The Influence of pH Variation on CooA Activity

CooA, a CO-sensing heme protein, acts as a transcriptional activator of CO-metabolizing proteins in bacteria such as Rhodospirillum rubrum and Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans through sequence-specific DNA binding. Previous research indicated a reduced iron center and CO gas were necessary for CooA to achieve its active conformation and bind DNA. To determine if other reaction conditions facilitate CooA activation, the role of pH on CooA function was tested. Specifically, a fluorescence anisotropy assay was employed to measure possible Fe(III) CooA DNA binding from pH 3 - 12. Interestingly, CooA was observed to bind DNA without CO at acidic conditions, with optimal binding observed at pH ~3. These results are discussed in light of the normal CO-dependent activation mechanism of CooA proteins

Efficacy of an Adenoviral Vectored Multivalent Centralized Influenza Vaccine

Mice were immunized with Adenovirus expressing the H1-con, H2-con, H3-con and H5-con HA consensus genes in combination (multivalent) and compared to mice immunized with the traditional 2010–2011 FluZone and FluMist seasonal vaccines. Immunized mice were challenged with 10–100 MLD50 of H1N1, H3N1, H3N2 and H5N1 influenza viruses. The traditional vaccines induced robust levels of HA inhibition (HI) titers, but failed to protect against five different heterologous lethal influenza challenges. Conversely, the multivalent consensus vaccine (1 × 1010 virus particles (vp)/mouse) induced protective HI titers of ≥40 against 8 of 10 influenza viruses that represent a wide degree of divergence within the HA subtypes and protected 100% of mice from 8 of 9 lethal heterologous influenza virus challenges. The vaccine protection was dose dependent, in general, and a dose as low as 5 × 107 vp/ mouse still provided 100% survival against 7 of 9 lethal heterologous influenza challenges. These data indicate that very low doses of Adenovirus-vectored consensus vaccines induce superior levels of immunity against a wide divergence of influenza subtypes as compared to traditional vaccines. These doses are scalable and translatable to humans and may provide the foundation for complete and longlasting anti-influenza immunity

Low-intensity land use in grassland catchments: Effects on a large, oligotrophic lake

In southern New Zealand, many upland streams drain into large oligotrophic lakes surrounded by native grassland, low-intensity farming, and small urban centers. Little work has been undertaken to determine the impact low-intensity development has on nutrient dynamics and microbial activity in these large lake systems. Lake Wanaka, Central Otago, was chosen as a study site since the recent appearance of nuisance organic aggregates and changes in phytoplankton community structure suggest the lake is not in a steady state. Research undertaken for this project included intensive sampling of tributaries to the lake during different seasons and hydrological conditions, following the path of two tributaries out into the lake, and laboratory-based experiments. In the Wanaka catchment, pasture cover correlated positively with stream dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations. Nitrogen concentrations were not influenced by weather-related variables, but temperature and soil moisture mitigated the influence of pasture cover on surface water DOC concentration under very dry or wet conditions. Neither land use nor weather-related conditions correlated with total phosphorus (TP) or dissolved phosphorus (DRP) concentrations in streams, possibly reflecting good P-binding in soils, low-intensity agriculture in the catchment and/or lack of sampling during high flow events. Amending lake water with stream water in the laboratory did not influence the production of sticky polysaccharides (i.e. transparent exopolymer particles (TEP)), but enriching treatments with high concentrations of N and P increased TEP 1.7 to 9.3 times over unamended treatments. Phytoplankton cell numbers, diatom abundance, and chl a also increased in response to nutrient-enrichment, and organic aggregates were visible in nutrient-enriched treatments within 6 days. In the field, the intermixing depth of a main river inflow varied under stratified and un-stratified conditions, affecting where catchment-derived material was delivered in the Lake. Nutrient and DOC concentrations in the Matukituki River were within range of the Lake, and the river plume was capable of stimulating phytoplankton growth in nearshore waters. Despite similar bulk DOC concentrations, dissolved organic matter (DOM) character and lability differed between the River and the Lake. DOM from deep-sourced lake water contained more aromatic, refractory structures than shallower lake water or river water. The river had almost double the number of organic sulphur compounds than the lake, including potential sulfonates. The source of the S is unknown, but may be geologic in origin or reflect agricultural activity in the River catchment. In the laboratory, riverine bacterial communities could break down a diverse array of organic substances regardless of season, suggesting a consistent labile supply of DOM. In contrast, organic substrate use patterns in the lake were seasonal, and varied by depth. Lake water amended with Matukituki River water stimulated bacterial respiration and uptake of DOC and P, but did not affect bacterial productivity, which may reflect limitations of the experimental design. My results indicate low intensity land use in grassland catchments affects nutrient flux and microbial processes in Lake Wanaka. These data provide a foundation for future research on land development and microbial dynamics in similar large, oligotrophic lake systems

PREVALENCE RATE DIFFERENCES BASED ON HERDMATE COMPARISONS

A non-random survey of ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) seropositive prevalence rates among 16,827 sheep in 29 states in the United states revealed large breed differences, a higher prevalence rate among older sheep and an unexplainable female rate that was more that three times the male rate. The herdmate comparison procedure, successfully used in evaluating dairy bulls, was adapted to compare the prevalence of a breed to the rate of its herdmates within herds. Likewise, sex and age differences in OPP prevalence were compared within herds that contained animals of both sexes and several ages. Using herdmate comparisons, breed and age differences in OPP prevalence remained but the sex difference disappeared

