation of Counterfeit Goods\u27 (hereinafter referred to as the Anticounterfeiting Code or Code) which is designed to minimize the international problem posed by counterfeit merchandise. This Note highlights the international legal significance of the counterfeiting problem. Previous attempts to confront the problem provide the backdrop for a tripartite analysis which treats the following issues in the proposed Code: workability questions evident from an initial examination of the Code; the Code as a norm-creating vehicle; and, aside from the normative properties of the Code, the practical import of the Code for the international business community. If the Code is to have more than chimerical value, it must either possess independent significance as a norm-creating vehicle or help to coordinate the public and private international law aspects of the counterfeiting problem

Transitioning from physician to nurse practitioner

Foreign-educated physicians (FEPs), also known as “international medical graduates”, represent a rich source of potential primary-care providers. Despite their high level of medical knowledge and skills as well as ethnic and cultural diversity suited to meet the demands of patients, FEPs face many barriers in their attempt to continue to practice medicine in the USA. The program of study at Florida International University’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences provides FEPs the opportunity to have an impact on health care and continue to practice medicine in the USA by becoming nurse practitioners

American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, Preys Upon Larval Tailed Frogs, Ascaphus truei

The American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) is an aquatic songbird that inhabits fast-flowing mountain streams in western North America. Although dippers are known to feed primarily on aquatic invertebrates, they will also eat juvenile fish and salmon eggs when available. In 2002, while monitoring and photographing nesting activities of the American dipper, we observed and photographed adult dippers capturing Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei) tadpoles and feeding them to their young. This note is intended to document a rarely observed occurrence and identify interactions between two relatively uncommon species

Faculty intent to engage in interprofessional education

Maria Olenick,1 Lois Ryan Allen2 1College of Nursing and Health Science, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA; 2School of Nursing, Widener University, Chester, PA, USA Background: This descriptive correlational and comparative study explored health-care faculty (HCF) attitudes toward interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional health-care teams, HCF perceptions of subjective norms, the influence of subjective norms on HCF intent to engage in IPE, and HCF intent to engage in IPE. In addition, differences among seven disciplines of HCF were explored. Methods: Nursing, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistants, and social work faculty were identified. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure that the population surveyed was representative of the target population. The total sample for this study included 439 HCF from the seven identified health-care professions in the US. Data collection included measures of attitudes toward IPE and attitudes toward interprofessional health-care teams. Subjective norms were measured using two 7-point rating scales. Intent to engage in IPE was measured using a 10-point rating scale. Results: There were no significant differences among HCF groups regarding attitudes toward IPE or interprofessional health-care teams. Administrative faculty reported greater intent to engage in IPE than teaching faculty. HCF who were currently in or had previously engaged in IPE reported greater intent to engage in or continue to engage, and had higher attitude and subjective norm scores than faculty without IPE experience. The combination of perceived pressure from school administrators and attitudes toward IPE was the best predictor of intent to engage in IPE. Conclusion: IPE has the potential to influence patient quality of care and lead to better working relationships between health-care providers. HCF are more likely to engage in IPE when they believe their school's administrators think they should engage in IPE and when they have positive attitudes toward IPE. Keywords: interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, IPE, teamwork, health-car

Indoor air quality and thermal comfort for elderly residents in Houston TX—a case study

The elderly population is more vulnerable to poor indoor environmental quality. They also spend a larger portion of their time indoors than the general public, further exacerbating the associated health risks. As part of a larger study which aims to understand the health risks for the elderly population resulting from extreme heat events in Houston, TX, this study gathered empirical data on thermal comfort and air quality in existing assisted living facilities and in individual homes of the elderly. We made continuous measurements of indoor dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and occupancy status in 25 buildings during summer months in 2016 and 2017. Then, using the measured data, we calculated the percentage of hours in which the thermal discomfort index or CO2 levels were above healthy thresholds for each site. Our results show that the indoor discomfort index and/or CO2 level exceeded the safe thresholds for at least 5% of the time in two-thirds of the buildings tested. Considering that research suggests more extreme summer weather in this region in the future, the results of this study highlight the need to consider changes in building management and occupant behavior as well as targeted improvements in the building stock to minimise adverse health impacts. In addition, the results also highlight a potential trade-off between thermal comfort and air quality in these building; air-tightening of the buildings will result in better thermal comfort at the expense of higher CO2 levels, especially in buildings with a higher number of occupants

US veterans and their unique issues: enhancing health care professional awareness

United States veterans are a multifaceted population with a distinct culture that includes, but is not limited to, values, customs, ethos, selfless duty, codes of conduct, implicit patterns of communication, and obedience to command. Veterans experience mental health disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injury at disproportionate rates compared to their civilian counterparts. Eighteen to 22 American veterans commit suicide daily and young veterans aged 18–44 are most at risk. Health care professionals must be aware of patients’ military history and be able to recognize suicide-risk factors, regardless of age. Advancement in medical technology has allowed servicemen to survive their injuries but, for many, at the cost of a traumatic limb amputation and associated mental scarring. Health care professionals must be able to address physical safety concerns, as well as, emotional health of veterans. Approximately 49,933 American veterans are homeless and face the same difficulties as non-veterans in addition to service-related matters. Separation from military service and issues related to complex multiple deployments are among specifically identified veteran issues. Successful veteran reintegration into civilian life rests upon providing veterans with training that builds on their military knowledge and skill, employment post-separation from service, homelessness prevention, and mental health programs that promote civilian transition. Preparing health care providers to meet the complex needs of a vast veteran population can be facilitated by implementing veteran content into curricula that includes veteran patient simulations and case studies, and utilizes veteran clinical faculty