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Effects of Hexabromocyclododecane on Cytokines, IL-1β and IL-6, in Human Immune Cells
No full textThe brominated flame retardant Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is an environmental contaminant that is used worldwide in a variety of applications including building insulation, furniture upholstery, textiles, etc. As a result, HBCD can be found in various ecological environments, wildlife, human breastmilk, and serum. Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are both pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in several biological activities. The primary role of IL-1β is the activation of the immune responses while IL-6 plays a role in cell growth regulation, tissue repair, and immune functions. Elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-6 are associated with chronic inflammation and their associated pathologies. Previous studies have shown that HBCD alters the secretion of both IL-1β and IL-6 from human immune cells. However, it is not clear if these changes are due to HBCD’s alteration of the secretory process or its ability to change the cellular production of IL-1β and IL-6. A time course study was conducted to address this question by exposing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to HBCD concentration ranging from 0.05- 5 μM for 10 minutes, 1hrs, 6hrs, and 24hrs, to evaluate the effects of HBCD on IL-1β and IL-6 production. The 24 h exposures to HBCD showed increased production of IL-1β and IL-6 across all concentrations and was shown to be dependent on MAPK signaling pathways. These elevations are in part due to increases in either transcription and/or the stability of their mRNA. Thus, HBCD has the potential to produce chronic inflammation by stimulating the production of IL-1β and IL-6 in immune cells
A Study of Why Black Students Would Want to Major in Criminal Justice
No full textThe anti-criminal justice sentiment that has been stoked by the killing of George Floyd and other black men and women being killed by white police officers would seem to run counter to those who are interested in a career in criminal justice and those who are enrolled in prelaw programs. This anti-policing campaign soon spread to the courts, sentencing, and correctional departments of the criminal justice system. The birth and development of significant reform initiatives across the nation were greatly aided by this disrespect for and lack of confidence in the modern criminal justice system. It became increasingly evident that adjustments would need to be made before the black community would accept any reforms following additional, protracted, and devastating riots and disturbances in every corner of our country.This study sought to provide reasons why black students would choose a major in which they and/or their friends and families may have negative opinions, and which may offer few job opportunities by the time they graduate. TSU new freshmen majoring in criminal justice were given a survey to fill out to get their opinions on the topics. To analyze the survey\u27s data, descriptive and inferential statistics were used.Little can be inferred regarding race and student interests from this study because more than three times as many black students participated as white students. It is noteworthy that, whereas 34% of white students were interested in police during their studies of criminal justice, just 13% of black students shared this interest. The study shows students perceptions of the criminal justice system is racist. This does not reflect well on the criminal justice system in our country; the majority of students agreed that the system should be defunded. Students firmly feel that reform is a crucial component of our criminal justice system
Juxtaposing the Drive to 55 to Non-Traditional Student Completions at Community Colleges
No full textFor the purposes of this study, criteria for non-traditional students were: adults ages 25 and older, race/ethnicity, gender, entry date or transfer to a community college in Middle Tennessee during fall 2015 through summer 2021, and Pell/Grant eligibility. The problem is that non-traditional students have lower completions than traditional students. Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed the Drive to 55 Initiative, also called the Tennessee Reconnect Grant (TN Reconnect) that proposed the first program in the nation that allowed adults without a postsecondary credential to be able to obtain one for free. This intervention became effective fall 2018. As such, the focus of this study was to assess the likelihood that more non-traditional students enrolled at community colleges in Middle Tennessee would complete either a certificate or associates degree within three years after TN Reconnect intervened (experimental group) as compared to non-traditional students that graduated three years before TN Reconnect intervened (control group). The research involved a quasi-experimental design that used generalized linear models on a year-group comparison from 54,692 random samples of secondary data from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission\u27s longitudinal database. Findings were that the number of completions in the experimental group were higher than in the control group. The strongest predictors of completions were term hours and entry type; Pell Grant eligibility was not statistically significant to completions
