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Interrogation of immune response in autopsy material from patients with SARS-CoV-2 is potentially significant. We aim to describe a validated protocol for the exploration of the molecular physiopathology of SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary disease using multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF).The application of validated assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in tissues, originally developed in our laboratory in the context of oncology, was used to map the topography and complexity of the adaptive immune response at protein and mRNA levels.SARS-CoV-2 is detectable in situ by protein or mRNA, with a sensitivity that could be in part related to disease stage. In formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded pneumonia material, multiplex immunofluorescent panels are robust, reliable and quantifiable and can detect topographic variations in inflammation related to pathological processes.Clinical autopsies have relevance in understanding diseases of unknown/complex pathophysiology. In particular, autopsy materials are suitable for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and for the topographic description of the complex tissue-based immune response using mIF.

The pace of locomotor development is a critical component of lifetime evolutionary fitness. Developmental researchers often divide species into two broad categories based on functional competence at birth: precocial infants who can independently stand and locomote soon after birth versus altricial infants who are either incapable of independent movement or can only do so in a rudimentary manner. However, investigating the lower level neuromotor and biomechanical traits that account for perinatal variation in motor development is complicated by the lack of experimental control inherent to all comparative analyses. Precocial and altricial animals often differ along a host of dimensions that can obfuscate the specific factors controlling motor development per se. Here, we propose an alternative approach of examining locomotor development in a nominally precocial species—the domestic pig (Sus scrofa)—in which gestation length has been experimentally manipulated, thereby creating “functionally altricial” cohorts for comparison. We have used standard biomechanical testing to evaluate balance and locomotor performance in preterm pigs born at 94% full-term gestation (N = 29 individuals) and compared these data to a similar dataset on age-matched full-term piglets (N = 15 individuals). Static balance tests showed that preterm pigs were characterized by increased postural sway, particularly in the fore-aft (anteroposterior) direction. Locomotor analyses showed that preterm piglets tended to take shorter, more frequent strides, use higher duty factors, and preferentially choose gait patterns that ensured they were supported by at least three limbs during most of the stride cycle, though differences between preterm and full-term animals were often modulated by variation in locomotor speed. Morphometric analysis showed no differences in relative extensor muscle mass between preterm and full-term animals, suggesting that neurological immaturity might be more determinant of preterm piglet motor dysfunctions than musculoskeletal immaturity per se (though much work remains to be done to fully document the neuromotor phenotype of the preterm infant pig model). In many ways, the postural and locomotor deficits shown by the preterm piglets paralleled the locomotor phenotype of altricial mammals. Overall, our study demonstrates the utility of a “within-species” design for studying the biomechanical correlates and neuromotor basis of evolutionary variation in motor skill at birth.

Background/Aims Despite the considerable impact axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) has on quality of life, condition-specific group education programmes are not routinely offered. Many people with axSpA report feeling isolated and often have never met anyone else with the condition. In 2020, the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) worked with patients and rheumatology departments to co-produce a pilot self-management programme (SMP) to explore demand from and assess the impact on patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Methods NASS identified six NHS centres to host the pilot SMP sessions. These centres represented a range of axSpA services. HCPs invited their axSpA cohort to attend by post or e-mail and NASS invited local NASS members. Attendees booked online via private URL. NASS developed content following consultation with rheumatology HCPs and people living with axSpA. The first session covered pain, flares, fatigue and emotional wellbeing. Following attendee feedback, three centres hosted a second session on medication and exercise. One centre held a third session covering night pain, sleep and stress. Sessions were delivered via online meeting software and included teaching, group discussions, polls and exercise. HCPs of the host rheumatology departments led these sessions in tandem with NASS staff, one of whom has lived experience of axSpA. Content and format were continually reviewed and improved using feedback from attendees and HCPs (Table 1); feedback was gathered by email, informal focus groups and anonymous surveys. Results A total of 266 patients attended. 55% were female and 27% were aged under 45. 10% were diagnosed within the past year; 26% within the last 5 years; >50% more than 10 years ago. No attendees had previously attended a hospital axSpA SMP session. Conclusion There is demand from patients and HCPs for an axSpA virtual patient SMP. Co-producing the programme can be effective for: engaging with a range of patients; educating and empowering patients to self-manage their condition; building relationships between HCPs and patients; reducing patient isolation; enabling appropriate self-referral to rheumatology services. This pilot has informed our next steps to expand the online sessions to new centres and explore co-producing an e-learning programme. Disclosure Z.E. Clark: Grants/research support; National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society receives grant funding from AbbVie, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, UCB. W. Gregory: Honoraria; Speaker, conference registration and advisory board fees from AbbVie, Pfizer, Novartis, UCB. A. Chan: Member of speakers’ bureau; UCB, Novartis, Sanofi, AbbVie, Jannsen. A. Coy: None. Z. Cox: None. S. Dickinson: Grants/research support; National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society receives grant funding from AbbVie, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, UCB. K. Gaffney: Shareholder/stock ownership; SpA Academy. Honoraria; Novartis, AbbVie, UCB, Lilly, Pfizer, Biogen. Member of speakers’ bureau; Celltrion, Novartis, UCB, AbbVie. Grants/research support; NASS, AbbVie, Pfizer, UCB, Novartis, Lilly, Jannsen, Gilead, Biogen. Other; Meeting expenses: AbbVie, Lilly, Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB. B. Harrison: None. H. Herbert: None. C. Lewis: None. C. McCoy: None. K. Noel: None. K. Porthouse: None. K. Rigler: None. K. Weight: None. T. Williams: None. D. Webb: Grants/research support; National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society receives grant funding from AbbVie, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, UCB. L. Dunkley: Honoraria; Honoraria with UCB, AbbVie, Pfizer.

