Oral histories document community mobilisation to participate in decision-making regarding a hazardous waste thermal treatment facility.

Colfax, Louisiana hosts a commercial hazardous waste thermal treatment (TT) facility, which treats fireworks, explosives, and military ordnances by open-burn/open-detonation one mile from the edge of the nearest community. Seventy-one percent of Colfax's residents are Black, and forty-six percent live below poverty, indicating the community's structural vulnerability. This community-based study originated at the behest of Colfax community members. We hypothesized that the close relationships among members of this enclave may have enhanced the community's ability to mobilize in opposition to the TT facility. We conducted semi-structured oral history interviews with nineteen community members and examined the social and interorganizational networks used by the Colfax community to claim its role in decision-making regarding the TT facility after years of exclusion from this process. Interview transcripts were analyzed through the lens of community capacity theory to gain insight into how interactions among community members about the environmental hazards led to social mobilization and improved participation in the decision-making process using codes for communication, organization, and outcome. Additionally, we reviewed Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality records for complaints about the facility to gauge public participation. One notable theme across several interviews was exclusion from the initial decision-making process related to the facility. However, interviewees noted a sustained effort was made among community members to educate themselves about the facility, organize a response through neighbor-to-neighbor contact, and take action by submitting formal complaints and participating in public hearings. Through the lens of environmental justice, this study illustrates an evolving condition of procedural justice.

Technologies for capturing and analysing animal health data in near real time.

Information technologies are rapidly advancing the way in which animal health data and information are collected, analysed and shared in order to support animal health management, disease surveillance and response, and decision-making. However, the full potential of these technologies for early detection and response to natural or intentional disease events has not been fully realised in animal health at the global level. This paper discusses advances made in these technologies and examples of how they have been applied in animal health for near real-time data collection and analysis. The technologies reviewed include: i) mobile health (mHealth) technologies, wireless sensors and biosensors for remote data collection; ii) crowdsourced and Internet-based data collection; and iii) electronic health (eHealth) technologies for data integration and analysis. Experiences of implementing these technologies, and challenges with their use, are also discussed so as to provide recommendations on their future application in animal health. The world is ripe with opportunities to develop and enhance mHealth and eHealth technologies that are cost effective and capable of near real-time data collection and analysis. Such technologies have been shown to be valuable and capable of being implemented in both developing and developed countries, and ultimately will strengthen disease surveillance and reporting across the globe. International mechanisms and data standards are needed to facilitate the sharing and analysis of animal and human health data between countries. Identifying ways in which animal and human health data collection and analysis can be better integrated within a 'One Health' approach will enhance the coordination and capability of disease detection and response at the human-animal interface.

Les technologies de l'information font rapidement progresser la façon dont les données et l'information sur la santé animale sont recueillies, analysées et partagées afin de soutenir la gestion de la santé animale, les activités de surveillance et de réponse en cas de maladies et les processus de décisions. Toutefois, le potentiel de ces technologies n'a pas encore été entièrement exploité au niveau mondial dans le but d'assurer la détection précoce et d'organiser la réponse du secteur de la santé animale à des événements sanitaires dus à des causes naturelles ou intentionnelles. Les auteurs examinent les avancées accomplies par ces technologies, en particulier les exemples d'applications en santé animale pour la collecte et l'analyse de données en temps quasi réel. L'article aborde les technologies suivantes : i) les technologies mobiles de santé, les capteurs sans fil et biocapteurs pour la collecte de données à distance ; ii) la collecte de données via l'internet ou des initiatives de masse ; et iii) les technologies numériques de santé pour l'intégration et l'analyse des données. Les auteurs examinent également des exemples de mise en place de ces technologies, font état des difficultés rencontrées lors de leur utilisation et formulent quelques recommandations sur les applications futures en santé animale. Le moment est venu de saisir les possibilités de développement et d'amélioration de technologies mobiles et numériques de santé qui soient à la fois rentables et capables d'assurer la collecte et l'analyse des données en temps quasi réel. L'utilité de ces technologies a été démontrée, ainsi que leur aptitude à être appliquées dans les pays développés et en développement, ce qui à terme renforcera la surveillance des maladies et leur notification à l'échelle planétaire. Le monde doit se doter de mécanismes internationaux et de normes sur les données afin de faciliter le partage et l'analyse des données relatives à la santé humaine et animale entre les pays. Les modalités d'intégration de la collecte et l'analyse des données de santé publique et de santé animale dans une approche « Une seule santé ¼ permettront d'améliorer la coordination et les capacités de détection et de lutte à l'interface humains-animaux.

