scholarly journals Worms in Space for Outreach on Earth: Space Life Science Activities for the Classroom

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Gaffney ◽  
Amelia K. Pollard ◽  
Colleen S. Deane ◽  
Michael Cooke ◽  
Michele Balsamo ◽  
...  

AbstractLong term spaceflight is associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The Molecular Muscle Experiment (MME) seeks to identify the causes of muscle decline in space and test potential therapies to attenuate this in the microscopic worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. This is the first UK-led experiment in the almost two-decade history of the International Space Station. We therefore intend to complete significant and widespread educational outreach activities to promote interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and to increase engagement with our space life science experiment. This paper describes three education outreach activities relating to MME that are suitable for use in the classroom: (i) observing normal and mutant worms; (ii) observing the effect of unloading (simulation of microgravity); and (iii) handling spaceflight hardware. Activity packs are provided at a starter and advanced level to support these activities. This paper also provides three posters that may be used as learning resources for educators. These posters provide information on: (i) why worms are used for research; (ii) spaceflight human physiology; and (iii) the specifics of the MME. Details of further planned engagement activities are outlined to increase the awareness of the MME.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Jessica Frankenhoff ◽  
Jeffrey Stromberg ◽  
Aimee Riley ◽  
Jun He ◽  
Prem Madesh ◽  
...  

Objective: Trapeziometacarpal (TM) joint arthritis is a common source of hand pain in patients presenting to the hand surgeon’s clinic. Long-term data on the natural history of symptomatic TM arthritis is lacking.Methods: We identified 251 patients with symptomatic TM arthritis and performed a retrospective chart review which identified treatment modalities (including surgery) and long term outcomes which were assessed via a telephone survey.Results: We found that of the 251 patients who presented with symptomatic TM arthritis, the 114 patients who had surgery had less pain and disability in the long term than those patients who were treated conservatively with splinting or injection (average pain score 1.8 vs. 3.8). However, the majority of patients did not ultimately undergo surgery.Conclusions: Although patients fare better from a pain and function standpoint with surgery, surgery is not inevitable.


1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham A. Rogeness ◽  
Erin B. McClure

AbstractNorepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5HT) are three of the more than thirty neurotransmitters (NTs) in the brain. Axons from a relatively small number of cell bodies located in the midbrain and brainstem branch out to connect with virtually all areas of the brain. Via these connections, these three NTs participate in the regulation of several behavioral systems that help modulate the interaction of the individual with his/her environment. Because the NT systems continue to develop after birth, interactions between the individual and his/her environment after birth may affect the development of these systems and have long-term effects on the individual's behavior. Animal studies indicate that early experience affects behavior and biogenic amine systems in the adult. For instance, one study showed that maternal deprivation, which is analogous to human neglect, affects the NE system in monkeys and may have a long-lasting effect on its development and function. In a previous study, similar relationships between early neglect and the NE system in humans were examined. Our results show that emotionally disturbed children with a history of neglect have lower dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) activity, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of NE, than do children with no history of neglect. Additionally, the children with a history of neglect have lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, both of which are functions mediated by the NE system, than the other children studied. These results support findings in animal studies that neglect affects the development of the NE system in a long-lasting, if not permanent way.


2011 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 642-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Pensy ◽  
F. D. Burke ◽  
M. J. Bradley ◽  
N. H. Dubin ◽  
E. F. S. Wilgis

The long-term outcomes of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who were scheduled for release but did not proceed to surgery were compared to patients who underwent surgery, matched on preoperative symptom scores. Both groups completed the Levine–Katz questionnaire 6 years after enrolment to our multicentre carpal tunnel syndrome outcomes database. Symptom and function scores improved for the surgical ( n = 24) and non-surgical ( n = 36) groups ( p < 0.001). Improvement in symptom scores was greater in surgical patients compared to non-surgical patients ( n = 24 matched pairs; p = 0.007) but improvement in function scores between groups was not significantly different ( p = 0.13). For surgical patients, function and symptom scores improved by 6 months and were unchanged at 6 years. Patients planning surgical release can expect symptomatic and functional benefits within 6 months. Overall improvement was experienced by both groups, with a superior outcome achieved with surgery. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may improve without surgery, but further studies are needed to understand the natural history of the disorder.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
Salman Ghaffari ◽  
◽  
Mehran Razavipour ◽  
Parastoo Mohammad Amini ◽  
◽  
...  

McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS) is characterized by endocrinopathies, café-au-lait spots, and fibrous dysplasia. Bisphosphonates are the most prescribed treatment for reducing the pain but their long-term use has been associated with atypical fractures of cortical bones like femur in patients. We present a 23-year-old girl diagnosed with MAS. She had an atypical mid-shaft left femoral fracture that happened during simple walking. She also had a history of long-term use of alendronate. Because of the narrow medullary canal, we used 14 holes hybrid locking plate for the lateral aspect of the thigh to fix the fracture and 5 holes dynamic compression plate (instead of the intramedullary nail) in the anterior surface to double fix it, reducing the probability of device failure. With double plate fixation and discontinuation of alendronate, the complete union was achieved five months after surgery


Author(s):  
Johann P. Arnason

Different understandings of European integration, its background and present problems are represented in this book, but they share an emphasis on historical processes, geopolitical dynamics and regional diversity. The introduction surveys approaches to the question of European continuities and discontinuities, before going on to an overview of chapters. The following three contributions deal with long-term perspectives, including the question of Europe as a civilisational entity, the civilisational crisis of the twentieth century, marked by wars and totalitarian regimes, and a comparison of the European Union with the Habsburg Empire, with particular emphasis on similar crisis symptoms. The next three chapters discuss various aspects and contexts of the present crisis. Reflections on the Brexit controversy throw light on a longer history of intra-Union rivalry, enduring disputes and changing external conditions. An analysis of efforts to strengthen the EU’s legal and constitutional framework, and of resistances to them, highlights the unfinished agenda of integration. A closer look at the much-disputed Islamic presence in Europe suggests that an interdependent radicalization of Islamism and the European extreme right is a major factor in current political developments. Three concluding chapters adopt specific regional perspectives. Central and Eastern European countries, especially Poland, are following a path that leads to conflicts with dominant orientations of the EU, but this also raises questions about Europe’s future. The record of Scandinavian policies in relation to Europe exemplifies more general problems faced by peripheral regions. Finally, growing dissonances and divergences within the EU may strengthen the case for Eurasian perspectives.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Shaikh ◽  
Natasha Shrikrishnapalasuriyar ◽  
Giselle Sharaf ◽  
David Price ◽  
Maneesh Udiawar ◽  
...  

Diabetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1386-P
Author(s):  
SYLVIA E. BADON ◽  
FEI XU ◽  
CHARLES QUESENBERRY ◽  
ASSIAMIRA FERRARA ◽  
MONIQUE M. HEDDERSON

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