Initiation and growth of embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of Zea mays L.

Somatic embryos formed from immature embryos of maize under certain defined conditions can give rise to embryogenic callus and suspension cultures. Both embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of Zea mays have been examined in this study;Two pathways of somatic embryogenesis have been identified from immature embryos plated on callus inducing medium. Embryos from corn inbred line H99 demonstrate the presence of a generalized area of meristematic tissue in the subepidermal region of the scutellum, indicative of a multicellular origin for the somatic embryos. This is in agreement with observations reported previously in the literature. In contrast, embryos of a G35 x B73 hybrid develop distinct, small groups of meristematic cells that seem to be isolated from the remainder of the scutellar cells. These groups of cells appear to originate from single cells of the epithelial layer;The growth characteristics of suspension cultures derived from embryogenic callus cultures of two maize genotypes, B73 and B73 \u3c 2G35, were studied. These cultures varied in the relationship between the size of the cell clusters and the mitotic index of the culture. For the B73 line, the mitotic index was positively correlated to the average cell cluster size, while suspension cultures of B73 \u3c 2G35 demonstrated a negative correlation. It is unlikely that these observed differences are due to genotype alone;These studies clearly establish that the growth characteristics of embryogenic cultures are highly dependent upon the genotype of the maize line being used. An understanding of the growth patterns of a particular genotype is useful in the selection of a method for utilization of the culture in in vitro selection and transformation studies

Multilingual and Native English‐speaking Student Writers in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS): A Comparative Pilot Study

Medical laboratory scientists are health care practitioners who perform testing on blood and other body fluids providing vital information to physicians for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients in health and disease. Miscommunications between laboratory personnel and other health care practitioners can result in unwarranted delays in patient care or errors in treatment selection, which ultimately could cause patient harm, including the possible loss of life. In spite of prerequisite writing course requirements, students in our laboratory science baccalaureate degree program struggled to reach the program’s writing competencies. The situation in our program was complicated by the high percentage of multilingual students with varying abilities in English. This pilot study was initiated to describe the nature of writing in our field of practice and to analyze the current status of student writing abilities. A survey of writing activities among current laboratory science practitioners confirmed the essential nature of writing in our field and the types of writing activities performed on a regular basis. Analysis of current student writing samples showed that both native-English speaking and multilingual student writers made essentially the same types of errors although the multilingual students made significantly more errors in some categories

The positive impact of red palm oil in school meals on vitamin A status: study in Burkina Faso

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and school-age children are a vulnerable group. In Burkina Faso, the production and consumption of red palm oil (RPO) is being promoted as a food supplement for VA. The objective of the study was to assess the impact on serum retinol of adding RPO to school lunch in two test zones of Burkina Faso. METHODS: Over one school year, 15 ml RPO was added to individual meals 3 times a week in selected primary schools in two sites. Serum retinol was measured with HPLC at baseline and exactly 12 months later to take account of seasonality. A simple pre-post test design was used in the Kaya area (north-central Burkina), where 239 pupils from 15 intervention schools were randomly selected for the evaluation. In Bogandé (eastern Burkina), 24 schools were randomised for the controlled intervention trial: 8 negative controls (G1) with only the regular school lunch; 8 positive controls (G2) where the pupils received a single VA capsule (60 mg) at the end of the school year; and 8 schools with RPO through the school year (G3). A random sample of 128 pupils in each school group took part in the evaluation. RESULTS: In Kaya, serum retinol went from 0.77 ± 0.37 μmol/L at baseline to 1.07 ± 0.40 μmol/L one year later (p < 0.001). The rate of low serum retinol (<0.7 μmol/L) declined from 47.2% to 13.1%. In Bogandé, serum retinol increased significantly (p < 0.001) only in the capsule and RPO groups, going from 0.77 ± 0.28 to 0.98 ± 0.33 μmol/L in the former, and from 0.82 ± 0.3 to 0.98 ± 0.33 μmol/L in the latter. The rate of low serum retinol went from 46.1 to 17.1% in the VA capsule group and from 40.4% to 14.9% in the RPO group. VA-deficient children benefited the most from the capsule or RPO. Female sex, age and height-for-age were positively associated with the response to VA capsules or RPO. CONCLUSION: RPO given regularly in small amounts appears highly effective in the reduction of VA deficiency. RPO deserves more attention as a food supplement for VA and as a potential source of rural income in Sahelian countries

Initiation and growth of embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of Zea mays L.

Somatic embryos formed from immature embryos of maize under certain defined conditions can give rise to embryogenic callus and suspension cultures. Both embryogenic callus and suspension cultures of Zea mays have been examined in this study;Two pathways of somatic embryogenesis have been identified from immature embryos plated on callus inducing medium. Embryos from corn inbred line H99 demonstrate the presence of a generalized area of meristematic tissue in the subepidermal region of the scutellum, indicative of a multicellular origin for the somatic embryos. This is in agreement with observations reported previously in the literature. In contrast, embryos of a G35 x B73 hybrid develop distinct, small groups of meristematic cells that seem to be isolated from the remainder of the scutellar cells. These groups of cells appear to originate from single cells of the epithelial layer;The growth characteristics of suspension cultures derived from embryogenic callus cultures of two maize genotypes, B73 and B73 < 2G35, were studied. These cultures varied in the relationship between the size of the cell clusters and the mitotic index of the culture. For the B73 line, the mitotic index was positively correlated to the average cell cluster size, while suspension cultures of B73 < 2G35 demonstrated a negative correlation. It is unlikely that these observed differences are due to genotype alone;These studies clearly establish that the growth characteristics of embryogenic cultures are highly dependent upon the genotype of the maize line being used. An understanding of the growth patterns of a particular genotype is useful in the selection of a method for utilization of the culture in in vitro selection and transformation studies.</p

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To remain dynamic and viable, academic institutions preparing the future workforce need to convert to a more accessible and convenient pathway for students. The need for responsiveness is especially true when considering strategies to prepare an allied health workforce in areas of shortages and to meet the needs of the underserved. A blended or hybrid learning model that strategically uses web-based and face-to-face teaching/learning methods is an innovative and strategic way that promotes learner-centered higher education and facilitates a higher learning experience. A model and emerging best practices for implementation are presented from our experience at the Center for Allied Health Programs (CAHP) at the University of Minnesota