Consulting young children about barriers and supports to learning

From consideration of children's rights in general and equal opportunities for disabled children in particular, it is important to consult children about barriers and supports to learning and participation. Finding appropriate and feasible ways, however, to incorporate this into educational programmes for younger children can present challenges. Here we report on what happened when teachers from reception classes in England for children aged 4–5 years implemented activities designed to access pupils' views about what helps or hinders at school. Teachers evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of the activities and, together with a small sample of children's responses, this showed that young children could indeed identify aspects of school life they like or dislike, laying the foundations for identifying barriers and supports to learning. Teachers' responses highlighted the importance of careful choice of activity to meet the needs of young children, particularly those with communication difficulties and/or low self-confidence, with staff in some cases adapting and merging activities to suit pupils' needs. Sensitive issues emerged concerning the introduction of consultation activities early in children's school careers. The implications of a compliant rather than collaborative approach by teachers are discussed in the context of children's right to have their views heard, and their developing understanding of difference.

A high-density immunoblotting methodology for quantification of total protein levels and phosphorylation modifications

The components of many signaling pathways have been identified and there is now a need to conduct quantitative data-rich temporal experiments for systems biology and modeling approaches to better understand pathway dynamics and regulation. Here we present a modified Western blotting method that allows the rapid and reproducible quantification and analysis of hundreds of data points per day on proteins and their phosphorylation state at individual sites. The approach is of particular use where samples show a high degree of sample-to-sample variability such as primary cells from multiple donors. We present a case study on the analysis of >800 phosphorylation data points from three phosphorylation sites in three signaling proteins over multiple time points from platelets isolated from ten donors, demonstrating the technique's potential to determine kinetic and regulatory information from limited cell numbers and to investigate signaling variation within a population. We envisage the approach being of use in the analysis of many cellular processes such as signaling pathway dynamics to identify regulatory feedback loops and the investigation of potential drug/inhibitor responses, using primary cells and tissues, to generate information about how a cell's physiological state changes over time.

Small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.

The small (21 kDa) guanine nucleotide-binding protein (small G protein) superfamily comprises 5 subfamilies (Ras, Rho, ADP ribosylation factors [ARFs], Rab, and Ran) that act as molecular switches to regulate numerous cellular responses. Cardiac myocyte hypertrophy is associated with cell growth and changes in the cytoskeleton and myofibrillar apparatus. In other cells, the Ras subfamily regulates cell growth whereas the Rho subfamily (RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42) regulates cell morphology. Thus, the involvement of small G proteins in hypertrophy has become an area of significant interest. Hearts from transgenic mice expressing activated Ras develop features consistent with hypertrophy, whereas mice overexpressing RhoA develop lethal heart failure. In isolated neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, transfection or infection with activated Ras, RhoA, or Rac1 induces many of the features of hypertrophy. We discuss the mechanisms of activation of the small G proteins and the downstream signaling pathways involved. The latter may include protein kinases, particularly the mitogen-activated or Rho-activated protein kinases. We conclude that although there is significant evidence implicating Ras, RhoA, and Rac1 in hypertrophy, the mechanisms are not fully understood.

Aluminium and the human breast

The human population is exposed to aluminium (Al) from diet, antacids and vaccine adjuvants, but frequent application of Al-based salts to the underarm as antiperspirant adds a high additional exposure directly to the local area of the human breast. Coincidentally the upper outer quadrant of the breast is where there is also a disproportionately high incidence of breast cysts and breast cancer. Al has been measured in human breast tissues/fluids at higher levels than in blood, and experimental evidence suggests that at physiologically relevant concentrations, Al can adversely impact on human breast epithelial cell biology. Gross cystic breast disease is the most common benign disorder of the breast and evidence is presented that Al may be a causative factor in formation of breast cysts. Evidence is also reviewed that Al can enable the development of multiple hallmarks associated with cancer in breast cells, in particular that it can cause genomic instability and inappropriate proliferation in human breast epithelial cells, and can increase migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells. In addition, Al is a metalloestrogen and oestrogen is a risk factor for breast cancer known to influence multiple hallmarks. The microenvironment is established as another determinant of breast cancer development and Al has been shown to cause adverse alterations to the breast microenvironment. If current useage patterns of Al-based antiperspirant salts contribute to causation of breast cysts and breast cancer, then reduction in exposure would offer a strategy for prevention, and regulatory review is now justified.

