Phun With Phages: Discovering Novel Bacteriophages in the Soil

We used three bacterial hosts: Mycobacterium smegmatis, Microbacterium foliorum, and Gordonia terrae, to isolate novel bacteriophages from soil samples. We named these phages, created high titer lysates, and purified their DNA genomes. We have archived the high titer lysates at Northwestern College and the University of Pittsburgh. The genomes of three of our phages were sequences at the University of Pittsburgh and we will be sequencing the remaining genomes this summer. Additionally, we are planning to image our phages with transmission electron microscopy at the University of Iowa or Nebraska yet this semester

Seeing two faces together: preference formation in humans and rhesus macaques

Humans, great apes and old world monkeys show selective attention to faces depending on conspecificity, familiarity, and social status supporting the view that primates share similar face processing mechanisms. Although many studies have been done on face scanning strategy in monkeys and humans, the mechanisms influencing viewing preference have received little attention. To determine how face categories influence viewing preference in humans and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), we performed two eye-tracking experiments using a visual preference task whereby pairs of faces from different species were presented simultaneously. The results indicated that viewing time was significantly influenced by the pairing of the face categories. Humans showed a strong bias towards an own-race face in an Asian–Caucasian condition. Rhesus macaques directed more attention towards non-human primate faces when they were paired with human faces, regardless of the species. When rhesus faces were paired with faces from Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) or chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), the novel species’ faces attracted more attention. These results indicate that monkeys’ viewing preferences, as assessed by a visual preference task, are modulated by several factors, species and dominance being the most influential

Mousing Around with Bacteriophages: ​Using Antibodies Raised in BALB/c Mice to Analyze Phages​

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and can be used in phage therapy to combat bacterial infections resistant to traditional antibiotics. One current limitation of phage therapy is the lack of understanding about phage genetics and biochemistry. We can learn more about bacteriophages by identifying patterns in their protein structure. In our experiments, we immunized BALB/c mice using whole phage or ~71\u3ekDa proteins extracted from Sbash and Island3. We tail-bled the mice to collect antibodies raised against these phages, then used ELISA assays to detect anti-phage protein antibodies in mouse serum. We are using our antibodies and Western blot analysis to understand biochemical relationships between Island3, Sbash, and several other bacteriophages that infect Mycobacterium smegmatis

Triple therapy for advanced squamous cell cancer of the head and neck

This study presents the results of treatment for Stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Queensland Radium Institute, Brisbane. Patients were treated using a programme of sequential chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Between 1980 and 1988, 116 patients commenced the programme and 85 completed the treatment as planned. The Price-Hill regimen of chemotherapy was used until 1986 after which time it was replaced by cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (5FU). Two courses were usually given achieving an overall response rate of 36% (12% complete response). Cisplatin/5FU produced an overall response rate of 56% compared with 24% for the Price-Hill regimen. Radical surgical resections were performed using a free flap reconstruction in the majority of patients. Radiotherapy fields usually covered the primary site and both cervical lymph node areas to a dose of 50–60 Gy in 5–6 weeks. The lengthy treatment was generally well tolerated although there were two chemotherapy and two peri-operative deaths. The overall actuarial survival for the 85 patients completing the triple therapy was 60%. These patients were analysed in more detail for possible prognostic factors

Technology for mobility in SCI 10 years from now

OBJECTIVES: To identify technological advances and that are likely to have a great impact on the quality of life and participation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: In this paper we use the International Classification of Function to frame a discussion on how technology is likely to impact SCI in 10 years. In addition, we discuss the implication of technological advances on future research. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Although technology advances are exciting, a large challenge for the research community will be how to effectively apply and deploy this technology. Advances occurring in the next 10 years that reduce cost of technology may be more important to the population with SCI than brand new technologies. Social context is everything. As a research community we must advocate for better systems of care. Advocating now for better care will lead to a world in 2020 that is ready to adopt new technologies that are truly transformative.M. Boninger, J. French, J. Abbas, L. Nagy, M. Ferguson-Pell, S.J. Taylor, M. Rodgers, N. Saunders, H. Peckham, R. Marshall and A. Sherwoo