Las tecnologías de la información están haciendo progresar con rapidez los procedimientos con que se obtienen, analizan y ponen en común la información y los datos de sanidad animal que sirven para respaldar las labores de gestión zoosanitaria, vigilancia de enfermedades, respuesta a ellas y adopción de decisiones. Sin embargo, en el ámbito de la sanidad animal aún no se aprovechan plenamente, a escala mundial, todas las posibilidades que ofrecen estas tecnologías para detectar con prontitud episodios infecciosos de origen natural o intencionado y responder rápidamente a ellos. Los autores describen los progresos realizados en estas tecnologías y ofrecen ejemplos de cómo se han aplicado en sanidad animal para reunir y analizar datos en tiempo casi real, deteniéndose especialmente en las siguientes grandes familias: i) tecnologías móviles de salud, biosensores y sensores inalámbricos para la obtención de datos a distancia; ii) obtención de datos por sistemas de participación popular o por Internet; y iii) tecnologías de cibersalud para la integración y el análisis de datos. Los autores también examinan la experiencia adquirida hasta ahora con la aplicación de estas tecnologías y los problemas que plantea su utilización, y a partir de ahí formulan recomendaciones sobre su aplicación futura en la sanidad animal. El mundo rebosa de oportunidades para desarrollar y perfeccionar tecnologías móviles de salud y tecnologías de cibersalud que sean eficaces en relación con el costo y permitan obtener y analizar datos en tiempo casi real. Está demostrado que estas tecnologías son interesantes y pueden implantarse en países tanto desarrollados como en desarrollo, y que a la larga servirán para reforzar la vigilancia y notificación de enfermedades en todo el planeta. Para facilitar el intercambio y el análisis de datos sanitarios y zoosanitarios entre los países hacen falta mecanismos y normas internacionales referidos a estos datos. Abordando la cuestión desde los postulados de «Una sola salud¼ es posible dar con fórmulas para integrar en mayor medida entre sí la obtención y el análisis de los datos de salud humana y de los de sanidad animal, cosa que servirá para mejorar la coordinación y la capacidad de detección y respuesta ante las enfermedades en la interfaz del hombre con los animales.

Introduction - Biological threat reduction.

Animal diseases, including zoonoses, have the potential to negatively impact economies, the environment, society and public health. It is currently thought that over 60% of human diseases and over 80% of agents that can be used for bioterrorism are of animal origin. The emergence and spread of animal diseases, including zoonoses, is at an all-time high. This increase in disease emergence and spread is thought to be the result of an increase in intensive farming, global travel, human pressure on ecosystems and social unrest. As new diseases and/or strains emerge, they travel freely and do not respect political borders.

Les maladies animales (zoonoses incluses) peuvent avoir un impact négatif sur l'économie, l'environnement, la société et la santé publique. On estime aujourd'hui que près de 60 % des maladies affectant l'être humain et plus de 80 % des agents pathogènes susceptibles d'être utilisés à des fins de bioterrorisme sont d'origine animale. Le taux d'émergence et de propagation des maladies animales, zoonoses incluses, atteint actuellement des niveaux sans précédent. Ce phénomène semble résulter d'un accroissement des pratiques d'élevage intensives, des déplacements à l'échelle mondiale, des pressions exercées par l'homme sur les écosystèmes et des tensions sociales. Au fur et à mesure de leur émergence, les maladies et/ou souches nouvelles se déplacent librement dans l'espace, en ignorant les frontières.

Las enfermedades animales, en particular las zoonosis, pueden tener efectos perjudiciales en la economía, el medio ambiente, la sociedad y la salud pública. Actualmente se piensa que más de un 60% de las enfermedades humanas y más de un 80% de los agentes que pueden ser utilizados con fines de terrorismo biológico son de origen animal. La aparición y propagación de enfermedades animales, comprendidas las zoonosis, registran hoy picos históricos, fenómeno que se atribuye al aumento de la agricultura intensiva, los viajes planetarios, las presiones humanas sobre los ecosistemas y las tensiones sociales. Ahora, en cuanto surgen, las nuevas enfermedades y/o cepas pueden desplazarse y cruzar con toda libertad las fronteras políticas.

Acid ceramidase induces sphingosine kinase 1/S1P receptor 2-mediated activation of oncogenic Akt signaling.

