An electron microscopic investigation of the events associated with meiosis in Lilium has reveale... more An electron microscopic investigation of the events associated with meiosis in Lilium has revealed a number of changes in both the organellar population and the other cytoplasmic components. Ribosome numbers decrease significantly in early prophase and are later replenished in the tetrads, a process most likely involving the newly arising cytoplasmic nucleoloids. The organelles show a cycle of de- and redifferentiation and later in meiosis unusual internal structures can be seen before these organelles enter a division phase resulting in increased numbers. The localization of acid phosphatase during these changes has also been studied using electron microscopic cytochemical methods. In early prophase, considerable amounts of acid phosphatase are found in vesicles scattered through the cytoplasm; activity is also found in association with most membranous surfaces and often markedly associated with condensing mitochondria. Later in prophase the enzyme activity decreases to normal leve...
The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughou... more The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the world. This shortage has resulted in an increase in production of PPE to meet the demand, and as a result, several substandard equipment has entered the market. With face masks and respirators now beginning to see widespread use throughout the world, the standards and test with which they are required to undertake have become points of interest. The filtration efficiency of the masks is a key testing element that examines its ability to filter particles, bacteria and viruses; this examines the penetration efficiency percentage of each with lower results being preferable. Masks are also subjected to NaCl testing method, which allows a range of particle sizes to be examined and their penetration to be observed. The masks must also show considerable resistance to fluids and flames, to prevent the penetration of liquids and to be non-flammable. Various PPE testing protocols such as biological, chemical, fluid and flame resistances, protective ensemble, facepiece fit testing, NIOSH NaCl method and impact protection have been discussed. In addition, various tests involving bacterial and viral filtration efficiencies are also discussed. Differential pressure is examined to ascertain the comfort, airflow and breathability of the masks, whilst fit testing is examined to ensure a correct fit of the mask.
In an electron microscopic autoradiographic study of DNA and RNA synthesis during meiosis isolate... more In an electron microscopic autoradiographic study of DNA and RNA synthesis during meiosis isolated Lilium microsporocytes were supplied with [3H]thymidine and [3H]uridine. DNA synthesis occurred in the nucleus during the zygotene and pachytene intervals of meiotic prophase. Most of the activity was associated with the chromatin, but some synthesis early in zygotene was located at the nucleolus. RNA synthesis occurred throughout prophase until diplotene, when all activity ceased until after division. The newly synthesized RNA was found mostly in association with the chromosomal peripheries or in the space between chromosomes. There was also a peak of [3 H] uridine incorporation at the nucleolus, which followed shortly after the synthesis of DNA at that site. The localization of DNA and RNA synthesis at the various stages of meiosis is discussed in relation to current concepts of chromosome pairing, crossing-over, ribosomal DNA amplification and cycles of RNA metabolism.
In Higher Education, science and health degree programmes involve significant practical elements.... more In Higher Education, science and health degree programmes involve significant practical elements. In many cases, students spend as much time in practical or clinical skill sessions each week as they do in classroom based lectures. These hands-on sessions engage students, develop both soft and technical skills, while allowing theory to be put into practice. However, in many cases, the design, assessment and feedback aspects of practical sessions has not received the attention warranted, with traditional approaches often persisting. This paper discusses a nationally funded, multi-institution enhancement project focused on implementing and evaluating digital technologies to enhance assessment in science and health practical sessions. Via an initial baseline analysis, four thematic areas were identified for pilot development: [1] Pre-practical videos combined with online/app quizzes, [2] Electronic lab notebooks, [3] Digital Feedback and [4] Rubrics. In collaboration with student p...
