Innate Potential Research Articles

Characterization of Lactobacillus reuteri BCLR-42 and Lactobacillus plantarum BCLP-51 as novel dog probiotics with innate immune enhancing properties

Probiotics that are able to provide beneficial effects on animal health have become important ingredients of dog foods. This study was conducted to characterize the probiotic potentials of two strains, Lactobacillus reuteri BCLR-42 and Lactobacillus plantarum BCLP-51, that were derived from feces of healthy dogs and evaluated based on tolerance to low pH and bile acid, antimicrobial activities, enzyme profiles, sensitivity to antibiotics, and innate immune enhancing potentials. Both strains showed survival of more than 90% at pH 3 and 0.2% bile acid and exhibited broad antimicrobial activities against indicator bacteria. Moreover, both strains showed high sensitivity to antibiotics, except vancomycin, metronidazole, and gentamicin. The alkaline phosphatase was negligible (score 0), whereas they showed strong beta galactosidase activity (score range 5 or 3, respectively). The phagocytosis and oxidative burst activities of canine granulocytes were significantly enhanced in response to both strains. These results show that both strains have the capability to act as probiotics and the potential for application as ingredients in dog foods.

Recommended Ethical Safeguards on Fertilization of Human Germ Cells Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells Solely for Research Purposes.

Production of human fertilized embryos by using germ cells derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) entails ethical issues that differ fundamentally depending on the aim. If the aim is solely to conduct research, then embryo generation, utilization and destruction must respect for the human embryo as having the innate potential to develop into a human being. If the aim is human reproduction, this technology must never be used to manipulate human life, confuse social order, or negatively affect future generations. Researchers should distinguish the aims and then accordingly establish a consensus on the safeguards needed to proceed with scientifically significant and socially accepted research, or otherwise set a moratorium. Currently, in Japan, germ cell production from human PSCs is permitted, whereas fertilization of these germ cells is not. The Japanese Expert Panel on Bioethics in the Cabinet Office has proposed that all of the following conditions must be met to approve fertilization for research purposes: (1) the research is significant for the life sciences and medicine; (2) the benefits or anticipated benefits are socially accepted; (3) human safety is assured; and (4) safeguards are put in place. If fertilization is ethically approved, I recommend the following safeguards: limitation of the purpose to improving conventional ART as an initial step; permitted culture of human embryos until the appearance of the primitive streak; restriction of the number of embryos produced to the minimum necessary; prohibition of transplantation into a human or animal uterus; and provision of human-derived ova that are not required for ART treatment.

Expression of CD11c Is Associated with Unconventional Activated T Cell Subsets with High Migratory Potential.

CD11c is an α integrin classically employed to define myeloid dendritic cells. Although there is little information about CD11c expression on human T cells, mouse models have shown an association of CD11c expression with functionally relevant T cell subsets. In the context of genital tract infection, we have previously observed increased expression of CD11c in circulating T cells from mice and women. Microarray analyses of activated effector T cells expressing CD11c derived from naïve mice demonstrated enrichment for natural killer (NK) associated genes. Here we find that murine CD11c+ T cells analyzed by flow cytometry display markers associated with non-conventional T cell subsets, including γδ T cells and invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. However, in women, only γδ T cells and CD8+ T cells were enriched within the CD11c fraction of blood and cervical tissue. These CD11c+ cells were highly activated and had greater interferon (IFN)-γ secretory capacity than CD11c- T cells. Furthermore, circulating CD11c+ T cells were associated with the expression of multiple adhesion molecules in women, suggesting that these cells have high tissue homing potential. These data suggest that CD11c expression distinguishes a population of circulating T cells during bacterial infection with innate capacity and mucosal homing potential.

Urtica dioica alcoholic extract increases the cell-mediated innate immune potential in chickens

Active principles from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), a wide spread herbaceous perennial flowering plant, are well known for their anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-ulcer and anesthetic capacity. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo and in vitro effects of a commercial alcoholic stinging nettle extract in 38 days old chickens on the non-specific immunity. The birds were divided in three equal groups (n=10) and subjected to sc treatments on days 0 and 7, as follows: 0.5ml saline/chicken (I—control); 0.5ml 70° alcohol/chicken, (II—solvent control); 0.5ml alcoholic nettle extract/chicken (III—treated group). Total leukocyte counts and carbon particle inclusion test to estimate the in vitro phagocytic activity were performed on whole blood sampled on days 0, 7 and 14.Alcoholic nettle plant extract significantly (p<0.05) increased the total leukocyte numbers, from 15,400±3,005/mm3 to 17,125±2,813/mm3, when compared to groups I (16,667±1,807/mm3 to 16,475±2,098/mm3) and II (17,555±2,098/mm3 to 16,875±1,966/mm3). Similarly, the nettle extract treatment significantly enhanced (p<0.01) the in vitro functional capacity of the phagocytes over time for the first (0–30min, 0.347±0.07–1.464±0.06) but not the second (30–40min, 0.196±0.05–0.223±0.06) tested time interval. These results supported the beneficial biological effect of the in vivo alcoholic nettle extract treatment on the innate immune response, which could lead to a higher resistance to diseases and improved post vaccination response of the birds, thus reducing the economic losses.

