Characterisation of novel lung cancer cell lines for immuno-inhibitory markers

The present study investigates the expression of immune biomarkers, PD-L1 and HLA-1 on novel lung cancer cell lines (H838, H838-EGFR, A549, A549-ALK, HCC 827, NCI 1650, TWIT, Jacket). PD-L1 and HLA-1 characterisation were initially performed and analysed via flow cytometry. These results showed that the expression of PD-L1 and HLA-1 varies across the cell lines from high percent to low. The effect of IFNy on biomarkers expression was also investigated following a 48 hour incubation period. of the cell lines analysed the expression of PD-L1 increases with IFNy stimulation whilst HLA-1 remains relatively unchanged. Trypan blue assays for cell viability were performed, showing that when stimulated, cells were 100% viable whereas viability decreases upon IFNy exposure

Political Efficacy and the Russian Language: The Role of Language in Politics

While linguistics has historically separated language from speech and defined language as a structured system of linguistic signs, psycholinguistics has reclaimed speech acts and their psychological and neurological effects as an important object of study. A project such as this utilizes both frameworks to study the structure of the Russian language as well as the psychological effects of speaking Russian. Linguistic research has analyzed the function of the reflexive ending -ся (“-sya”) which can make a transitive verb passive or anti-causative. Research has also been conducted on the omitted они (they) when using an active verb, which is always translated as a passive construction. Russian speakers also use past perfective participles to emphasize the object, rather than the subject of a sentence (passive). Models of subjectivity indicate that the mere existence of multiple passive forms may be demonstrative of a passive, inefficacious collective consciousness. Psycholinguistic studies of the Russian language suggest that there is a link between category words and the ability to differentiate between categories, particularly with color categorization, thus linking language and perception (and thought). Some cognitive scientists characterize languages as distinguishing “cognitive universes.” This paper explores the idea of cognitive universes using the term cultural logics. Literature in cultural anthropology has posited that only information which makes sense within the cultural logic can alter behavior (i.e. cultural practices). Political efficacy is an important aspect of cultural logics. It describes what citizens perceive their role in the community to be and predicts how they will behave. This series of links may supplement our understanding of recent polls which indicate that Russian’s desire for socioeconomic change is not accompanied by a belief in their own ability to bring it about. Low political efficacy in the Russian Federation is linked to the frequent use of (or copious ability to use) passive linguistic constructions in Russian. Low levels of political participation, however, are not as clearly related to passivity due to election abnormalities. This paper operates within linguistic and psycholinguistic frameworks, building specifically on language and thought theory. I rely heavily on a structuralist approach to linguistic analysis and draw from the well-known work of Ferdinand de Saussure, the father of structuralism. I also take a cultural-anthropological framework in my study of human behavior and systems of meanings. This paper examines the relationship between passive language constructions and political efficacy. First, I analyze concepts of subjectivity and passivity in existing literature on the Russian language. Second, I develop a framework for understanding culture and language as a function of meaning. Third, I assess the status of political interest in the Russian Federation as reported in national surveys from the Levada Center. Finally, I examine political participation in the Russian Federation by evaluating the stability of voter turnout, the neglect of party affiliation, and the decline in protests. Understanding how the Russian language frames ideas of responsibility and agency is vital to understanding current political culture in Russia and predicting possible outcomes for a Russia after Putin. Research has not yet connected the powerful influence linguistic constraints have on personal agency to political efficacy in Russia. The intricate connection between these two concepts should be the timely focus of future scholarship

Lifting the Burden of Addiction: Philanthropic Opportunities to Address Substance Use Disorders in the United States

Substance use disorders (SUDs), also known as substance abuse or addiction, affect an estimated 20 million or more adolescents and adults in the U.S. This guidance provides philanthropic funders with the tools & information to reduce immediate harm from substance use disorders and reduce the burden of the disorder over the long term. This includes reducing the damage the disorder causes to people with SUDs and their loved ones, reducing the overall incidence of SUDs, and reducing SUD-related costs to society. We present four strategies for philanthropic funders who want to help:- Save lives and reduce SUD-related illness and homelessness- Improve access to evidence-based treatment- Improve SUD care by changing systems and policies- Fund innovation to improve prevention and treatmen

