1. P‐glycoprotein, the protein product of the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, has ATP‐dependent... more 1. P‐glycoprotein, the protein product of the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, has ATP‐dependent transporter activity. It has been suggested that P‐glycoprotein may also function as a volume‐regulated chloride channel or chloride channel regulator. To assess the chloride channel function of P‐glycoprotein, we examined swelling‐activated chloride conductances in Xenopus oocytes injected with human MDR1 cRNA. 2. Functional expression of P‐glycoprotein in Xenopus oocytes was confirmed using Western blot analysis and by assessing transport of the P‐glycoprotein substrate, calcein AM. 3. Endogenous, swelling‐activated chloride conductances were virtually absent by the time P‐glycoprotein expression was confirmed. Thus, this expression system afforded the advantage of assessing putative MDR1‐associated chloride currents in the absence of background currents. 4. The currents activated by hypotonic shock (50%) in both MDR1‐injected and control (water‐injected) oocytes were not significantl...
Collaborating scientists and storytellers successfully built a university-based science-in-action... more Collaborating scientists and storytellers successfully built a university-based science-in-action video storytelling model to test the research question: Can university scientists increase their relatability and public engagement through science-in-action video storytelling? Developed over 14 years, this science storytelling model produced more than a dozen high-visibility narratives that translated science to the public and featured scientists, primarily environmental and climate scientists, who are described in audience surveys as relatable people. This collaborative model, based on long-term trusting partnerships between scientists and video storytellers, documented scientists as they conducted their research and together created narratives intended to humanize scientists as authentic people on journeys of discovery. Unlike traditional documentary filmmaking or journalism, the participatory nature of this translational science model involved scientists in the shared making of nar...
This working paper contains findings from an October 2013 online U.S. national survey on public p... more This working paper contains findings from an October 2013 online U.S. national survey on public perceptions of labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods.
African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) have recently received wide attention for their contribution... more African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) have recently received wide attention for their contribution toward food and nutrition security. Promoting the production and consumption of AIVs is likely to mitigate food insecurity and alleviate malnutrition in the African region. To document and analyze existing patterns of AIV production in Zambia, farmers were surveyed in person using a structured questionnaire. A total of 300 farmers were selected from Lusaka (50), Katete (50), Chipata (75), Lundazi (75), and Petauke (75). Analysis of the survey results using logit model identified that those who farm less than 10 acres of farming land, were concerned about nutrition quality of AIVs, reported that price of farm produce is fixed by buyers, were registered as a member of any community group or association, received training related to nutrition and health, saved money for unexpected expenses, and were single are more likely than other farmers to produce AIVs for home consumption. Whereas, th...
IntroductionNutrition security continues to worsen in sub-Saharan Africa. Current research is lim... more IntroductionNutrition security continues to worsen in sub-Saharan Africa. Current research is limited on how seasonality may influence the impact of nutrition, culinary, and production interventions on food security, diet quality, and consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIV); a culturally accepted source of micro-and-macronutrients that are easily produced due to their adaptation to the local environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the programmatic impact of AIV interventions on nutrition security among smallholder farmers.MethodsIn a randomized control trial, five target counties in Western Kenya were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) control; (2) production intervention (PI); (3) nutrition and culinary intervention (NCI); and (4) NCI and PI (NCI/PI). After the counties were randomly assigned to a treatment, 503 smallholder farmers (18–65 years) were selected from participatory farmer groups. The PI consisted of five agricultural production...
