Using Chaos in Articulating the Relationship of God and Creation in God\u27s Creative Activity

Out of dialogue with Old Testament studies and the sciences, there has been a rise in recent years in the use of chaos language by theologians in their articulation of a theology of creation. There has been little uniformity in how the word is used among the fields, or even within some fields—especially by biblical scholars doing ancient Near East comparative studies. Under the umbrella of this popular terminology, some ideas have found refuge whose theological implications warrant evaluation. Within this dissertation the range of ideas that fall under chaos within the physical sciences, Old Testament studies, and theology is identified and evaluated. However, the more focused evaluation is on the appropriateness of the choice to apply the term to particular circumstances, whether that is entropy or unpredictability in science or the tohu wabohu and tehom of Genesis 1:2 in biblical studies. Choosing the term chaos as a label reflects an interpretation of the data and shapes subsequent thinking and speaking about the data. As much as reflect the world (the facts), it construes a world/worldview in which scholars work in their fields. The implications of the ideas that have been developed under chaos are evaluated herein, but it is the initial application of the term to the data that is the root issue which receives the greater focus. After critiquing the current uses of chaos in the physical sciences, in interpretations of Genesis 1 by scholars such as Jon D. Levenson, and in the creation theologies of contemporary theologians like Catherine Keller, an alternative grammar of creatio ex nihilo and God\u27s relationship to creation is proposed. This framework builds upon the pneumatology of Lyle Dabney—in which he develops the language of possibility and the Spirit operating trans –creation—by developing the idea of the Word operating transcarnate to creation. It is within this framework that it is suggested that chaos be used as a label for circumstances where any part of creation expresses itself discordantly with God and neighbor, both with whom God makes possible for it to participate in loving community

Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to Metastatic Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare malignancy of the upper airways and anterior skull base that carries a poor prognosis. The tumor is known to be invasive into the surrounding structures of the skull base and brain. To date, there is only one existing case report documenting drop metastasis to the intradural extramedullary spinal cord. To the best of our knowledge, we present the second case of metastatic SNUC to the spine. This report describes a 59-year-old male with a history of head and neck SNUC who presented with thoracic back pain and bilateral lower extremity paresis. Neuroimaging demonstrated an extradural thoracic mass with severe spinal cord compression. The patient underwent thoracic laminectomy and fusion for decompression of the spinal cord and internal stabilization. The pathology returned as SNUC. The patient was subsequently lost to follow-up from our institution. Metastatic SNUC is rare. We discuss the relevant clinical imaging and review the literature. Such a malignancy portends a very poor prognosis

Chronicles of hypoxia: Time-series buoy observations reveal annually recurring seasonal basin-wide hypoxia in Muskegon Lake – A Great Lakes estuary

We chronicled the seasonally recurring hypolimnetic hypoxia in Muskegon Lake – a Great Lakes estuary over 3 years, and examined its causes and consequences. Muskegon Lake is a mesotrophic drowned river mouth that drains Michigan\u27s 2nd largest watershed into Lake Michigan. A buoy observatory tracked ecosystem changes in the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern (AOC), gathering vital time-series data on the lake\u27s water quality from early summer through late fall from 2011 to 2013 (www.gvsu.edu/buoy). Observatory-based measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO) tracked the gradual development, intensification and breakdown of hypoxia (mild hypoxia b4 mg DO/L, and severe hypoxia b2 mg DO/L) below the ~6 m thermocline in the lake, occurring in synchrony with changes in temperature and phytoplankton biomass in the water column during July–October. Time-series data suggest that proximal causes of the observed seasonal hypolimnetic DO dynamics are stratified summer water-column, reduced wind-driven mixing, longer summer residence time, episodic intrusions of cold DO-rich nearshore Lake Michigan water, nutrient run off from watershed, and phytoplankton blooms. Additional basin-wide water-column profiling (2011–2012) and ship-based seasonal surveys (2003–2013) confirmed that bottom water hypoxia is an annually recurring lake-wide condition. Volumetric hypolimnetic oxygen demand was high (0.07–0.15 mg DO/Liter/day) and comparable to other temperate eutrophic lakes. Over 3 years of intense monitoring, ~9–24% of Muskegon Lake\u27s volume experienced hypoxia for ~29–85 days/year – with the potential for hypolimnetic habitat degradation and sediment phosphorus release leading to further eutrophication. Thus, time-series observatories can provide penetrating insights into the inner workings of ecosystems and their external drivers

