The Effect of a Reduced-Calorie Diet on alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptor Responsiveness in Abdominal Adipose Tissue in Obese Men During Exercise

There is at present an imperfect understanding of the effect of diet on availability of inhibitory receptors in fat cells during exercise among obese men. 

*Objective:* The purpose of this study was to determine whether diet results in downregulation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor ([alpha]~2-AR~) messenger RNA (mRNA), improving metabolism in exercise in obese men. 

*Design:* One group, pre-test, post-test design.

*Measurements:* Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue was tested for physiologic response, such as changes in catecholamines and other markers of lipolysis measured during periods of exercise, before and after a 12-week diet. Plasma markers of lipolysis/antilipolytic activity (catecholamines [adrenaline and noradrenaline], NEFA, lactate, glucose, hematocrit, or insulin levels) were analyzed at four points in time in order to determine the effect of exercise on [alpha]~2-AR~ and [beta]-AR responsiveness to sympathetic stimulation.

*Subjects:* Otherwise healthy 18 to 45 year old obese men (defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 33 kg/m^2^).

*Results:* The 12-week reduced calorie diet did not result in improved metabolism. Instead, upregulation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptor ([alpha]~2-AR~) messenger RNA (mRNA) was observed. On average, [alpha]~2-AR~ mRNA levels (ratio of [alpha]~2-AR~ to cyclophilin) in subjects increased by 0.022-0.023 after the diet. The average differences in of [alpha]~2-AR~ mRNA and [beta]-AR mRNA measured before and after diet were both insignificant (M = 0.015) t(4) = -0.911; _P_ > 0.05; (M = 0.0139; t(4) = 0.077; _P_ > 0.05). 

*Conclusion:* The observed direction of change in [alpha]~2-AR~ mRNA levels, when viewed together with the stability of [beta]-AR mRNA levels, suggests that upregulation of [alpha]~2-AR~ rather than downregulation occurred. Downregulation would account for decreased lipolytic activity during exercise, future study is needed

Impact of Public Sector Auditing in Promoting Accountability and Transparency in North Central Zone of Nigeria

The gap in confidence between the citizens and elected officials in Nigeria forms the background of this study. As such, financial and performance audit was examined on accountability and transparency among North Central states of: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau and FCT. The specific objective of the study is to determine to what extent the audit of the public sector helps to narrow this gap in confidence between the activities of elected public officials and the citizens. Spearman regression analysis was used in the study. Result showed that both financial audit and performance audit is statistically significant in explaining accountability and transparency among the states. As such, strengthening the audit process in respective states is mentioned as one of the recommendation.&nbsp

Mounier-Kuhn syndrome : more than just a cough

A 35-year-old man presented with a chronic productive cough and a history of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Physical examination was unremarkable as were routine blood investigations. A chest radiograph demonstrated dilation of the trachea and main bronchi. Multiple perihilar cysts with air-fluid levels were seen. Contrast-enhanced chest CT confirmed tracheal dilation with multiple tracheal diverticulae present in the posterior aspect of the proximal trachea. Both main bronchi were also dilated. Bilateral, cystic spaces with air-fluid levels, in keeping with cystic bronchiectasis were seen to involve both lower lung zones, sparing the lung apices.peer-reviewe

Exiting Homelessness, The Perspectives of Those Experiencing Housing Instability

Background: For nearly thirty years homelessness has increased steadily in major cities around the globe, including Alberta Canada. Strategies adopted by the Canadian and Alberta governments to manage homelessness has yielded limited success. Signaling that Individuals experiencing homelessness are yet to be included adequately in search of solutions. Comprehension of homelessness phenomenon remains a challenge, as well as ending homelessness. The purpose of this phenomenological investigation study was to understand homelessness phenomenon from the experience of people who do not have homes and are experiencing housing instability. Methods: A total of 15 respondents were recruited.  We performed in-depth, open-ended interviews for data collection. Following hermeneutic and phenomenological principles, interview data was retrieved, transcribed, summarized, described, and explained. Results: The prominent themes indicated a need to make housing, and utilities affordable, and rent and mortgage qualification criteria easy; a need for revising of credit bureau and criminal record policies; people at the shelters entitled to welfare or other benefits requires grace period of at least three months before withholding payment of their entitlements; vital skills training is necessary to secure a job, for financial management, for positive behaviour, and supervised spending. Shelter awareness is necessary, and making government support services efficient, and non-discriminatory. End all discriminations and provide 40hrs/week regular full-time jobs. Conclusion: The homeless, public, public health, and homeless service providers would benefit from the findings. Findings could help to stir homelessness reduction strategies to keep people out of the street in Canada

