Free Your Mind: Contemporary Racial Attitudes and Post Racial Theory

The inauguration of the United States first Black President has prompted mass discussions of race relations in America. It is often articulated that America is now in a post-racial society. However, the question still remains: does the election of a Black president demonstrate that America is now a color-blind society? To answer this question, we rely on data collected by PEW (2007). Our results suggest that white and African Americans differ significantly in the extent to which they express post-racial attitudes. Specifically, we find that whites more commonly express post-racial attitudes, claiming that racism and discrimination are rare, in opposition to African American views. On the other hand, blacks are more likely to believe that discrimination still occurs. We further find that whites\u27 post-racial beliefs are significant determinants of their attitudes towards race-related policies, such as affirmative action. Keywords: Race, Obama, Post-racial, Public Opinion, Racial Attitudes, Racial Politics, African American

Can manipulation of differentiation conditions eliminate proliferative cells from a population of ES cell-derived forebrain cells?

There is preliminary evidence that implantation of primary fetal striatal cells provides functional benefit in patients with Huntington’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition resulting in loss of medium-sized spiny neurons (MSN) of the striatum. Scarcity of primary fetal tissue means it is important to identify a renewable source of cells from which to derive donor MSNs. Embryonic stem (ES) cells, which predominantly default to telencephalic-like precursors in chemically defined medium (CDM), offer a potentially inexhaustible supply of cells capable of generating the desired neurons. Using an ES cell line, with the forebrain marker FoxG1 tagged to the LacZ reporter, we assessed effects of known developmental factors on the yield of forebrain-like precursor cells in CDM suspension culture. Addition of FGF2, but not DKK1, increased the proportion of FoxG1- expressing cells at day 8 of neural induction. Oct4 was expressed at day 8, but was undetectable by day 16. Differentiation of day 16 precursors generated GABA-expressing neurons, with few DARPP32 positive MSNs. Transplantation of day 8 precursor cells into quinolinic acid-lesioned striata resulted in generation of teratomas. However, transplantation of day 16 precursors yielded grafts expressing neuronal markers including NeuN, calbindin and parvalbumin, but no DARPP32 6 weeks post-transplantation. Manipulation of fate of ES cells requires optimization of both concentration and timing of addition of factors to culture systems to generate the desired phenotypes. Furthermore, we highlight the value of increasing the precursor phase of ES cell suspension culture when directing differentiation toward forebrain fate, so as to dramatically reduce the risk of teratoma formation

Transcriptional control of glyoxalase 1 by Nrf2 provides a stress-responsive defence against dicarbonyl glycation

Abnormal cellular accumulation of the dicarbonyl metabolite MG (methylglyoxal) occurs on exposure to high glucose concentrations, inflammation, cell aging and senescence. It is associated with increased MG-adduct content of protein and DNA linked to increased DNA strand breaks and mutagenesis, mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation and cell detachment from the extracellular matrix. MG-mediated damage is countered by glutathione-dependent metabolism by Glo1 (glyoxalase 1). It is not known, however, whether Glo1 has stress-responsive up-regulation to counter periods of high MG concentration or dicarbonyl stress. We identified a functional ARE (antioxidant-response element) in the 5'-untranslated region of exon 1 of the mammalian Glo1 gene. Transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45 subunit-related factor 2) binds to this ARE, increasing basal and inducible expression of Glo1. Activators of Nrf2 induced increased Glo1 mRNA, protein and activity. Increased expression of Glo1 decreased cellular and extracellular concentrations of MG, MG-derived protein adducts, mutagenesis and cell detachment. Hepatic, brain, heart, kidney and lung Glo1 mRNA and protein were decreased in Nrf2-/- mice, and urinary excretion of MG protein and nucleotide adducts were increased approximately 2-fold. We conclude that dicarbonyl stress is countered by up-regulation of Glo1 in the Nrf2 stress-responsive system, protecting protein and DNA from increased damage and preserving cell function

Chemical Modification and In Silico Validation of Medicinally Privileged Molecular Scaffolds as Kras and SARS-CoV-2 Protease Inhibitors