Trace mineral supplementation in cattle: Implications in heifer development, reproductive performance, and fetal programming

Minerals play numerous roles in the ruminant animal’s body and are included as components of bone, tissues, body fluids, enzymes, and hormones. Grazing cattle primarily receive trace minerals through forages; however, these sources often do not meet the trace mineral requirements of cattle due to variation in soil composition. In these instances, producers commonly supplement trace minerals through free-choice mineral and salt blocks or protein/energy supplements fortified with trace minerals to ensure optimal cattle performance and health. The interactions that trace minerals can have on animal production are complex and multiple factors can impact an animal’s response to mineral supplementation. The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate alternative trace mineral supplementation strategies and the effects these minerals may have on heifer development, reproductive success, fetal growth, and long term productivity of beef cattle. Recently data have suggested that organic or chelated trace minerals may improve growth, reproduction, and health traits in ruminants. To evaluate the effect of supplementing two different chelated trace mineral sources on reproductive performance of beef cows, 204 spring-calving, Angus and Simmental × Angus cows [body weight (BW) = 649 ± 129 kg] were utilized. Cows received 1 of 2 glycine ligand chelated trace minerals, both formulated to replace 50% of the Cu, Mn, and Zn inorganic trace mineral (MAAC; MAAC, Novus International; TRAX; B-Traxim 2C, Pancosma). Liver mineral concentrations were not different (P ≥ 0.11) regardless of treatment. Liver metallothionein (MT)/actin expression was not different (P ≥ 0.24) at trial initiation or at breeding. Interestingly, TRAX cattle did have greater (P = 0.03) MT/actin expression comparted to MAAC cattle at the time of final pregnancy confirmation. There was no effect (P = 0.91) of supplementation on artificial insemination (AI) conception rate (MAAC=72.2% and TRAX=71.2%). Interestingly, overall pregnancy rate was greater (P = 0.03) for TRAX (98.4%) compared to their MAAC (90.1%) counterparts. Supplementing beef cows with B-Traxim 2C prior to breeding improved overall pregnancy rates but did not alter BW or trace mineral status. Injectable trace minerals offer another unique way to supplement trace minerals. Three experiments were conducted at separate locations to determine the effects of a trace mineral injection (TMI), Multimin 90, on heifer performance and reproduction. In Exp. 1, (spring-born, Angus, n = 93, BW = 428 ± 45.2 kg), Exp. 2 (spring-born, Angus × Simmental, n = 120, BW = 426 ± 54.0 kg), and Exp. 3 (fall-born, commercial Angus, n = 199, BW = 345 ± 39.7 kg) heifers were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: a control, saline injection, or TMI at a dose of 1 mL/68 kg BW. Injections were given 33 d prior to breeding at the initiation of a 14-d controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-prostaglandin protocol. In Exp.1 pregnancy rates to timed AI and overall pregnancy rates were similar (P ≥ 0.74) regardless of treatment. During Exp. 2, there was a tendency (P = 0.07) for TMI heifers to have an increased AI pregnancy rate (62% vs. 45%) compared with control heifers despite no difference (P = 0.51) in overall pregnancy rate. In Exp. 3, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.50) in AI and overall pregnancy rates. An additional experiment was conducted to determine the effects of repeated TMI on heifer development and reproductive performance. Commercial Angus heifers (n = 290; 199 ± 34.3 kg; 221 ± 22 d of age) were administered an injectable trace mineral (MM; Multimin90) or saline (CON) given subcutaneously, post-weaning at 221, 319, 401, and 521 ± 22 d of age. Plasma Mn and Zn concentrations did not differ (P ≥ 0.54). However, MM heifers had greater (P ≤ 0.01) plasma and liver concentrations of Cu and Se compared to CON. Interestingly, MM decreased (P = 0.02) liver Zn concentrations compared to CON, and there was no difference (P = 0.60) in liver Mn. Antral follicle count and ovarian size did not differ (P ≥ 0.51) due to treatment. Throughout development, number of heifers cycling was lesser (P < 0.01) for MM than CON heifers. However, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.19) in reproductive tract scores (RTS), AI pregnancy rates, or overall pregnancy rates. Commercial Angus heifers (n = 190; 315 ± 49.3 kg) from the previous experiment, that were confirmed pregnant, were utilized to determine the effects of trace mineral injections during gestation on heifer and subsequent calf performance. Treatments were maintained and subsequent injections were given 205, 114, and 44±26 d prepartum. Data were reported from 174 calves (n = 87 calves/treatment). Multimin heifers tended (P = 0.08) to have greater initial liver Se and tended to have decreased (P = 0.08) initial liver Zn compared to CON. At calving, MM cows had increased (P ≤ 0 .01) liver Cu and Se. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.47) in Julian calving date, calving percent or unassisted births. Calf birth BW was lesser (P = 0.02) for MM than CON calves and MM calves had greater (P = 0.03) liver Cu concentrations at birth compared to CON. Despite MM cows having increased (P < 0.01) milk production, calf weaning BW and average daily gain (ADG) were not different (P ≥ 0.87). Additionally, calf morbidity and mortality were not different (P ≥ 0.43) between treatments. Calf mineral status was not different (P ≥ 0.57) at the time of weaning regardless of treatment; however, MM cows had decreased (P = 0.03) liver Zn. Multimin cows had decreased (P = 0.05) AI pregnancy rates, yet, there was no difference (P = 0.34) in overall pregnancy rate. Twenty-four commercial Angus steers (BW = 204 ± 19 kg; 12 MM steers and 12 CON) from the previous experiment, were utilized to determine the effects of maternal supplementation with an injectable trace mineral on the inflammatory response of calves subjected to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge at the initiation of a 42 d receiving period. Initial plasma Zn tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for MM steers. However, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.31) in trace mineral status or serum cortisol at any other time. Total area under the curve (TAUC) for body temperature was lesser (P > 0.01) for MM steers. Basal LPS binding protein (LBP) concentrations and TAUC for LBP tended (P ≤ 0.10) to be greater for MM steers. Peak concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) tended (P = 0.09) to be reached earlier for CON steers. However, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.15) in glucose, insulin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), concentrations regardless of treatment. Additionally, calf performance and feed efficiency were not different (P ≥ 0.17) between treatments except ADG from d 28 – 42, which was greater (P = 0.03) for CON steers. In summary, additional injectable trace mineral supplementation in developing beef heifers resulted in varied reproductive responses even when provided adequate trace mineral. Supplementing an injectable trace mineral during heifer development and gestation did result in increased cow milk production. However, there was no effect on overall cow pregnancy rates or pre-weaning calf health or performance. Additionally, maternal supplementation resulted in altered body temperature and LBP production in subsequent calves when exposed to an inflammatory challenge. Due to the difficulty of assessing trace mineral status of an entire herd, supplementing trace minerals through an injection may be a viable way to ensure a consistent, adequate trace mineral supply to heifers for optimal development, reproductive success, and subsequent offspring performance. While mineral status and reproductive responses across these experiments were variable, it is important to note that injectable trace minerals do not appear to incur any negative impacts on beef heifer reproductive success or subsequent calf performance

