• Title/Summary/Keyword: University of British Columbia

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Characteristics of Third Year American Ginseng Root Yields for Lytton, British Columbia, Canada

  • Gin, H.;Bailey, W.G.;Wong, S.T.
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.147-152
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    • 1989
  • The statistical characteristics of three year old American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium 1.) root yields from Lytton, British Columbia, Canada are presented. Ginseng root yield is related to plant density, with the highest yields generally obtained from the sites with the highest plant densities. However, these higher yields are made up of a larger proportion of smaller roots while the proportion of larger roots remains almost constant throughout the range of plant densities sampled. Further, it is suggested that relatively small samples can provide significant insight into crop performance and growth.

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Involvement of Mrs3/4 in Mitochondrial Iron Transport and Metabolism in Cryptococcus neoformans

  • Choi, Yoojeong;Do, Eunsoo;Hu, Guanggan;Caza, Melissa;Horianopoulos, Linda C.;Kronstad, James W.;Jung, Won Hee
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.30 no.8
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    • pp.1142-1148
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    • 2020
  • Mitochondria play a vital role in iron uptake and metabolism in pathogenic fungi, and also influence virulence and drug tolerance. However, the regulation of iron transport within the mitochondria of Cryptococcus neoformans, a causative agent of fungal meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized Mrs3/4, a homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial iron transporter, in C. neoformans var. grubii. A strain expressing an Mrs3/4-GFP fusion protein was generated, and the mitochondrial localization of the fusion protein was confirmed. Moreover, a mutant lacking the MRS3/4 gene was constructed; this mutant displayed significantly reduced mitochondrial iron and cellular heme accumulation. In addition, impaired mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster metabolism and altered expression of genes required for iron uptake at the plasma membrane were observed in the mrs3/4 mutant, suggesting that Mrs3/4 is involved in iron import and metabolism in the mitochondria of C. neoformans. Using a murine model of cryptococcosis, we demonstrated that an mrs3/4 mutant is defective in survival and virulence. Taken together, our study suggests that Mrs3/4 is responsible for iron import in mitochondria and reveals a link between mitochondrial iron metabolism and the virulence of C. neoformans.

Systematizing Information Use to Address Determinants of Health Worker Health in South Africa: A Cross-sectional Mixed Method Study

  • Muzimkhulu Zungu;Annalee Yassi ;Jonathan Ramodike;Kuku Voyi;Karen Lockhart;David Jones;Spo Kgalamono;Nkululeko Thunzi;Jerry Spiegel
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.368-374
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    • 2023
  • Background: Recognizing that access to safe and healthy working conditions is a human right, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for specific occupational safety and health (OSH) programs for health workers (HWs). The WHO health systems' building blocks, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlight the importance of information as part of effective systems. This study examined how OSH stakeholders access, use, and value an occupational health information system (OHIS). Methods: A cross-sectional survey of OSH stakeholders was conducted as part of a larger quasi experimental study in four teaching hospitals. The study hospitals and participants were purposefully selected and data collected using a modified questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions. Quantitative analysis was conducted and themes identified for qualitative analysis. Ethics approval was provided by the University of Pretoria and University of British Columbia. Results: There were 71 participants comprised of hospital managers, health and safety representatives, trade unions representatives and OSH professionals. At least 42% reported poor accessibility and poor timeliness of OHIS for decision-making. Only 50% had access to computers and 27% reported poor computer skills. When existing, OHIS was poorly organized and needed upgrades, with 85% reporting the need for significant reforms. Only 45% reported use of OHIS for decision-making in their OSH role. Conclusion: Given the gap in access and utilization of information needed to protect worker's rights to a safe and healthy workplace, more attention is warranted to OHIS development and use as well as education and training in South Africa and beyond.

A molecular investigation of Saccharina sessilis from the Aleutian Islands reveals a species complex, necessitating the new combination Saccharina subsessilis

  • Starko, Samuel;Boo, Ga Hun;Martone, Patrick T.;Lindstrom, Sandra C.
    • ALGAE
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.157-166
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    • 2018
  • Cryptic species complexes are increasingly recognized in phycological research, obscuring taxonomy and raising questions about factors influencing speciation. A recent exploration of kelp genetic diversity on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia revealed the existence of a new species, Saccharina druehlii, which is cryptic with Saccharina sessilis. This suggests that molecular investigations further north may be required to elucidate the taxonomy and evolutionary history of this lineage. Although, for several decades, S. sessilis was considered a single highly variable species, its taxonomy has been far from straightforward. In particular, Hedophyllum subsessile (Areschoug) Setchell is now recognized as a synonym of S. sessilis in North America, but as a growth form of Saccharina bongardiana in Far East Russia. To resolve this taxonomic confusion, we sequenced mitochondrial (CO1-5P) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer) markers of S. sessilis populations from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA. Interestingly, none of our sequences matched S. sessilis sensu stricto. Instead, CO1-5P sequences from populations in the central and eastern Aleutians matched exactly S. druehlii with increasing sequence divergence occurring westward. Samples from Attu, the western-most island, composed a genetic group that clearly represents Kjellman's concept of Hafgygia bongardiana f. subsessilis and is distinct enough from S. druehlii and S. sessilis to potentially constitute a distinct species. Therefore, Saccharina subsessilis comb. nov. is proposed for this entity. Our results suggest the existence of a species complex at the crown node of S. sessilis and thus further investigation of Saccharina in Alaskan waters should be conducted to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this fascinating lineage.

Cone-beam computed tomographic reconstructions in the evaluation of maxillary impacted canines

  • David MacDonald;Sharifa Alebrahim;Edwin Yen;Jolanta Aleksejuniene
    • Imaging Science in Dentistry
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    • v.53 no.2
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    • pp.145-151
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    • 2023
  • Purpose: Prior to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), orthodontic competence included radiological interpretation. Nevertheless, maxillary impacted canines (MICs), because of their position and adjacent complex anatomy, have been challenging to interpret, particularly with regard to root resorption. Although CBCT cross-sectional reconstructions of MICs yielded clearer insights into its diagnosis and treatment planning, the value of simultaneously using 2 different cross-sectional or multiplanar reconstructions of the CBCT datasets - orthogonal and curved/panoramic multiplanar reconstructions - has hitherto not been considered. Materials and Methods: Both orthogonal and curved/panoramic multiplanar reconstruction series of 5 screenshots were each reconstructed from the 5 cm×5 cm CBCT datasets of 15 separate MICs. Fifteen credentialled and experienced orthodontist volunteers reviewed 2 separate PowerPoints of 15 randomized series each, 1 week apart. Their review considered 6 factors that could affect treatment: the position and level of the MIC, the presence or absence of root resorption, ankylosis, cysts, and dilaceration. Results: All 15 orthodontists were statistically similar regarding overall years of experience and of CBCT use. Although either reconstruction alone allowed the orthodontists to determine whether ankylosis and, to a lesser extent, most of the other features were present or absent in the MIC, reviewing both reconstructions together was necessary to determine whether root resorption was present or absent in the adjacent tooth. Conclusion: Reviewing both orthogonal and curved/panoramic multiplanar reconstructions was necessary to evaluate the presence or absence of root resorption in the teeth adjacent to MICs and that of many other features.