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How can we educate future forensic scientists?
Get PDFOver the past two decades, in particular, the field of forensic science has experienced a significant development bringing this ever-evolving field to the public’s attention. Forensic science education has undergone a rapid expansion in the number of courses and the number of students enrolling. This literature review aims to research the past 20 years of literature to understand what education is and has been for science as well as looking into future techniques and learning tools that may be useful for the future 20 years in particular for the future of forensic education. In science education, the classic didactic lecture and inquiry-based learning has transitioned to more technological and hands-on approaches like active lectures, practical learning, virtual reality, online learning, and problem-based learning. Literature around forensic education is very minimal with virtual reality, gamification, and online learning being the approaches commonly mentioned as the new way forward
Evaluating coverage bias in next-generation sequencing of Escherichia coli
Get PDFWhole-genome sequencing is essential to many facets of infectious disease research. However, technical limitations such as bias in coverage and tagmentation, and difficulties characterising genomic regions with extreme GC content have created significant obstacles in its use. Illumina has claimed that the recently released DNA Prep library preparation kit, formerly known as Nextera Flex, overcomes some of these limitations. This study aimed to assess bias in coverage, tagmentation, GC content, average fragment size distribution, and de novo assembly quality using both the Nextera XT and DNA Prep kits from Illumina. When performing whole-genome sequencing on Escherichia coli and where coverage bias is the main concern, the DNA Prep kit may provide higher quality results; though de novo assembly quality, tagmentation bias and GC content related bias are unlikely to improve. Based on these results, laboratories with existing workflows based on Nextera XT would see minor benefits in transitioning to the DNA Prep kit if they were primarily studying organisms with neutral GC content
A decade of incorporating social sciences in the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research Project (IMBeR): Much Done, Much to Do?
Get PDFSuccessful management and mitigation of marine challenges depends on cooperation and knowledge sharing which often occurs across culturally diverse geographic regions. Global ocean science collaboration is therefore essential for developing global solutions. Building effective global research networks that can enable collaboration also need to ensure inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches to tackle complex marine socio-ecological challenges. To understand the contribution of interdisciplinary global research networks to solving these complex challenges, we use the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) project as a case study. We investigated the diversity and characteristics of 1,827 scientists from 11 global regions who were attendees at different IMBeR global science engagement opportunities since 2009. We also determined the role of social science engagement in natural science based regional programmes (using key informants) and identified the potential for enhanced collaboration in the future. Event attendees were predominantly from western Europe, North America, and East Asia. But overall, in the global network, there was growing participation by females, students and early career researchers, and social scientists, thus assisting in moving toward interdisciplinarity in IMBeR research. The mainly natural science oriented regional programmes showed mixed success in engaging and collaborating with social scientists. This was mostly attributed to the largely natural science (i.e., biological, physical) goals and agendas of the programmes, and the lack of institutional support and push to initiate connections with social science. Recognising that social science research may not be relevant to all the aims and activities of all regional programmes, all researchers however, recognised the (potential) benefits of interdisciplinarity, which included broadening scientists’ understanding and perspectives, developing connections and interlinkages, and making science more useful. Pathways to achieve progress in regional programmes fell into four groups: specific funding, events to come together, within-programme-reflections, and social science champions. Future research programmes should have a strategic plan to be truly interdisciplinary, engaging natural and social sciences, as well as aiding early career professionals to actively engage in such programmes
From forest to pharmacy: Should we be depressed about a sustainable Griffonia simplicifolia (Fabaceae) seed supply chain?
No full textEthnopharmacological relevance
Griffonia simplicifolia D.C (Baill.) (Fabaceae) seeds are unusually high (6–20% wet weight) in 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan), a serotonin precursor widely used to treat depression. Consequently, this species is regarded as a herbal “Prozac®”. Contemporary use as an anti-depressant contrasts with traditional uses for insecticides, arachnicides, fodder, dyes, mordants and chewing-sticks. G. simplicifolia seeds are wild-harvested for the export trade. Over the past 15 years, use of 5-HTP extracted from G. simplicifolia in cosmetics has added to global demand. Wild populations in West Africa are the sole commercial source of G. simplicifolia seed.
Aims of the study
Were to (i) assess the scale of the global trade in G. simplicifolia seeds and (ii) produce a synthesis of the challenges facing sustainable harvest of G. simplicifolia.
Materials and approach
Firstly, we analysed global trade data for G. simplicifolia, taking into account historical trends over the past 40 years. Secondly, we reviewed published studies on the distribution, population biology and harvest impacts of wild G. simplicifolia populations.
