El Poder de los Padres: Volunteering in a Multicultural Parent-Child Group that Supports Language Development and Literacy Skills

Award for Best Our Husky Compact Reflection Engage as a Member of a Diverse and Multicultural World. Abstract The Greater St. Cloud Area Multicultural Parent-Child Group (El Poder de los Padres) provides intensive intervention to parents and children in the greater St. Cloud area through weekly 2-hour sessions during the academic year. Sessions include songs, activities, and crafts that facilitate the development of language and literacy skills in preschool-aged children. In addition, there is a parent education component, in which parents discuss a relevant language and/or literacy topic each week. St. Cloud State University graduate students from the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, in collaboration with a faculty advisor, create, implement, and reflect on a lesson plan for each session. The strategies in the lesson plan are based on research regarding language and literacy development. Volunteers support the group by providing individual instruction to children, assisting in group transitions, and interact with the children during free play times to foster language development. El Poder de los Padres collaborates with the ROCORI School District to empower, enrich, and educate Latino parents in Stearns County. The program is funded through a United Way of Central Minnesota Early Language/Early Literacy Grant

The Effect of an Intersectionality Elective on the Perceived Self-Efficacy of Medical Students in Addressing Health Inequity

Background: Intersectionality is a theoretical framework that contextualizes an individual’s experience as more than the sum of their cultural identifiers. Aims: The current study investigates the effect of a 10-week intersectionality curriculum supplemented with student-led discussions on medical students’ self-efficacy in addressing bias and health inequity. Methods: First- and second-year medical students volunteered to participate in a ten-week pilot elective entitled “Intersectionality in Medicine.” Participants enrolled in the course were required to complete a ten-minute online pre-elective and post-elective survey. Results: Results showed that after completing the elective, medical students were significantly more confident in identifying their personal biases, assessing the needs of low socioeconomic status populations, increased ability to find relevant resources for different ethnic/cultural groups, and identifying microaggressions that occur in the healthcare setting. Conclusions: This research highlights how using intersectionality as a framework for understanding and addressing health inequity can create greater awareness and self-perceived efficacy in medical students. Collectively, this research has implications for medical school curricula and training students for a diverse patient population

Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles

The cuticle, a hydrophobic protective layer on the aerial parts of terrestrial plants, functions as a versatile defensive barrier to various biotic and abiotic stresses and also regulates water flow from the external environment.1 A biopolyester (cutin) and long-chain fatty acids (waxes) form the principal structural framework of the cuticle; the functional integrity of the cuticular layer depends on the outer \u27epicuticular\u27 layer as well as the blend consisting of the cutin biopolymer and \u27intracuticular\u27 waxes.2 Herein, we describe a comprehensive protocol to extract waxes exhaustively from commercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit cuticles or to remove epicuticular and intracuticular waxes sequentially and selectively from the cuticle composite. The method of Jetter and Schäffer (2001) was adapted for the stepwise extraction of epicuticular and intracuticular waxes from the fruit cuticle.3,4 To monitor the process of sequential wax removal, solid-state cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CPMAS) 13C NMR spectroscopy was used in parallel with atomic force microscopy (AFM), providing molecular-level structural profiles of the bulk materials complemented by information on the microscale topography and roughness of the cuticular surfaces. To evaluate the cross-linking capabilities of dewaxed cuticles from cultivated wild-type and single-gene mutant tomato fruits, MAS 13C NMR was used to compare the relative proportions of oxygenated aliphatic (CHO and CH2O) chemical moieties. Exhaustive dewaxing by stepwise Soxhlet extraction with a panel of solvents of varying polarity provides an effective means to isolate wax moieties based on the hydrophobic characteristics of their aliphatic and aromatic constituents, while preserving the chemical structure of the cutin biopolyester. The mechanical extraction of epicuticular waxes and selective removal of intracuticular waxes, when monitored by complementary physical methodologies, provides an unprecedented means to investigate the cuticle assembly: this approach reveals the supramolecular organization and structural integration of various types of waxes, the architecture of the cutin-wax matrix, and the chemical composition of each constituent. In addition, solid-state 13C NMR reveals differences in the relative numbers of CHO and CH2O chemical moieties for wild-type and mutant red ripe tomato fruits. The NMR techniques offer exceptional tools to fingerprint the molecular structure of cuticular materials that are insoluble, amorphous, and chemically heterogeneous. As a noninvasive surface-selective imaging technique, AFM furnishes an effective and direct means to probe the structural organization of the cuticular assembly on the nm-μm length scale. The cuticle, a hydrophobic protective layer on the aerial parts of terrestrial plants, functions as a versatile defensive barrier to various biotic and abiotic stresses and also regulates water flow from the external environment. 1 A biopolyester (cutin) and long-chain fatty acids (waxes) form the principal structural framework of the cuticle; the functional integrity of the cuticular layer depends on the outer \u27epicuticular\u27 layer as well as the blend consisting of the cutin biopolymer and \u27intracuticular\u27 waxes. 2 Herein, we describe a comprehensive protocol to extract waxes exhaustively from commercial tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) fruit cuticles or to remove epicuticular and intracuticular waxes sequentially and selectively from the cuticle composite. The method of Jetter and Schäffer (2001) was adapted for the stepwise extraction of epicuticular and intracuticular waxes from the fruit cuticle. 3,4 To monitor the process of sequential wax removal, solid-state cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CPMAS) 13 C NMR spectroscopy was used in parallel with atomic force microscopy (AFM), providing molecular-level structural profiles of the bulk materials complemented by information on the microscale topography and roughness of the cuticular surfaces. To evaluate the cross-linking capabilities of dewaxed cuticles from cultivated wild-type and single-gene mutant tomato fruits, MAS 13 C NMR was used to compare the relative proportions of oxygenated aliphatic (CHO and CH 2 O) chemical moieties

Drug Susceptibility in Leishmania Isolates Following Miltefosine Treatment in Cases of Visceral Leishmaniasis and Post Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis

Resistance to antimonials has emerged as a major hurdle to the treatment and control of VL and led to the introduction of Miltefosine as first line treatment in the Indian subcontinent. MIL is an oral drug with a long half-life, and it is feared that resistance may emerge rapidly, threatening control efforts under the VL elimination program. There is an urgent need for monitoring treatment efficacy and emergence of drug resistance in the field. In a set of VL/PKDL cases recruited for MIL treatment, we observed comparable drug susceptibility in pre- and post-treatment isolates from cured VL patients while MIL susceptibility was significantly reduced in isolates from VL relapse and PKDL cases. The PKDL isolates showed higher tolerance to MIL as compared to VL isolates. Both VL and PKDL isolates were uniformly susceptible to PMM. MIL transporter genes LdMT/LdRos3 were previously reported as potential resistance markers in strains in which MIL resistance was experimentally induced. The point mutations and the down-regulated expression of these transporters observed in vitro could, however, not be verified in natural populations of parasites. LdMT/LdRos3 genes therefore, do not appear to be suitable markers so far for monitoring drug susceptibility in clinical leishmanial isolates

Understanding the Reduction of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, and Seneca Valley Virus 1 RNA in Inoculated Feed and the Environment Following Thermal Processing

Pelleting of feed has been demonstrated to be an effective mitigation strategy for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) contaminated feed but has not been evaluated for other endemic swine viruses like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) or Seneca Valley virus 1 (SVV1). Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the efficacy of pelleting to inactivate PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1 inoculated feed. Ten replicates were conducted in the Cargill Feed Safety Research Center at Kansas State University (K-State) using a pilot scale mixer, bucket elevator, pellet mill (including conditioner and die), and cooler. First, a virus negative batch of gestation feed was run through all equipment to simulate a commercial feed mill, then a positive batch of feed inoculated with all three viruses was run through all feed manufacturing equipment. Feed was conditioned to a minimum of 180°F with a 30 sec retention time; all feed was cooled for 10 min. Feed and environmental samples were taken from each piece of equipment following both the negative and positive batch. Samples were analyzed via PCR at the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. A four-room bioassay was conducted to evaluate the infectivity of the feed samples. Feed from the mixer and bucket elevator had greater quantities of SVV1, PEDV, and PRRSV RNA (P \u3c 0.05) than the other sampling locations. Similarly, environmental samples from the mixer and bucket elevator had greater SVV1 detection (P \u3c 0.05) than those collected from the conditioner, pellet die, and cooler. Pelleting reduced viral RNA (P \u3c 0.05) for all viruses in both feed and environmental samples. Although SVV1 and PEDV RNA were still detectable following pelleting, no pigs inoculated with the pelleted feed showed signs of SVV1 or PEDV clinical infection. Interestingly, PRRSV RNA was not detectable in pelleted feed samples. However, one pig showed signs of replicating PRRSV virus on d 7 of the bioassay which suggests a greater sensitivity when utilizing a bioassay compared to PCR alone. Overall, pelleting reduced the quantity of detectable viral RNA and reduced the risk of infectivity; yet small quantities of viral RNA remaining in the feed and environment following pelleting may increase the risk of re-contamination

Evaluating the Distribution of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, and Seneca Valley Virus 1 Inoculated Feed After the Use of Physical or Chemical Mitigants to Flush a Feed Manufacturing Facility

Contaminated feed is a route of virus transmission between feed mills and swine farms. To reduce the risk of transmission, an understanding of the virus distribution and mitigation strategies are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and Seneca Valley virus 1 (SVV1) inoculated feed in the environment and feed of a feed mill before and after the use of chemical mitigants. A 50-lb batch of feed was run through a mixer and bucket elevator followed by a batch inoculated with PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1. Following the virus-inoculated batch, a flush treatment of either 1) ground corn (GC); 2) GC + 1.5% liquid formaldehyde (LF; SalCURB LF Liquid, Kemin, Des Moines, IA); 3) GC + 1.5% LF + 25% abrasive material (SalCURB; Shell & Bone Builder, Iowa Limestone Company, Urbandale, IA); 4) double flush – GC + 25% abrasive material followed by GC +1.5% LF (Shell & Bone Builder; SalCURB); or 5) dry formaldehyde (SalCURB F2 Dry, Kemin, Des Moines, IA) was utilized, followed by 3 virus-free batches of complete feed. Feed and environmental samples were collected from each piece of equipment following every batch. Dust samples were collected after manufacturing from the inoculated, flush, and final batches from non-feed contact surfaces. Non-feed contact surfaces were considered those where dust would accumulate during manufacturing but would not be included in the final diet. The surfaces included the grates of the mixer, the top of the discharge bin following the bucket elevator, and the floor surrounding the same discharge bin. Samples were analyzed via a triplex PCR at the Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. A treatment × batch × location interaction was not observed (P \u3e 0.05) in feed or the environment for any of the viruses. A flush treatment × batch interaction was observed for SVV1 where greater quantities of viral RNA (P \u3c 0.05) were present in the positive batches and the ground corn flush than in those batches which used chemical mitigants or the post-flush batches. A lower quantity of viral RNA (P\u3c 0.05) in dust was observed in the last batch of feed compared to the inoculated batch for all viruses; however, SVV1 RNA was still detectable in the dust following the last batch in all treatments. A batch effect (P \u3c 0.05) was observed in all sample matrices for PEDV and PRRSV as viral RNA decreased after the implementation of the flush regardless of treatment. The use of chemical mitigants and the implementation of a flush batch reduced the quantity of viral RNA for PEDV, PRRSV, and SVV1. However, viral presence was still observed in feed and the dust on non-feed contact surfaces which could be a source of contamination if re-introduced into finished feed

Whole genome landscapes of uveal melanoma show an ultraviolet radiation signature in iris tumours

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumour in adults and despite surgical or radiation treatment of primary tumours, ~50% of patients progress to metastatic disease. Therapeutic options for metastatic UM are limited, with clinical trials having little impact. Here we perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 103 UM from all sites of the uveal tract (choroid, ciliary body, iris). While most UM have low tumour mutation burden (TMB), two subsets with high TMB are seen; one driven by germline MBD4 mutation, and another by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, which is restricted to iris UM. All but one tumour have a known UM driver gene mutation (GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, PLCB4, CYSLTR2, SF3B1, EIF1AX). We identify three other significantly mutated genes (TP53, RPL5 and CENPE)

Whole genome landscapes of uveal melanoma show an ultraviolet radiation signature in iris tumours

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumour in adults and despite surgical or radiation treatment of primary tumours, ~50% of patients progress to metastatic disease. Therapeutic options for metastatic UM are limited, with clinical trials having little impact. Here we perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 103 UM from all sites of the uveal tract (choroid, ciliary body, iris). While most UM have low tumour mutation burden (TMB), two subsets with high TMB are seen; one driven by germline MBD4 mutation, and another by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, which is restricted to iris UM. All but one tumour have a known UM driver gene mutation (GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, PLCB4, CYSLTR2, SF3B1, EIF1AX). We identify three other significantly mutated genes (TP53, RPL5 and CENPE).This project was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC; 1093017), the Walking On Sunshine Foundation, Anne Stanton, Nicola Laws and Lloyd Owen in Memorial and Civic Solutions. This study was also funded by Fight for Sight, Denmark. A.L.P. is supported by Highland Island Enterprise (HMS9353763). This work was supported by an NHMRC Program Grant (G.V.L., G.J.M., R.A.S. and N.K.H.). G.V.L. is supported by an NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship and The University of Sydney, Medical Foundation. R.A.S. is supported by an NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship. Support from Melanoma Institute Australia and The Ainsworth Foundation is also gratefully acknowledged. J.S.W. is supported by a NHMRC early career fellowship (1111678). N.W. is supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (1139071). N.K.H. is supported by an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship (1117663)

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms