SPLI is a Chemoattractant for Oral and Skin Fibroblasts

Objectives: Unlike adult dermal wounds, the oral mucosa demonstrates preferential healing characterized by rapid remodeling and re-epithelialisation, with minimal scar formation. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is an epithelial-derived factor with potential for promoting scarless repair. The aims of this study were to: (i) investigate the directed migratory (chemotaxis) response of oral and skin fibroblasts to various concentrations of SLPI; and (ii) compare migratory speed of the two cell types. Methods: Paired oral and skin fibroblasts were seeded at 2x104 cells in six well plates containing glass coverslips, and cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS for 48hours. Following a period of serum starvation (18hours in DMEM plus 0.5% BSA), coverslips were incorporated within a Dunn chemotaxis chamber containing DMEM with 0.5% BSA +/- SLPI gradients at 0.5, 1 or 2µM concentrations. Using microscopy, the migratory behaviour of cells was digitally captured every 10mins for 18hours, traced with JCell tracking software and resulting co-ordinates statistically analysed using Mathmatica software. Results: At all concentrations SLPI was a significant chemoattractant (p<0.01) for both cell types. However, skin fibroblasts migrated significantly faster than oral cells at each SLPI concentration, with greatest effect observed at the highest dose (skin: 32.0±0.47µm/hr, oral: 13.6±0.23µm/hr). Conclusion: SLPI is a chemoattractant for both oral and skin fibroblasts, and may play an important role in fibroblast recruitment during wound healing. This work was funded by the R&D Office, N.Ireland.

Genetic structure, relationships and admixture with wild relatives in native pig breeds from Iberia and its islands

Background: Native pig breeds in the Iberian Peninsula are broadly classified as belonging to either the Celtic or the Mediterranean breed groups, but there are other local populations that do not fit into any of these groups. Most of the native pig breeds in Iberia are in danger of extinction, and the assessment of their genetic diversity and population structure, relationships and possible admixture between breeds, and the appraisal of conservation alternatives are crucial to adopt appropriate management strategies. Methods: A panel of 24 microsatellite markers was used to genotype 844 animals representing the 17 most important native swine breeds and wild populations existing in Portugal and Spain and various statistical tools were applied to analyze the results. Results: Genetic diversity was high in the breeds studied, with an overall mean of 13.6 alleles per locus and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.80. Signs of genetic bottlenecks were observed in breeds with a small census size, and population substructure was present in some of the breeds with larger census sizes. Variability among breeds accounted for about 20% of the total genetic diversity, and was explained mostly by differences among the Celtic, Mediterranean and Basque breed groups, rather than by differences between domestic and wild pigs. Breeds clustered closely according to group, and proximity was detected between wild pigs and the Mediterranean cluster of breeds. Most breeds had their own structure and identity, with very little evidence of admixture, except for the Retinto and Entrepelado varieties of the Mediterranean group, which are very similar. Genetic influence of the identified breed clusters extends beyond the specific geographical areas across borders throughout the Iberian Peninsula, with a very sharp transition from one breed group to another. Analysis of conservation priorities confirms that the ranking of a breed for conservation depends on the emphasis placed on its contribution to the betweenand within-breed components of genetic diversity. Conclusions: Native pig breeds in Iberia reveal high levels of genetic diversity, a solid breed structure and a clear organization in well-defined clusters.

Impact of genetic SLC28 transporter and ITPA variants on ribavirin 21 serum level, hemoglobin drop and therapeutic response in patients with HCV infection