Biological effects of insulin on murine melanoma cells and fish erythrophoroma cells: A comparative study

Insulin is the hormone that plays an essential role in metabolism and mitosis of normal and tumor cells, exerting its pleiotropic effects through binding to specific membrane receptors and promoting the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of the receptor itself and of other components of the signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of insulin on melanogenesis and cell growth in three different cell lines: the goldfish GEM-81 erythrophoroma cells (undifferentiated and differentiated with 1.5% dimethylsulfoxide-DMSO), and the murine B16F10 and Cloudman S91 melanoma cells. Undifferentiated GEM-81 and B16F10 cells responded to insulin with a small increase of cell proliferation, whereas S91 cells responded with a decrease of growth. In the two mammalian cell lines, and in DMSO-differentiated GEM-81 cells, the hormone strongly inhibited melanogenesis, by decreasing tyrosinase activity. In undifferentiated GEM-81 cells, insulin had no effect on tyrosinase activity. An increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation status of pp 185 (insulin receptor substrate 1 and 2-IRS-1/2) phosphorylation degree was observed in S91 mouse melanoma and in differentiated GEM-81 erythrophoroma cells, suggesting that this specific protein was maintained during transformation process and participates in insulin signaling. Our results imply an ancient and diverse history of the insulin signaling system in vertebrate pigment cells. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Annual profile of fecal androgen and glucocorticoid levels in free-living male American kestrels from southern mid-latitude areas

Fecal samples and behavioral data were collected at a fortnightly basis during 11 months period from free-living male American kestrels living in southeast Brazil (22 degrees S latitude). The aim was to investigate the seasonal changes in testicular and adrenal steroidogenic activity and their correlation to reproductive behaviors and environmental factors. The results revealed that monthly mean of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in May and June were higher than those estimated in November. in parallel, monthly mean of androgen metabolites in September was higher than those from January to April and from October to November. Molt took place from January to March, whereas copulation was observed from June to October but peaked in September. Nest activity and food transfer to females occurred predominantly in October, and parental behavior was noticed only in November. Territorial aggressions were rare and scattered throughout the year. Multiple regression analysis revealed that fecal androgen levels are predicted by photoperiod and copulation, while fecal glucocorticoid levels are only predicted by photoperiod. Bivariate correlations showed that fecal androgen metabolites were positively correlated with fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and copulation, but negatively correlated with molt. Additionally, copulation was positively correlated with food transfer to females and nest activity, but negatively correlated with molt. These findings suggest that male American kestrels living in southeast Brazil exhibit significant seasonal changes in fecal androgen and glucocorticoid concentrations, which seem to be stimulated by decreasing daylength but not by rainfall or temperature. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Absence of Melatonin Induces Night-Time Hepatic Insulin Resistance and Increased Gluconeogenesis Due to Stimulation of Nocturnal Unfolded Protein Response

It is known that the circadian rhythm in hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression (a limiting catalytic step of gluconeogenesis) and hepatic glucose production is maintained by both daily oscillation in autonomic inputs to the liver and night feeding behavior. However, increased glycemia and reduced melatonin (Mel) levels have been recently shown to coexist in diabetic patients at the end of the night period. In parallel, pinealectomy (PINX) is known to cause glucose intolerance with increased basal glycemia exclusively at the end of the night. The mechanisms that underlie this metabolic feature are not completely understood. Here, we demonstrate that PINX rats show night-time hepatic insulin resistance characterized by reduced insulin-stimulated RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase phosphorylation and increased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression. In addition, PINX rats display increased conversion of pyruvate into glucose at the end of the night. The regulatory mechanism suggests the participation of unfolded protein response (UPR), because PINX induces night-time increase in activating transcription factor 6 expression and prompts a circadian fashion of immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein, activating transcription factor 4, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein expression with Zenith values at the dark period. PINX also caused a night-time increase in Tribble 3 and regulatory-associated protein of mammalian target of rapamycin; both were reduced in liver of PINX rats treated with Mel. Treatment of PINX rats with 4-phenyl butyric acid, an inhibitor of UPR, restored night-time hepatic insulin sensitivity and abrogated gluconeogenesis in PINX rats. Altogether, the present data show that a circadian oscillation of UPR occurs in the liver due to the absence of Mel. The nocturnal UPR activation is related with night-time hepatic insulin resistance and increased gluconeogenesis in PINX rats. (Endocrinology 152: 1253-1263, 2011)

CD28 Exerts Protective and Detrimental Effects in a Pulmonary Model of Paracoccidioidomycosis

T-cell immunity has been claimed as the main immunoprotective mechanism against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection, the most important fungal infection in Latin America. As the initial events that control T-cell activation in paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) are not well established, we decided to investigate the role of CD28, an important costimulatory molecule for the activation of effector and regulatory T cells, in the immunity against this pulmonary pathogen. Using CD28-deficient (CD28(-/-)) and normal wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, we were able to demonstrate that CD28 costimulation determines in pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis an early immunoprotection but a late deleterious effect associated with impaired immunity and uncontrolled fungal growth. Up to week 10 postinfection, CD28(-/-) mice presented increased pulmonary and hepatic fungal loads allied with diminished production of antibodies and pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines besides impaired activation and migration of effector and regulatory T (Treg) cells to the lungs. Unexpectedly, CD28-sufficient mice progressively lost the control of fungal growth, resulting in an increased mortality associated with persistent presence of Treg cells, deactivation of inflammatory macrophages and T cells, prevalent presence of anti-inflammatory cytokines, elevated fungal burdens, and extensive hepatic lesions. As a whole, our findings suggest that CD28 is required for the early protective T-cell responses to P. brasiliensis infection, but it also induces the expansion of regulatory circuits that lately impair adaptive immunity, allowing uncontrolled fungal growth and overwhelming infection, which leads to precocious mortality of mice.