Acid ceramidase (AC) is overexpressed in most prostate tumors and confers oncogenic phenotypes to prostate cancer cells. AC modulates the cellular balance between ceramide, sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). These bioactive sphingolipids have diverse, powerful and often oppositional impacts on cell signaling, including the activation status of the oncogenic kinase Akt. Our studies show that AC expression correlates with phosphorylation of Akt in human prostate tumors, and elevation of phosphorylated Akt in tumor versus patient-matched benign tissue is contingent upon AC elevation. Investigation of the mechanism for AC-induced Akt activation revealed that AC activates Akt through sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)-derived generation of S1P. This signaling pathway proceeds through S1P receptor 2 (S1PR2)-dependent stimulation of PI3K. Functionally, AC-overexpressing cells are insensitive to cytotoxic chemotherapy, however, these cells are more susceptible to targeted inhibition of Akt. AC-overexpressing cells proliferate more rapidly than control cells and form more colonies in soft agar; however, these effects are profoundly sensitive to Akt inhibition, demonstrating increased dependence on Akt signaling for the oncogenic phenotypes of AC-overexpressing cells. These observations may have clinical implications for targeted therapy as PI3K and Akt inhibitors emerge from clinical trials.

Identification and analysis of the first 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus from U.S. feral swine.

The first case of pandemic H1N1 influenza (pH1N1) virus in feral swine in the United States was identified in Texas through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services' surveillance program. Two samples were identified as pandemic influenza by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Full-genome Sanger sequencing of all eight influenza segments was performed. In addition, Illumina deep sequencing of the original diagnostic samples and their respective virus isolation cultures were performed to assess the feasibility of using an unbiased whole-genome linear target amplification method and multiple sample sequencing in a single Illumina GAIIx lane. Identical sequences were obtained using both techniques. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all gene segments belonged to the pH1N1 (2009) lineage. In conclusion, we have identified the first pH1N1 isolate in feral swine in the United States and have demonstrated the use of an easy unbiased linear amplification method for deep sequencing of multiple samples.

Autophagy is increased in prostate cancer cells overexpressing acid ceramidase and enhances resistance to C6 ceramide.

Acid ceramidase (AC) overexpression has been observed in prostate cancer cell lines and primary tumors, and contributes to resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. The consequence of AC overexpression is the ability to convert ceramide, which is often produced as a proapoptotic response to stress, to sphingosine, which can then be converted to the prosurvival molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate. In addition to their ability to metabolize ceramide produced in response to stress, we show here that prostate cancer cell lines overexpressing AC also have increased lysosomal density and increased levels of autophagy. Furthermore, pretreatment with 3-methyladenine restores sensitivity of these cells to treatment with C(6) ceramide. We also observed increased expression of the lysosomal stabilizing protein KIF5B and increased sensitivity to the lysosomotropic agent LCL385. Thus, we conclude that AC overexpression increases autophagy in prostate cancer cells, and that increased autophagy enhances resistance to ceramide.

Diagnostic specificity of a real-time RT-PCR in cattle for foot-and-mouth disease and swine for foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever based on non-invasive specimen collection.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) are highly contagious and can cause great economic losses when introduced into disease-free regions. Accurate estimates of diagnostic specificity (Sp) are important when considering the implementation of surveillance for these agents. The purpose of this study was to estimate diagnostic Sp of a real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR assay developed for detection of FMDV in cattle and domestic swine and CSFV in domestic swine based on non-invasive specimen collection. One thousand and eighty-eight range beef cattle were sampled from thirteen geographic locations throughout Texas. One thousand and one hundred market hogs and cull sows were sampled. Results for both FMDV and CSFV were considered positive if amplification occurred at or before 40 PCR cycles, inconclusive between 40 and 45 cycles and negative otherwise. Ten cattle had nonspecific PCR amplifications for FMDV, but none were classified as positive and only one as inconclusive. Specificity (95% confidence interval) was estimated as 100% (99.7, 100). There were 19 nonspecific PCR amplifications for FMDV in sampled swine with 1 classified as positive, 6 as inconclusive, and 12 as negative. Specificity (95% confidence interval) was estimated as 99.9% (99.5, 100). There were 21 nonspecific PCR amplifications for CSFV, and 1 was classified as positive. Specificity (95% confidence interval) was estimated as 99.9% (99.5, 100). These assays have high Sp, but nonspecific PCR amplifications can occur.

Increasing the graduation rates of minority medical students.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine has operated a program since 1969 to recruit minority students into the college and to increase the graduation rates of these students once they enroll. Known as the Medical Opportunities Program (MOP) until 1978, the program was expanded in 1978 and renamed the Urban Health Program (UHP). The authors of the present paper discuss the results of these programs, particularly the effect of granting minority students delays in completing graduation requirements. The MOP (1969 through 1978) increased graduation rates for minority students from 55 percent for those who graduated on time to 81 percent for both on-time and delayed graduates. Under the first seven years of the UHP (1979 through 1985), more minority students have been offered places, and more have enrolled than in the 10 years of the MOP. The retention rate under the UHP, if it holds, will be higher than that under the MOP. For the combined MOP-UHP period, the retention rate for minority students was 88 percent; 69.8 percent of the graduates were on time, and 30.2 were delayed.