Results and conclusion
s: Wild G. simplicifolia populations have been the focus of commercial harvest of their pods (for seeds) for international trade from West Africa for almost 50 years. In the late 1980's, when Ghana exported 75–80 metric tonnes (MT) of G. simplicifolia seed to Europe, this species was already Ghana's main medicinal plant export. Currently, 5 West African countries export G. simplicifolia seeds (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo). Although in the 1980's, most seed exports were to Europe, today China is the main importer of G. simplicifolia seed. These seeds are value-added for production of 5-HTP extracts, and then re-exported, particularly to North America (c.48% of exports). The low habitat specificity and vigorous re-sprouting of G. simplicifolia after cutting, plus its occurrence in forest reserves and national parks confer some resilience on wild populations. Sustaining future supply chains faces six future challenges, however: (1) Rapid loss of forest habitats; (2) Declining populations of understorey birds and disruption of G. simplicifolia pollination in this bird pollinated species; (3) Negative effects of introduced invasive plant species (Broussonetia papyrifera, Chromolaena odorata) on G. simplicifolia regeneration; (4) Grazing by livestock and use of G. simplicifolia leaves as forage; (5) The long-term impact of industrial scale seed “predation”: Over a 9-year period (2005–2013), G. simplicifolia exports from Ghana totalled at least 5550 metric tonnes (or between 9.1 billion to 13.5 billion seeds). This could affect the long-term population dynamics of this species, which produces a low number of seeds per pod (1–4 seeds) and has short distance (ballistic) seed dispersal; and (6) Destructive harvest methods, when plants are cut to harvest get the seed pods. Improved resource management, monitoring, quality control and careful pricing are important if supply chains from wild stocks are to be maintained. If wild populations decline, then 5-HTP biosynthesis may compete with low G. simplicifolia seed yields, leading to loss of income to West African harvesters and traders
Evaluation of an Australian neurological nurse‐led model of postdischarge care
No full textNeurological disorders are a leading cause of disease burden worldwide, placing a heavy demand on health systems. This study evaluated the impacts and cost savings of a community-based nursing service providing supported discharge for neurological patients deemed high-risk for unplanned emergency department presentations and/or hospital readmissions. It focused on adult patients with stroke, epilepsy, migraine/headache or functional neurological disorders discharged from a Western Australian tertiary hospital. An observational design was used comprising prospective enrolment of patients receiving nurse-led supported discharge and follow-up (Neurocare), 21 August 2018 to 6 December 2019 (N = 81), and hospital administrative data, 1 February 2016 to 31 January 2018, for patients in previous care model (N = 740). Healthcare utilisation and annualised cost savings from reduced rehospitalisation and/or emergency department presentations within 28 days post discharge were compared. Neurocare patients’ postdischarge functional and health-related quality of life outcomes, and perceived involvement in self-management and integrated care were surveyed. The hospital's total cost savings are A275/patient/year with a return on investment of 2.01. There was no significant difference in hospital length of stay (LOS) between models, but older age was associated with longer length of hospital stay and a predictor for non-neurological readmissions. Neurocare patients showed improved functional status, less equipment and/or service needs, improved health-related quality of life. They felt involved in self-managing their condition with well-integrated postdischarge care. This nurse-led model of transitional care for neurology patients discharged from hospital produced cost savings and a positive return on investment compared with usual care. With service maturity, earlier supported hospital discharge and reduced LOS may follow. Patients’ reduced service needs and improved functional status and health-related quality of life may positively impact healthcare utilisation. Future research should include larger patient samples and multiple sites
Evaluation of biomarkers for diagnosis of canine lymphoma
No full textLymphoma is a malignancy arising from lymphocytes (B cell or T cell) that are a central component of the immune system. As one of the three most common cancers encountered in the canine, lymphoma affects middle-aged to older dogs and usually stems from lymphatic tissues, such as lymph nodes, lymphoid tissue or spleen. Despite improvements in the management of canine lymphoma, better understanding concerning subtype and tumour aggressiveness is crucial for improved clinical diagnosis to differentiate malignancy from hyperplastic conditions, in addition to improve decision-making around whether to treat and what treatment type to use. This study aimed to evaluate a selection of potential novel biomarkers related to tumour stroma (collagen) and iron metabolism (embryonic haemoglobin [HBE], iron, haptoglobin [HP], ferritin [FER], hepcidin [HEP], transferrin [TF], and ceruloplasmin [CP]) that might have application in lymphoma diagnosis and monitoring response to chemotherapy. These novel biomarker candidates were identified from gene expression microarray analyses of canine lymphoma or from studies of the human disease and were used in combination with previously established markers (C-reactive protein [CRP] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) in this study.