Microbes for Archaeological Wood Conservation

This project focuses on innovative biological methods of extraction for the preservation of waterlogged wood suffering from salt precipitation and acidification. The principal investigator and her team proposed to exploit biomineralization capacities of some bacteria for anticipating the extraction of iron and sulfur compounds when wood is still wet. A comprehensive assessment of the extraction performances achieved on wood objects from lake and marine environments will allow a versatile extraction method to be proposed to end-users

Evaluation of eight bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt) accessions for agronomic characters and proximate composition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) is a valuable but underutilised legume crop grown in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and yield components of eight Bambara groundnut accessions obtained from the National Root Crops Research Institute in Umudike, Nigeria.  The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Uyo, Uyo Southern Nigeria during the 2021 cropping seasons, using a randomised complete block design with three replications. Growth, yield and nutritional parameters were collected and subjected to analysis of variance, correlation and principal component analysis. Plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area were all significantly different (P≤0.05) among the accessions three months after planting. Number of pods per plant, seed weight, and 100-seed weight differed significantly (P≤0.05). Caly PSC (2853 kg/ha), Caly SK 46 (2803 kg/ha), Zeina (2538 kg/ha), and BNT (2488 kg/ha) were the top yielders among the accessions. Yields of Bambara groundnut differ significantly (P≤0.05) between accessions studied, ranging from 1624.67 kg/ha to 2853.33 kg/ha. Principal component (PC) analysis identified eight influential components, two of which, PC1 and PC3, contributed 27% and 17% of the total variation, respectively. In this study, the correlation analysis revealed that plant height and petiole length, plant height and number of seeds per plot were all negatively correlated. The leaf area and the number of pods per plot, the number of seeds per pod and the fibre content, the leaf area and seed weight, and the plant height and seed weight were all noted positively correlated. The nutritive value of the eight Bambara groundnut accessions varied significantly (P≤0.05). The mean protein levels of eight Bambara nut accessions studied ranged from 18.82 to 20.39%. Findings from this study clearly indicate that Bambara groundnut is suitable for production in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Thus, high yielding accessions identified in this study are recommended for increased production in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria

The status of the elementary school teacher

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Y chromosome in turner syndrome : a case report

In man, the Y chromosome spans approximately 58 million base pairs and represents just 1% of the total DNA in a male cell.1 Sex is determined in the SRY locus on the Y chromosome. During the formation of gametes, chromosomal crossover between homologous chromosomes during the meiotic division results in genetic diversity. Genetic recombination can also repair damaged genes. Recombinations between the two X chromosomes for self-repair is possible in females but is not possible for the Y chromosome since this chromosome is present in isolation in the male. This has led to the hypothesis that the Y chromosome may one day become extinct due to cumulative and unrepaired damage.2 This has occurred, for example, in the Transcaucasian mole vole which does not have an SRY gene or Y chromosome, with both sexes possessing a XO sex chromosome only. Indeed, in this species, sex determining genes are found on a different chromosome. In Turner syndrome, the affected individual has one X chromosome, with an absent sex chromosome. It had been assumed that the missing chromosome is an X chromosome, but this may not be the case. It is now proposed that this condition may be caused by a paternal unstable isodicentric Y during the formation of germ cells, such that the Y chromosome is the missing chromosome.5,6 Evidence for this includes the absence of an increased incidence of Turner’s syndrome with increasing maternal age, along with the fact that the X chromosomes present in Turner syndrome are 74% maternally derived. Here the authors present a case of mosaic Turner’s syndrome, i.e. a patient with two cell lines, 45X and the other with 46 chromosomes, one of which was an isodicentric Y chromosome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that the SRY locus is present on the Y chromosome in this phenotypical female patient.peer-reviewe

Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Vulnerability: An Exploratory Spatial Analysis

Research has demonstrated that vulnerable populations including disadvantaged populations of color live in areas that may place them at higher risk of exposure to social and environmental hazards. Due to climate change, these populations may experience worse health outcomes and environmental health disparities. The purpose of this project was to explore the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess areas that may be vulnerable to climate change across the United States. We employed ArcGIS 9.3 to create vulnerability scores for areas across the country that may be that may be impacted by climate change at the county level in the United States using different social, environmental, and health indicators. We included data on race=ethnicity and socioeconomic status from the US Census. Data on pollution sources and pollution levels were obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Health data were obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the National Vital Statistics System, and the National Center for Health Statistics. We also employed the Moran’s I statistic to assess any significant vulnerability clusters. We found the highest scores for counties in the South particularly the Deep South and in Metropolitan areas in the Northeast and Midwest. Our findings provide insight into the areas of the country that may be vulnerable to the impacts of climate-change. More work needs to be performed to improve the spatial resolution of the maps and include more physical data that will help target areas that need effective climate change related mitigation and adaptation policies