Conditions that influence production of Anionic Peptide in ruminant epithelium

Anionic Peptide (AP) is a small zymogen fragment that has antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as other microbes. AP was Originally isolated from pulmonary surfactant from sheep and was later identified in lung tissue of sheep and humans. In this dissertation, we tested the hypothesis that AP production is constitutive in epithelial cells of all ages (fetal to adult) of domestic ruminants (sheep and cattle);Chapter 1 consists of a literature review of the recently described antimicrobial peptides including cationic peptides such as alpha and beta-defensins, cathelicidins, and Anionic Peptide. Chapter 2 reports the presence of AP in bovine lung tissue, as detected by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. In this study, we also determined that AP production is not increased in foci of acute (four hours duration) pneumonia. In Chapter 3, we also assessed the pattern of AP production in fetal, neonatal, and adult respiratory tissues. Fetal respiratory epithelium (tracheal, bronchial, bronchiolar) was much more intensely immunoreactive than tissues from neonatal and adult cattle. In addition, in Chapter 3 we surveyed non-pulmonary, non-inflamed mucosal sites in the bovine for AP production. AP is produced in the inner root sheath epithelium of the hair follicle, epithelium of the gall bladder, and uterine endometrium. AP is not produced in stratified squamous epithelium (skin, cheek, tongue, esophagus), gastrointestinal epithelium, or transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder. Thus, AP is not produced at all sites of interface between the body and microbial flora. In Chapter 4, AP production was compared between acute, subacute, and chronic lesions of pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep. As described previously, there is no increase in AP production in foci of acute, suppurative bronchopneumonia. However, in subacute and chronic lesions that have bronchiolar hyperplasia, there is moderate to marked increases in AP production in the hyperplastic epithelium;In this dissertation, we have shown that AP is produced in the bovine respiratory tract and is at maximal production (or concentration) in immature or hyperplastic epithelium. Furthermore, we have shown that increased AP production is independent of damage to a mature epithelial cell, and likely constitutive

Identifying unmet training needs for postgraduate research students in the biomedical sciences through audit of examiners' reports

Aim/Purpose: Understanding the educational needs of postgraduate research candidates (PGRs) is essential to facilitate development, support attainment, and maintain graduate quality. Background: The production and effective defence of the research thesis are the summative assessment tools used in postgraduate research education. Examiners’ reports provide a rich source of feedback and indicate the gap between the candidate’s level of performance and that expected for the award. This provides a lens through which to view the unmet training needs of PGR cohorts. Methodology: Following a review of all examiner reports for PGR assessments held over a 12 month period, we explored the quantitative and qualitative dimension data in context in order to identify common training needs for our PGR students. Utilising this theoretical framework and standard thematic analysis, we identified recurring themes and were able to determine key areas for future focus. Contribution: This study utilises independent comment from postgraduate research candidate thesis and oral examination assessment to identify unmet core research training needs. Findings: We recognised seven key areas identified by the examiners for improvement: i) quality of scientific writing, ii) general presentation of thesis, iii) statistics /data analysis, iv) understanding / critical appraisal, v) experimental design, vi) English language and vii) supervision. Academic literacy and numeracy stood out as key areas for future training focus. The results highlight areas for future focus in educational provision and targeted training for PGRs undertaking biomedical and life sciences research within our faculty. Recommendations for Practitioners: Evaluation of postgraduate research programmes should include feedback from a variety of sources and not rely solely on employability and completion rates as measures of success. The examination committees are an important source of feedback on the individual and the programme with regard to attainment of core research skills. Recommendation for Researchers: Regular and wide reaching evaluation of postgraduate research programmes and support available is required to ensure the sector can meet the changing needs of our PGR cohorts. Impact on Society: Doctoral graduates are entering increasingly diverse employment fields. Ensuring the quality of graduates and supporting their journey through candidature ensures the greatest value for society once in the work place. Future Research: This study highlights unmet training needs of PGRs as identified by an inde-pendent expert. The impact of engagement with training and the importance of prior experience are not explored in this study, nor is the student perspective on the process. These will reveal additional dimensions to the evaluation process. </jats:p

A Scientist's Guide to Achieving Broader Impacts through K-12 STEM Collaboration.

