Thesis (MTech (Nursing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Stem cell transplantation has become one of the standard methods of treatment for patients with malignant and benign blood disorders. The multidisciplinary team interacting with these patients and their families, must be knowledgeable concerning the appropriate quality health care. The objectives of the study were to explore the knowledge of the members of the health care team in terms of the processes that need to be adhered to with stem cells transplantation, as well as exploring the perceptions amongst the health care team members and their reactions towards patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. An exploratory research design with a qualitative approach was employed. Data collection took place at two stem cell transplant units in the Western Cape, using non-probability purposive sampling technique. The health care team members included a medical doctor, dietician, physiotherapist, social worker, radiographer and nursing staff. Data was collected by face-to-face personal interviews which were transcribed and analysed by using coding and thematic analysis. The majority of the professional participants could identify the processes for stem cell transplantation, which affirmed their knowledge. The non-professional health care team member, could also identify the types of methods and processes of stem cell transplantation. Participants stated that the health care team members had passion for this treatment option. Some participants felt it to be emotionally challenging to work in the environment, especially with paediatric patients and the dying. However, some health care team members could detach themselves emotionally from the patients. The team stated that the stem cell transplanted patients need special care to overcome all challenges experienced, but were positive about treatment. It is evident that management of stem cell transplanted patients is complicated and the health care team members must have knowledge, skills and the appropriate attitude to practice in these units. This study emphasised how vital it is that stem cell transplantation be included in the training programs of the multidisciplinary team. Health care practitioners in the field must stay abreast with stem cell research in order to effectively conduct health promotions for patients and staff. In addition, hematology and transplant awareness campaigns should also be conducted in order to educate society and suggest referrals if necessary.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Persistent gender bias (i.e., favorable treatment of men over women) has been consistently documented as the most likely cause perpetuating gender disparity in STEM occupations. It is therefore crucial to develop effective diversity interventions that increase awareness of gender bias and decrease sexism in STEM. However, interventions that facilitate greater recognition of gender bias in STEM may inadvertently trigger social identity concerns for women, suggesting they may not fit in those environments. Moreover, women may be less comfortable speaking up in groups where their gender is numerically underrepresented. To mitigate these negative consequences, current research tested the effectiveness of gender composition in a virtual group setting as an identity-safe cue. Results suggested that in groups that consisted primarily of women, participants identified more with their group and this increased identification, in turn, helped alleviate social identity threat. Additionally, participants in female majority groups were more likely than those in female minority groups to participate in group discussions via increased identification with their group. Thus, our findings indicated that diversity practitioners should consider exploring whether diversity interventions in STEM also inadvertently elicit social identity threat for women. Additionally, when developing new trainings, it is important to incorporate identity-safe cues in order to neutralize any potential threat associated with these trainings.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) allow for the unprecedented ability to recapitulate early stages of human development, which are otherwise inaccessible to investigation. This is especially true for one of the earliest events in human development, the establishment of a neuroretinal fate from an unspecified pluripotent population. To test the ability of hPSCs to serve in this capacity, hPSCs were generated using mRNA-reprogamming methods and maintained in xenogeneic-free differentiation conditions. These cells were directed to differentiate using a three-dimensional approach to analyze their ability to successfully recapitulate early events in human development in a temporal and developmentally-appropriate fashion. To do so, hPSCs were first directed to an anterior neural phenotype, which was confirmed by analysis of stage-specific neural transcription factors via immunocytochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR. Next, the cells were directed to an optic vesicle-like stage, where the presumptive retinal cells were identified by the expression of specific transcription factors. Finally, three-dimensional optic vesicle-like retinal organoids were identified, isolated, and further analyzed for the expression of markers associated with some of the differentiated cell types of the neural retina. Upon establishment of hPSC-derived retinal organoids, this system was further utilized to study the neurodegeneration in glaucoma and provide insights into the disease mechanisms. Overall, the results of this study help to demonstrate the suitability of hPSC-differentiation approaches as an effective tool to model retinal development and disease.

