A STUDY ON ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF AND SELECTED GENE EXPRESSION IN AMBLYOMMA AMERICANUM: AN INSIGHT INTO THE ALPHA-GALACTOSE ALLERGY CAUSED BY TICK BITES

Ticks transmit a wide variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminthes to vertebrates. Their life cycle depends on blood meals from various hosts as well as on environmental conditions such as the temperature and habitat type. A newly recognized allergic disease has been identified and is characterized by a delayed reaction following the consumption of some mammalian meats. The allergy often results in life threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis, hives, and breathing problems 3-6 hours after the consumption of mammalian meat. Not everyone develops the allergy when they are bitten by a lone star tick, and the cause of the reaction is yet to be known. The goal of the present study was to assess the differential gene expression of target genes in two different species of Lonestar ticks. Ticks were collected during May-September in 2019 from various locations in southeast and northeast Kansas using the flag-drag method. Adults and nymphs were sexed and identified using taxonomic key, and for a subset the identity was confirmed by PCR. Further study focused on Amblyomma americanum and A. maculatum. RNA was extracted from midgut and salivary gland content using Trizol® based technique. The cDNA was prepared and samples were tested by qPCR using selected primer sets for alpha-gal synthesis gene families, vasodilation/vasoconstriction genes, innate immune response genes, and blood coagulation genes. The data obtained in this study would help in understanding the relative gene expression among males and females of two different species of Amblyomma and how this difference could account for the development of alpha-gal allergy after tick bites

Comparison between a standard manual and automated analysis of accelerometer data and the effect methodical decisions have on accelerometer output

Background: The impact of accelerometer methodological decisions relating to the assessment of physical activity and sedentary time has not been conclusively determined in young children. With increasing numbers of large scale studies measuring physical activity, it is essential to have a validated method of analysis capable of analysing multiple files at any one time. Objectives: To describe and compare a standard method of analysis with an automated method of analysis of accelerometer data for use in large scale epidemiological studies. The automated approach also provides investigators with a powerful tool to effectively assess the effects of different decisions/choices on the classification of physical activity and sedentary behaviour by determining 1) the effects of epoch and cut-points on the assessment of physical activity and sedentary time, 2) how to define non wear time and, 3) accelerometer wear time required to achieve reliable accelerometer data in children. Design: The physical activity levels of 86 children aged 4-10 were measured as part of a larger European study. Children were recruited from centres at Ghent, Glasgow, Gothenburg and Zaragoza. Methods: Physical activity was assessed for 1 week in 86 children (41 female, 45 male; mean age 7±2 years) by uni-axial accelerometry. The epoch was set at 15 s and re-integrated to 30 s and 60 s. Time spent in sedentary and moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed using Pate, Puyau, Reilly and Sirard cut points. Non wear time of accelerometer was defined by removal by the 10-, 20-, 30- and 60-mins of consecutive zeros. Results: There was excellent agreement between the automated method of analysis and accelerometer outputs generated by the standard manual method of analysis. The Reilly cut3 points (<1100 counts/min) indicated less sedentary time per day when comparing 15 s vs. 30 s and 15 s vs. 60 s epochs: 570±91 min vs. 579±93 min and 570±91 min vs. 579±94, respectively; P420 counts/15 s) reported more MVPA time per day compared to Sirard (890 counts/15 s) and Puyau cut-points (>3200 counts/min) using 15 s epoch: 88 (4-197) mins (median (range) vs. 18 (1-80) mins and 24 (1-100) mins, respectively; P<0.001). Compliance with guidelines of at least 60 mins MVPA was 83%, 77% and 72% for Pate cut-points using 15 s, 30 s and 60 s epoch, respectively but 0% for Sirard and Puyau cutpoints across epochs. The number of days required to achieve 80% reliability for counts per minute (CPM), sedentary and MVPA time was 7.4 – 8.5 days. Conclusion: An automated method of analysis of accelerometer data has successfully compared with manual analysis and should be recommended for use in large scale epidemiological studies. Choice of epoch and cut-points significantly influenced the classification of sedentary and MVPA time and observed compliance to MVPA guidelines, emphasising the need to standardise accelerometer data reduction methods. In order to accurately measure and asses physical activity levels of a population, a uniform analysis must be generated to be able to compare physical activity across populations