METHODS (TEAM) TO HEALTH AND SCIENCE PRACTICAL SETTINGS; BRINGING DIGITAL SKILLS TO LABORATORY AN... more METHODS (TEAM) TO HEALTH AND SCIENCE PRACTICAL SETTINGS; BRINGING DIGITAL SKILLS TO LABORATORY AND CLINICAL SKILL SESSIONS. Ronan Bree 1 , Edel Healy 1 , Moira Maguire 1 ; Don Faller 2 , Nuala Harding 2 , Ann Mulvihill 2 ; Dina Brazil 3 , David Dowling 3 , Yvonne Kavanagh 3 , Gina Noonan 3 ; Akinlolu Akande 4 , David Doyle 4 , Jeremy Bird 4 . 1 Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Louth, Ireland. 2 Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland. 3 Institute of Technology, Carlow, Carlow, Ireland. 4 Institute of Technology, Sligo, Sligo, Ireland
The Irish Higher Education sector has experienced a variety of key policy developments in the rec... more The Irish Higher Education sector has experienced a variety of key policy developments in the recent past. The publication of a ‘National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030’ was followed by the establishment of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (NFETL) and the subsequent publication of ‘A Roadmap for Enhancement in a Digital World’ 2015–2017. In tandem, the National Forum devised the first national enhancement theme ‘Teaching for Transition’ and more recently ‘Assessment for, as and of Learning’ with research funding allocated. This paper will discuss two current national educational research projects that focus on the development of digital pedagogy. The first focuses on supporting transition through enhancing feedback in first year using digital technologies. Y1Feedback is a two-year (2015–2017) multi-institutional change project involving two universities and two institutes of technology (IoTs). Informed by both an analysis of current assessment a...
ABSTRACTThis is a cross institution project involving four Institutes of Technology in Ireland. T... more ABSTRACTThis is a cross institution project involving four Institutes of Technology in Ireland. The objective of this project is to assess the use of technology to enhance the assessment of laboratory sessions in Science and Health. In science, health and engineering, the laboratory sessions are at the core of the learning process for skill development. These laboratory sessions focus on the skills acquisition. The Irish Institute of Technology sector, in particular, develops these skills and considers them essential for ‘professionally ready’ graduates. In terms of student progression and retention, the assessment structure has been identified as having a significant impact on student engagement.The Technology Enhanced Assessment Methods (TEAM) project led by Dundalk Institute of Technology and partnering with Institute of Technology Sligo, Athlone Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow is exploring the potential offered by digital technologies to address these ...
The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the la... more The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the largest assemblages of human remains from a burial ground in Ireland to date. In order to enhance the interpretation of the assemblage and give a more complete picture of the Ballyhanna community as a whole, a sample of the juvenile population from Ballyhanna were sexed using DNA based techniques. Sex identification of human remains is generally assigned using skeletal morphology or on some occasions using associated grave goods. When an assemblage contains immature or fragmentary material, an alternative and reliable means of sexing these individuals is required. In this research project the reproducibility of two PCR based sexing methods were evaluated on 38 adults of known sex to determine the accuracy of the methodology for sexing individuals from the Ballyhanna assemblage. Using real time PCR and STR profiling, a reliable sexing system was developed for adult remains which was validated against osteoarchaeological sexing. The reproducibility of the results from the amplified samples meant that the methodologies were valid and could be used to sex juveniles from the assemblage. The molecular sexing results from nineteen juveniles sampled determined that four of the juvenile individuals were males, 10 were probable males, one was a probable female and four were inconclusive. The results from this study, although they may not be fully representative of the entire juvenile population excavated from this cemetery, indicate higher levels of juvenile male mortality than female.
Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury... more Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury to the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes undergo rapid cell division and reactive astrocytes encapsulate exposed areas of the CNS producing a glial scar. Studies indicate the existence of a family of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) related glycosidic mitogen inhibitors with growth inhibiting properties for astrocytes. Here, for the ®rst time, we describe the isolation of such a factor from cultured rat astrocytes by ion-exchange and immunoaf®nity chromatography. The isolated factor is glycosidic in nature, cross reacts with the anti-EGFr monoclonal antibody Clone 29.1, and inhibits the growth of primary astrocytes and N2a neuroblastoma cells in vitro.
Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaque... more Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. Research has shown that endothelial cells (ECs) respond to shear stress by altering their morphology and gene expression. However, to date most research has exposed ECs to idealised WSS profiles. This research applied physiological coronary WSS to ECs in a cone and plate apparatus. Realistic coronary WSS profiles were determined by creating a 3D right and left coronary geometry and performing computational fluid dynamics analysis using FLUENT 6.0. Three separate profiles were selected, two from regions prone to plaque development-the inner wall of curvature in the RCA and the outer wall of the bifurcation in the LCA and one from a "healthy" straight segment in the RCA. HAECs, grown on collagen coated glass 6 well plates, were exposed to shear stress for 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. Three wells were maintained as static controls during each test. Cell adhesion molecule mRNA expression was examined using real time RT-PCR and CAM protein expression using flow cytometry. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression was upregulated after 8 hours and maintained over the 24 hours by both the RCA shear profiles. The LCA profile, which was a very low magnitude profile, induced some early expression of ICAM-1 but this expression had returned to static levels after 12 hours. Early VCAM-1 expression was induced by the two RCA profiles but had returned to static levels by 12 hours. EC CAM expression was also examined following exposure to the individual harmonic components of the inner curvature RCA profile to determine which harmonics are important in the response. The inner curvature RCA profile is most likely to induce monocyte adhesion as it induced significant expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1 and E-Selectin and also the shear magnitudes would promote monocyte rolling and adhesion.
Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury... more Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury to the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes undergo rapid cell division and reactive astrocytes encapsulate exposed areas of the CNS producing a glial scar. Studies indicate the existence of a family of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) related glycosidic mitogen inhibitors with growth inhibiting properties for astrocytes. Here, for the ®rst time, we describe the isolation of such a factor from cultured rat astrocytes by ion-exchange and immunoaf®nity chromatography. The isolated factor is glycosidic in nature, cross reacts with the anti-EGFr monoclonal antibody Clone 29.1, and inhibits the growth of primary astrocytes and N2a neuroblastoma cells in vitro.
Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaque... more Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. Research has shown that endothelial cells (ECs) respond to shear stress by altering their morphology and gene expression. However, to date most research has exposed ECs to idealised WSS profiles. This research applied physiological coronary WSS to ECs in a cone and plate apparatus. Realistic coronary WSS profiles were determined by creating a 3D right and left coronary geometry and performing computational fluid dynamics analysis using FLUENT 6.0. Three separate profiles were selected, two from regions prone to plaque development-the inner wall of curvature in the RCA and the outer wall of the bifurcation in the LCA and one from a "healthy" straight segment in the RCA. HAECs, grown on collagen coated glass 6 well plates, were exposed to shear stress for 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. Three wells were maintained as static controls during each test. Cell adhesion molecule mRNA expression was examined using real time RT-PCR and CAM protein expression using flow cytometry. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression was upregulated after 8 hours and maintained over the 24 hours by both the RCA shear profiles. The LCA profile, which was a very low magnitude profile, induced some early expression of ICAM-1 but this expression had returned to static levels after 12 hours. Early VCAM-1 expression was induced by the two RCA profiles but had returned to static levels by 12 hours. EC CAM expression was also examined following exposure to the individual harmonic components of the inner curvature RCA profile to determine which harmonics are important in the response. The inner curvature RCA profile is most likely to induce monocyte adhesion as it induced significant expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1 and E-Selectin and also the shear magnitudes would promote monocyte rolling and adhesion.
The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the la... more The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the largest assemblages of human remains from a burial ground in Ireland to date. In order to enhance the interpretation of the assemblage and give a more complete picture of the Ballyhanna community as a whole, a sample of the juvenile population from Ballyhanna were sexed using DNA based techniques. Sex identification of human remains is generally assigned using skeletal morphology or on some occasions using associated grave goods. When an assemblage contains immature or fragmentary material, an alternative and reliable means of sexing these individuals is required. In this research project the reproducibility of two PCR based sexing methods were evaluated on 38 adults of known sex to determine the accuracy of the methodology for sexing individuals from the Ballyhanna assemblage. Using real time PCR and STR profiling, a reliable sexing system was developed for adult remains which was validated against osteoarchaeological sexing. The reproducibility of the results from the amplified samples meant that the methodologies were valid and could be used to sex juveniles from the assemblage. The molecular sexing results from nineteen juveniles sampled determined that four of the juvenile individuals were males, 10 were probable males, one was a probable female and four were inconclusive. The results from this study, although they may not be fully representative of the entire juvenile population excavated from this cemetery, indicate higher levels of juvenile male mortality than female.