Histoplasmosis infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 1998-2009

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for infections related to both the disease and its treatments. These include uncommonly reported infections due to histoplasmosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Medical record review of all patients with a diagnosis of RA who developed new histoplasmosis infection in an endemic region between Jan 1, 1998 and Jan 30, 2009 and who were seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Histoplasmosis was diagnosed in 26 patients. Most patients were on combination therapies; 15 were on anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents, 15 on corticosteroids and 16 on methotrexate. Most received more than 6 months of itraconazole and/or amphotericin treatment. Two patients died of causes unrelated to histoplasmosis. Anti-TNF treatment was restarted in 4/15 patients, with recurrence of histoplasmosis in one.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this largest single center series of patients with RA and histoplasmosis in the era of immunomodulatory therapy, we found that most patients had longstanding disease and were on multiple immunomodulatory agents. Most cases were pulmonary; typical signs and symptoms of disease were frequently lacking.</p

Rapamycin Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Relationships in Osteosarcoma: A Comparative Oncology Study in Dogs

Signaling through the mTOR pathway contributes to growth, progression and chemoresistance of several cancers. Accordingly, inhibitors have been developed as potentially valuable therapeutics. Their optimal development requires consideration of dose, regimen, biomarkers and a rationale for their use in combination with other agents. Using the infrastructure of the Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium many of these complex questions were asked within a relevant population of dogs with osteosarcoma to inform the development of mTOR inhibitors for future use in pediatric osteosarcoma patients.This prospective dose escalation study of a parenteral formulation of rapamycin sought to define a safe, pharmacokinetically relevant, and pharmacodynamically active dose of rapamycin in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma. Dogs entered into dose cohorts consisting of 3 dogs/cohort. Dogs underwent a pre-treatment tumor biopsy and collection of baseline PBMC. Dogs received a single intramuscular dose of rapamycin and underwent 48-hour whole blood pharmacokinetic sampling. Additionally, daily intramuscular doses of rapamycin were administered for 7 days with blood rapamycin trough levels collected on Day 8, 9 and 15. At Day 8 post-treatment collection of tumor and PBMC were obtained. No maximally tolerated dose of rapamycin was attained through escalation to the maximal planned dose of 0.08 mg/kg (2.5 mg/30 kg dog). Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a dose-dependent exposure. In all cohorts modulation of the mTOR pathway in tumor and PBMC (pS6RP/S6RP) was demonstrated. No change in pAKT/AKT was seen in tumor samples following rapamycin therapy.Rapamycin may be safely administered to dogs and can yield therapeutic exposures. Modulation pS6RP/S6RP in tumor tissue and PBMCs was not dependent on dose. Results from this study confirm that the dog may be included in the translational development of rapamycin and potentially other mTOR inhibitors. Ongoing studies of rapamycin in dogs will define optimal schedules for their use in cancer and evaluate the role of rapamycin use in the setting of minimal residual disease

FLT3 mutations in canine acute lymphocytic leukemia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a commonly mutated protein in a variety of human acute leukemias. Mutations leading to constitutively active FLT3, including internal tandem duplications of the juxtamembrane domain (ITD), result in continuous cellular proliferation, resistance to apoptotic cell death, and a poorer prognosis. A better understanding of the molecular consequences of FLT3 activation would allow improved therapeutic strategies in these patients. Canine lymphoproliferative diseases, including lymphoma and acute leukemias, share evolutionarily conserved chromosomal aberrations and exhibit conserved mutations within key oncogenes when compared to their human counterparts. A small percentage of canine acute lymphocytic leukemias (ALL) also exhibit <it>FLT3 </it>ITD mutations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We molecularly characterized <it>FLT3 </it>mutations in two dogs and one cell line, by DNA sequencing, gene expression analysis via quantitative real-time PCR, and sensitivity to the FLT3 inhibitor lestaurtinib via <it>in vitro </it>proliferation assays. FLT 3 and downstream mediators of FLT3 activation were assessed by Western blotting.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The canine B-cell leukemia cell line, GL-1, and neoplastic cells from 2/7 dogs diagnosed cytologically with ALL were found to have <it>FLT3 </it>ITD mutations and <it>FLT3 </it>mRNA up-regulation. Lestaurtinib, a small molecule FLT3 inhibitor, significantly inhibited the growth of GL-1 cells, while not affecting the growth of two other canine lymphoid cell lines without the <it>FLT3 </it>mutation. Finally, western blots were used to confirm the conserved downstream mediators of <it>FLT3 </it>activating mutations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results show that ALL and FLT3 biology is conserved between canine and human patients, supporting the notion that canine ALL, in conjunction with the GL-1 cell line, will be useful in the development of a relevant large animal model to aid in the study of human FLT3 mutant leukemias.</p

The legacies of coercion and the challenges of contingency: Mozambican unions in difficult times

Although insecure work may be found everywhere, the general lack of secure work in emerging economies is a particularly striking feature of the contemporary condition, undermining the continued viability of the labour movement in such countries. Yet, this topic is rarely tackled directly in African studies or business history journals. The two key questions addressed in this paper are, first, to what extent does the labour movement’s past define their present and future, and second, what are the challenges and opportunities affecting their ability to mobilise workers, influence government and effectively tackle employment security? This article details how in Mozambique, unions’ ability to mobilise has been affected by: the post-colonial, post-conflict and post-socialist historical context; the resulting legacies of regional and racial discrimination; international imperatives for liberalisation and privatisation; challenging relationships with the country’s African neighbours; and high levels of informal sector work. In order to remain viable, key imperatives include: effectively influencing national government, engaging internationally and working with organisations representing informal sector workers

Reconstructing plant invasions using historical aerial imagery and pollen core analysis: T ypha in the L aurentian G reat L akes

Aim Determining the spatial‐temporal spread of an invasive plant is vital for understanding long‐term impacts. However, invasions have rarely been directly documented given the resources required and the need for substantial foresight. One method widely used is historical photography interpretation, but this can be hard to verify. We attempt to improve this method by linking historical aerial photos to a paleobotanical analysis of pollen cores. Location Laurentian G reat L akes coastal wetlands, U nited S tates of A merica. Methods We chose invasive cattail ( T ypha ) as our model species because it is identifiable from aerial imagery and has persistent, identifiable pollen, and its ecological impacts appear to be time‐dependent. We used G eographic I nformation S ystems, aerial photo‐interpretation and field verification to post‐dict the invasion history of T ypha in several wetland ecosystems. Using 210 P b and 137 C s sediment dating and pollen classification, we correlated the temporal dominance of T ypha to our estimates of per cent coverage at one site. The pollen record was then used to estimate the T ypha invasion dynamics for dates earlier than those for which aerial photos were available. Results Typha spread through time in all study wetlands. Typha pollen dominance increased through time corresponding with increased spatial dominance. Hybrid cattail, T .  ×  glauca increased in pollen abundance relative to T . angustifolia pollen through time. Main conclusions This study illustrates the value of generating historical invasion maps with publically available aerial imagery and linking these maps with paleobotanical data to study recent (< 100 years) invasions. We determined rates of T ypha expansion in two coastal wetland types, validated our mapping methods and modelled the relationship between pollen abundance and wetland coverage, enhancing the temporal precision and breadth of analyses. Our methodology should be replicable with similar invasive plant species. The combination of pollen records and historical photography promises to be a valuable additional tool for determining invasion dynamics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94878/1/ddi929.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94878/2/ddi929-sup-0001-FigureS1.pd

Comparative Upper Respiratory Tract Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals a Potential Role of Early Activation of Interferon Pathway in Severe COVID-19

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to cause mild to acute respiratory infection and sometimes progress towards respiratory failure and death. The mechanisms driving the progression of the disease and accumulation of high viral load in the lungs without initial symptoms remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated the upper respiratory tract host transcriptional response in COVID-19 patients with mild to severe symptoms and compared it with the control COVID-19 negative group using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq). Our results reveal an upregulated early type I interferon response in severe COVID-19 patients as compared to mild or negative COVID-19 patients. Moreover, severely symptomatic patients have pronounced induction of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), particularly the oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) family of genes. Our results are in concurrence with other studies depicting the early induction of IFN-I response in severe COVID-19 patients, providing novel insights about the ISGs involved