The National Science Foundation and other funding agencies are increasingly requiring broader impacts in grant applications to encourage US scientists to contribute to science education and society. Concurrently, national science education standards are using more inquiry-based learning (IBL) to increase students' capacity for abstract, conceptual thinking applicable to real-world problems. Scientists are particularly well suited to engage in broader impacts via science inquiry outreach, because scientific research is inherently an inquiry-based process. We provide a practical guide to help scientists overcome obstacles that inhibit their engagement in K-12 IBL outreach and to attain the accrued benefits. Strategies to overcome these challenges include scaling outreach projects to the time available, building collaborations in which scientists' research overlaps with curriculum, employing backward planning to target specific learning objectives, encouraging scientists to share their passion, as well as their expertise with students, and transforming institutional incentives to support scientists engaging in educational outreach

Does a nonlinear mating preference predict nonlinear benefits to offspring?: Avoiding bad mates to obtain good genes

Abstract only availableFemale Hyla versicolor (gray tree frogs) strongly prefer choosing mates with long or medium call lengths, avoiding the shorter callers. The development of their offspring is hypothesized to mirror this nonlinear preference, in that the long and medium caller progeny will develop at a similar rate that is faster than that of the short callers. Using past data, twenty-seven males with long, medium, and short call lengths were chosen and mated (in vitro) with random field-caught females. Five hundred and forty tadpoles were raised in individual containers. The tadpoles were subjected to high and low food treatments to test an environmental effect on their development. At three weeks, the tadpoles were weighed. These data were compared for the offspring of the long, medium, and short father's call according to food treatment as well as tadpole growth according to food treatment. Both the long calling and the medium calling progeny developed at a faster rate then the short calling progeny, but at a similar rate compared to each other. Tadpoles subjected to high food treatments developed at a faster rate than the low food treatment tadpoles. The dates of metamorphosis will also be recorded and later compared in the future. As the tadpoles of shorter calling fathers develop at a slower rate than the longer calling progeny, they are more at risk for environmental dangers and predation before they undergo metamorphosis. By researching female choices regarding length of calls and its effect on offspring development, we can examine how natural selection affects the evolution of female mating behavior.NSF grant to A. Welc

Teachers’ Perceptions of Integrating Students withBehaviour Disorders: Challenges and Strategies

This study is a preliminary exploratory investigation into teachers’ perceptions of both the challenges involved in integrating children with behavioural problems and potential strategies that may be used to deal with those problems. There were two separate but related phases: Phase One was the creation of the Teachers’ Perceptions of Successful Integration (TPSI) survey; Phase Two was an initial test of the survey on 53 teachers. Based on Phase Two, results indicate that uncontrollable, dangerous behaviour and time demands placed on the teacher were the most challenging aspects of integrating this student group. Successful strategies included creating structured classrooms with positive atmospheres, having expectations that are known to the child, actively involving the child in the intervention program, establishing relationships of trust between students and teachers, and providing adequate teacher training in the area of behaviour disorders. Identifi ed unsuccessful strategies were yelling at the child and expulsion. Educational implications of the study are discussed

Unique Transcriptional Profile of Sustained Ligand-Activated Preconditioning in Pre- and Post-Ischemic Myocardium

BACKGROUND: Opioidergic SLP (sustained ligand-activated preconditioning) induced by 3–5 days of opioid receptor (OR) agonism induces persistent protection against ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in young and aged hearts, and is mechanistically distinct from conventional preconditioning responses. We thus applied unbiased gene-array interrogation to identify molecular effects of SLP in pre- and post-ischemic myocardium. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Male C57Bl/6 mice were implanted with 75 mg morphine or placebo pellets for 5 days. Resultant SLP did not modify cardiac function, and markedly reduced dysfunction and injury in perfused hearts subjected to 25 min ischemia/45 min reperfusion. Microarray analysis identified 14 up- and 86 down-regulated genes in normoxic hearts from SLP mice (≥1.3-fold change, FDR≤5%). Induced genes encoded sarcomeric/contractile proteins (Myh7, Mybpc3,Myom2,Des), natriuretic peptides (Nppa,Nppb) and stress-signaling elements (Csda,Ptgds). Highly repressed genes primarily encoded chemokines (Ccl2,Ccl4,Ccl7,Ccl9,Ccl13,Ccl3l3,Cxcl3), cytokines (Il1b,Il6,Tnf) and other proteins involved in inflammation/immunity (C3,Cd74,Cd83, Cd86,Hla-dbq1,Hla-drb1,Saa1,Selp,Serpina3), together with endoplasmic stress proteins (known: Dnajb1,Herpud1,Socs3; putative: Il6, Gadd45g,Rcan1) and transcriptional controllers (Egr2,Egr3, Fos,Hmox1,Nfkbid). Biological themes modified thus related to inflammation/immunity, together with cellular/cardiovascular movement and development. SLP also modified the transcriptional response to I-R (46 genes uniquely altered post-ischemia), which may influence later infarction/remodeling. This included up-regulated determinants of cellular resistance to oxidant (Mgst3,Gstm1,Gstm2) and other forms of stress (Xirp1,Ankrd1,Clu), and repression of stress-response genes (Hspa1a,Hspd1,Hsp90aa,Hsph1,Serpinh1) and Txnip. CONCLUSIONS: Protection via SLP is associated with transcriptional repression of inflammation/immunity, up-regulation of sarcomeric elements and natriuretic peptides, and modulation of cell stress, growth and development, while conventional protective molecules are unaltered