Archived samples were used in combination with prospectively collected samples from dogs with and without lymphoma. Prospectively, 36 canine patients were enrolled from two different veterinary practices, one located in Australia (Perth Veterinary Specialists) and one in Italy (Clinical Veterinary Malpensa) and blood samples collected at presentation as well as during treatment. Serum HP, HEP, FER, TF, iron, CP, CRP and LDH were measured. In addition, fine needle aspirate material (as part of the diagnostic process at presentation only) from the same patient cohort were assessed by RT-qPCR for HBE, HP, and type 1 collagen (COL1A1). Extensive archived material was available in the histopathology block bank at Murdoch University as well as frozen lymph node biopsies from 102 dogs with lymphoma. This material was used for retrospective analyses investigating the same markers by RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and histochemical staining.
Collagen was confirmed to be aberrantly expressed in canine lymphoma as compared to normal lymph node tissue, which is consistent with fibrotic tumour stroma having been described in a wide range of malignancies. Aberrant collagen was particularly found in B cell lymphoma, and within these, a subgroup of tumours exhibited very high expression. Aberrant collagen expression detected by histochemical staining had high diagnostic accuracy for B cell lymphoma, with the ability to differentiate B cell lymphoma from hyperplastic and normal lymph nodes where the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.935 (95% Cl, 0.89 to 0.98) with specificity 100% and sensitivity 78.6%. This has potential application as a relatively easy-to-perform test yielding corroborative information to aid diagnosis.
The iron-related biomarkers serum HEP and FER were found to be increased in dogs with lymphoma compared to control dogs at the time of diagnosis, while CP concentrations were decreased. Notably, the novel marker, HEP may be useful in the diagnosis of lymphoma along with the established biomarkers CRP and LDH. Not all serum iron-related biomarkers were altered with HP, TF and iron not being found to be different between dogs with lymphoma and healthy dogs at presentation. Together, these findings indicate increased iron storage and tissue iron sequestering rather than altered iron transport or haeme scavenging. No significant correlation was found between the various serum biomarkers at time of diagnosis except weak positive associations of FER with HEP and FER with iron. In addition, there were no appreciable patterns in serum iron biomarker concentrations detected over time during the monitoring of chemotherapy in the B lymphoma patients.
HBE mRNA was found to be aberrantly expressed in canine B and T lymphoma as compared to normal lymph node tissue. Specific detection of HBE protein required an immunohistochemical protocol which was successfully developed. However, using this assay aberrant HBE protein expression could not be confirmed. Due to the lack of availability to this study of canine placenta tissue as a control tissue, this IHC assay needs further validation in dogs before a final conclusion can be made about whether HBE is expressed at the protein level in canine lymphoma. Nevertheless, this assay has potential to be used in future studies to investigate ectopic expression of HBE in different diseases states and various neoplastic disorders, including lymphoma.
To identify differentially expressed genes that may have potential utility as novel biomarkers and/or provide further insight into the molecular pathogenesis of canine lymphoma RNA-Seq analysis was performed comparing B cell lymphoma and T cell lymphoma to normal lymph node tissue. This showed that canine B cell lymphoma and T cell lymphoma could readily be distinguished from each other, as well as from non-diseased lymph node tissue on the basis of gene expression. Bioinformatic analysis revealed a preponderance of cell cycle genes and genes encoding components of various signalling pathways in both the B cell and T cell lymphomas. This was strongly indicative of tumour cells with drastically altered proliferative and survival capabilities. In addition, the B lymphomas also showed a marked increase in genes associated with cilia function and formation, while the T lymphomas showed an increase in genes associated with gene transcription. As well as identifying further potential novel biomarkers for follow up studies, these findings will aid a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this malignancy
Increasing frequency of high-temperature episodes in potato growing regions of Western Australia and its impacts on plant and tuber growth
No full textLittle is known about actual temperature regimes experienced by potato during the critical period of tuber bulking and their impact on plant and tuber growth outside the cool temperate production regions. We analysed the temperature data of potato growing regions in Western Australia (WA) and six other non-traditional potato growing regions for the number of days with maximum temperatures above 25, 30 or 35°C and their occurrence during tuber bulking. As anticipated, days with 25°C increased between 1985 and 2014 in all locations in WA. Surprisingly, across the other six locations, only Beersheba (Israel) showed a significant trend of increasing temperatures. Then, in a greenhouse experiment, we investigated how 1, 3, 6 and 9 days of 30°C applied shortly after tuber initiation influenced plant and tuber growth of potato cv. Royal Blue. Tuber mass and leaf area decreased linearly with increased duration of 30°C. In conclusion, potato grown in WA and other locations already experience growth limiting temperatures during tuber bulking and the frequency of hot days is increasing. Considering climate change and the expansion of potato production into non-traditional areas, more detailed examination of temperature regimes in other warm growing regions could be important for industry planning