Fluorescein-conjugated lectins were used to examine the reappearance of glycoproteins on the surf... more Fluorescein-conjugated lectins were used to examine the reappearance of glycoproteins on the surface of 8-cell mouse embryos after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. Embryos were decompacted in calcium ‘free’ medium, treated with various proteases and the process of recompaction monitored. The most effective enzymes in delaying recompaction were subtilopeptidase A and proteinase K at 1 mg/ml; the initiation of recompaction was delayed by about 5 h and 90% recompaction by 14–18 h. Papain and α-chymotrypsin were only effective in the absence of calcium. The reappearance of receptors for fluorescein-conjugated Con-A, MPA, RCA-I, FBP, BSL-II and DBA was examined photometrically at 0,8–10 and 17–18 h after proteinase K treatment. There was an increase in binding of MPA, RCA-I, FBP and BSL-II in control embryos during the period of the experiment, between approx. 61 and 80 h post coitum in which embryos passed from the 8-cell stage to the 16–32 cell stage. Con-A binding remained the same and that of DBA decreased. By the time that 50% of enzyme treated embryos had recompacted (8–10 h) binding of Con-A was similar to control embryos. Binding of FBP had almost reached control levels while that of BSL-II, DBA, RCA-I and MPA had reached 60–85% of control levels. When embryos were fully compact (17–18 h) Con-A, FBP and DBA were bound in equal or slightly greater amounts to enzyme treated as to control embryos, and receptors for BSL-II, MPA and RCA-I had recovered almost to control levels. The results clearly show that the recovery of glycoproteins on the surface of 8–16 cell embryos parallels recompaction, providing further evidence for the role of these molecules in compaction.
An electron microscopic investigation of the events associated with meiosis in Lilium has reveale... more An electron microscopic investigation of the events associated with meiosis in Lilium has revealed a number of changes in both the organellar population and the other cytoplasmic components. Ribosome numbers decrease significantly in early prophase and are later replenished in the tetrads, a process most likely involving the newly arising cytoplasmic nucleoloids. The organelles show a cycle of de- and redifferentiation and later in meiosis unusual internal structures can be seen before these organelles enter a division phase resulting in increased numbers. The localization of acid phosphatase during these changes has also been studied using electron microscopic cytochemical methods. In early prophase, considerable amounts of acid phosphatase are found in vesicles scattered through the cytoplasm; activity is also found in association with most membranous surfaces and often markedly associated with condensing mitochondria. Later in prophase the enzyme activity decreases to normal leve...
The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughou... more The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the world. This shortage has resulted in an increase in production of PPE to meet the demand, and as a result, several substandard equipment has entered the market. With face masks and respirators now beginning to see widespread use throughout the world, the standards and test with which they are required to undertake have become points of interest. The filtration efficiency of the masks is a key testing element that examines its ability to filter particles, bacteria and viruses; this examines the penetration efficiency percentage of each with lower results being preferable. Masks are also subjected to NaCl testing method, which allows a range of particle sizes to be examined and their penetration to be observed. The masks must also show considerable resistance to fluids and flames, to prevent the penetration of liquids and to be non-flammable. Various PPE testing protocols such as biological, chemical, fluid and flame resistances, protective ensemble, facepiece fit testing, NIOSH NaCl method and impact protection have been discussed. In addition, various tests involving bacterial and viral filtration efficiencies are also discussed. Differential pressure is examined to ascertain the comfort, airflow and breathability of the masks, whilst fit testing is examined to ensure a correct fit of the mask.
