Interferon-lambda: A potent regulator of intestinal viral infections

Interferon-lambda (IFN-λ) is a recently described cytokine found to be of critical importance in innate immune regulation of intestinal viruses. Endogenous IFN-λ has potent antiviral effects and has been shown to control multiple intestinal viruses and may represent a factor that contributes to human variability in response to infection. Importantly, recombinant IFN-λ has therapeutic potential against enteric viral infections, many of which lack other effective treatments. In this mini-review, we describe recent advances regarding IFN-λ-mediated regulation of enteric viruses with important clinical relevance including rotavirus, reovirus, and norovirus. We also briefly discuss IFN-λ interactions with other cytokines important in the intestine, and how IFN-λ may play a role in regulation of intestinal viruses by the commensal microbiome. Finally, we indicate currently outstanding questions regarding IFN-λ control of enteric infections that remain to be explored to enhance our understanding of this important immune molecule

The Role of RASSF5 on Cell Growth and Hippo Signaling in Rhabdomyosarcoma

Introduction: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway, a signaling cascade that regulates many biological processes, is associated with many human cancers. The goal of my project was to delete RASSF5, a regulator of the Hippo pathway, in RMS cells utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 and then to evaluate how the absence of RASSF5 affects RMS cell growth and Hippo signaling, with and without DNMTi Tx. Methods: A lipofectamine transfection was performed in two different RMS cell lines, Rh30 & RD, in which two different CRIPSR/Cas9 vectors with RASSF5 guide RNA were introduced. Then IncuCyte growth assays, western blot and qPCR were performed Results: The IncuCyte growth curve for one of the RASSF5 CRISPR Rh30 cell lines, Sg1, revealed a faster rate of cell growth compared to the control Rh30s. Also, when treated with SGI110 Tx, there is reduction of drug induced growth inhibition of Sg1 Rh30 cells compared to controls. When looking at the protein level, although Cas9 expression was observed, there was no baseline reduction in RASSF5. Discussion: While some of this data suggests that we have less activation of the Hippo pathway, which would result from a reduction in RASSF5, other data implies that RASSF5 was not deleted entirely. Further research is needed to elucidate RASSF5’s role in both RMS and the altered Hippo pathway in RMS

Wives, Warriors, and Womanhood: A Study of Women’s War Roles

Since starting the War, Diplomacy, and Society program, my interests have included a focus on the soldier’s experience in war, women’s changing roles in war, and the study of war journalism, ranging from World War II, the Cold War, to the Vietnam War. This thesis project is a culmination of these themes. The first article examines the crucial nature of a soldier’s connection to the Home Front by analyzing a collection of letters between a soldier and his fiancé during World War II. Filled with declarations of love and occasional expressions of insecurity, these letters reveal the importance of a strong relationship to one’s morale, indicating that the ultimate responsibility for maintaining morale fell mainly on the individual soldier themselves. In the second article, I explore women’s critical roles in civil defense programs of the Cold War period, utilizing promotional material from the Federal Civil Defense Administration to demonstrate that their policies emphasizing home protection and nuclear preparedness were specifically constructed to appeal to American housewives. As the article argues, women proved integral to civil defense programs and embraced these policies to escape, if only metaphorically, from the restraints of domesticity, instilling a deeper sense of meaning and patriotic responsibility to their existing responsibilities. Finally, the third article includes an annotated syllabus for a 300-level class over a 15-week semester focused on the evolution of women as war correspondents from their experiences in World War II to the Vietnam War. Utilizing a variety of primary sources including letters, newspapers, and memoirs, as well as secondary sources, the syllabus aims to provide students with an understanding of women’s war correspondence work, including women’s changing roles in war, and their contributions to the field of journalism. Collectively, this thesis project seeks to illustrate how women’s roles in war are intricately tied to deliberate constructions of militarized gender roles and expectations, shaping their wartime experiences and opportunities. By analyzing these gendered constructions, it emphasizes the critical connections constantly developing between war and society, leaving indelible imprints on the cultural, political, and social frameworks of each era

Latina/o Education and Its Effects on Overall Job Success

Young Hispanics today struggle with the American education system, especially those that are foreign-born. This is because Latina/o immigrants are part of an education system that is inadequate to meet their educational needs. A common problem immigrant’s face in the classroom is their inability to communicate. Also, teachers are not trained to communicate effectively with their student populations. For example, according to the National Education Association only 2.5% of teachers who instruct bilingual students have a degree in ESL-bilingual education. This can be a factor for which Latina/o immigrants score lower on standardized tests and the shortcomings associated with an inadequate education system reflect the type of jobs held by this population. In the United States, Latina/o’s make up a sizable percentage of the total workforce, however they still face job discrimination and income inequality in natural resource, construction, and maintenance jobs. Using peer review academic sources, this study explores how the American education system is ill prepared to meet the needs of Latina/o immigrants and their success or lack thereof reflects the quality of education hey received. Finally, the study addresses how the education system can be reformed, to better serve the needs of the Latina/o population

School\u27s Out!