Introduction: Best practices dictate that biobanks ensure accurate determination of tumor content before supplying formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples to researchers for nucleic acid extraction and downstream molecular testing. It is advisable that trained and competent individuals, who understand the requirements of the downstream molecular tests, perform the microscopic morphological examination. However, the special skills, time, and costs associated with these assessments can be prohibitive, especially in large case cohorts requiring extensive pathological review. Determination of tumor content reliably by digital image analysis (DIA) could represent a significant advantage if validated, utilized, and deployed by biobanks. Materials and Methods: Whole slide digital scanned images of colorectal, lung, and breast cancer specimens were created. The scanned images were imported into the DIA software QuPath and digital annotations were completed by biobank technicians, under the direction of trained histopathology senior scientists. Automated cell detection was conducted and tumor epithelial cells were classified and quantified. Results: DIA scores were highly concordant with the manual assessment for 376 of 435 samples (86%). A detailed review of discordant cases indicated digital scores had a higher accuracy than the manual estimation. Conclusion: Automated digital quantification has the potential to replace visual estimations with reduced subjectivity and increased reliability compared with manual tumor estimations. We recommend the use of DIA by biobanks involved in provision of FFPE tissue samples, especially in large research studies requiring high volumes of cases to be analyzed.

Author(s): Cronin, Drew T.; Benbow, Sophie; Bergl, Richard A.; Bourgault, Liz; Caro, Lina; Dancer, Anthony; Davies, Alasdair; Joachim, Denton; Lewis, Claire; Lynam, Antony J.; Maaz, Julio; Muntifering, Jeff; O'Donnell, Stephanie; Palmer, Jonathan; Slade, James; Spina Avino, Felipe; Stevens, Xia; Wyatt, Alex | Abstract: Protected areas are key to biodiversity conservation and ranger-based monitoring, and law enforcement is the cornerstone upon which effective protected areas are built. Frontline practitioners, however, are often asked to protect large swathes of land or sea with limited resources, support, infrastructure, capacity, and/or training. Technology, when applied effectively and appropriately, has the capacity to empower practitioners, revolutionize ranger operations, improve ranger safety, and enhance wildlife protection and conservation outcomes. To do so, technology must be recognized, from the frontlines through to key decisionmakers, as a force multiplier, but only when it is fit for purpose, accessible, cost-effective, and supportive of rangers’ needs. In this paper we detail the general state of conservation technology and innovation within the ranger context and provide a series of detailed recommendations to help the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA) meet the needs of rangers around the world, including: demystifying technology and clarifying what it can and cannot do, connecting the right technology with the right people and places, focusing technology development and investment on substantive improvements and support, broadening ranger familiarization with technology, building technology capacity in rangers, fostering greater community building and creating opportunities around technologies, engaging the technology sector to innovate and design technology to support rangers, and supporting technology as a complement to traditional knowledge and skills, rather than a replacement. These recommendations constitute an ambitious vision which cannot be delivered by URSA in isolation. Rather, we propose URSA leverages existing efforts to ensure rangers are supported around the world.