In response to commercial propagators’ inquiries regarding potential phytotoxicity of alcohol used in root-promoting solutions for cutting propagation, three experiments were conducted using stem cuttings of seven herbaceous and woody plant taxa. Solutions were prepared with three rates of isopropyl alcohol (0%, 25%, or 50%) in combination with three rates of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA): 0, 1000, or 2000 ppm (Expt. 1); 0, 100, and 200 ppm (Expt. 2); or a mixture of IBA and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA): 0+0, 500+250, or 1000+500 ppm IBA+NAA, respectively (Expt. 3) and applied to cuttings using the basal quick-dip method (Expts. 1 and 3) or total immersion method (Expt. 2). No stem or leaf burn occurred using the basal quick-dip method (except for lantana), whereas foliar and stem burn occurred on cuttings of African wormwood, lantana, and garden geranium using the total immersion method with solutions containing alcohol (regardless of IBA rate).

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are important fields in today’s world. Educators can incorporate informal STEM learning opportunities into their curriculum by taking students on field trips. In this research, 210 Mississippi STEM education centers were identified, and 50 completed a survey about their programs. 17 Mississippi STEM clubs were identified and 14 completed surveys. 81 Mississippi STEM K-12 educators also completed surveys about field trips and STEM programs offered near them. A Google Map, a Geodatabase, shapefiles, and Google Spreadsheets were created to manage these data. Maps were created displaying locations of STEM centers, responses from STEM centers and educators, and areas of the state where there is high interest in collaboration to create new programs. The deliverables of this research will be incorporated to the first STEMocused website for the state of Mississippi. This website could help teachers identify more informal STEM opportunities for their students.

No description available.

In the field of integrative oncology, polyphenols have gained attention for their ability to modulate key signaling pathways involved in breast cancer prevention. One noteworthy product, the Polyphenol-Enriched Blueberry Preparation (PEBP), produced by the fermentation of blueberries by the bacterium Rouxiella badensis subsp. acadiensis has demonstrated various beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to control cancer stem cells. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic cells involved in carcinogenesis and can cause relapses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can act as regulators of CSCs, by controlling stemness and invasion. We postulate that PEBP or its polyphenolic components induce specific epigenetic changes by modulating miRNA networks, reducing CSCs, and preventing breast carcinoma. Thus, the overarching aim of this thesis is to better understand the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of the polyphenol-enriched preparation in mitigating breast cancer. The objectives are: 1. To investigate the chemopreventive effects of PEBP on breast cancer stem cell development in cell models and in vivo, as well as to study the involvement of STAT3 and MAPKs signaling pathways 2. Assess the impact of the polyphenol-enriched blueberry preparation on breast cancer by regulating the expression signatures of miRNA involved with cell proliferation, survival, and CSC self-renewal pathways in in vitro experiments. 3. Characterize PEBP and investigate the effect of a subset of its components on miRNA expression. Furthermore, validate the role of those components in regulating the functional behavior of breast cancer stem cells through experiments using a 4T1 animal model. The results have shown a decrease in the formation of CSCs by delaying the development of tumors in vivo, decreasing metastasis to the lungs, and controlling the PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis, a central node in CSC signaling and homeostasis. In addition, several miRNAs associated with different clinical-pathological characteristics of breast cancer were shown to be differentially expressed in CSCs after exposure to PEBP. Notably, the expression of hypoxamir miR-210, associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer patients, was downregulated, while tumor suppressor miR-145, which prevents metastasis through FOXO1 was over-expressed. The chemopreventive potential of a polyphenolic mixture containing PCA, gallic acid, and catechin, found in PEBP, was also shown to successfully reduce tumour growth and metastasis in our animal model and decrease the presence of stem-like tumour cells by favouring the upregulation of tumour-suppressor miR-145. These findings provide novel evidence in translational medicine, highlighting the effectiveness of a natural epigenetic modulator in chemoprevention by specifically targeting CSCs.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.