Background: T reatment o f chronic hepatitis C i s evolving, a nd direct acting antivirals ( DAAs) are now a dded to p egylated interferon-α ( Peg- INF-α) and ribavirin (RBV) for the treatment o f hepatitis C v irus ( HCV) genotype 1 infection. DAAs c ause d ifferent side effects and can even worsen RBV induced hemolytic anemia. T herefore, identifying host genetic d eterminants of R BV bioavailability and therapeutic e fficacy will remain crucial for individualized treatment. Recent d ata showed associations between R BV induced h emolytic anemia and genetic polymorphisms o f concentrative nucleoside transporters s uch as C NT3 (SLC28A3) and i nosine t riphosphatase (ITPA). T o analyze t he association of genetic variants of SLC28 transporters and ITPA with RBV induced hemolytic anemia and treatment o utcome. Methods: I n our study, 173 patients f rom t he S wiss Hepatitis C C ohort Study and 2 2 patients from Swiss Association for the Study of the Liver study 24 (61% HCV g enotype 1, 3 9% genotypes 2 o r 3) were analyzed for SLC28A2 single nucleotide p olymorphism (SNP) rs11854484, SLC28A3 rs56350726 and SLC28A3 rs10868138 as well as ITPA SNPs rs1127354 and rs7270101. RBV serum levels during treatment were measured in 49 patients. Results: SLC28A2 r s11854484 genotype TT was associated with significantly higher dosage- and body weight-adjusted RBV levels as compared to genotypes TC and CC (p=0.04 and p=0.02 at weeks 4 and 8, respectively). ITPA SNPs rs1127354 and rs7270101 were associated with h emolytic a nemia both in genotype as w ell as i n allelic a nalyses. SLC28A3 rs56350726 genotype TT (vs. AT/AA, RR=2.1; 95% CI 1.1-4.1) as well as the T allele (vs. A; RR=1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.2) were associated with increased SVR rates. The combined analysis of overall ITPA activity and SLC28 v ariants together revealed n o significant a dditive effects on either treatment-related anemia or SVR. Conclusions: T he newly identified association between RBV serum levels a nd SLC28A2 rs11854484 genotype as well as the replicated association of ITPA and SLC28A3 g enetic p olymorphisms w ith RBV induced hemolytic anemia and treatment r esponse underpin the need for further studies on host genetic d eterminants of R BV bioavailability and therapeutic e fficacy f or individualized treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

A Study of Ordered Gene Problems Featuring DNA Error Correction and DNA Fragment Assembly with a Variety of Heuristics, Genetic Algorithm Variations, and Dynamic Representations

Ordered gene problems are a very common classification of optimization problems. Because of their popularity countless algorithms have been developed in an attempt to find high quality solutions to the problems. It is also common to see many different types of problems reduced to ordered gene style problems as there are many popular heuristics and metaheuristics for them due to their popularity. Multiple ordered gene problems are studied, namely, the travelling salesman problem, bin packing problem, and graph colouring problem. In addition, two bioinformatics problems not traditionally seen as ordered gene problems are studied: DNA error correction and DNA fragment assembly. These problems are studied with multiple variations and combinations of heuristics and metaheuristics with two distinct types or representations. The majority of the algorithms are built around the Recentering- Restarting Genetic Algorithm. The algorithm variations were successful on all problems studied, and particularly for the two bioinformatics problems. For DNA Error Correction multiple cases were found with 100% of the codes being corrected. The algorithm variations were also able to beat all other state-of-the-art DNA Fragment Assemblers on 13 out of 16 benchmark problem instances.

Plant genetic diversity, irrigation and nutrient cycling in traditional mountain oases of northern Oman

Little is known about plant biodiversity, irrigation management and nutrient fluxes as criteria to assess the sustainability of traditional irrigation agriculture in eastern Arabia. Therefore interdisciplinary studies were conducted over 4 yrs on flood-irrigated fields dominated by wheat (Triticum spp.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in two mountain oases of northern Oman. In both oases wheat landraces consisted of varietal mixtures comprising T. aestivum and T. durum of which at least two botanical varieties were new to science. During irrigation cycles of 6-9 days on an alfalfa-planted soil, volumetric water contents ranged from 30-13%. For cropland, partial oasis balances (comprising inputs of manure, mineral fertilizers, N2-fixation and irrigation water, and outputs of harvested products) were similar for both oases, with per hectare annual surpluses of 131 kg N, 37 kg P and 84 kg K at Balad Seet and of 136 kg N, 16 kg P and 66 kg K at Maqta. Respective palm grove surpluses, in contrast were with 303 kg N, 38 kg P, and 173 kg K ha^-1 yr^-1 much higher at Balad Seet than with 84 kg N, 14 kg P and 91 kg K ha^-1 yr^-1 at Maqta. The results show that the sustainability of these irrigated landuse systems depends on a high quality of the irrigation water with low Na but high CaCO3, intensive recycling of manure and an elaborate terrace structure with a well tailored water management system that allows adequate drainage.