Cutting orientations for non-complex parts in 4th axis machining

The application of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machining for Rapid Manufacturing processes (CNC-RM) exploits the innate potential of 4th axis machining. The use of an indexer allows the workpiece to be rotated to various orientations which directly increased the region accessible to the cutting tool. However, in order to avoid thin webs and preserve tool life, cutting must be executed with a minimum of three orientations even for geometrically simple parts. Recent findings have suggested the separation of cutting orientations into roughing and finishing operations. Thus, the selection of orientations in finishing processes becomes more flexible and independent. This study was conducted to identify the effects of using a minimum of two cutting orientations in finishing operations for CNC-RM applications. This method is only applicable for non-complex parts where all the features can be machined from two directions. The results of the study illustrate the positive effects of minimizing the number of orientations. Despite improvement in machining operations, the complexity in defining the cutting orientations was also reduced.

Neuroscience, Music, and Culture: Finding Pathways to Effective Multicultural Music Education

There is a long-standing belief in U.S. music education that students should learn music from other cultures. Research that incorporates elements of neuroscience, music, and culture can provide evidence teachers need to improve the design and implementation of multicultural music education curricula. The purpose of this short-form literature review is to discuss recent quantitative research in neuroscience, music, and culture to further the integration and application of neuroscientific evidence into the daily practices of music educators. This literature review includes three avenues of inquiry: (a) studies of infants’ musical perception, (b) studies from Finland highlighting the neuroplasticity of the brain, and (c) a series of experiments from the University of Washington investigating culture and the recall of music. Recommendations focus on four concepts: (a) uncovering innate musical potential, (b) developing a framework for understanding music, (c) teaching focused listening strategies, and (d) adjusting expectations in learning outcomes.

Theory A for Optimizing Human Productivity

Optimizing human productivity is a challenging process for the organizations and this process involves getting the best performance from employees within the organizational constraints. Even though the performance of human resources in organizations mainly depend on technology and external environment, ways of thinking individually and by teams, and humanistic orientation are important. Various models are used in developing a strategy to improve the people’s performance in organizations. Such for example, are theory X, theory Y and theory A. All these in common are based on presumptions about the human behaviour at work. Theory X and Y are opposing each other in predicting human nature. Theory X describes human nature as lazy, dislikes work and avoids, lacks responsibility, seeks security, lack of ambition and therefore should be forced, controlled, threatened or closely supervised to get work. Theory Y believes in the exercise of self-direction and self-control investing faith in individual potential, imagination, creativity and its application to work. Against this is theory A which focuses innate human potential, inherent urge for creativity, self-expression and contribution to the organization as motivators. As such, managers have to transform average employee to real performers using role models and self-exploration. This paper attempts to compare factors affecting organizational performance in all these aforesaid theories. It also details a set of model operational steps in introducing the theory of accountability. It also makes an SWOC analysis of theory A and its application to different types of organizations.

Indian Cattle: An Asset for Smallholders under Changing Climatic Scenario

Cattle rearing being complementary to agriculture has been a part of social and cultural heritage of Indian civilisation. Cattle have been the source of livelihood for landless and resource poor farmers, majority of them living below the poverty line. It has been well established that whenever crops fail miserably due to natural calamities, livestock have been the savoir of the farmers. Indigenous cattle have been instrumental in providing milk, milk products, draft power, bio-fertiliser and bio-fuel besides producing bio-molecules and other products beneficial for human health. The distribution of cattle amongst various categories of animal keepers revealed that marginal, small and semi-medium farmers on an average have about 89% of cattle. However, the innate production potential of cattle is not exploited to the fullest extent by these farmers due to lack of awareness about the improved resources, technologies and other inputs attributed to lower literacy of this stratum of the rural people.

Measuring the immune system of the three-spined stickleback - investigating natural variation by quantifying immune expression in the laboratory and the wild.