Thermoluminescence, infrared reflectivity and electron paramagnetic resonance properties of hemimorphite

Silicate mineral hemimorphite has been investigated concerning its TL, IR and EPR properties. A broad TL peak around 180 degrees C and a weaker and narrower peak around 360 degrees C were found in a sample annealed at 600 degrees C for I h and then irradiated. The deconvolution using the CGCD method revealed peaks around 132, 169, 222 and 367 degrees C. The reflectivity measurements showed several bands in the NIR region due to H(2)O, OH and Al-OH complexes. No band was observed in the visible region. The thermal treatments were carried out from similar to 110 to 940 degrees C and dehydration was observed, first causing a diminishing optical absorption in general and the disappearance of water and hydroxyl absorption bands. The EPR spectrum of natural hemimorphite, presented Cu(2+) signals at g = 2.4 and g = 2.1 plus E(1)` signal superposed to Fe(3+) signal around g = 2.0. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thin films of carbohydrate based surfactants and carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate mixtures: Morphology and thermal behavior

Thin films of mixtures containing carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB) and carbohydrate based surfactant, namely, sorbitan monopalmitate (Span 40) or poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan monopalmitate (Tween 40) were spin-coated onto silicon wafers. The effect of surfactant concentration on resulting film morphology and surface toughness Was Studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Upon increasing the concentration of Span 40 in the mixture, films became rougher and more heterogeneous, indicating surface enrichment by Span 40 molecules. In the case of mixtures composed by CMCAB and Tween 40, the increase of Tween 40 in the mixture led to smoother and more homogeneous films, indicating compatibility between both components. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that Span 40 and Tween 40 act as plasticizers for CMCAB, leading to dramatic reduction of glass transition temperature of CMCAB, namely, Delta T(g) = -158 degrees C and Delta T(g)=-179 degrees C. respectively. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and X-ray structures of five-coordinate diorganotin(IV) complexes containing 5-hydroxypyrazoline derivatives as ligands

Four new diorganotin(IV) complexes have been prepared from R(2)SnCl(2) (R = Me, Ph) with the ligands 5-hydroxy-3-metyl-5-phenyl-1-(S-benzildithiocarbazate)-pyrazoline (H(2)L(1)) and 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1-(2-thiophenecarboxylic)-pyrazoline (H(2)L(2)). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR. (1)H (13)C, (119)Sn NMR and Mossbauer spectroscopes The complexes [Me(2)SnL(1)], [Ph(2)SnL(1)] and [Me(2)SnL(2)] were also studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction and the results showed that the Sn(IV) central atom of the complexes adopts a distorted trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry with the N atom of the ONX-tridentate (X = O and S) ligand and two organic groups occupying equatorial sites. The C-Sn-C angles for [Me(2)Sn(L(1))] and [Ph(2)Sn(L(1))] were calculated using a correlation between (119)Sn Mossbauer and X-ray crystallographic data based on the point-charge model Theoretical calculations were performed with the B3LYP density functional employing 3-21G(*) and DZVP all electron basis sets showing good agreement with experimental findings General and Sn(IV) specific IR harmonic frequency scale factors for both basis sets were obtained from comparison with selected experimental frequencies (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved

Sustainability & Consumer behavior towards Sustainability in Norway and Sweden

AimSustainability has become an important factor to consider while buying goods and services. People are being more conscious toward environmental impacts of products and services. This attitude has motivated many businesses to develop their production in contact with sustainability. The aim of this paper is to investigate different consumer behaviors toward sustainability in general and in relation to vehicles in Norway and Sweden.ApproachThe project has been embarked by dividing it into two tasks.1. Analyzing past, present and future development, growth and importance of sustainability concept. Describe the role of Government authorities in Norway and Sweden to promote sustainable consumption.2. Investigating important factors of consumer behaviors which influence their buying decision toward sustainable products in general and in relation to sustainable vehicles. Highlight the role of vehicle manufacturing companies to promote sustainable consumption.MethodA research has been conducted in order to explore consumer behavior toward sustainability in Norway and Sweden. Research is based on Document study and primary research which include questionnaire survey with consumers and interviews with vehicle dealers. In addition an expert inquiry is conducted to light up consumer intensions in Norway and Sweden toward sustainability.ResultsThe result of investigation has been revealed in shape of analyses and conclusion at the end. A comparison has been made between primary research and secondary research and findings are overlapping. Sustainable vehicles are being more popular among consumers in Norway and Sweden. Consumption trends are changing over time and environmental friendly attitudes are more developing among Swedish consumers as compared to Norwegian.