Extension programs are most effective when informed by a deep understanding of the target audience. To guide programs in Florida’s managed landscapes, especially pertaining to water quality and conservation, faculty from the UF/IFAS Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology conduct an annual statewide survey. The survey gathers data that includes common landscape elements, neighborhood characteristics, engagement in irrigation and fertilizer best practices, and learning preferences. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication presents highlights from the 2018 statewide survey with recommendations for how to use the information. Written by Laura A. Warner, Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, Tom Wichman, Wendy Wilber, and A. J. Reisinger. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc345

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative merits of thesis consultation with a librarian prior to graduate submission and to explore whether thesis consultation has a significant impact on the quality of the theses submitted by postgraduate students. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative case study approach. The total number of thesis scrutiny reports written by librarians between 2009 and 2014 has been reviewed for errors found in theses. Errors have been classified as referencing errors and formatting errors. These have been compiled in a spreadsheet and analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. Findings This paper highlights that thesis consultation has had a positive impact on the quality of the theses students submitted for examination at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. Thesis consultation with a strong focus on referencing clearly assisted students learning and applying different citation styles. There was a decrease in the number of referencing errors over time. Not much difference was seen in terms of formatting errors. Further tests showed that there was a statistically significant positive relationship between thesis consultation and the number of referencing errors made by graduate students. Practical implications This study may have implications for the engagement of academic libraries with their graduate communities. With thesis consultation, a librarian may scrutinize the same thesis more than once. Although this may increase the workload of librarians, thesis consultation/scrutiny will have a positive impact on the quality of research produced by graduate students. Originality/value This study shows that students benefited from thesis consultation and there was a significant reduction in citation errors. In reviewing the literature, it has been noted that research done in the area of thesis consultation was very limited; hence, this study significantly contributes to the body of knowledge that presently exists.

The Northern Ireland Biobank (NIB) was established in 2011 as a joint initiative between Queen’s University Belfast and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to provide the infrastructure for the standardised collection and storage of high quality, well annotated human tissue samples, with matched bloods and bodily fluids to underpin cancer research in Northern Ireland and beyond. The NIB has been instrumental in supporting translational research locally, nationally and internationally with a number of key achievements to date. The vision of NIB is to develop an internationally recognised biobank network within Northern Ireland which collects, stores and distributes high quality, clinically annotated biospecimens for biomarker research to benefit cancer patients. Funding statement: NIB receives core funding from the Health and Social Care Research and Development Division of the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland with charitable funding from Friends of the Cancer Centre. NIB previously received charitable funding from Cancer Research UK and Prostate Cancer UK.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping protects Florida’s unique natural resources by conserving water, reducing waste and pollution, creating wildlife habitat, and preventing erosion. This 12-page document will help the reader with selecting and writing a landscape contract that follows Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles. Written by Adam Dale, Claire Lewis, Esen Momol, Don Rainey, John Bossart, C. J. Bain, Jen Marvin, Lynn Barber, Norman Leppla, Gary Knox, and Thomas T. Ankerson and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep347

