Role of AmpR and alginate production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm antibiotic resistance associated with cystic fibrosis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an ubiquitous Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that is commonly found in nosocomial infections, immunocompromised patients and burn victims. In addition, P. aeruginosa colonizes the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients, leading to chronic infection, which inevitably leads to their demise. In this research, I analyzed the factors contributing to P. aeruginosa antibiotic resistance, such as the biofilm mode of growth, alginate production, and 13-lactamase synthesis. Using the biofilm eradication assay (MBEC™ assay), I exposed P. aeruginosa to B-lactams (piperacillin, ceftazidime, and cefotaxime ), aminoglycosides ( amikacin, tobramycin and gentamicin), and a fluoroquinolone ( ciprofloxacin) at various concentrations. I analyzed the effects of biofilm on P. aeruginosa antibiotic resistance, and confirmed that the parent strain PAO 1 biofilms cells were > 100 times more resistant than planktonic (freefloating) cells. The constitutively alginate-producing strain PDO300 exhibited an altered resistance pattern as compared to the parent strain P AO 1. Finally, the role of AmpR, the regulator of ampC-encoded 13-lactamase expression was analyzed by determining the resistance of the strain carrying a mutation in the ampR gene and compared to the parent strain PAOl. It was confirmed that the loss of ampR contributes to increased antibiotic resistance.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Inquiry-Based Learning in the General Education and Inclusion Science Classroom

This study sought to apply the concepts of inquiry-based learning by increasing the number of laboratory experiments conducted in two science classes, and to identify the challenges of this instruction for students with special needs. Results showed that the grades achieved through lab write-ups greatly improved grades overall.

Emotions and Learning in Support Groups of Female Breast Cancer Patients

The understanding of emotions and learning in the participants of breast cancer support groups will assist in better preparation of how to cope with the disease these patients face. It is in working through emotional experiences that participants are able to learn and grow in support groups.

Communities of Practice and Learning in a Senior Living Environment

Adults participate in communities of practice (COP) in diverse environments. As the number of US citizens 55 years or older increases, so might the number residing in adult living environments. COP research would be valuable in such settings.

Elevated progesterone in yolk as a moderator of prenatal and postnatal auditory learning in bobwhite quail

Recent studies have established that yolk hormones of maternal origin have significant effects on the physiology and behavior of offspring in birds. Herrington (2012) demonstrated that an elevation of progesterone in yolk elevates emotional reactivity in bobwhite quail neonates. Chicks that hatched from progesterone treated eggs displayed increased latency in tonic immobility and did not emerge as quickly from a covered location into an open field compared to control groups. For the present study, three experimental groups were formed: chicks hatched from eggs with artificially elevated progesterone (P), chicks hatched from an oil-vehicle control group (V), and chicks hatched from a non-manipulated control group (C). Experiment 1 examined levels of progesterone with High Performance Liquid Chromatography/tandem Mass Spectroscopy (HPLC/MS) from prenatal day 1 to prenatal day 17 in bobwhite quail egg yolk. In Experiment 2, bobwhite quail embryos were passively exposed to an individual maternal assembly call for 24 hours prior to hatching. Chicks were then tested individually for their preference between the familiarized call and a novel call at 24 and 48 hours following hatching. For Experiment 3, newly hatched chicks were exposed to an individual maternal assembly call for 24-hrs. Chicks were then tested for their preference for the familiarized call at 24 and 48-hrs after hatch. Results of Experiment 1 showed that yolk progesterone levels were significantly elevated in treated eggs and were present in the egg yolk longer into prenatal development than the two control groups. Results from Experiment 2 indicated that chicks from the P group failed to demonstrate a preference for the familiar bobwhite maternal assembly call at 24 or 48-hrs after hatch following 24-hrs of prenatal exposure. In contrast, chicks from the C and V groups demonstrated a significant preference for the familiarized call. In Experiment 3, chicks from the P group showed an enhanced preference for the familiarized bobwhite maternal call compared to chicks from the C and V groups at 24 and 48-hrs after hatch. The results of these experiments suggest that elevated maternal yolk hormone levels in pre-incubated bobwhite quail eggs can influence auditory perceptual learning in embryos and neonates.^

The importance of environment for teacher professional learning in Malta and Scotland

Peer reviewed

Transformative Learning Theory and Its Relevance to Managing Group Dynamics in a Competitive Work Environment

In any environment, group dynamics would exist. How we deal with it in a competitive work environment defines who we are using transformative learning. This paper provides useful information from a number of theorists who share perspectives on the complex nature of groups.

Project-Based Learning, Achievement, and Engagement in Second Graders

Second graders have fertile minds that are constrained by dull curriculums. Teachers fail to foster their interests, students are unengaged and as a result, their achievement suffers. This research will implement Project-Based learning (PBL) with the intention of increasing engagement, which is predicted to also increase achievement.