The changing role of cell culture in the generation of transgenic livestock

Transgenesis may allow the generation of farm animals with altered phenotype, animal models for research and animal bioreactors. Although such animals have been produced, the time and expense involved in generating transgenic livestock and then evaluating the transgene expression pattern is very restrictive. If questions about the ability and efficiency of expression could be asked solely in vitro rapid progress could be achieved. Unfortunately, experiments addressing transcriptional control in vitro have proved unreliable in their ability to indicate whether a transgene will be transcribed or not. However, initial studies suggest that cell culture may be able to predict in vivo post-transcriptional events. We review these issues and propose that strategies which engineer the transgene integration site could enhance the probability for efficient expression. This approach has now become feasible with the development of techniques allowing animals to be generated from somatic cells by nuclear transfer. The important step in this procedure is the use of cells grown in culture as the source of genetic information, allowing the selection of specific transgene integration events. This technology which has dramatically increased the potential use of transgenic livestock for both agricultural and biotechnological applications, is based on standard cell culture methodology. We are now at the start of a new era in large animal transgenics

Velocimetry with refractive index matching for complex flow configurations, phase 1

The feasibility of obtaining detailed velocity field measurements in large Reynolds number flow of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) main injector bowl was demonstrated using laser velocimetry and the developed refractive-index-matching technique. An experimental system to provide appropriate flow rates and temperature control of refractive-index-matching fluid was designed and tested. Test results are presented to establish the feasibility of obtaining accurate velocity measurements that map the entire field including the flow through the LOX post bundles: sample mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and spectral results are presented. The results indicate that a suitable fluid and control system is feasible for the representation of complex rocket-engine configurations and that measurements of velocity characteristics can be obtained without the optical access restrictions normally associated with laser velocimetry. The refractive-index-matching technique considered needs to be further developed and extended to represent other rocket-engine flows where current methods either cannot measure with adequate accuracy or they fail

Food Cultures: Growing Cooking Eating - An exploration of improving food practices in young men and older adults in Plymouth

Executive summary This project explored how food projects can influence food related skills and promote behaviour change in young men and older adults in Plymouth. Young men are known to have a low intake of fruit and vegetables (NDNS 2011) and many older people are vulnerable to poor nutrition (CWT 2004); currently there are relatively few food intervention projects targeting these two groups. In 2010 eight food projects in Plymouth were funded to take part in the ‘Food Cultures Project’, an innovative partnership between agencies and civic organisations from the public health, social care, youth and social enterprise sectors. An evaluative research framework was also developed to measure outcomes. This report outlines the methods and findings of this work and concludes by considering the implications and recommendations for further development. This report also explores the productive aspects of such “new partnership” working between health and higher education institutions and the growing social enterprise sector. A mixed methods approach was used: firstly a quantitative survey was designed for assessing, at baseline and endpoint, outcomes common to each project: i) food growing confidence and skills, ii) cooking confidence and skills and iii) eating practices (fruit and vegetable, cooking ‘from scratch’). Secondly, an endpoint qualitative survey captured the feelings and experiences emerging from the project participants. This report considers the combined findings of all eight projects, and also focuses in more detail on case studies of two of the projects. In summary, the participants (n=42) reported increases in all food growing activities, and a notable 36% decrease in ‘not doing any growing at all’. There was an increase (10%) in meals cooked ‘from scratch’ alongside a 34% decrease in convenience food consumption. Confidence in growing and cooking activities increased for all participants. There was an increase in the consumption of fruit (0.31) and vegetable (0.3) portions. Skills gained from participation included chopping vegetables, cooking, healthy eating, and team-working. Change was reported for healthy eating awareness and social connections. Generally, participants boosted their self-esteem. Participants enjoyed the ‘social health’ approach, e.g. going on trips out and activities which encouraged social interaction. There was no doubt that this innovative approach worked particularly well for the younger groups - there was evidence of improved personal growth (health, confidence, motivation, skills) and community development (teamwork, social connections and engagement). The older groups demonstrated similar trends, although social engagement was less apparent in the findings, suggesting a need to develop more appropriately tailored approaches for some older population groups

The use of epigenetic phenomena for the improvement of sheep and cattle

This review considers the evidence for inheritance across generations of epigenetic marks and how this phenomenon could be exploited in the cattle and sheep industries. Epigenetic marks are chemical changes in the chromosomes that affect the expression of genes and hence the phenotype of the cell and are passed on during mitosis so that the daughter cells have the same chemical changes or epigenetic marks as the parent cell. Although most epigenetic marks are wiped clean in the process of forming a new zygote, some epigenetic marks (epimutations) may be passed on from parent to offspring. The inheritance of epigenetic marks across generations is difficult to prove as there are usually alternative explanations possible. There are few well documented cases, mainly using inbred strains of mice. The epimutations are unstable and revert to wild type after a few generations. Although, there are no known cases in sheep or cattle, it is likely that inherited epimutations occur in these species but it is unlikely that they explain a large part of the inherited or genetic variation. There is limited evidence in mice and rats that an environmental treatment can cause a change in the epigenetic marks of an animal and that this change can be passed on the next generation. If inherited epimutations occur in sheep and cattle, they will already be utilized to some extent by existing genetic improvement programs. It would be possible to modify the statistical models used in the calculation of estimated breeding values to better recognize the variance controlled by epimutations, but it would probably have, at best, a small effect on the rate on genetic (inherited) gain achieved. Although not a genetic improvement, the inheritance of epigenetic marks caused by the environment experienced by the sire offers a new opportunity in sheep and cattle breeding. However, at present we do not know if this occurs or, if it does, what environmental treatment might have a beneficial effect

