CD28- cells are increased in early rheumatoid arthritis and are linked with cytomegalovirus status

Objective: CD3+CD8+CD28− cells are higher in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess CD3+CD8+CD28− cells in patients with early RA and assess the effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity. Method: In this prospective observation study, 50 RA patients were recruited from Cardiff University Hospital of Wales (UHW) rheumatology outpatient, 25 patients with early disease (disease duration 0–6 months) and 25 patients with established disease (>2 years). These were compared with 25 healthy controls. Clinical and serological markers of inflammation were noted, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. Results: The percentage of the CD8+CD28− T cells was increased in RA patients and was associated with disease duration. The percentage of CD8+CD28− T cells was increased in CMV positive early and established RA grouped and early RA patients in comparison to CMV negative patients (p < 0.05). There is a weak but statistically significant correlation between the percentage of CD3+CD8+CD28− cells and CRP in CMV positive RA patients (r = 0.227, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The percentage of CD8+CD28− T cells is higher in RA patients and correlates with disease duration, highlighting a potential role early in the disease process. These cells were also higher in CMV positive early RA patients which may suggest a role of CMV in disease development

Mathematically gifted and talented learners: Theory and practice

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 40(2), 213-228, 2009, copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00207390802566907.There is growing recognition of the special needs of mathematically gifted learners. This article reviews policy developments and current research and theory on giftedness in mathematics. It includes a discussion of the nature of mathematical ability as well as the factors that make up giftedness in mathematics. The article is set in the context of current developments in Mathematics Education and Gifted Education in the UK and their implications for Science and Technology. It argues that early identification and appropriate provision for younger mathematically promising pupils capitalizes on an intellectual resource which could provide future mathematicans as well as specialists in Science or Technology. Drawing on a Vygotskian framework, it is suggested that the mathematically gifted require appropriate cognitive challenges as well as attitudinally and motivationally enhancing experiences. In the second half of this article we report on an initiative in which we worked with teachers to identify mathematically gifted pupils and to provide effective enrichment support for them, in a number of London Local Authorities. A number of significant issues are raised relating to the identification of mathematical talent, enrichment provision for students and teachers’ professional development

Decline of Monarch Butterflies Overwintering in Mexico- Is the Migratory Phenomenon at Risk?

1.During the 2009-2010 overwintering season and following a 15-year downward trend, the total area in Mexico occupied by the eastern North American population of overwintering monarch butterflies reached an all-time low. Despite an increase, it remained low in 2010-2011. 2. Although the data set is small, the decline in abundance is statistically significant using both linear and exponential regression models. 3. Three factors appear to have contributed to reduce monarch abundance: degradation of the forest in the overwintering areas; the loss of breeding habitat in the United States due to the expansion ofGM herbicide-resistant crops, with consequent loss of milkweed host plants, as well as continued land development; and severe weather. 4. This decline calls into question the long-term survival of the monarchs' migratory phenomeno

Hydrogeological Characterization of the South Oyster Bacterial Transport Site Using Geophysical Data

A multidisciplinary research team has conducted a field-scale bacterial transport study within an uncontaminated sandy Pleistocene aquifer near Oyster, Virginia. The overall goal of the project was to evaluate the importance of heterogeneities in controlling the field-scale transport of bacteria that are injected into the ground for remediation purposes. Geochemical, hydrological, geological, and geophysical data were collected to characterize the site prior to conducting chemical and bacterial injection experiments. In this paper we focus on results of a hydrogeological characterization effort using geophysical data collected across a range of spatial scales. The geophysical data employed include surface ground-penetrating radar, radar cross-hole tomography, seismic cross-hole tomography, cone penetrometer, and borehole electromagnetic flowmeter. These data were used to interpret the subregional and local stratigraphy, to provide high-resolution hydraulic conductivity estimates, and to provide information about the log conductivity spatial correlation function. The information from geophysical data was used to guide and assist the field operations and to constrain the numerical bacterial transport model. Although more field work of this nature is necessary to validate the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of including geophysical data in the characterization effort, qualitative and quantitative comparisons between tomographically obtained flow and transport parameter estimates with hydraulic well bore and bromide breakthrough measurements suggest that geophysical data can provide valuable, high-resolution information. This information, traditionally only partially obtainable by performing extensive and intrusive well bore sampling, may help to reduce the ambiguity associated with hydrogeological heterogeneity that is often encountered when interpreting field-scale bacterial transport data

Inhibition of CCL3 abrogated precursor cell fusion and bone erosions in human osteoclast cultures and murine collagen-induced arthritis

Objective Macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (CCL3) is a chemokine that regulates macrophage trafficking to the inflamed joint. The agonistic effect of CCL3 on osteolytic lesions in patients with multiple myeloma is recognized; however, its role in skeletal damage during inflammatory arthritis has not been established. The aim of the study was to explore the role of osteoclast-associated CCL3 upon bone resorption, and to test its pharmacological blockade for protecting against bone pathology during inflammatory arthritis. Methods CCL3 production was studied during osteoclast differentiation from osteoclast precursor cells: human CD14-positive mononuclear cells. Mice with CIA were treated with an anti-CCL3 antibody. The effect of CCL3 blockade through mAb was studied through osteoclast number, cytokine production and bone resorption on ivory disks, and in vivo through CIA progression (clinical score, paw diameter, synovial inflammation and bone damage). Results Over time, CCL3 increased in parallel with the number of osteoclasts in culture. Anti-CCL3 treatment achieved a concentration-dependent inhibition of osteoclast fusion and reduced pit formation on ivory disks (P ⩽ 0.05). In CIA, anti-CCL3 treatment reduced joint damage and significantly decreased multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts and erosions in the wrists (P < 0.05) and elbows (P < 0.05), while also reducing joint erosions in the hind (P < 0.01) and fore paws (P < 0.01) as confirmed by X-ray. Conclusion Inhibition of osteoclast-associated CCL3 reduced osteoclast formation and function whilst attenuating arthritis-associated bone loss and controlling development of erosion in murine joints, thus uncoupling bone damage from inflammation. Our findings may help future innovations for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory arthritis

Fossil Chiroptera in Jamaica

29 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-29)."The foregoing account has, in terms of described forms, not added any radical novelties to the West Indian faunal picture. Tonatia saurophila occurs as a Jamaican endemic, the genus being unknown elsewhere in the Antilles, and is quite comparable to the Jamaican Oryzomys. The discovery of Brachyphylla and Natalus on Jamaica and the rediscovery of the phyllonycterine Reithronycteris round out a distributional pattern otherwise anomalous. Very interesting are the hints presented by the fossil material of faunal replacement, of successive invasions, and successive extinctions. The validity of this conception probably extends beyond the chiropteran order, but additional evidence is needed to translate the suggested picture into concrete terms not alone for Jamaica but for the other Antilles"--P. 27