Postcard from Megan Lee, during the Linfield College Semester Abroad Program at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealan

Markers of health status in pasture-fed versus total mixed ration-fed Jersey dairy cattle

Milk from pastured cows contains more beneficial fatty acids than milk from total mixed ration (TMR) fed cows. No studies have been done comparing health status in cows from each system. This study used pastured vs. TMR fed Jersey cows to measure levels of cortisol, haptoglobin (Hp), somatic cells, and production within and between farms over time. Cortisol was significantly different between farms with means of 126.78 and 93.64 ng/ml for pastured and TMR groups, respectively. Levels in pastured cows trended with temperature and humidity. There was no significant difference in Hp levels between farms though levels did change over time within farms. All animals had Hp levels considered normal. Somatic cell counts were not significantly different, yet the pastured group had a numerically lower average, 57.7 vs. 113.8 x 103 cell/ml. Results indicated that environment caused added stress to pastured cows but feeding TMR vs. grass did not

Using Latent Variable Mixture Modeling to Understand Trauma-Related Outcomes

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexual difficulties may occur after trauma exposure. Researchers have noted factors (e.g., depression, relationship satisfaction) that are linked to PTSD and sexual functioning, but it is unclear how these variables are related. This paper explored an underlying class structure that differentiated subtypes of women based on trauma-related details, PTSD symptoms, sexual function disturbances, relationship status, and romantic relationship functioning. Groups were compared on depressive symptoms, substance use, and risky sexual behavior. Participants were adult undergraduate female trauma survivors (N = 280, 52% Caucasian) who completed self-report measures via an online survey. Latent variable mixture modeling generated four groups, and ANOVAs further explained group differences. Healthy & Sexually Inactive group members were single, sexually inactive, denied mental health symptoms, and reported low alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Healthy & Sexually Active group members were in a relationship, were sexually active, did not report any difficulties, and had average alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Sexual Difficulties & PTSD group members were in a relationship, reported mildlevels of all forms of sexual difficulties, reported mild PTSD and depressive symptoms, and had average alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Sexual Pain group members were in a relationship and reported sexual pain and some depressive symptoms; they denied PTSD symptoms, and had average alcohol use and risky sexual behavior. Classes were not differentiated by trauma (nonsexual trauma in mid-teens), relationship satisfaction, or drug use. Results highlight the relations between PTSD, sexual functioning, and depression. Ideas for future research and clinical implications are discussed

Is South African Refugee Law creating a stateless generation?

Despite an international framework guaranteeing fundamental rights to all those who belong to the human family, nationality if often a prerequisite to accessing these rights and thus, a lack of nationality, or statelessness, often carries dire consequences. Furthermore, regardless of international, regional and domestic laws protecting the right to a nationality, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that more than 10 million persons are stateless worldwide. In addition to not being able to vote or run for public office, stateless persons are often unable to access other fundamental rights, such as the right to education, housing or health care. Stateless persons are also vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and human trafficking. Furthermore, despite their close connection in history, the protection of stateless persons has, for decades, taken a backseat to that of refugees and asylum seekers. As a result, stateless persons are often forced to rely on the safeguards provided by the mechanisms designed to protect refugees and asylum seekers and, while these may be able to alleviate some of the consequences of statelessness, they will never be able to provide an absolute solution to statelessness – i.e. the granting of nationality. This reliance on the asylum system is evident in South Africa, where no specific laws or procedures protecting stateless persons exist. In examining the refugee law in South Africa, the manner in which these laws are implemented, as well as other legislation relevant to the protection of stateless persons, it is evident that the South African government’s policy decisions relating to the asylum system are aiming to shrink the asylum protection space in South Africa and are inadvertently leading to situations of both de jure and de facto statelessness. In addition, the conduct of the DHA is placing large groups at risk of statelessness and leaving vulnerable groups with little to no legal remedies. In a State which hosts an estimated 10 000 stateless persons, these policy decisions and implementation practices urgently need to be addressed in order to resolve existing situations of statelessness as well as to prevent future statelessness