Stable isotopes of captive Cetaceans (Killer Whales and Bottlenose dolphins)

There is currently a great deal of interest in using stable-isotope methods to investigate diet, trophic level and migration movement in wild cetaceans. Fundamental to the interpretation of these methods is the need to understand how diet isotopic values are reflected in consumer tissues. In this study, we investigated patterns of isotopic discrimination between diet and blood constituents of two species of cetaceans (killer whale, Orcinus orca and 19 bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncutus) fed with controlled diets during 350 days. Diet discrimination factors ( ) for plasma were estimated to 13C =2.3‰ and 1520 N =1.8‰ respectively for both species and to 13C =2.7‰ and 1521 N =0.5‰ for red blood cells (RBC). Delipidation had no significant effect on carbon and nitrogen isotopic values of blood constituents, confirming that cetacean blood no serving as reservoirs of lipids. In contrast, carbon isotopic values are higher in delipidated samples of blubber, liver and muscle of orca tissues. The mean half life for plasma was 32.9 days for killer whales and 27.2 days for bottlenose dolphin and for RBC was greater than 175 days. The potential for conflict between fisheries and cetaceans has heightened the need for trophic information about this taxa within those ecosystems. These results provide the first published stable isotope turnover rates and discrimination factors for cetaceans, which are essential if conclusions are to be drawn on issues concerning trophic structures, carbon sources and diet reconstruction

PECAM-1 engagement counteracts ICAM-1-induced signaling in brain vascular endothelial cells

Interactions between leukocytes and vascular endothelial cells are mediated by a complex set of membrane adhesion molecules which transduce bi-directional signals in both cell types. Endothelium of the cerebral blood vessels, which constitute the blood–brain barrier, strictly controls adhesion and trafficking of leukocytes into the brain. Investigating signaling pathways triggered by the engagement of adhesion molecules expressed on brain endothelial cells, we previously documented the role of ICAM-1 in activation of the tyrosine phosphorylation of several actin-binding proteins and subsequent rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. In the present study, we show that, whereas PECAM-1 is known to control positively the trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes via homophilic interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells, PECAM-1 engagement on brain endothelial surface unexpectedly counteracts the ICAM-1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin and rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. We present evidence that the PECAM-1-associated tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 is required for ICAM-1 signaling, suggesting that its activity might crucially contribute to the regulation of ICAM-1 signaling by PECAM-1. Our findings reveal a novel activity for PECAM-1 which, by counteracting ICAM-1-induced activation, could directly contribute to limit activation and maintain integrity of brain vascular endothelium

Longitudinal Course of Deficient Emotional Self-Regulation CBCL Profile in Youth with ADHD: Prospective Controlled Study

Background: While symptoms of deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR) have been long associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there has been limited investigation of this aspect of the clinical picture of the disorder. The main aim of this study was to examine the predictive utility of DESR in moderating the course of ADHD children into adolescence. Methods: Subjects comprised 177 children with and 204 children without ADHD followed for an average of 4 years (aged 6–18 years at baseline, 54% male). Subjects were assessed with structured diagnostic interviews and measures of psychosocial functioning. DESR was defined by the presence (n = 79) or absence (n = 98) of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)-DESR profile (score ≥ 180 < 210 total of Attention, Aggression, and Anxious/Depressed subscales) at the baseline assessment. Results: Of subjects with DESR at baseline, 57% had DESR at follow-up. Persistent ADHD was significantly associated with DESR at follow-up (x$^{2}$$_{(1)}$ = 15.37, P < 0.001). At follow-up, ADHD + DESR subjects had significantly more comorbidities (z = 2.55, P = 0.01), a higher prevalence of oppositional defiant disorder (z = 3.01, P = 0.003), and more impaired CBCL social problems t-score (t$_{(227)}$ = 2.41, P = 0.02) versus ADHD subjects. Conclusion: This work suggests that a positive CBCL-DESR profile predicts subsequent psychopathology and functional impairments in children with ADHD suggesting that it has the potential to help identify children with ADHD at high risk for compromised outcomes

Pentylenetetrazol Produces a State-Dependent Conditioned Place Aversion to Alcohol Withdrawal in Mice