In an electron microscopic autoradiographic study of DNA and RNA synthesis during meiosis isolate... more In an electron microscopic autoradiographic study of DNA and RNA synthesis during meiosis isolated Lilium microsporocytes were supplied with [3H]thymidine and [3H]uridine. DNA synthesis occurred in the nucleus during the zygotene and pachytene intervals of meiotic prophase. Most of the activity was associated with the chromatin, but some synthesis early in zygotene was located at the nucleolus. RNA synthesis occurred throughout prophase until diplotene, when all activity ceased until after division. The newly synthesized RNA was found mostly in association with the chromosomal peripheries or in the space between chromosomes. There was also a peak of [3 H] uridine incorporation at the nucleolus, which followed shortly after the synthesis of DNA at that site. The localization of DNA and RNA synthesis at the various stages of meiosis is discussed in relation to current concepts of chromosome pairing, crossing-over, ribosomal DNA amplification and cycles of RNA metabolism.
In Higher Education, science and health degree programmes involve significant practical elements.... more In Higher Education, science and health degree programmes involve significant practical elements. In many cases, students spend as much time in practical or clinical skill sessions each week as they do in classroom based lectures. These hands-on sessions engage students, develop both soft and technical skills, while allowing theory to be put into practice. However, in many cases, the design, assessment and feedback aspects of practical sessions has not received the attention warranted, with traditional approaches often persisting. This paper discusses a nationally funded, multi-institution enhancement project focused on implementing and evaluating digital technologies to enhance assessment in science and health practical sessions. Via an initial baseline analysis, four thematic areas were identified for pilot development: [1] Pre-practical videos combined with online/app quizzes, [2] Electronic lab notebooks, [3] Digital Feedback and [4] Rubrics. In collaboration with student p...
METHODS (TEAM) TO HEALTH AND SCIENCE PRACTICAL SETTINGS; BRINGING DIGITAL SKILLS TO LABORATORY AN... more METHODS (TEAM) TO HEALTH AND SCIENCE PRACTICAL SETTINGS; BRINGING DIGITAL SKILLS TO LABORATORY AND CLINICAL SKILL SESSIONS. Ronan Bree 1 , Edel Healy 1 , Moira Maguire 1 ; Don Faller 2 , Nuala Harding 2 , Ann Mulvihill 2 ; Dina Brazil 3 , David Dowling 3 , Yvonne Kavanagh 3 , Gina Noonan 3 ; Akinlolu Akande 4 , David Doyle 4 , Jeremy Bird 4 . 1 Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Louth, Ireland. 2 Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland. 3 Institute of Technology, Carlow, Carlow, Ireland. 4 Institute of Technology, Sligo, Sligo, Ireland
The Irish Higher Education sector has experienced a variety of key policy developments in the rec... more The Irish Higher Education sector has experienced a variety of key policy developments in the recent past. The publication of a ‘National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030’ was followed by the establishment of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (NFETL) and the subsequent publication of ‘A Roadmap for Enhancement in a Digital World’ 2015–2017. In tandem, the National Forum devised the first national enhancement theme ‘Teaching for Transition’ and more recently ‘Assessment for, as and of Learning’ with research funding allocated. This paper will discuss two current national educational research projects that focus on the development of digital pedagogy. The first focuses on supporting transition through enhancing feedback in first year using digital technologies. Y1Feedback is a two-year (2015–2017) multi-institutional change project involving two universities and two institutes of technology (IoTs). Informed by both an analysis of current assessment a...
ABSTRACTThis is a cross institution project involving four Institutes of Technology in Ireland. T... more ABSTRACTThis is a cross institution project involving four Institutes of Technology in Ireland. The objective of this project is to assess the use of technology to enhance the assessment of laboratory sessions in Science and Health. In science, health and engineering, the laboratory sessions are at the core of the learning process for skill development. These laboratory sessions focus on the skills acquisition. The Irish Institute of Technology sector, in particular, develops these skills and considers them essential for ‘professionally ready’ graduates. In terms of student progression and retention, the assessment structure has been identified as having a significant impact on student engagement.The Technology Enhanced Assessment Methods (TEAM) project led by Dundalk Institute of Technology and partnering with Institute of Technology Sligo, Athlone Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow is exploring the potential offered by digital technologies to address these ...