Current understanding of the immune system comes primarily from laboratory‐based studies. There has been substantial interest in examining how it functions in the wild, but studies have been limited by a lack of appropriate assays and study species. The three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) provides an ideal system in which to advance the study of wild immunology, but requires the development of suitable immune assays. We demonstrate that meaningful variation in the immune response of stickleback can be measured using real‐time PCR to quantify the expression of eight genes, representing the innate response and Th1‐, Th2‐ and Treg‐type adaptive responses. Assays are validated by comparing the immune expression profiles of wild and laboratory‐raised stickleback, and by examining variation across populations on North Uist, Scotland. We also compare the immune response potential of laboratory‐raised individuals from two Icelandic populations by stimulating cells in culture. Immune profiles of wild fish differed from laboratory‐raised fish from the same parental population, with immune expression patterns in the wild converging relative to those in the laboratory. Innate measures differed between wild populations, whilst the adaptive response was associated with variation in age, relative size of fish, reproductive status and S. solidus infection levels. Laboratory‐raised individuals from different populations showed markedly different innate immune response potential. The ability to combine studies in the laboratory and in the wild underlines the potential of this toolkit to advance our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary relevance of immune system variation in a natural setting.

Regenerative potential of human schneiderian membrane: progenitor cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

An innate osteogenic potential of the Schneiderian membrane (SM) is progressively assessed in studies ranging from non-human species to human subjects. It has relevance for endosteal placement and osseointegration. Nestin-expressing osteogenic progenitor cells are allegedly involved in bone formation and remodelling. Nestin phenotype was not assessed previously in human SM. We therefore aimed to fill that particular gap in the literature. Bioptic samples of human adult SM were obtained during surgery from eight adult patients, operated for non-malignant pathologies. Immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue samples used primary antibodies against nestin, CD45, CD146, cytokeratin 7 (CK7), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Nestin expression was consistently found in endothelial cells, and was scarcely encountered in pericytes, putative stromal stem/progenitor cells, as well as in glandular epithelial cells. Moreover, woven bone formation in the periosteal layer of the SM can also be regarded as evidence of the osteogenic potential of this membrane. Nestin and CD45 expression in cells of the primary bone supports the osteogenic potential of SM nestin-expressing cells and a possible involvement of hematopoietic stem cells in maxillary sinus floor remodeling. CD146, a known inducer of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), was expressed in epithelia, as was CK7. Isolated stromal cells were found expressing CD146, CK7 and α-SMA, suggesting that regenerative processes happening in the SM may also involve processes of EMT which generate stem/progenitor cells. This study provides additional evidence for the regenerative potential of the Schneiderian membrane and identifies potential roles for cells of its stem niche in osteogenesis.

Sympatric ecological divergence associated with a color polymorphism.

BackgroundColor polymorphisms are a conspicuous feature of many species and a way to address broad ecological and evolutionary questions. Three potential major evolutionary fates of color polymorphisms are conceivable over time: maintenance, loss, or speciation. However, the understanding of color polymorphisms and their evolutionary implications is frequently impaired by sex-linkage of coloration, unknown inheritance patterns, difficulties in phenotypic characterization, and a lack of evolutionary replicates. Hence, the role of color polymorphisms in promoting ecological and evolutionary diversification remains poorly understood. In this context, we assessed the ecological and evolutionary consequences of a color polymorphic study system that is not hampered by these restrictions: the repeated adaptive radiations of the gold/dark Midas cichlid fishes (the Amphilophus citrinellus species complex) from the great lakes and crater lakes of Nicaragua, Central America.ResultsWe conducted multi-trait morphological and ecological analyses from ten populations of this young adaptive radiation (<6,000 years old), which revealed sympatric ecological differentiation associated with the conspicuous binary (gold/dark) color polymorphism. Varying degrees of intraspecific ecological divergence were observed across the ten color morph pairs, but most pairs exhibited a consistently parallel ecological and evolutionary trajectory across populations. Specifically, gold Midas cichlids are frequently deeper-bodied, have more robust pharyngeal jaws, and feed at a lower trophic level compared to conspecific, sympatric dark individuals. A common garden experiment suggests there is a genetic correlation of color and eco-morphological traits.ConclusionsWe demonstrate unprecedented ecological and evolutionary consequences of color polymorphism in this adaptive radiation. Across the species complex, sympatric conspecific individuals differed in eco-morphology depending on color morph (gold/dark) and the axis of differentiation tended to be consistent across replicates. The consistent divergence across wild populations and the common garden experiment suggests that color is genetically correlated to ecology. Because Midas cichlids are known to mate color assortatively, the putative genetic correlation of this color polymorphism with an eco-morphological divergence suggests an innate potential to promote ecological and evolutionary divergence across this species complex. However, there are to date no examples of speciation based on color in this radiation, suggesting long-term maintenance of this color polymorphism.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-015-0192-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Reflections on the new Scottish innovative child protection system