Urban-rural income transfers in Kenya: an estimated remittances function

This paper examines the phenomenon of urban-rural income transfers. The data was collected as part of the Nairobi Urban Study, which included questions on basic socio-economic variables as well as on income remittances. The sample was confined to African low and middle income areas. The data is analysed by regression analysis using variables of income remitted, income earned, wives and children both in and out of Nairobi and indices of the workers attachment to the urban versus his rural area. The results show that the amount that an individual transfers is systematically related to income and other socio-economic variables, and that the total transfer represents about a fifth of the urban wage bill. The final section discusses some of the implications of the findings, particularly the extent to which the welfare of urban and rural residents is interlinked; the importance of the number and closeness of relatives in the high wage sector, and the implications of the decline of the proportion of income remitted as wages rise

Cardiac Specific Gene Expression Changes in Long Term Culture of Murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Murine MSCs are a readily available source of adult stem cells enabling extensive in vitro study of this cell population. MSCs have been described as multipotent, and have been proven capable of differentiation into several connective tissue types. Furthermore some studies have suggested an ability to differentiate into non-connective tissue cell types such as the cardiomyocyte. The aim of this study was to differentiate murine MSCs toward cardiac lineage with the commonly used method of culture with 5’ Azacytidine. Critically, baseline analysis of gene expression of passage four MSCs demonstrated expression of key cardiac markers including cardiac troponin T and I, and the ryanodine receptor. Furthermore, expression analysis of these genes changed with time in culture and passage number. However, there was no significant alteration when cells were subjected to a differentiation protocol. This study therefore highlights the importance of analyzing baseline cells extensively, and indicates the limitations in extrapolating data for comparison between species. Furthermore this data brings into question the efficacy of cardiac differentiation using MSCs

Hampton Roads Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Resilience Intergovernmental Pilot Project. Phase 1 Report: Accomplishments and Lessons Learned

Executive Summary Initiated in June 2014, the Hampton Roads Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Resilience Intergovernmental Pilot Project (Intergovernmental Pilot Project or IPP) convened at Old Dominion University is an effort to use the knowledge skills and expertise of all regional stakeholders to create a framework or template for intergovernmental strategic planning that can be used outside the region; and, to implement that integrated strategy in Hampton Roads, Virginia creating an effective and efficient method for planning holistically for sea level rise and recurrent flooding. With active stakeholders from the Department of Defense, federal agencies and the White House as well as the Commonwealth of Virginia and many localities across Hampton Roads, Virginia, the IPP is truly a “whole of government” effort. Knowing water knows no jurisdictional bounds, that level of intergovernmental collaboration is necessary to develop integrated regional solutions and implement effective sea level rise preparedness and resilience strategies. Additionally, the wider community in Hampton Roads recognizes that they too will be affected by not only sea level rise itself, but also the adaptation strategies implemented in preparation. Thus, IPP stakeholders include representatives from private industry, infrastructure, non-profits, the real estate community, and vulnerable communities. Furthermore, while the IPP was conceived in Hampton Roads, the IPP recognizes that sea level rise affects the entire Commonwealth, and a successful ‘whole of government and community’ approach must eventually include regions beyond Hampton Roads and reach across the Coastal Virginia and the Commonwealth as a whole. Throughout the past year stakeholders have attended numerous IPP meetings and many supporting events, but they have also, through their own personal and professional lives driven the resilience conversation in Hampton Roads and beyond. The IPP is completely unfunded and exists not as an entity, but as an experiment, bringing together the community, and leveraging and building upon other initiatives from the Secure Commonwealth Panel’s Subcommittee on Sea Level Rise to Urban Land Institute’s Resilient Region Reality Checks to NOAA and NASA scientists. The first Phase of this two-Phase, two-year project came to completion during the summer of 2015 with a daylong leadership retreat. This report summarizes the stakeholder engagement and due-diligence process stakeholders undertook during Phase 1, but does not detail each meeting or event that took place. Phase 2 will continue to build on other initiatives and count on stakeholders to use these networks and knowledge to create an enduring entity, organization, or strategy to continue using economies of scale and the “whole of government and community” model for sea level rise preparedness and resilience in Hampton Roads and elsewhere

Geomagnetic Field Behavior at High Latitudes from a Paleomagnetic Record from Eltanin Core 27-21 in the Ross Sea Sector, Antarctica

We present a high-resolution paleomagnetic record from 682 discrete samples from Eltanin 27-21 (69.03°S 179.83°E), a 16-meter long piston core recovered in 1968 at a water depth of 3456 meters by the USNS Eltanin as part of Operation Deep Freeze. After removal of a low-coercivity overprint, most samples yield stable characteristic remanent magnetization directions. The downhole variation in the magnetic inclination provides a well-resolved magnetostratigraphy from the Brunhes Chron (0-0.78 Ma), through the Reunion Subchron (2.128-2.148 Ma), and into Chron C2r.2r. The sedimentation rates are sufficiently high that even short-term geomagnetic features, like the Cobb Mountain excursion, are resolved. The record from Eltanin 27-21 provides new insights into the behavior of the geomagnetic field at high latitudes, about which very little is currently known. Using the variability in the inclinations during stable polarity intervals, we estimate that the dispersion in the paleomagnetic pole position over the past ~2 Myr is 30.3°±4.3°, which is significantly greater than observed at low to mid latitude sites. The higher dispersion observed at Eltanin 27-21 is consistent with numerical modeling of the geodynamo. That modeling has shown that polar vortices can develop in the Earth’s core within the tangent cylinder, defined as the cylinder coaxial with the Earth’s rotation axis and tangent to the inner core/outer core boundary. The polar vortices produce vigorous fluid motion in the core, which creates greater geomagnetic field variability above the tangent cylinder at the surface of the Earth. The tangent cylinder intersects the Earth’s surface in the polar regions at 69.6° latitude, which is very close to the latitude of Eltanin 27-21