Genetic variation of and environmental effects on inducibility of resistance in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Bary

Many plant strengtheners are promoted for their supposed effects on nutrient uptake and/or resistance induction (IR). In addition, many organic fertilizers are supposed to enhance plant health and several studies have shown that tomatoes grown organically are more resistant to late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans to tomatoes grown conventionally. Much is known about the mechanisms underlying IR. In contrast, there is no systematic knowledge about genetic variation for IR. Therefore, the following questions were addressed in the presented dissertation: (i) Is there genetic variation among tomato genotypes for inducibility of resistance to P. infestans? (ii) How do different PS compare with the chemical inducer BABA in their ability to IR? (iii) Does IR interact with the inducer used and different organic fertilizers? A varietal screening showed that contrary to the commonly held belief IR in tomatoes is genotype and isolate specific. These results indicate that it should be possible to select for inducibility of resistance in tomato breeding. However, isolate specificity also suggests that there could be pathogen adaptation. The three tested PS as well as two of the three tested organic fertilisers all induced resistance in the tomatoes. Depending on PS or BABA variety and isolate effects varied. In contrast, there were no variety and isolate specific effects of the fertilisers and no interactions with the PS and fertilisers. This suggests that the different PS should work independent of the soil substrate used. In contrast the results were markedly different when isolate mixtures were used for challenge inoculations. Plants were generally less susceptible to isolate mixtures than to single isolates. In addition, the effectiveness of the PS was greater and more similar to BABA when isolate mixtures were used. The fact that the different PS and BABA differed in their ability to induce resistance in different host genotype -pathogen isolate combinations puts the usefulness of IR as a breeding goal in question. This would result in varieties depending on specific inducers. The results with the isolate mixtures are highly relevant. On the one hand they increase the effectiveness of the resistance inducers. On the other hand, measures that increase the pathogen diversity such as the use of diversified host populations will also increase the overall resistance of the hosts. For organic tomato production the results indicate that it is possible to enhance the tomato growing system with respect to plant health management by using optimal fertilisers, plant strengtheners and any measures that increase system diversity.

Oral and mental activities 1.

Esta publicación se ha escrito específicamente para estimular en los niños el pensamiento matemático a través de más de ciento veinte actividades, con una duración de cinco o diez minutos, organizadas en siete capítulos y todo lo relacionado con los objetivos del nuevo marco de la enseñanza primaria:el uso y aplicación de las matemáticas ; contando y comprendiendo el número ; conociendo y utilizando los números ; calculando ; entendiendo la forma, como por ejemplo visualizar y decir el nombre común de figuras en dos dimensiones y de sólidos en tres dimensiones y describir sus características ; medición ; manipulación de datos. Hay actividades destacadas para ensayar, recordar, actualizar, mejorar, leer y razonar las matemáticas. Las actividades se vinculan a las directrices de Escocia y al revisado plan de estudios de Irlanda del Norte.

Oral and mental activities 3.

Esta publicación se ha escrito específicamente para estimular en los niños el pensamiento matemático a través de más de ciento veinte actividades, con una duración de cinco o diez minutos, organizadas en siete capítulos y todo lo relacionado con los objetivos del nuevo marco de la enseñanza primaria:el uso y aplicación de las matemáticas ; contando y comprendiendo el número ; conociendo y utilizando los números ; calculando ; entendiendo la forma, como por ejemplo visualizar y decir el nombre común de figuras en dos dimensiones y de sólidos en tres dimensiones y describir sus características ; medición ; manipulación de datos. Hay actividades destacadas para ensayar, recordar, actualizar, mejorar, leer y razonar las matemáticas. Las actividades se vinculan a las directrices de Escocia y al revisado plan de estudios de Irlanda del Norte.

Oral and mental activities 2.