This paper reflects on my work in Scotland in child protection during 2009 and 2010. It reflects on the Scotland I discovered and The Highlands I worked in. It describes recent innovative political decisions that have informed social work practice across all professions and government departments. It describes the implementation of an essentially simple system, which provides support for every child in need, specific to that need. It is a system that could positively inform the further development of child protection in New Zealand. Given the current plan to seek ways to ‘modernise’ Child Youth and Family (CYF), this paper seeks to encourage a debate on the merits of this path-finding Scottish solution to their political, social, ethnic and professional barriers, which could also produce positive outcomes for children in New Zealand (Tolley, 2015). It describes the overlaying of this approach on top of a professional workforce, despite the silo bureaucracy of service delivery and regardless of professional jealousies protecting individual professions. It describes the responsibilities of all who interact with children and sets certain overlying responsibilities for ‘named’ persons. In this way the responsibilities for the protection of children is moved from the realm of the social work profession, which is overloaded, as it is currently in New Zealand, and applied directly to all professions that interact with children. The Scots have produced a reliable system which strengthens protective mechanisms at the point of service delivery to the child. This in turn develops a reliable and accountable protective society, in which children in need are identified early and supported throughout their contact with different services. The goal is an on-going intervention that can achieve change for the child and allow the child to reach their potential. It is an aspirational system of care, aiming for development of innate potential. I reflect on the system and the safety it provided to myself as a social worker, the relief of ‘sharing’ child protection responsibilities with all other professions and the clarity of roles which defines this system.

Measuring nonvisual knowledge about object categories: The Semantic Vanderbilt Expertise Test.

How much do people differ in their abilities to recognize objects, and what is the source of these differences? To address the first question, psychologists have created visual learning tests including the Cambridge Face Memory Test (Duchaine & Nakayama, 2006) and the Vanderbilt Expertise Test (VET; McGugin et al., 2012). The second question requires consideration of the influences of both innate potential and experience, but experience is difficult to measure. One solution is to measure the products of experience beyond perceptual knowledge-specifically, nonvisual semantic knowledge. For instance, the relation between semantic and perceptual knowledge can help clarify the nature of object recognition deficits in brain-damaged patients (Barton, Hanif, & Ashraf, Brain, 132, 3456-3466, 2009). We present a reliable measure of nonperceptual knowledge in a format applicable across categories. The Semantic Vanderbilt Expertise Test (SVET) measures knowledge of relevant category-specific nomenclature. We present SVETs for eight categories: cars, planes, Transformers, dinosaurs, shoes, birds, leaves, and mushrooms. The SVET demonstrated good reliability and domain-specific validity. We found partial support for the idea that the only source of domain-specific shared variance between the VET and SVET is experience with a category. We also demonstrated the utility of the SVET-Bird in experts. The SVET can facilitate the study of individual differences in visual recognition.

Exploring the Role of Dermatoglyphics in Learning- A Case Study

The nature nurture issue has been an important debate in all aspects of the individual development. According to Jensen’s heritability ratio, hereditary has an impeccable influence in the development process. Based on these, dermatoglyphics has been used in the present case study in order to observe the innate potential of an individual, to give parents an insight into their child’s hidden potential and to groom them effectively. The present case study is confined to the acquiring methods and unique quotients of the subject. The findings of the study revealed the unique quotients of the subject and the best suitable acquisition method for the subject. Aim/Purpose: To test the methods of learning and unique quotients of the subject with the help of Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test DMIT. Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-3: 301-303 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i3.12651

PEDAGOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATIONS OF POTENTIALS AND ABILITIES

The existing diverse opinions of pedagogues on innate potentials and abilities stimulated carrying out of the research. The research provides characteristics correlations of potentials and abilities in musical activity. The theoretical basis is found in the verities on the essence of innate potentials and abilities by such psychologists as Rubinshtein, Teplov, Bodalev, etc, music psychologists’ (Mjasishchev and Gotsdiner etc.) verities on manifestations of giftedness and musicality levels. For promotion of pedagogically psychological means, the verities by psychologist Students, pedagogues Dekens and Vikmane are researched. The objective and subjective conditions for activating of potentials and abilities have been researched, the promotion practice of abilities has been analyzed at preschool pedagogical process in x primary school in the school year of 2013/2014.