Coronavirus disease was declared a global pandemic by WHO in March 2020, cancer is the second leading cause of death by a disease. Several scientists around the world are working relentlessly to discover an effective remedy to eradicate these deadly diseases. A natural polyphenol (magnolol) has been isolated from a tree Magnolia grandiflora (family Magnoliaceae) found on UTRGV campuses. This research is focused on design of a series of chemically modified sulfonyl derivatives based on the isolated magnolol framework and other medicinally privileged molecular scaffolds framework that can effectively bind to the COVID-19 main protease, SARS- CoV-2 3CL protease and K-Ras protease (PDB ID’s: 6LU7, 6M2Q, 4EPV, respectively). In silico studies was conducted to identify lead compounds of the series, determine protein-ligand interactions, physicochemical properties and druggability of the new compounds. On appropriate biological evaluations, these novel compounds may possibly find pharmacological applications as antiviral agents against COVID-19 disease or as anticancer agents

Platelet count and transfusion requirements during moderate or severe postpartum haemorrhage

Limited data exist on platelet transfusion during postpartum haemorrhage. We retrospectively analysed a consecutive cohort from a single centre of 347 women with moderate or severe postpartum haemorrhage, transfused according to national guidelines. Twelve (3%) women required a platelet transfusion. There were no differences between women who did and did not receive platelets with respect to age, mode of initiation of labour or mode of delivery. Women receiving a platelet transfusion had a lower median (IQR [range]) platelet count at study entry than women who did not receive platelets before haemorrhage (135 (97–175 [26–259])×109.l−1 vs 224 (186–274 [91–1006])×109.l−1), respectively), and at diagnosis of postpartum haemorrhage (median 114 (78–153 [58–238])×109.l−1 vs 193 (155–243 [78–762])×109.l−1 respectively). Six women were thrombocytopenic pre-delivery. The cause of haemorrhage that was associated with the highest rate of platelet transfusion was placental abruption, with three of 14 women being transfused. If antenatal thrombocytopenia or consumptive coagulopathy were not present, platelets were only required for haemorrhage > 5000 ml. Early formulaic platelet transfusion would have resulted in many women receiving platelets unnecessarily. Using current guidelines, the need for platelet transfusion is uncommon without antenatal thrombocytopenia, consumptive coagulopathy or haemorrhage > 5000 ml. We found no evidence to support early fixed-ratio platelet transfusion

Health Diplomacy the Adaptation of Global Health Interventions to Local Needs in sub-Saharan Africa and Thailand: Evaluating Findings from Project Accept (HPTN 043).

Study-based global health interventions, especially those that are conducted on an international or multi-site basis, frequently require site-specific adaptations in order to (1) respond to socio-cultural differences in risk determinants, (2) to make interventions more relevant to target population needs, and (3) in recognition of 'global health diplomacy' issues. We report on the adaptations development, approval and implementation process from the Project Accept voluntary counseling and testing, community mobilization and post-test support services intervention. We reviewed all relevant documentation collected during the study intervention period (e.g. monthly progress reports; bi-annual steering committee presentations) and conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with project directors and between 12 and 23 field staff at each study site in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Thailand and Tanzania during 2009. Respondents were asked to describe (1) the adaptations development and approval process and (2) the most successful site-specific adaptations from the perspective of facilitating intervention implementation. Across sites, proposed adaptations were identified by field staff and submitted to project directors for review on a formally planned basis. The cross-site intervention sub-committee then ensured fidelity to the study protocol before approval. Successfully-implemented adaptations included: intervention delivery adaptations (e.g. development of tailored counseling messages for immigrant labour groups in South Africa) political, environmental and infrastructural adaptations (e.g. use of local community centers as VCT venues in Zimbabwe); religious adaptations (e.g. dividing clients by gender in Muslim areas of Tanzania); economic adaptations (e.g. co-provision of income generating skills classes in Zimbabwe); epidemiological adaptations (e.g. provision of 'youth-friendly' services in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania), and social adaptations (e.g. modification of terminology to local dialects in Thailand: and adjustment of service delivery schedules to suit seasonal and daily work schedules across sites). Adaptation selection, development and approval during multi-site global health research studies should be a planned process that maintains fidelity to the study protocol. The successful implementation of appropriate site-specific adaptations may have important implications for intervention implementation, from both a service uptake and a global health diplomacy perspective

Transplantation in HD: Are We Transplanting the Right Cells?