The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Af... more The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Africa. One potential solution to undernutrition is to promote the consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) that are rich in vitamin A, iron, zinc and other healthpromoting phytochemicals. However, due to limited advances in agronomic practices, seed development, available improved varieties, and access to these indigenous plants in the marketplace, work was needed to drive AIVs into the formal marketplace to meet consumer demand. This paper summarizes the research and activities of a diverse group of stakeholders and researchers who came together to improve research, management, production, distribution, and consumption of nutritious AIVs in Eastern Simon et al.: Improving Income and Nutrition of Smallholder Farmers in Eastern
1. P‐glycoprotein, the protein product of the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, has ATP‐dependent... more 1. P‐glycoprotein, the protein product of the multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, has ATP‐dependent transporter activity. It has been suggested that P‐glycoprotein may also function as a volume‐regulated chloride channel or chloride channel regulator. To assess the chloride channel function of P‐glycoprotein, we examined swelling‐activated chloride conductances in Xenopus oocytes injected with human MDR1 cRNA. 2. Functional expression of P‐glycoprotein in Xenopus oocytes was confirmed using Western blot analysis and by assessing transport of the P‐glycoprotein substrate, calcein AM. 3. Endogenous, swelling‐activated chloride conductances were virtually absent by the time P‐glycoprotein expression was confirmed. Thus, this expression system afforded the advantage of assessing putative MDR1‐associated chloride currents in the absence of background currents. 4. The currents activated by hypotonic shock (50%) in both MDR1‐injected and control (water‐injected) oocytes were not significantl...
Collaborating scientists and storytellers successfully built a university-based science-in-action... more Collaborating scientists and storytellers successfully built a university-based science-in-action video storytelling model to test the research question: Can university scientists increase their relatability and public engagement through science-in-action video storytelling? Developed over 14 years, this science storytelling model produced more than a dozen high-visibility narratives that translated science to the public and featured scientists, primarily environmental and climate scientists, who are described in audience surveys as relatable people. This collaborative model, based on long-term trusting partnerships between scientists and video storytellers, documented scientists as they conducted their research and together created narratives intended to humanize scientists as authentic people on journeys of discovery. Unlike traditional documentary filmmaking or journalism, the participatory nature of this translational science model involved scientists in the shared making of nar...
This working paper contains findings from an October 2013 online U.S. national survey on public p... more This working paper contains findings from an October 2013 online U.S. national survey on public perceptions of labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods.
African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) have recently received wide attention for their contribution... more African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) have recently received wide attention for their contribution toward food and nutrition security. Promoting the production and consumption of AIVs is likely to mitigate food insecurity and alleviate malnutrition in the African region. To document and analyze existing patterns of AIV production in Zambia, farmers were surveyed in person using a structured questionnaire. A total of 300 farmers were selected from Lusaka (50), Katete (50), Chipata (75), Lundazi (75), and Petauke (75). Analysis of the survey results using logit model identified that those who farm less than 10 acres of farming land, were concerned about nutrition quality of AIVs, reported that price of farm produce is fixed by buyers, were registered as a member of any community group or association, received training related to nutrition and health, saved money for unexpected expenses, and were single are more likely than other farmers to produce AIVs for home consumption. Whereas, th...
IntroductionNutrition security continues to worsen in sub-Saharan Africa. Current research is lim... more IntroductionNutrition security continues to worsen in sub-Saharan Africa. Current research is limited on how seasonality may influence the impact of nutrition, culinary, and production interventions on food security, diet quality, and consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIV); a culturally accepted source of micro-and-macronutrients that are easily produced due to their adaptation to the local environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the programmatic impact of AIV interventions on nutrition security among smallholder farmers.MethodsIn a randomized control trial, five target counties in Western Kenya were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) control; (2) production intervention (PI); (3) nutrition and culinary intervention (NCI); and (4) NCI and PI (NCI/PI). After the counties were randomly assigned to a treatment, 503 smallholder farmers (18–65 years) were selected from participatory farmer groups. The PI consisted of five agricultural production...
The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Af... more The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies continues to remain alarmingly high in subSaharan Africa. One potential solution to undernutrition is to promote the consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) that are rich in vitamin A, iron, zinc and other healthpromoting phytochemicals. However, due to limited advances in agronomic practices, seed development, available improved varieties, and access to these indigenous plants in the marketplace, work was needed to drive AIVs into the formal marketplace to meet consumer demand. This paper summarizes the research and activities of a diverse group of stakeholders and researchers who came together to improve research, management, production, distribution, and consumption of nutritious AIVs in Eastern Simon et al.: Improving Income and Nutrition of Smallholder Farmers in Eastern
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