RATIONALE: A current challenge for analytical chemists is the development of measurement systems and approaches required to understand dynamic processes such as tablet dissolution. The design and development of oral tablets could be improved by the availability of detailed information about the rates of release of the individual tablet components. Small footprint mass spectrometry (MS) systems are gaining use for on-line reaction monitoring because of their ability to rapidly determine multiple reactant, intermediate, and product species. We have therefore assessed the utility of such MS systems to the study of dissolution processes. METHODS: Aqueous dissolution media containing phosphate and other non volatile buffer salts were pumped from a standard USPII dissolution vessel through an active splitter and back. The splitter sampled the dissolution stream and diluted it into a make-up flow which was pumped to a small single quadrupole mass spectrometer. Single ion monitoring was used to quantify the ions of interest. Three different bio-relevant dissolution media were studied to gauge the impact of the sample matrix. RESULTS: Individual dissolution profiles were obtained from a tablet containing three drugs and lactose as the soluble filler. This was successfully demonstrated with three different bio-relevant media designed to reflect the pH of the different sections of the human gastro-intestinal tract. Component concentrations as low as 0.06 μg/mL (representing 1% dissolution) were detected. The MS dissolution profiles correlated with the visual observation of tablet dissolution. MS gave linear responses with concentration for the individual components, although analysis of the tablet solution indicated that ion suppression is an area for further investigation CONCLUSIONS: An on-line MS system was used to determine the individual dissolution profiles of three drugs and lactose as they are released from the same tablet. The level of each of these components in solution was determined every 10 seconds, and each had a similar release profile. The dissolution profiles were determined using inorganic buffer solutions at three different bio-relevant pHs.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the recent outreach service efforts of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Main Library in the form of a Hall of Residence Librarian Programme. The aim of the programme was to minimize library anxiety through partnership with the Office of Students Services. Design/methodology/approach – The transition from the secondary to the tertiary level is not always the smoothest for some students. On the islands of the English-speaking Caribbean, such as Jamaica, it can be especially difficult as some matriculants have never used an automated library. These students often experience great difficulty in effectively using the library which may result in them shying away from doing so and thus negatively impact the quality of their work. The UWI, the UWI Main Library, Mona campus, Jamaica has sought to address this challenge through the development of an outreach project to the first-year students entitled the Halls of Residence Librarian (HRL) programme. Findings – This new form of library outreach on The UWI Mona campus has yielded the offering of library services in new locations, strategic partnerships, increased interactions with the first-year students and a greater awareness of these students ' needs. Most importantly, it was very effective in reducing library anxiety among the first-year students. Research limitations/implications – The “low” turnout to Research Rescue was largely attributed to the fact that this programme was entirely optional for the students, and it was not affiliated with any compulsory course or class. There was also the issue of a lack of incentives to boost student attendance at these sessions. Originality/value – This initiative is untested in the English-speaking Caribbean. The paper explores the outreach efforts of the library at the Mona campus of The UWI and seeks to add to the limited body of literature on Academic Library Outreach in the Caribbean.

// Victoria Bingham 2 , Leanne McIlreavey 2 , Christine Greene 1,3 , Edwina O’Doherty 1,3 , Rebecca Clarke 2 , Stephanie Craig 2 , Manuel Salto-Tellez 2 , Stephen McQuaid 1,2,3 Claire Lewis 1,2 and Jacqueline James 1,2,3 1 Northern Ireland Biobank, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen’s University, Belfast, UK 2 Molecular Pathology Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen’s University, Belfast, UK 3 Tissue Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK Correspondence to: Stephen McQuaid, email: // Keywords : mRNA; FFPE; in situ hybridization; Integrity; Pathology Section Received : July 27, 2017 Accepted : October 05, 2017 Published : October 16, 2017 Abstract Immunohistochemistry remains the overwhelming technique of choice for test biomarker evaluation in both clinical or research settings when using formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections. However, validations can be complex with significant issues about specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility. The vast array of commercially available antibodies from many vendors may also lead to non-standard approaches which are difficult to cross-reference. In contrast mRNA detection, by in situ hybridization (ISH) with sequence specific probes, offers a realistic alternative, with less validation steps and more stringent and reproducible assessment criteria. In the present study mRNA ISH was evaluated in prospectively and retrospectively collected FFPE samples within a cancer biobank setting. Three positive control probes, POLR2A, PPIB and UBC were applied to FFPE sections from a range of tumour types in FFPE whole-face (prospective collection) or TMA (retrospective collection) formats and evaluated semi-quantitatively and by image analysis. Results indicate that mRNA can be robustly evaluated by ISH in prospectively and retrospectively collected tissue samples. Furthermore, for 2 important test biomarkers, PD-L1 and c-MET, we show that mRNA ISH is a technology that can be applied with confidence in the majority of tissue samples because there are quantifiable levels of control probes indicating overall mRNA integrity.

