15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) has been implicated in the inflammation of chronic bronchitis (CB), but it is unclear which of its isoforms, 15-LOa or 15-LOb, is primarily involved. To detect 15-LO gene (mRNA) and protein expression, we have applied in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively, to bronchial biopsies obtained from 7 healthy nonsmokers (HNS), 5 healthy smokers (HS), and 8 smokers with CB, and additionally include the airways of lungs resected from 11 asymptomatic smokers (AS) and 11 smokers with CB. Compared with HNS, biopsies in CB demonstrated increased numbers of 15-LOa mRNA+ cells (median: HNS = 31.3/mm(2) versus CB = 84.9/mm(2), P < 0.01) and protein+ cells (HNS = 2.9/mm(2) versus CB = 32.1/mm(2), P < 0.01). The HS group also showed a significant increase in protein+ cells (HNS = 2.9/mm(2) versus HS = 14/mm(2), P < 0.05). In the resected airways, 15-LOa protein+ cells in the submucosal glands of the CB group were more numerous than in the AS group (AS = 33/mm(2) versus CB = 208/mm(2); P < 0.001). 15-LOa mRNA+ and protein+ cells consistently outnumbered 15-LOb by approximately 7- and 5-fold, respectively (P < 0.01). Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of complementary biopsies confirmed the increased levels of 15-LOa in CB compared with that in either HNS or HS (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the subject groups with respect to 15-LOb expression. The numbers of cells expressing mRNA for 15-LOa in CB showed a positive association with those expressing interleukin (IL)-4 mRNA (r = 0.80; P < 0.01). We conclude that the upregulation of 15-LO activity in the airways of HS and of smokers with CB primarily involves the 15-LOa isoform: the functional consequences of its association the upregulation of IL-4 in chronic bronchitis requires further study.
Attracting the best possible applicants into initial teacher education (ITE) programmes has been a long-standing challenge in the UK and internationally, and the situation is especially urgent in STEM-related subjects. The purpose of this article is to report the development and implementation of an online teacher attraction intervention—realistic job previews (RJPs)—based on person-environment (and person-vocation) fit theory. Study 1 reports the online administration of an RJP consisting of four animated classroom scenarios requiring participant responses, followed by experienced teacher feedback and a tailored fit message to 111 university students in STEM-related fields. Results showed a significant relationship between RJP performance and interest in a teaching career, even after controlling for prior career intentions (i.e., intentions to pursue a career in teaching). Study 2 reports findings from individual interviews with 14 university students studying STEM-related subjects on the factors contributing to career-decision making, especially regarding teaching as a career. The 16 codes were distilled into three themes: the role of personal reflection, critical influences on career decisions, and patterns of change. We conclude with suggestions for implementation of RJPs as a supplement to current attraction and recruitment approaches.
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