Esta publicación se ha escrito específicamente para estimular en los niños el pensamiento matemático a través de más de ciento veinte actividades, con una duración de cinco o diez minutos, organizadas en siete capítulos y todo lo relacionado con los objetivos del nuevo marco de la enseñanza primaria:el uso y aplicación de las matemáticas; contando y comprendiendo el número; conociendo y utilizando los números; calculando; entendiendo la forma, como por ejemplo visualizar y decir el nombre común de figuras en dos dimensiones y de sólidos en tres dimensiones y describir sus características; medición; manipulación de datos. Hay actividades destacadas para ensayar, recordar, actualizar, mejorar, leer y razonar las matemáticas. Las actividades se vinculan a las directrices de Escocia y al revisado plan de estudios de Irlanda del Norte.

Oral and mental activities 4.

Esta publicación se ha escrito específicamente para estimular en los niños el pensamiento matemático a través de más de ciento veinte actividades, con una duración de cinco o diez minutos, organizadas en siete capítulos y todo lo relacionado con los objetivos del nuevo marco de la enseñanza primaria:el uso y aplicación de las matemáticas; contando y comprendiendo el número; conociendo y utilizando los números; calculando; entendiendo la forma, como por ejemplo visualizar y decir el nombre común de figuras en dos dimensiones y de sólidos en tres dimensiones y describir sus características; medición; manipulación de datos. Hay actividades destacadas para ensayar, recordar, actualizar, mejorar, leer y razonar las matemáticas. Las actividades se vinculan a las directrices de Escocia y al revisado plan de estudios de Irlanda del Norte.

Oral and mental activities 5.

Esta publicación se ha escrito específicamente para estimular en los niños el pensamiento matemático a través de más de ciento veinte actividades, con una duración de cinco o diez minutos, organizadas en siete capítulos y todo lo relacionado con los objetivos del nuevo marco de la enseñanza primaria:el uso y aplicación de las matemáticas; contando y comprendiendo el número; conociendo y utilizando los números; calculando; entendiendo la forma, como por ejemplo visualizar y decir el nombre común de figuras en dos dimensiones y de sólidos en tres dimensiones y describir sus características; medición; manipulación de datos. Hay actividades destacadas para ensayar, recordar, actualizar, mejorar, leer y razonar las matemáticas. Las actividades se vinculan a las directrices de Escocia y al revisado plan de estudios de Irlanda del Norte.

Oral and mental activities 6.

Esta publicación se ha escrito específicamente para estimular en los niños el pensamiento matemático a través de más de ciento veinte actividades, con una duración de cinco o diez minutos, organizadas en siete capítulos y todo lo relacionado con los objetivos del nuevo marco de la enseñanza primaria:el uso y aplicación de las matemáticas; contando y comprendiendo el número; conociendo y utilizando los números; calculando; entendiendo la forma, como por ejemplo visualizar y decir el nombre común de figuras en dos dimensiones y de sólidos en tres dimensiones y describir sus características; medición; manipulación de datos. Hay actividades destacadas para ensayar, recordar, actualizar, mejorar, leer y razonar las matemáticas. Las actividades se vinculan a las directrices de Escocia y al revisado plan de estudios de Irlanda del Norte.

Enriching feedback in the primary classroom : oral and written feedback from teachers and children.

Este manual se centra en el aspecto más eficaz de la evaluación formativa: la retroalimentación, sin embargo, es el elemento más cargado de una herencia de las malas prácticas y puntos de vista equivocados. Explica cómo hacer uso de los comentarios orales y escritos para promover el aprendizaje del niño en el aula de primaria. La retroalimentación en clase puede aumentar la autoestima, motivar y promover activamente el aprendizaje, o puede desmoralizar y alienar. La forma en que los alumnos puedan participar, conocer lo que se espera de ellos, si tienen, o no, el reconocimiento de lo que hacen, y cómo se valoran sus esfuerzos, son elementos básicos de una evaluación eficaz para el aprendizaje, no del aprendizaje, en el aula.

Oral and manual language skills of hearing children of deaf parents

This paper reviews a study of the language skills of normal hearing children whose parents are deaf and use manual communication.