Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A), a potent paralyzer of cholinergic junctions, is extensively used in the human masticatory muscle for cosmetic reduction of large masseter muscles, relaxing the muscles and reducing pain in temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, and decreasing loading on the mandible. However, the functional recovery of the injected muscle over time is not well documented. This study is to investigate the time-course effect of unilateral masseter injection of BoNT/A on bilateral masseter activities. Adult New Zealand rabbits were injected either with BoNT/A (n=8) or saline (n=8) in one masseter. Non-invasive surface electromyography (EMG) of bilateral masseter muscles was recorded during natural mastication 1 week before and every week after the injection for 12 weeks, along with synchronized video images of jaw movement for identifying the chewing side. The results indicate that: 1) there was no body weight difference over time between BoNT/A and saline animals; 2) BoNT/A animals did not prefer to chew on the non-injection side; 3) the EMG activity of the BoNT/A-injected masseter decreased significantly from control levels at weeks 1, 2 and 3 after the injection regardless of the side of chewing, started to recover after week 3, and reached a level close to that of saline animals at week 5; 4) there was no significant difference of EMG activity of non-injected masseters between BoNT/A and saline animals. In conclusion, a single BoNT/A injection to one masseter significantly reduces the muscle activity for 3 weeks after the injection but neither the activity of contralateral masseter nor overall masticatory function is significantly affected. Supported by DE018142 from NIDCR.

The period of Irish history after the Great Famine and during the Land War was marked by significant tensions between landlords and their tenants. Both contemporary and current narratives of this period emphasize the extensive and violent nature of their conflicts. While conflicts were relatively common, homicides of landlords or their agents by tenants were comparatively rare. This study explores the characteristics of these homicides in an attempt to find common factors between them that may explain their occurrence. For as many homicides as possible between 1857 and 1878, this study analyzes demographic data on landlords and tenants, as well as other landlord characteristics such as size of estate. This data comes from secondary histories, census returns, parish records, and estate records. When possible, trial records are used to provide concrete knowledge of motive. A gross look at the results thus far indicates little commonality between homicides, although further analysis is needed to confirm this finding. In the end, the results of this study indicate that common narratives of landlord-tenant relations in mid-nineteenth century Ireland may not reflect the reality of the time, as relatively-rare homicides were exaggerated to enhance perceptions of conflict between landlords and tenants.

Mutations in the LMNA gene causes abnormalities in nuclear structure and alterations in gene expression which may lead to increased susceptibility to damage in response to stress, resulting in a variety of diseases termed laminopathies. Lamin A has been shown to interact with a variety of proteins, including heat shock factor (hsf) 2, which induces heat shock protein (hsp) transcription during the stress response. The purpose of this study was to determine if the interaction of lamin A and hsf2 is required for hsf2 activity, the subsequent induction of hsp70, and the activation of a cellular defense pathway. We propose that the decrease in this protective response is one mechanism which may cause LMNA-/- cells to be more susceptible to death. We show that LMNA is required for the nuclear localization of hsf2, as the absence of LMNA causes the translocation of hsf2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where hsf2 is inactive. Additionally, LMNA-/- cells have impaired induction of hsp70 in response to the hsf2 activator, MG132, compared to LMNA+/+ fibroblasts. Subsequently, LMNA -/- fibroblasts are more susceptible to apoptotic death induced by MG132. These results demonstrate that the interaction of lamin A with hsf2 is required to maintain nuclear hsf2 and induce hsp70 expression. The inability of LMNA-/- cells to activate hsf2 and induce hsp70 may be one mechanism which causes LMNA-/- cells to be more susceptible to apoptosis.

Underage drinking in college has become a rather substantial problem that many universities and law enforcement agencies are attempting to curtail. One factor that seems to play heavily into this phenomenon is the Greek system at large universities, where underage alcohol consumption rates of students appear to be higher than non-Greek affiliated students. This project will attempt to explain what mechanisms exist within Greek organizations on the campuses of large universities that helps mold the perception of underage members to view underage drinking as an acceptable action. To address this question, data collected by Harvard in the College Alcohol Study (CAS) will be used to evaluate responses by Greek affiliated students to attempt to locate certain commonalities that could be an explanation for the increase in underage drinking and the change in perception of underage drinking from a deviant act to a non-deviant act, such as, trends of increased drinking before college, the influence of upperclassmen and attempting to fit into Greek culture, and ease of availability of alcohol to underage Greek students. This project will hopefully provide insight to university officials as to the inner workings of Greek houses and the effect these houses have on students and underage drinking, and can help university staff and law enforcement agencies develop new methods to curtail underage drinking.

Adolescents who opt for placement within an alternative high school program often cite their motivation for doing so as a lack of integration within traditional academic settings, or a perceived disjuncture (academic or social) between themselves and "typical" adolescent peer groups. However, in an environment where placement is voluntary based on differentiation, additional spheres of marginalization can function as both curse and blessing. The purpose of this research is to explore whether alternative students who are “multiply marginalized”—on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status—develop identity and form community with one another in a manner that differs from their integration patterns during prior experiences with traditional education. It explores whether alternative placement functions as an additional sphere of social support for marginalized students, or if it represents new challenges that these students may never have confronted within more traditional academic communities.  This research represents a case study of two distinct alternative high school programs serving students around metropolitan Seattle--Nova Alternative High School (located in Seattle's Central District), and the Robinson Center for Young Scholars (located on the University of Washington campus). These programs differ dramatically in terms of academic focus and social milieu—while Nova operates within a recuperative ethos, intending to "heal" students who have been rejected from normative spheres while progressing at a self-mitigated academic pace, Robinson Center students pursue a more regimented course based upon an accelerated curriculum and gradual assimilation into their new social community. Students from both programs were observed over a period of three months, before completing a questionnaire and participating in an interview session designed to gauge perceptions of their new academic environment. Results will be analyzed to determine impacts--positive or negative--that the transition may have precipitated over students’ academic progress and social development.