Effects of Increased Inclusion of Algae Meal on Finishing Steer Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Algae meal is a novel feedstuff comprised of partially deoiled microalgae (43% DM basis) and soyhulls (57% DM basis). It appears algae meal may have a lesser energy value than corn. However, algae meal is readily consumed by steers and has minimal effects on carcass performance. This suggests that algae meal could potentially serve as a replacement for corn and a valuable component of feedlot diets

Effects of Original XPC on Newly Weaned Beef Steer Growth Performance and Antioxidant Defense

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of increasing inclusions of Diamond V Original XPC, a yeast fermentation product, on newly weaned beef steer performance and antioxidant defense. There was no effect of Original XPC on growth performance in the current study; however, blood measures indicated greater antioxidant capacity and lesser oxidative stress for steers fed XPC at 14 g/d. Further research is needed to better understand how oxidative stress impacts animal performance and health as well as the optimum supplementation dose of XPC for newly received beef cattle

Effects of Increased Inclusion of Algae Meal on Lamb Total Tract Digestibility

Algae meal is a novel coproduct created by the unique combination of soybean hulls and oil-extracted heterotrophic micro algae. Algae meal is highly digestible by ruminants and was readily consumed by lambs when included at up to 60% of the diet dry matter. This suggests that algae meal could potentially replace corn or soybean hulls and serve as a valuable component of feedlot diets