Cell replacement therapy is a viable option for the treatment of Huntington\u27s disease (HD), where the aim is to replace the lost medium spiny projection neurons of the striatum. The intra‐striatal engraftment of developing striatal precursors harvested from the foetal brain has provided proof of concept in both rodent models and human patients that these primary foetal tissue grafts can bring about a degree of functional recovery in a HD‐degenerated brain. With the advent of pluripotent stem cell technologies, novel, potential alternative donor cell sources have become available. Ongoing studies are assessing the capacity of these cells to differentiate towards striatal precursors for transplantation in HD. Here, we review the characteristics of potential donor cells for HD with respect to available cell markers, functional properties and maturity of cells upon transplantation. We consider the optimal composition of the donor cell population, that is, whether a heterogeneous population containing all cell types from the developing striatum (the whole ganglionic eminence) is preferable to a more homogeneous population of striatal projection neurons, as directed by differentiation protocols applied to pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, we consider what might be required to improve transplant efficacy and success, with respect to striatal differentiation of transplanted cells and functional improvement

Fostering Autonomy and Self Efficacy: An Informal Caregiver\u27s Guide to Encouraging Participation in Self-Care

Helping Hands and Active Lives is a practical guidebook designed to empower informal caregivers to support senior independence and well-being. It offers evidence-based strategies to enhance communication, mobility, and daily function while emphasizing the impact of caregiving approaches on occupational success.https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2025/1023/thumbnail.jp

Alcohol misuse within different socio-ecologies in rural communities of Botswana

Alcohol-related research in Botswana has rarely used a socio-ecological approach. This article presents a phenomenological in-depth analysis drawn from community mapping interviews (n = 23) collected among community leaders and service providers in one village in Botswana. The socio-ecological approach guided our research and analysis. This paper explored the influence of alcohol misuse within the cultural, familial, practices and legal frameworks in Botswana. Findings revealed patterns in alcohol misuse over time, the influence of alcohol misuse within different ecological systems, and their response to alcohol patterns as three global themes are discussed. The findings showed that alcohol misuse remains a major public health problem that trickles down from the community, and family systems to an individual, when there are with limited resources to address the alcohol misuse that exists. Recommendations to address alcohol misuse in Botswana include providing alcohol-free recreational places, more research on alcohol harm, and educating communities about alcohol harm.publishedVersio

Evaluation of accommodative function in the dominant and non dominant eye

Background: Ocular dominance is the physiological preference of one eye over the other, hence its input is favoured when there is conflicting information to the two eyes. Accommodation is the mechanism by which the eye changes focus from distant to near images and is produced by a change in the shape of the crystalline lens. The aim of this study was to compare the accommodative amplitude, facility and lag in the dominant and non-dominant eye.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 80 visually normal subjects. Ocular dominance was determined using hole-in-the- card method. Amplitude of accommodation, accommodative facility and response was measured monocularly and randomly using push up method, ±2.00DS flipper lenses and Nott technique respectively.Results: Results obtained from the study showed that the right eye was dominant in 62.5% of subjects. The mean (SD) for accommodative amplitude, facility and response (lag) in the dominant eye was 11.08 (2.16) D, 10.00 (1.52) cycles per minute and 0.62 (0.27) respectively. The mean (SD) for accommodative amplitude, facility and lag in the non-dominant eye was 10.98 (2.20) D, 9.86 (1.44) cycles per minute and 0.60 (0.25) D respectively.Conclusions: It may be inferred that the dominant eye has more accommodative amplitude, facility and lag than the non-dominant eye but this difference was not statistically significant