Investigation into Cost Effective Cultivation and Biofuel Production from \u3ci\u3eChlorella\u3c/i\u3e Algal Species

As resources for petroleum-based fuel become increasingly scarce, third generation biofuels, which utilize algae as a renewable feedstock, offer a promising solution. The problem hindering widespread marketability, however, is that current biodiesel production processes are expensive and lipid yields are inconsistent. Our research worked to make algae cultivation more feasible by focusing on both the growth of algae and its conversion to crude biodiesel. To decrease the cost of cultivation, a modified Bold’s Basal medium was created using low cost chemicals. This treatment was compared to commercial Alga-gro© and a water control. Chlorella, a fast growing microalgae with high lipid content, was then introduced to all three conditions and cell growth was monitored for 35 days. After harvesting the cells, the non-polar lipids were extracted using a 2:1 chloroform-methanol ratio, which showed yields (18.01%) consistent with previous work. Samples next underwent a transesterification reaction upon which IR spectroscopy was used to detect the presence of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)

B Cell Receptor Signaling and Protein Kinase D2 Support Regulatory B Cell Function in Pancreatic Cancer

B cells can act as potent suppressors of anti-tumor T cell immunity, presenting a mechanism of resistance to immunotherapy. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, B cells can display a T cell-suppressive or regulatory phenotype centered on the expression of the cytokine Interleukin 35 (IL-35). While B cell-mediated immunosuppression presents a barrier to anti-tumorigenic T cell function, it is not clear how regulatory B cell function could be targeted, and the signals that promote this suppressive phenotype in B cells are not well understood. Here we use a novel IL-35 reporter model to understand which signaling pathways are important for immunosuppressive properties in B cells. In vitro analysis of IL-35 reporter B cells revealed a synergy between the BCR and TLR4 signaling pathways is sufficient to induce IL-35 expression. However, in vivo, B cell receptor activation, as opposed to MyD88 signaling in B cells, is central to B cell-mediated suppression and promotion of pancreatic cancer growth. Further analysis identified protein kinase D2 (PKD2) as being a key downstream regulator of IL-35 expression in B cells. Regulatory B cells with an inactivating mutation in PKD2 failed to produce IL-35 or fully suppress effector T cell function in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of PKD in B cells decreased tumor growth and promoted effector T cell function upon adoptive transfer into B cell-deficient mice. Collectively, these data provide insight into how regulatory B cell function is promoted in pancreatic cancer and identify potential therapeutic targets to restrain this function

Postpartum Depression and the Availability of Support Resources in the Era of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically influenced women’s experience of pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum phase. New research shows rates of postpartum depression were higher than typical during the pandemic. This study expands on existing research by examining postpartum depression at 12-30 months postpartum and exploring the role of perceptions of access to social support in predicting depressive symptoms. This survey assessed postpartum women’s perceptions of the availability of supports during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether access to support was associated with experiences of postpartum depression 12-30 months after birth. In total, 242 participants responded to an online survey including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and a researcher-developed measure of access to social support. Results revealed lower household income and experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) were correlated with women’s reports of postpartum depressive symptoms. Additionally, women’s perceived access to friends and family supports was associated with reports of fewer postpartum depressive symptoms, even when controlling for income and IPV. In addition to reinforcing the necessity of social supports for women before and after birth, this study also adds to the growing research about persistent postpartum depression by evaluating women beyond the traditional 12-month postpartum period. Similarly, the study highlights the importance of continued assessment of exposure to intimate partner violence throughout the postpartum period. In this study women from lower income households reported less access to supports and more depressive symptoms. Therefore, it is important to ensure all women have access to supports to buffer risks associated with postpartum depression. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed

Lung cancer survival and stage at diagnosis in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK: a population-based study, 2004-2007.

BACKGROUND: The authors consider whether differences in stage at diagnosis could explain the variation in lung cancer survival between six developed countries in 2004-2007. METHODS: Routinely collected population-based data were obtained on all adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004-2007 and registered in regional and national cancer registries in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Stage data for 57 352 patients were consolidated from various classification systems. Flexible parametric hazard models on the log cumulative scale were used to estimate net survival at 1 year and the excess hazard up to 18 months after diagnosis. RESULTS: Age-standardised 1-year net survival from non-small cell lung cancer ranged from 30% (UK) to 46% (Sweden). Patients in the UK and Denmark had lower survival than elsewhere, partly because of a more adverse stage distribution. However, there were also wide international differences in stage-specific survival. Net survival from TNM stage I non-small cell lung cancer was 16% lower in the UK than in Sweden, and for TNM stage IV disease survival was 10% lower. Similar patterns were found for small cell lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: There are comparability issues when using population-based data but, even given these constraints, this study shows that, while differences in stage at diagnosis explain some of the international variation in overall lung cancer survival, wide disparities in stage-specific survival exist, suggesting that other factors are also important such as differences in treatment. Stage should be included in international cancer survival studies and the comparability of population-based data should be improved

Correlates of Adherence Among Rural Indian Women Living With HIV/AIDS

In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, correlates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assessed using a baseline questionnaire among 68 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) in India. Unadjusted analyses revealed positive relationships of ART adherence with Hindu religion, and support from spouses and parents, whereas negative associations were found with depression, poor quality of life, and having ten or more HIV symptoms. Multiple linear regression analysis also revealed that WLA who were Hindu, not depressed, had ART support from spouses and parents, and perceived some benefit from ART were more adherent to ART than their respective counterparts. This study reveals the unique challenges which rural WLA experience and the need to mitigate these challenges early in ART treatment. Further, the findings enable the refinement of an intervention program which will focus on strengthening ART adherence among rural WLA