ABSTRACT
Field tests of corn co-expressing two new delta-endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have demonstrated protection from root damage by western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte). The level of protection exceeds that provided by chemical insecticides. In the bacterium, these proteins form crystals during the sporulation phase of the growth cycle, are encoded by a single operon, and have molecular masses of 14 kDa and 44 kDa. Corn rootworm larvae fed on corn roots expressing the proteins showed histopathological symptoms in the midgut epithelium.
Subject(s)
Bacillus thuringiensis/chemistry , Bacterial Proteins/pharmacology , Bacterial Toxins , Endotoxins/pharmacology , Insect Control/methods , Zea mays/metabolism , Animals , Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Hemolysin Proteins , Immunity, Innate , Immunoblotting , Larva , Models, Genetic , Plants, Genetically Modified , Transformation, GeneticABSTRACT
An agency providing health care services for homeless persons and a nursing department at a liberal arts college established a service-learning partnership to complete a health needs assessment of homeless persons. Under the guidance of agency staff and a nursing faculty member, seven nursing students surveyed shelter residents (n = 101) in four urban shelters and conducted a focus group to identify residents' perceptions of health, health care needs, and health care service delivery. The service-learning partnership expanded the agency's services by providing research consultation and data collection that resulted in recommendations to improve health care services for the homeless. The agency contributed to the education of health professionals by providing students with a meaningful community service experience.