There is a dearth of evidence focusing on student preferences for computer-based testing versustesting via student response systems for summative assessment in undergraduate education.This quantitative study compared the preference and acceptability of computer-based testingand a student response system for completing multiple choice questions in undergraduatenursing education. After using both computer-based testing and a student response system tocomplete multiple choice questions, 192 first year undergraduate nursing students rated theirpreferences and attitudes towards using computer-based testing and a student response system.Results indicated that seventy four percent felt the student response system was easy to use.Fifty six percent felt the student response system took more time than the computer-based testingto become familiar with. Sixty Percent felt computer-based testing was more users friendly.Seventy Percent of students would prefer to take a multiple choice question summative examvia computer-based testing, although Fifty percent would be happy to take using student responsesystem. Results are useful for undergraduate educators in relation to student’s preferencefor using computer-based testing or student response system to undertake a summativemultiple choice question exam

Repositories containing high quality human biospecimens linked with robust and relevant clinical and pathological information are required for the discovery and validation of biomarkers for disease diagnosis, progression and response to treatment. Current molecular based discovery projects using either low or high throughput technologies rely heavily on ready access to such sample collections. It is imperative that modern biobanks align with molecular diagnostic pathology practices not only to provide the type of samples needed for discovery projects but also to ensure requirements for ongoing sample collections and the future needs of researchers are adequately addressed. Biobanks within comprehensive molecular pathology programmes are perfectly positioned to offer more than just tumour derived biospecimens; for example, they have the ability to facilitate researchers gaining access to sample metadata such as digitised scans of tissue samples annotated prior to macrodissection for molecular diagnostics or pseudoanonymised clinical outcome data or research results retrieved from other users utilising the same or overlapping cohorts of samples. Furthermore, biobanks can work with molecular diagnostic laboratories to develop standardised methodologies for the acquisition and storage of samples required for new approaches to research such as 'liquid biopsies' which will ultimately feed into the test validations required in large prospective clinical studies in order to implement liquid biopsy approaches for routine clinical practice. We draw on our experience in Northern Ireland to discuss how this harmonised approach of biobanks working synergistically with molecular pathology programmes is a key for the future success of precision medicine.

Background The concerns of undergraduate nursing and medical students’ regarding end of life care are well documented. Many report feelings of emotional distress, anxiety and a lack of preparation to provide care to patients at end of life and their families. Evidence suggests that increased exposure to patients who are dying and their families can improve attitudes toward end of life care. In the absence of such clinical exposure, simulation provides experiential learning with outcomes comparable to that of clinical practice. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the impact of a simulated intervention on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing and medical students towards end of life care. Methods A pilot quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design. Attitudes towards end of life care were measured using the Frommelt Attitudes Towards Care of the Dying Part B Scale which was administered pre and post a simulated clinical scenario. 19 undergraduate nursing and medical students were recruited from one large Higher Education Institution in the United Kingdom. Results The results of this pilot study confirm that a simulated end of life care intervention has a positive impact on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing and medical students towards end of life care (p

This article describes a service evaluation, investigating the implementation of the psychological recommendations in the NICE guideline for schizophrenia (2009) across two CMHTs in Birmingham. It presents the services’ adherence to these recommendations, potential barriers, and service recommendations.

The alternative sigma factor σ E (rpoE) is essential for survival in vivo of Salmonella Typhimurium but is dispensable during growth in the laboratory. We have been identifying σ E-regulated genes and studying their regulation and function to elucidate their potential role in the severe attenuation of S. Typhimurium rpoE mutants. In this study we identify five promoters that control the rseP, yaeT (bamA), skp region. A confirmed σ E-dependent promoter, yaeTp1, and a second downstream promoter, yaeTp2, are located within the upstream gene rseP and direct expression of the downstream genes. The only known function of RseP is σ E activation, and it is therefore not expected to be essential for S. Typhimurium in vitro. However, it proved impossible to delete the entire rseP gene due to the presence of internal promoters that regulate the essential gene yaeT. We could inactivate rseP by deleting the first third of the gene, leaving the yaeT promoters intact. Like the rpoE mutant, the rseP mutant exhibited severe attenuation in vivo. We were able to delete the entire coding sequence of skp, which encodes a periplasmic chaperone involved in targeting misfolded outer-membrane proteins to the β-barrel assembly machinery. The skp mutant was attenuated in mice after oral and parenteral infection. Virulence could be complemented by providing skp in trans but only by linking it to a heterologous σ E-regulated promoter. The reason the skp mutant is attenuated is currently enigmatic, but we know it is not through increased sensitivity to a variety of RpoE-activating host stresses, such as H2O2, polymyxin B and high temperature, or through altered secretion of effector proteins by either the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-1 or the SPI-2 type III secretion system.