The purpose of this study was to determine if aversive effects of alcohol withdrawal could be detected in mice using the place conditioning procedure and whether the GABAA receptor antagonist, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), would increase the aversive effects of alcohol withdrawal and increase the probability of detecting conditioned place aversion. Subjects were alcohol-naïve mice from a specific line selectively bred for low alcohol preference (LAP1; n=91) and were assigned to three groups: alcohol withdrawal, PTZ alone, and PTZ + alcohol withdrawal. On four trials, mice received either a 4.0 g/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of alcohol (alcohol withdrawal, PTZ + alcohol withdrawal groups) or saline (PTZ group) 8 hrs prior to being placed on a distinctive floor texture for a 30-min conditioning session. Five min before these sessions, mice in the PTZ and PTZ + alcohol withdrawal groups received PTZ (5.0 mg/kg; i.p.) and the alcohol withdrawal group received saline. On intervening days mice received two saline injections at the same time points prior to being placed on a different floor texture. Post-conditioning floor preference was assessed in two 60-min tests; the first test was drug-free and the second test was state-dependent. Neither alcohol withdrawal nor PTZ produced significant place conditioning. The PTZ + alcohol withdrawal group showed a significant place aversion during the state-dependent test. These data suggest that the combined stimulus properties of PTZ and alcohol withdrawal facilitated the expression of conditioned place aversion to alcohol withdrawal

When Public Recognition for Charitable Giving Backfires: The Role of Independent Self-Construal

This research examines the effectiveness of public recognition in encouraging charitable giving, demonstrating that public recognition can sometimes decrease donations. While previous work has largely shown that making donations visible to others can motivate donors, the present research shows that the effectiveness of public recognition depends on whether potential donors are under an independent (i.e., separate from others) or interdependent (i.e., connected with others) self-construal. Across seven experimental studies, an independent self-construal decreases donation intentions and amounts when the donor will receive public recognition compared to when the donation will remain private. This effect is driven by the activation of an agentic motive, wherein independents are motivated to make decisions that are guided by their own goals and self-interests, rather than being influenced by the opinions and expectations of others. This research contributes to the understanding of the nuanced roles of both public recognition and self-construal in predicting donation behavior

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE ON ORTHOPAEDIC PAIN WITHIN A VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SETTING

Background: Acupuncture is rapidly rising in popularity within western populations since its development and consequently there is increasing interest from a variety of clients. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture on orthopaedic pain within a vocational rehabilitation setting in London, United Kingdom. Method: A retrospective service evaluation design. A pre- and post-acupuncture questionnaire was utilised as the data collection tool. Result: Eighty-six clients were included in this evaluation because they met the criteria for inclusion. Analysis on the age differences between males and females were not statistically significant (p=0.05). The conditions that were most frequently seen at the clinic included: 57% (49/86) spinal pain; 28% (24/86) upper limb pain; and 15% (13/86) lower limb pain. The mean number of treatment sessions for acupuncture was three (range=1-6). Overall each session of treatment lasted on average twenty minutes (range=15-30). The total number of needles used during each session of treatment averaged five (range=3-8). The reported benefit of treatment was 44% (38/86) excellent, 49% (42/86) good, and 7% (6/86) poor. Conclusion: This evaluation has demonstrated that acupuncture is effective on orthopaedic pain within a vocational rehabilitation setting. Repeat audits and larger sample sizes are needed for confirmation the findings

Freedom

A bronze sculpture of an eagle with its wings outstretched perched upon a rock that is draped in an United States flag. This was created by renowned artist Laran Ghiglieri.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/university_art_collection/1120/thumbnail.jp

A COVID-19 Risk Reduction Assessment for a Health-Care Employee from an Ethnic Background: A Case Study in the United Kingdom

Concerns in the United Kingdom (UK) that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations have disproportionately higher rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than white populations have led to ethnicity being identified as a risk factor within the latest guidance from Public Health England. The purpose of this case report was to determine whether the risk reduction assessment would aid the line manager support a BAME health-care employee who was concerned that his ethnicity put him at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. This report described the case, protocol, and outcome of undertaking a risk reduction assessment. It is concluded that the risk reduction assessment may assist line managers implement appropriate adjustments for BAME employees in order to alleviate their concerns and mitigate the risks of COVID-19

The influences of assets on the academic achievement of African American college students

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Department of Family and Child Ecology, 2001Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-192