Novel sources of tolerance to aluminium toxicity in wild cicer (Cicer reticulatum and Cicer echinospermum) collections
Get PDFIn acid soils, the toxic form of aluminium, Al3+, significantly inhibits root growth and elongation, leading to less water and nutrient uptake. Previous research had shown differential Al toxicity tolerance among cultivated Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea); however, the potential for developing tolerant cultivars is limited by the narrow genetic diversity of cultivated chickpeas. Recent collections from Turkey of wild Cicer species, Cicer reticulatum, and Cicer echinospermum, have increased the available gene pool significantly, but there has been no large-scale screening of wild Cicer for acid tolerance or Al3+ toxicity tolerance. This study evaluated 167 wild Cicer and 17 Australian chickpea cultivars in a series of screenings under controlled growth conditions. The pH of 4.2 and Al concentrations of 15 and 60 μM Al were selected for large-scale screening based on dose response experiments in a low ionic strength nutrient solution. The change in root length showed better discrimination between tolerant and sensitive lines when compared with shoot and root dry weights and was used as a selection criterion. In a large-scale screening, 13 wild Cicer reticulatum accessions had a higher root tolerance index (≥50%), and eight had higher relative change in root length (≥40%) compared with PBA Monarch, which showed greater tolerance among the Australian domestic cultivars screened. In general, C. reticulatum species were found to be more tolerant than C. echinospermum, while genetic population groups Ret_5, Ret_6, and Ret_7 from Diyarbakir and Mardin Province were more tolerant than other groups. Among C. echinospermum, Ech_6 from the Siv-Diyar collection site of the Urfa Province showed better tolerance than other groups. In this first detailed screening of aluminium toxicity tolerance in the new wild Cicer collections, we identified accessions that were more tolerant than current domestic cultivars, providing promising germplasm for breeding programs to expand chickpea adaptation to acid soils
Baseline health parameters for a newly established population of long-nosed Potoroo (Potorous Tridactylus) at Booderee National Park, Australia
No full textOver two field seasons during 2014–15, 35 long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus) were captured in state forests in South Eastern New South Wales for translocation to Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay Territory, Australia. Animals were anesthetized for physical examination and collection of samples to assess general health and screen for select diseases identified during a disease risk assessment. Morphologic, hematologic, and biochemical parameters were determined, and parasites were identified where possible. Trypanosoma gilletti, Trypanosoma vegrandis, and novel genotypes most similar to a Trypanosoma wallaby-derived isolate (ABF) were identified from blood samples by PCR; the first time Trypanosoma has been described in this species. Also reported is the first confirmation of the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, from the long-nosed potoroo. Surveillance showed that Cryptococcus sp. may form part of the normal nasal flora for long-nosed potoroo. Salmonella enterica serotype Dublin and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica was identified from rectal swabs of otherwise healthy animals. The data provide baseline health and disease parameters for this newly established population and the source population and will inform future translocation and conservation management activities. These data expand current knowledge on aspects of the biology and microbiology of the long-nosed potoroo, both locally and nationally
Pymetrozine-resistant whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) populations in China remain susceptible to afidopyropen
No full textThe whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most destructive pests in the world because of its serious damage to various crops and rapid development of insecticide resistance. Afidopyropen is a novel pyropene insecticide with high insecticidal activity against sucking insects and has been registered to control whitefly in China since 2019. In this study, 33 field populations of B. tabaci were collected across China between August 2019 and October 2020 and their cryptic species compositions were investigated. The toxicity of afidopyropen to B. tabaci were measured at different times, which was further compared to the toxicity of pymetrozine. The results showed that only Mediterranean (MED) and Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) species were detected in the field populations. The LC50 values of afidopyropen were significantly higher in the first five days, and subsequently became stable at a lower level after day five. The LC50 value of afidopyropen to field whitefly populations ranged from 1.15 to 4.52 mg/L, and the variation in susceptibility was 1.9-fold. The LC50 value of the mixed susceptible population was 2.31 mg/L, which was established as the whitefly susceptible baseline to afidopyropen in China. The resistance to pymetrozine in field populations ranged from 1.8- to 116.6-fold, but no cross-resistance between afidopyropen and pymetrozine was observed. Taken together, afidopyropen exhibited a great insecticidal potency against 33 field populations of B. tabaci in China and it did not show cross-resistance with pymetrozine, suggesting it could be considered as an effective insecticide in the insecticide resistance management (IRM) of B. tabaci