The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the la... more The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the largest assemblages of human remains from a burial ground in Ireland to date. In order to enhance the interpretation of the assemblage and give a more complete picture of the Ballyhanna community as a whole, a sample of the juvenile population from Ballyhanna were sexed using DNA based techniques. Sex identification of human remains is generally assigned using skeletal morphology or on some occasions using associated grave goods. When an assemblage contains immature or fragmentary material, an alternative and reliable means of sexing these individuals is required. In this research project the reproducibility of two PCR based sexing methods were evaluated on 38 adults of known sex to determine the accuracy of the methodology for sexing individuals from the Ballyhanna assemblage. Using real time PCR and STR profiling, a reliable sexing system was developed for adult remains which was validated against osteoarchaeological sexing. The reproducibility of the results from the amplified samples meant that the methodologies were valid and could be used to sex juveniles from the assemblage. The molecular sexing results from nineteen juveniles sampled determined that four of the juvenile individuals were males, 10 were probable males, one was a probable female and four were inconclusive. The results from this study, although they may not be fully representative of the entire juvenile population excavated from this cemetery, indicate higher levels of juvenile male mortality than female.
Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury... more Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury to the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes undergo rapid cell division and reactive astrocytes encapsulate exposed areas of the CNS producing a glial scar. Studies indicate the existence of a family of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) related glycosidic mitogen inhibitors with growth inhibiting properties for astrocytes. Here, for the ®rst time, we describe the isolation of such a factor from cultured rat astrocytes by ion-exchange and immunoaf®nity chromatography. The isolated factor is glycosidic in nature, cross reacts with the anti-EGFr monoclonal antibody Clone 29.1, and inhibits the growth of primary astrocytes and N2a neuroblastoma cells in vitro.
Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaque... more Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. Research has shown that endothelial cells (ECs) respond to shear stress by altering their morphology and gene expression. However, to date most research has exposed ECs to idealised WSS profiles. This research applied physiological coronary WSS to ECs in a cone and plate apparatus. Realistic coronary WSS profiles were determined by creating a 3D right and left coronary geometry and performing computational fluid dynamics analysis using FLUENT 6.0. Three separate profiles were selected, two from regions prone to plaque development-the inner wall of curvature in the RCA and the outer wall of the bifurcation in the LCA and one from a "healthy" straight segment in the RCA. HAECs, grown on collagen coated glass 6 well plates, were exposed to shear stress for 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. Three wells were maintained as static controls during each test. Cell adhesion molecule mRNA expression was examined using real time RT-PCR and CAM protein expression using flow cytometry. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression was upregulated after 8 hours and maintained over the 24 hours by both the RCA shear profiles. The LCA profile, which was a very low magnitude profile, induced some early expression of ICAM-1 but this expression had returned to static levels after 12 hours. Early VCAM-1 expression was induced by the two RCA profiles but had returned to static levels by 12 hours. EC CAM expression was also examined following exposure to the individual harmonic components of the inner curvature RCA profile to determine which harmonics are important in the response. The inner curvature RCA profile is most likely to induce monocyte adhesion as it induced significant expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1 and E-Selectin and also the shear magnitudes would promote monocyte rolling and adhesion.
Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury... more Astrocytes rarely undergo mitotic cell division in the developed adult. However, following injury to the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes undergo rapid cell division and reactive astrocytes encapsulate exposed areas of the CNS producing a glial scar. Studies indicate the existence of a family of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) related glycosidic mitogen inhibitors with growth inhibiting properties for astrocytes. Here, for the ®rst time, we describe the isolation of such a factor from cultured rat astrocytes by ion-exchange and immunoaf®nity chromatography. The isolated factor is glycosidic in nature, cross reacts with the anti-EGFr monoclonal antibody Clone 29.1, and inhibits the growth of primary astrocytes and N2a neuroblastoma cells in vitro.
Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaque... more Wall shear stress has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. Research has shown that endothelial cells (ECs) respond to shear stress by altering their morphology and gene expression. However, to date most research has exposed ECs to idealised WSS profiles. This research applied physiological coronary WSS to ECs in a cone and plate apparatus. Realistic coronary WSS profiles were determined by creating a 3D right and left coronary geometry and performing computational fluid dynamics analysis using FLUENT 6.0. Three separate profiles were selected, two from regions prone to plaque development-the inner wall of curvature in the RCA and the outer wall of the bifurcation in the LCA and one from a "healthy" straight segment in the RCA. HAECs, grown on collagen coated glass 6 well plates, were exposed to shear stress for 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours. Three wells were maintained as static controls during each test. Cell adhesion molecule mRNA expression was examined using real time RT-PCR and CAM protein expression using flow cytometry. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression was upregulated after 8 hours and maintained over the 24 hours by both the RCA shear profiles. The LCA profile, which was a very low magnitude profile, induced some early expression of ICAM-1 but this expression had returned to static levels after 12 hours. Early VCAM-1 expression was induced by the two RCA profiles but had returned to static levels by 12 hours. EC CAM expression was also examined following exposure to the individual harmonic components of the inner curvature RCA profile to determine which harmonics are important in the response. The inner curvature RCA profile is most likely to induce monocyte adhesion as it induced significant expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1 and E-Selectin and also the shear magnitudes would promote monocyte rolling and adhesion.
The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the la... more The excavation of a medieval cemetery in County Donegal has allowed the recovery of one of the largest assemblages of human remains from a burial ground in Ireland to date. In order to enhance the interpretation of the assemblage and give a more complete picture of the Ballyhanna community as a whole, a sample of the juvenile population from Ballyhanna were sexed using DNA based techniques. Sex identification of human remains is generally assigned using skeletal morphology or on some occasions using associated grave goods. When an assemblage contains immature or fragmentary material, an alternative and reliable means of sexing these individuals is required. In this research project the reproducibility of two PCR based sexing methods were evaluated on 38 adults of known sex to determine the accuracy of the methodology for sexing individuals from the Ballyhanna assemblage. Using real time PCR and STR profiling, a reliable sexing system was developed for adult remains which was validated against osteoarchaeological sexing. The reproducibility of the results from the amplified samples meant that the methodologies were valid and could be used to sex juveniles from the assemblage. The molecular sexing results from nineteen juveniles sampled determined that four of the juvenile individuals were males, 10 were probable males, one was a probable female and four were inconclusive. The results from this study, although they may not be fully representative of the entire juvenile population excavated from this cemetery, indicate higher levels of juvenile male mortality than female.
Fluorescein-conjugated lectins were used to examine the reappearance of glycoproteins on the surf... more Fluorescein-conjugated lectins were used to examine the reappearance of glycoproteins on the surface of 8-cell mouse embryos after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. Embryos were decompacted in calcium ‘free’ medium, treated with various proteases and the process of recompaction monitored. The most effective enzymes in delaying recompaction were subtilopeptidase A and proteinase K at 1 mg/ml; the initiation of recompaction was delayed by about 5 h and 90% recompaction by 14–18 h. Papain and α-chymotrypsin were only effective in the absence of calcium. The reappearance of receptors for fluorescein-conjugated Con-A, MPA, RCA-I, FBP, BSL-II and DBA was examined photometrically at 0,8–10 and 17–18 h after proteinase K treatment. There was an increase in binding of MPA, RCA-I, FBP and BSL-II in control embryos during the period of the experiment, between approx. 61 and 80 h post coitum in which embryos passed from the 8-cell stage to the 16–32 cell stage. Con-A binding remained the same and that of DBA decreased. By the time that 50% of enzyme treated embryos had recompacted (8–10 h) binding of Con-A was similar to control embryos. Binding of FBP had almost reached control levels while that of BSL-II, DBA, RCA-I and MPA had reached 60–85% of control levels. When embryos were fully compact (17–18 h) Con-A, FBP and DBA were bound in equal or slightly greater amounts to enzyme treated as to control embryos, and receptors for BSL-II, MPA and RCA-I had recovered almost to control levels. The results clearly show that the recovery of glycoproteins on the surface of 8–16 cell embryos parallels recompaction, providing further evidence for the role of these molecules in compaction.
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