Land Disposal Restrictions and the Impact on Hazardous Waste Management Needs in North Carolina

This report presents an in-depth summary of the Land Disposal Restrictions, and an analysis of non-wastewater hazardous waste generation and off-site disposal methods in North Carolina. The purpose was to analyze the impact that the Land Disposal Restrictions would have on the need for incineration capacity, if any, for the State. It is important to realize that hazardous waste generation and management, both in the State and in the nation, are in a constant state of flux, and are subject to variables in reporting and in State and Federal regulations and policies. This report was based on the most recent information available, which was 1990. The next two chapters provide background material describing the details of the Land Disposal Restrictions. The intent was to present the regulations in a condensed and more easily understood format than the codified version. It is hoped that this summary will assist groups, such as the Commission or committees of the North Carolina General Assembly, who need a version of the regulation that can be easily understood. Chapter 4 briefly discusses incineration as a technology and as a treatment option. Chapter 5 presents an analysis of the generation and off-site management of wastes in North Carolina during 1990 as provided by the Hazardous Waste Section, and an analysis examining the potential impact of the Land Disposal Restrictions on the future of waste management in the State. The focus is on the potential need for greater incineration or fuel substitution capacity. The final chapter presents conclusions and recommendations based on this research. There are also six appendices. Appendix A presents details of the methodology used to calculate the effects of the Land Disposal Restrictions on North Carolina's need for greater incineration capacity. Appendices BE present detailed accounts of the hazardous waste codes that were used in the analysis presented in Chapter 5, and appendix F lists the wastes that were regulated by the Land Disposal Restrictions for which incineration was either a required treatment technology, or the concentration-based standard was based on incineration, but were not generated in North Carolina in 1990.Master of Science in Public Healt

Improved Efficacy of a Gene Optimised Adenovirus-based Vaccine for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Optimisation of genes has been shown to be beneficial for expression of proteins in a range of applications. Optimisation has increased protein expression levels through improved codon usage of the genes and an increase in levels of messenger RNA. We have applied this to an adenovirus (ad)-based vaccine encoding structural proteins (E3-E2-6K) of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Following administration of this vaccine to Balb/c mice, an approximately ten-fold increase in antibody response was elicited and increased protective efficacy compared to an ad-based vaccine containing non-optimised genes was observed after challenge.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study, in which the utility of optimising genes encoding the structural proteins of VEEV is demonstrated for the first time, informs us that including optimised genes in gene-based vaccines for VEEV is essential to obtain maximum immunogenicity and protective efficacy.</p

Effect of heat stress on sow fertility and health

Abstract only availableHigh summer temperatures increase the chance that sow herds will be exposed to heat stress. Heat stress in sows causes a longer weaning to estrus interval, decreased farrowing rates and failure to maintain pregnancy. Conception rates of sows are also particularly lower in the summer than any other breeding season. When sows are bred in the summer, they farrow smaller litters and the average piglet weaning weight is significantly smaller than other seasons. The purpose of this research project is to directly test the effect of heat stress on sow health and fertility at the South Farm Complex in coordination with the Animal Science Research Center (ASRC) at the University of Missouri. Thermal temperatures were taken at the ear, shoulder, rump, tail and rectum for a group of sixteen sows on alternating days for two months. Sow body weight, loin muscle area (LMA) and backfat (BF) measurements were taken at three specific points during the study: the first day of the trial, the day the sows were moved into farrowing, and the day sows were moved into breeding .Once parturition occurred, information regarding the number, health and weight of each piglet was recorded. The results from this project will be compared to a previous heat stress study performed at the Brody Environmental Center within the ASRC. The study concludes that heat stress affects the sow's reproductive efficiency and health, but when and where the elevated temperatures specifically affect each sow and her offspring will be further discussed.F.B. Miller Undergraduate Research Program in Animal Science