When there is Confusion and Conflicts - Ask Delphi!

Controversy is an inseparable component of clinical medicine. Unlike in physical sciences, paradoxes and perplexities cannot be completely eliminated from biological sciences. The principal reason for this is the innumerable number of known and unknown co-variables that are sometimes difficult to control. Therefore modern clinicians bewildered by the contradictions often resort to several tactics that help them to overcome the “doctors’ dilemma”. These are broadly classified, in decreasing order of credibility, as Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), Clinical Guidelines and Consensus Statements. The innate growth potential of children, particularly that of newborn, adds the most difficult and dynamic dimension to the complexity of existing co-variables. No wonder that pediatric surgery remains a field full of contradictory opinions and disagreements. Surprisingly guidelines and consensus statements, which are very useful in resolving clinical disputes, are sparingly published in this specialty [1-5] and even the existing ones are of very poor quality.[6] This article is aimed to draw the attention of pediatric and neonatal surgeons to the usefulness of these conflictsolving tools.

The MSC curtain that stops the immune system

We have evolved cellular mechanisms for protecting us from disabling intruders or injuries. The Mesenchymal Stem Cell, MSC, is derived from perivascular cells, pericytes that are liberated from their basement membrane tethers surrounding blood vessels upon injury or inflammation. These site-activated MSCs produce a curtain of immuno-modulation behind which slow and specific tissue regeneration takes place. In addition, the MSC senses the tissue microenvironment and adjusts the curtain and regenerative activity accordingly. This includes the production of antibiotic proteins like LL37 that both kills intruding bacteria on contact, but calls forth macrophage and other members of the hematopoietic system to further medicate the injury site. Indeed, MSCs appear to be local managers of the tissues’ innate regenerative potential. Thus, I propose that MSC should denote “Medicinal Signaling Cells” since these cells are “drug stores” for sites of injury or inflammation.

On motivation and enterprise education – ensuring manageable goals and objectives

There is growing recognition that the standard approach to motivation, referred to as Motivation 2.0 is not necessary adequate for assessing the contemporary drivers for students and budding entrepreneurs. Some have argued that the concept of goal setting may act as much as an inhibitor as a motivator. This perspective on goal setting can, prima facie, be very relevant to the entrepreneurial educator. In this research exercise the contemporary thinking on motivation and motivational approached will be explored and applied to the development of entrepreneurial education curriculum development and pedagogic structures. Those entrusted with the nurturing and development of any innate entrepreneurial potential must ensure that the teaching and learning environment is dynamic and as individualized as possible. Key to any individualized delivery mechanism is a coherent understanding of motivational factors and activities. Effective curriculum development for entrepreneurial training demands an integrated understanding of motivators which must be driven extracurricular, while enterprise education continues to become embedded in educational delivery structures. This paper addresses these demands and acts as a primer for how this could be achieved.

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte activation promotes innate antiviral resistance.

Unrelenting environmental challenges to the gut epithelium place particular demands on the local immune system. In this context, intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) compose a large, highly conserved T cell compartment, hypothesized to provide a first line of defence via cytolysis of dysregulated intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and cytokine-mediated re-growth of healthy IEC. Here we show that one of the most conspicuous impacts of activated IEL on IEC is the functional upregulation of antiviral interferon (IFN)-responsive genes, mediated by the collective actions of IFNs with other cytokines. Indeed, IEL activation in vivo rapidly provoked type I/III IFN receptor-dependent upregulation of IFN-responsive genes in the villus epithelium. Consistent with this, activated IEL mediators protected cells against virus infection in vitro, and pre-activation of IEL in vivo profoundly limited norovirus infection. Hence, intraepithelial T cell activation offers an overt means to promote the innate antiviral potential of the intestinal epithelium.

Wound healing following surgical and regenerative periodontal therapy.

Clinical studies have evaluated the effect of conventional periodontal surgical therapy. In general, although some clinical gain in tissue support may be attained, these therapies do not support regeneration of the periodontal attachment. Even though the biological possibility of periodontal regeneration has been demonstrated, the clinical application of this intrinsic potential appears difficult to harness; thus also conceptually most intriguing candidate protocols face clinical challenges. In this review, we explore the bioclinical principles, condiciones sine quibus non, that unleash the innate potential of the periodontium to achieve clinically meaningful periodontal regeneration (i.e. space-provision, wound stability and conditions for primary intention healing). Moreover, limiting factors and detrimental practices that may compromise clinical and biological outcomes are reviewed, as is tissue management in clinical settings.