Sprinting for creative economy growth – a case study of a business planning and rapid prototyping toolkit for the Brazilian creative economy sector

This article reflects on the development of a creative economy training product and toolkit developed by Coventry University with SEBRAE (the Brasilian Micro and Small Business Support Service) and funded by British Council. It was devised following two weeks creative economy scoping visits in autumn 2017 in Brasil. The scoping visits identified the need for a fun and “disruptive” business planning experience leading to rapid prototyping which would allow new creative economy ideas to be brought to market at low development cost – “Sprint”. A one day micro Sprint was tested in four locations in Brazil to excellent feedback in late 2017. The client subsequently requested a three day version of the methodology to invest more time in the cultural change of the creative entrepreneur and the development of an associated toolkit. However, this Sprint has subsequently also been rolled out in a super condensed 3 hour version piloting in 2019 and 2020 in Ukraine through British Council Creative Spark programmes. The toolkit offers skills and techniques to train creative entrepreneurs and their mentors in enabling the growth of the creative economy in their communities. This paper predominantly focuses on the implementation of the client commissioned three day Sprint

Animal Behaviour: Strategic Signalling by Cephalopods

SummaryCuttlefish are masters of disguise, rapidly changing colour to blend with their backgrounds. A new study shows that they break camouflage to direct warning messages at certain predators, but only those likely to be dissuaded by visual signals

Emotional Encounters in Health Care: An investigation into the experiences of health visitors when working across cultures

Background: A substantial body of research evidence suggests that inequalities in health linked to ethnicity exist. Health professionals are expected to deliver a high standard of culturally appropriate care and yet problems persist. This research explores the opportunities and barriers experienced by health visitors in the North East of England when working with clients who are from another culture. Methodology: Grounded Theory methodology was used and 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with practicing health visitors between May 2008 and September 2009. All participants described themselves as white. Findings: When health visitors talk about their work iwth people from cultures they identify as different to their own, there are three areas which are important to them. First, in relation to relationship building; second, a metaphorical 'cross cultural terrain'; and finally, and most importantly, in managing emotions. The complex ways in which these three areas intersect with each other is what shapes professional engagement across cultures. Conclusion: Emotions have the power to shape professional practice in health care, influencing (dis)engagement with clients across cultures. The ways in which this happens has implications for practice, theory and education

Emotional encounters in health care: an investigation into the experiences of health visitors when working across cultures

Background: A substantial body of research evidence suggests that inequalities in health linked to ethnicity exist. People from minority ethnic groups suffer discrimination and have poorer access to health care services, however, the influence of health professionals in relation to these health inequalities is under researched. Health professionals are expected to deliver a high standard of culturally appropriate health care to a diverse, changing and complex population. Educational packages in the area of cultural care have flourished, but there is a paucity of research that seeks to explore the experience of health professionals themselves. This research explores the opportunities and barriers experienced by health visitors in the North East of England when working with clients who are from another culture. The findings from the study are developed into a substantial theory which conceptualises this work. Methodology: Grounded Theory methodology was used and 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with practicing health visitors in the North East of England between May 2008 and September 2009. All participants described themselves as white. Findings and conceptual theory: When health visitors talk about their work with people from cultures they identify as different to their own, there are three areas which are important to them. These are, first, in 4 relation to relationship building; second, a metaphorical ‘cross cultural terrain’; and finally, and most importantly, in managing emotions. The complex ways in which these three areas intersect with each other is what shapes professional engagement across cultures. The theory ‘emotional encounters through cross cultural terrain: shaping relational journeys through culture’ was developed to conceptualise this work. Conclusion: Emotions have the power to shape professional practice in health care, influencing (dis)engagement with clients across cultures. The ways in which this happens have implications for practice, theory and education