A Field Experience: The Paris High School Climate

A comprehensive survey of the perceptions of students, teachers, and parents regarding the climate at Paris High School was conducted. This assessment was accomplished by conducting a random sample survey of students and parents, and a total survey of faculty. Analysis of the survey results identified five specific areas in the Paris High School climate needing improvement (a) school/community relations, (b) student support climate, (c) school image, (d) school problems, and (e) students identifying a purpose between what they are studying and their everyday lives. In addition, a thorough review of recent literature and research associated with effective schools and their climate was conducted. The findings and conclusions drawn from this study provided recommendations to improve the identified areas of weakness, and in turn improve the overall climate and effectiveness of Paris High School

Thiol redox homeostasis in neurodegenerative disease

This review provides an overview of the biochemistry of thiol redox couples and the significance of thiol redox homeostasis in neurodegenerative disease. The discussion is centred on cysteine/cystine redox balance, the significance of the xc- cystine-glutamate exchanger and the association between protein thiol redox balance and neurodegeneration, with particular reference to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and glaucoma. The role of thiol disulphide oxidoreductases in providing neuroprotection is also discussed

S-nitrosation and neuronal plasticity

Nitric oxide (NO) has long been recognized as a multifaceted participant in brain physiology. Despite the knowledge that was gathered over many years regarding the contribution of NO to neuronal plasticity, for example the ability of the brain to change in response to new stimuli, only in recent years have we begun to understand how NO acts on the molecular and cellular level to orchestrate such important phenomena as synaptic plasticity (modification of the strength of existing synapses) or the formation of new synapses (synaptogenesis) and new neurons (neurogenesis). Post-translational modification of proteins by NO derivatives or reactive nitrogen species is a non-classical mechanism for signalling by NO. S-nitrosation is a reversible post-translational modification of thiol groups (mainly on cysteines) that may result in a change of function of the modified protein. S-nitrosation of key target proteins has emerged as a main regulatory mechanism by which NO can influence several levels of brain plasticity, which are reviewed in this work. Understanding how S-nitrosation contributes to neural plasticity can help us to better understand the physiology of these processes, and to better address pathological changes in plasticity that are involved in the pathophysiology of several neurological diseases. Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of the Gasotransmitters. To view the other articles in this section visitFEDER funds via Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade (COMPETE); COST action [BM1005]; Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) [PTDC/SAU-OSD/0473/2012, PEst-C/SAU/LA0001/2013-2014, PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013-2014]; Spanish-Portuguese Integrated Action grant [PRI-AIBPT-2011-1015/E-10/12]; FCT [SFRH/BD/77903/2011]; I3SNS programme (ISCIII, Spanish Government

A Field Experience: The Paris High School Climate

A comprehensive survey of the perceptions of students, teachers, and parents regarding the climate at Paris High School was conducted. This assessment was accomplished by conducting a random sample survey of students and parents, and a total survey of faculty. Analysis of the survey results identified five specific areas in the Paris High School climate needing improvement (a) school/community relations, (b) student support climate, (c) school image, (d) school problems, and (e) students identifying a purpose between what they are studying and their everyday lives. In addition, a thorough review of recent literature and research associated with effective schools and their climate was conducted. The findings and conclusions drawn from this study provided recommendations to improve the identified areas of weakness, and in turn improve the overall climate and effectiveness of Paris High School

Ultrasound-Induced Calcium Oscillations and Waves in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells in the Presence of Microbubbles

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound on the intracellular [Ca2+] of Chinese hamster ovary cells in the presence of albumin-encapsulated Optison microbubbles. Cells were exposed to 1 MHz ultrasound (tone burst of 0.2 s duration, 0.45 MPa peak pressure) while immersed in solution of 0.9 mM Ca2+. Calcium imaging of the cells was performed using digital video fluorescence microscopy and Ca2+-indicator dye fura-2AM. Experimental evidence indicated that ultrasound caused a direct microbubble-cell interaction resulting in the breaking and eventual dissolution of the microbubble and concomitant permeabilization of the cells to Ca2+. These cells exhibited a large influx of Ca2+ over 3–4 s and did not return to their equilibrium levels. Subsequently, some cells exhibited one or more Ca2+ oscillations with the onset of oscillations delayed by 10–80 s after the ultrasound pulse. A variety of oscillations were observed including decaying oscillations returning to the baseline value over 35– 100 s, oscillations superimposed on a more gradual recovery over 150–200 s, and oscillations continued with increased amplitude caused by a second ultrasound tone burst. The delays in onset appeared to result from calcium waves that propagated across the cells after the application of the ultrasound pulse.NIH grant R01CA116592American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant to Case Western Reserve UniversityPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84354/1/L29.pd

Spatiotemporal Effects of Sonoporation Measured by Real-Time Calcium Imaging

Published in PubMed Central on 01 March 2010To investigate the effects of sonoporation, spatiotemporal evolution of ultrasound-induced changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) was determined using real time fura-2AM fluorescence imaging. Monolayers of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were exposed to 1-MHz ultrasound tone burst (0.2 s, 0.45 MPa) in the presence of Optison™ microbubbles. At extracellular [Ca2+]o of 0.9 mM, ultrasound application generated both non-oscillating and oscillating (periods 12–30 s) transients (changes of [Ca2+]i in time) with durations of 100–180 s. Immediate [Ca2+]i transients after ultrasound application were induced by ultrasound-mediated microbubble–cell interactions. In some cases, the immediately-affected cells did not return to pre-ultrasound equilibrium [Ca2+]i levels, thereby indicating irreversible membrane damage. Spatial evolution of [Ca2+]i in different cells formed a calcium wave and was observed to propagate outward from the immediately-affected cells at 7–20 μm/s over a distance greater than 200 μm, causing delayed transients in cells to occur sometimes 60 s or more after ultrasound application. In calcium-free solution, ultrasound-affected cells did not recover, consistent with the requirement of extracellular Ca2+ for cell membrane recovery subsequent to sonoporation. In summary, ultrasound application in the presence of Optison™ microbubbles can generate transient [Ca2+]i changes and oscillations at a focal site and in surrounding cells via calcium waves that last longer than the ultrasound duration and spread beyond the focal site. These results demonstrate the complexity of downstream effects of sonoporation beyond the initial pore formation and subsequent diffusion-related transport through the cellular membraneNational Institutes of Health R01CA116592Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84355/1/nihms99796.pd