The Image 1992

Glassboro State College yearbook for the Class of 1992; 160 pages. Contents: Images of 1991-1992 p. 1, Images of Seniors p. 19, Images of Activity p. 91, Images of Athletics p. 113, Faculty p. 136, What happened around us? p. 146, Image Staff p. 152.https://rdw.rowan.edu/yearbooks/1039/thumbnail.jp

Exploring the impact of pediatric short bowel syndrome on parent well‐being using a disease‐specific pilot survey

Background: Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) have complex care needs, most of which are met in the home by family caregivers who may experience a range of stressors unique to this experience. Prior research suggests that parents of children with SBS have poorer health‐related quality of life than peers parenting children without health needs, but the mechanisms shaping parent outcomes are understudied. Methods: A pilot survey was developed using a community‐driven research design to measure the impact of disease‐specific items on parent‐perceived well‐being. The cross‐sectional survey, which included both closed‐ended and open‐ended items, was distributed to a convenience sample of parents of children with SBS. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated for a mixed‐methods analysis of how individual items impacted parent well‐being. Results: Twenty parents completed the survey. Sleep interruptions, lack of support and resources, and psychological stressors and their mental health implications were more frequently reported as stressors than logistics related to caregiving (e.g., managing therapies and preparing specialized meals). Conclusion: The impact of a child\u27s SBS on parent well‐being may stem mainly from three interconnected domains: poor sleep and its consequences, lack of access to support and resources, and a range of psychological stressors that affect parent mental health. Understanding the mechanisms through which SBS shapes parent well‐being is a necessary first step for developing targeted interventions to support parents and provide family‐centered care

Exploring the impact of pediatric short bowel syndrome on parent well‐being using a disease‐specific pilot survey

Background: Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) have complex care needs, most of which are met in the home by family caregivers who may experience a range of stressors unique to this experience. Prior research suggests that parents of children with SBS have poorer health‐related quality of life than peers parenting children without health needs, but the mechanisms shaping parent outcomes are understudied. Methods: A pilot survey was developed using a community‐driven research design to measure the impact of disease‐specific items on parent‐perceived well‐being. The cross‐sectional survey, which included both closed‐ended and open‐ended items, was distributed to a convenience sample of parents of children with SBS. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated for a mixed‐methods analysis of how individual items impacted parent well‐being. Results: Twenty parents completed the survey. Sleep interruptions, lack of support and resources, and psychological stressors and their mental health implications were more frequently reported as stressors than logistics related to caregiving (e.g., managing therapies and preparing specialized meals). Conclusion: The impact of a child\u27s SBS on parent well‐being may stem mainly from three interconnected domains: poor sleep and its consequences, lack of access to support and resources, and a range of psychological stressors that affect parent mental health. Understanding the mechanisms through which SBS shapes parent well‐being is a necessary first step for developing targeted interventions to support parents and provide family‐centered care

Childhood ADHD and Risk for Substance Dependence in Adulthood: A Longitudinal, Population-Based Study

Background: Adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are known to be at significantly greater risk for the development of substance use disorders (SUD) compared to peers. Impulsivity, which could lead to higher levels of drug use, is a known symptom of ADHD and likely accounts, in part, for this relationship. Other factors, such as a biologically increased susceptibility to substance dependence (addiction), may also play a role. Objective: This report further examines the relationships between childhood ADHD, adolescent- onset SUD, and substance abuse and substance dependence in adulthood. Method Individuals with childhood ADHD and non-ADHD controls from the same population-based birth cohort were invited to participate in a prospective outcome study. Participants completed a structured neuropsychiatric interview with modules for SUD and a psychosocial questionnaire. Information on adolescent SUD was obtained retrospectively, in a previous study, from medical and school records. Associations were summarized using odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs estimated from logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender. Results: A total of 232 ADHD cases and 335 non-ADHD controls participated (mean age, 27.0 and 28.6 years, respectively). ADHD cases were more likely than controls to have a SUD diagnosed in adolescence and were more likely to have alcohol (adjusted OR 14.38, 95% CI 1.49–138.88) and drug (adjusted OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.38–8.79) dependence in adulthood. The subgroup of participating ADHD cases who did not have SUD during adolescence were no more likely than controls to develop new onset alcohol dependence as adults, although they were significantly more likely to develop new onset drug dependence. Conclusions: Our study found preliminary evidence that adults with childhood ADHD are more susceptible than peers to developing drug dependence, a disorder associated with neurological changes in the brain. The relationship between ADHD and alcohol dependence appears to be more complex

Advancing the Entry-Level Practitioner: A Curricular Model of the Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Degree

The recent growth of entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (EL-OTD) programs has been met with mixed opinions from both occupational therapy educators and practitioners. These opinions occasionally have been accompanied by uncertainty about the specific curricular components that differentiate the EL-OTD from the entry-level master’s degree. In an effort to address this uncertainty, the purpose of this article is to present one example of an EL-OTD curricular model and describe its distinct educational components. This curricular model integrates recommendations for doctoral education originally proposed by Case-Smith et al. (2014) and is characterized by the following three components: 1) Advanced Coursework; 2) the Doctoral Capstone Project; and 3) the Doctoral Capstone Experience. We share the lessons learned after matriculating three cohorts of EL-OTD students and describe influences from the field of implementation science that have informed the development of our curriculum