The study explored the relationship between self and informant reports of emotional problems in a forensic intellectual disability sample. The Emotional Problems Scales (EPS) (Prout & Strohmer, 1991), which comprises a Self Report Inventory (EPS‐SRI) and an informant Behaviour Rating Scale (EPS‐BRS), was routinely administered to 30 individuals with intellectual disability in a secure forensic setting, as part of a standard clinical assessment procedure. It was hypothesised that there would be a moderate relationship between corresponding scores on the EPS‐SRI and EPS‐BRS. However, there were no significant relationships between corresponding scales of the EPS‐SRI and EPS‐BRS, apart from the EPS‐SRI and EPS‐BRS scales measuring anxiety (r = .376, p

Poaching for bushmeat is a major problem for conservation of wildlife populations in many parts of Africa, including the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania. However, the severity of the poaching problem is often unclear because of a lack of accurate data. Directly asking people to self-report illegal activity faces the obvious problem of under-reporting. Use of arrest records from anti-poaching patrols may reflect levels of poaching activity but could also be driven by funding and quality of anti-poaching efforts. A third method, assessing poaching by asking about bushmeat consumption, is indirect, possibly subject to under-reporting, and also subject to limits on the accuracy of memory of respondents. We compare rates of poaching derived by self-assessment of poaching activities (based on household interviews), dietary recall of bushmeat consumption over a variety of time frames, and arrest records from anti-poaching units. We apply these three methods to assess poaching activities in three villages bordering protected areas on the western boundary of Serengeti National Park. Our results showed that dietary recall of bushmeat consumption and arrest records indicated similar patterns of poaching across the three villages but self-reporting differed significantly. There appear to be significant advantages to coupling results from dietary recall of bushmeat consumption and arrest records to estimate the level of poaching activity. In situations where reliable data from anti-poaching units are unavailable, cost-effective data collection of bushmeat consumption will provide a viable alternative to assess levels of poaching involvement of villages that border protected areas.

SmpA is a small outer-membrane lipoprotein that is a component of the essential YaeT outer-membrane protein assembly complex. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), expression of the smpA gene was shown to be directed by two promoters, smpAp1 and smpAp2. The more distal promoter, smpAp1, is dependent upon the extracytoplasmic stress response sigma factor sigma(E). An smpA null mutant was constructed in S. Typhimurium SL1344 and was shown to be more sensitive than its wild-type parent to growth at high temperature and in the presence of sodium cholate, SDS plus EDTA, and the hydrophobic antibiotic rifampicin. The lack of SmpA in S. Typhimurium elicits a sigma(E)-dependent stress response. These findings are indicative of altered outer-membrane integrity in the smpA mutant, probably due to a defect in outer-membrane protein biogenesis. SmpA was not important for entry or survival within murine macrophages; however, the S. Typhimurium smpA mutant was attenuated in mice by both the oral and parenteral routes of infection, and SmpA appeared to be most important for the growth of S. Typhimurium at systemic sites.

The extracytoplasmic function sigma factor, σ E, has been shown to play a critical role in virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). The previously optimized two-plasmid system has been used to identify S. Typhimurium promoters recognized by RNA polymerase containing σ E. This method allowed identification of 34 σ E-dependent promoters that direct expression of 62 genes in S. Typhimurium, 23 of which (including several specific for S. Typhimurium) have not been identified previously to be dependent upon σ E in Escherichia coli. The promoters were confirmed in S. Typhimurium and transcriptional start points of the promoters were determined by S1-nuclease mapping. All the promoters contained sequences highly similar to the consensus sequence of σ E-dependent promoters. The identified genes belonging to the S. Typhimurium σ E-regulon encode proteins involved in primary metabolism, DNA repair systems and outer-membrane biogenesis, and regulatory proteins, periplasmic proteases and folding factors, proposed lipoproteins, and inner- and outer-membrane proteins with unknown functions. Several of these σ E-dependent genes have been shown to play a role in virulence of S. Typhimurium.

This publication discusses the “blue dye” test, which is one way that Extension professionals can show homeowners how water and nutrients move through the soil following irrigation. The information should be useful for county agents to demonstrate basic irrigation and nitrogen management practices and their effects on nitrate-nitrogen (N) leaching. This 4-page fact sheet was written by George Hochmuth, Laurie Trenholm, Esen Momol, Don Rainey, Claire Lewis, and Brian Niemann, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss594