Changes in Cerebral Cortical Aquaporin-1 Expression in Multiple Sclerosis

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, MS, a demyelinating brain disease, affects approximately 2.3 million people worldwide. MS affects African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics, but predominantly Caucasians of northern European ancestry. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with this disease, and individuals from populations with low vitamin D levels are more likely as well to develop the disease. Currently, there is no cure for MS, although some moderately effective treatments are available to slow some forms of disease progression. However, our understanding of the cause of MS, which would greatly facilitate treatment, remains very incomplete. One clue may be found in the presence of circulating antibodies to a brain protein, aquaporin 4, in the serum of patient with a form of MS, neuromyelitis optica, that affects chiefly the spinal cord and optic nerves. In this study, immunohistochemistry was used to determine abnormalities of this and a related protein, aquaporin 1, in brain tissues of deceased patients who were diagnosed with MS in comparison to control patients with normal brain tissues. Although MS affects mostly white matter, we found increased expression of aquaporin 1 in gray matter in the vicinity of demyelinated plaques in patients with MS compared to unaffected areas of brain in both MS and control patients. In contrast, expression of aquaporin 4 was relatively unchanged in these areas. We determined that increased aquaporin 1 expression was due to a change in the phenotype of astrocytes, a support cell of the brain, in the cerebral cortex in and near demyelinated areas in MS. This change in astrocytes may underlie some of the brain dysfunction observed in patients with MS

Wanderlust

https://digitalcommons.providence.edu/english_chapbooks/1008/thumbnail.jp

エピタキシャルPZT薄膜を用いた高性能圧電マイクロマシンド超音波トランスデューサのプロセス統合

要約のみTohoku University田中秀治課

Cultural Preservation in One and One-Half and Second Generation Vietnamese Immigrants

This study is designed to provide insight on one and one-half and second generation Vietnamese immigrants’ experiences with cultural preservation and acculturation in areas that are not densely populated with Vietnamese immigrants. Participants from Columbia and Plymouth, North Carolina were interviewed to shine light on how they construct their culture to fit their current environment. It was found that the microsocial and macrosocial systems interact on different levels across immigrants to produce a unique culture. It also further supports the idea that culture is dynamic. This research shines light on areas not previously research; however, the data is limited to two eastern, rural towns in North Carolina. Therefore, the findings are not readily generalizable. Instead, the unique social constructs of the interviewed participants in the study can hopefully assist in providing a fuller picture for understanding the immigrant experience of those in America in rural areas

弱教師付き分類手法Bautextによる単語の意味的カテゴリ分類

電気通信大学200

Modulation of the Endothelial Phenotype by Transforming Growth Factor-β2 and Nck Signaling

The development of solid tumors and atherosclerosis requires neovascularization. In contrast to blood vessels of healthy organs, blood vessels associated with atherosclerosis and tumors are poorly organized and leaky. However, it is poorly understood how microenvironmental factors modulate molecular mechanisms underlying the abnormal vascular phenotype. The objective in this project is to determine cellular changes elicited by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) and the Nck adaptors in the transition of endothelial sheets from a stable/cohesive to a loosely organized, permeable phenotype. It is hypothesized that the Nck adaptors link heightened matrix stiffness and TGF-β2 signaling thereby inducing cytoskeletal changes underlying the tumor-associated endothelial phenotype. Cell culture experiments coupled with immunofluorescence labeling indicate change in cell morphology and patterns of protein expression/subcellular distribution when TGF-β2-treated cells were compared with control endothelial cells. Preliminary results indicate the Nck modulates TGF-beta-induced changes in cell morphology. These results suggest that the TGF-β2 signaling pathway and/or the silencing of the Nck could be targeted to prevent Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) and the abnormal vasculature in atherosclerosis.

Virtual Dating and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Investigating Motives, Predictors, and Outcomes

The COVID-19 pandemic altered myriad aspects of social and cultural life, with impacts continuing to ripple across the globe. The present study provides empirical insight into virtual dating following the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring motives (i.e., gratifications), predictors (i.e., age; sex; sexual orientation; living situation; vaccination status), and outcomes (i.e., loneliness). Participants (N = 393) were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in March 2021, approximately one year after initial shelter-in-place and lockdown orders went into effect. Results revealed that demographic and situational factors were significantly related to virtual dating motives. Additionally, several virtual dating motives were significantly associated with loneliness. Implications are discussed regarding the landscape of virtual dating following the COVID-19 pandemic

Virtual Dating and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Investigating Motives, Predictors, and Outcomes

The COVID-19 pandemic altered myriad aspects of social and cultural life, with impacts continuing to ripple across the globe. The present study provides empirical insight into virtual dating following the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring motives (i.e., gratifications), predictors (i.e., age; sex; sexual orientation; living situation; vaccination status), and outcomes (i.e., loneliness). Participants (N = 393) were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in March 2021, approximately one year after initial shelter-in-place and lockdown orders went into effect. Results revealed that demographic and situational factors were significantly related to virtual dating motives. Additionally, several virtual dating motives were significantly associated with loneliness. Implications are discussed regarding the landscape of virtual dating following the COVID-19 pandemic

Renovation of El Camino Real of Santa Clara

In this project we focus on a section of the El Camino Real that is a major corridor that connects the South Bay to much of the Peninsula. The portion that we are looking at is by Santa Clara University from Lafayette Street to Scott Boulevard which consists of 3lanes in both directions. This is much wider than sections farther north as there are much higher traffic volumes in the spread out South Bay. As a result, El Camino Real can be dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. Along with pedestrian safety concerns, our project goes into the inadequate service levels for public transit, the VTA 522El Camino Real Rapid Bus in particular. Our redesign of El Camino Real was inspired by the VTA’s BRT, Bus Rapid Transit, which converts 1 of 3 car lanes into a Bus Only lane and adds a bike lane. We created several alternative design options for the project and discuss each option’s strengths and weaknesses. After we decided on a design, we ran a Synchro simulation to see how the traffic conditions would be affected by our redesign. We noted the different service levels and safety improvements