text:
Six Years and Counting
That's how long I've been entangled in this web that I call The Petch House.
I finished the laundry room, and yesterday I was sort cleaning up all of the tools, while at the same time getting everything out of the remaining half of the butler's pantry. The butler's pantry will be the next project. This room had become another one of those collection spots in the house for small things that I'm not sure what to do with.
One of the largest items in the room was the mini fridge I used while I was remodeling the kitchen a few years back. I listed it on Craig's List (Sold the same day!) and I wanted to get it cleaned up. I pulled it away from the wall and behind it was a copy of the original pest inspection report from when I bought the house 6 years ago.
The report is dated April 1st, 2002, and I remember we had a 30 day escrow because we – the owner and I – were both eager to finish the deal quickly. I don't remember exactly when escrow closed, but it was towards the end of May, so that makes it 6 years in the next week or two.
The inspection report is not pretty, and I don't mean because it was behind a fridge for a few years. It goes on for 10 pages (legal size) listing all of the problems with the house. The inspection report only deals with problems of structural, rot, fungus, and infestation. It covers both the house and the 2 apartments over the garage. Fifty seven hundred square feet of living space! If you throw in the garages and walk-up attic it is 8550 sq. ft. of floor space. I read it again yesterday and all I could think was, "What the hell was I thinking when I bought this place".
To give you some idea of just how bad it was, when we were in escrow the first appraisal was called off by my mortgage broker because the appraiser called her half way through and went on and on about how bad the place was. She called me and told me it wasn't going well and asked me if I wanted to continue. I told her to give me two weeks. While we were in escrow I went over every day and cleaned up the apartments over the garage so they would at least look rentable. I spent about a $1000 on paint, door replacement, and window repair, and made several dump runs before I even owned the place. The second appraisal went a little better.
The big-ticket items on the pest inspection were the three porches and the two story addition. On the report he suggested replacing all of the porches with Trex Decking and pressure treated wood. Right, on an 1895 Victorian. {roll eyes} I rebuilt 2 of the porches with redwood and fir. The rest of the report lists lots of little things. It is the inspectors job to point out every little problem and he did.
There are also notes of interest on the report. These are things that may fall outside the scope of the inspection, but he felt obligated to mention them. Things like the numerous broken windows, plumbing leaks, piles of debris and garbage in the back yard, peeling vinyl floors and ratty carpets. It was also noted that he was unable to inspect under the house because of the large amount of "broken glass and garbage". Other areas were inaccessible because of sagging plumbing and unsafe wiring. Again, what the hell was I thinking when I read all of that 6 years ago. I'm not sure, really, but what can I say, love is blind.
On the last page the inspector tallies up the dollar amounts to fix all of the things on the report. This has nothing to do with addressing code issues. Nor does it address any electrical or plumbing problems. No HVAC. Nothing cosmetic in anyway. This has nothing to do with an Occupancy Permit, because they aren't required here. This is just to repair structural issues that could lead to the house going from really bad to "It needs to be bulldozed". This is for the bank, basically. The grand total was $20,030.00 + T&M.
I guess the "+T&M" means "Plus Time and Materials". I never really asked about this at the time, but after reading it now, I would think the $20,030.00 would have included some time and materials. Maybe that is just away to cover his butt because the inspector knows it will most likely go higher. I'm sure at the time, rather than seeing the report as a red flag, I saw it as a bargaining tool when making an offer on the house.
Actually, I used the report more like blunt instrument than a tool. I doubled the value at the bottom of the report and added $10,000 more, subtracted that from the asking price, and that was my offer. I would take the house as-is and the current owner could walk away. Although it wasn't stated in writing, through my realtor it was intimated that this was not a starting point for negotiations. This was my one and only offer and they had 24 hours to respond. I like playing hardball, and we all know what the answer was.
I was putting a very large down-payment on the house so I could ignore the report. If it worked out the way I planned I would instantly have more than 50% equity in the house. Big woop, right, on a house that is in such bad shape? Really, what this meant was that even if the place did crumble in to the ground, the bank could recoup their stake in the house just on the value of the land. Maybe they don't actually look at it in those terms, but that is essentially what it meant. My stellar credit rating helped, I'm sure.
It was a good risk for the bank and a bad risk for me. I took every last cent I had ever saved in my life and dumped it in to a house that seemed to need more work than I could ever do myself and could never afford to pay to have done. I don't remember exactly, but at the close of escrow I had something like $300 to my name. This could have ended up being very, very bad. And since its not over yet, I guess it still could.
Below is the short list of what I've done in the last 6 years. All work needing it, is done with permits, inspected, and meets code.
- Remodeled 2 apartments over the garage, and I have great tenants
- Removed 3 bathrooms and 3 kitchens (rentals)
- Removed 2 story addition
- Rebuilt 2 porches
- All new wiring from the poll on, with new sub-panels and main disconnect
- All new copper water lines from the curb on and several new drains
- All new phone lines, CATV, and coaxial from the poles on (work in progress)
- Restored kitchen and bathrooms, including building my own cabinets
- Stripped off asbestos siding and restored exterior detail
- Had all of the missing interior and exterior trim remilled out of salvaged old-growth redwood.
- Stripped exterior to bare wood and repainted
- Built a laundry room
- Stripped all of the wallpaper and old flooring back to bare plaster and original floors
- Stripped all of the paint out of 4 rooms – all with LOTS of woodwork
- Removed all of the 1920s partitions and rebuilt walls
- Cleaned a "shooting gallery" out of the attic
- Purchased antique lighting for the entire house (mostly rewired and installed)
- Purchased antique tile for the 2 fireplace hearths
- Purchased antique doorknobs, mortise locks, and hinges for all of the doors
- Purchased antique Eastlake doors for the entire house
- Plus 1.4 zillion other little things
The last 6 years have been a blur, but really a lot of fun. To date my total debt is $9,000 on a $20,000 home equity line of credit. Four thousand of the $9,000 debt went for dental work and taxes 2 years ago. My 2 credit cards carry a zero balance. There are a lot of things about my life that I'm not proud of, but boy, this is not one of those.
There are still 1.2 zillion little things left to do and there are some big jobs left, as well. I need to rebuild 2 chimneys. I need to replace all of the sidewalk around the house and build fences. I need to insulate the attic and put in some type of heating system. And the next thing I'm doing – the one that makes me the most nervous – is to rebuild the missing cabinets in the dining room. After that, the rest is financially minor, cosmetic stuff.
Stay tuned, the next six years are to be a nail-biter.


text: Probably. ProjectEvoMap is collecting data on where researchers in evolutionary biology can be found. It's a little sparse right now — I know there's a lot more research groups than appear on it so far — so you might want to add yourself (if you're doing evolution research!) and help populate the data set.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shands Jacksonville Medical Center is repositioning its three TraumaOne helicopters. So what does that mean for you?
The goal is to get emergency care patients flown to the hospital faster. For those who live far from the trauma center, flying in a helicopter could be the difference between life and death.
The three new helicopters will each be in a different location. One will be stationed in St. Augustine, another in Yulee and the other in Lake City, all to save time in getting the people who live in those areas to Shands.
Paramedics say northeast Florida is lucky to have the new choppers because in a trauma situation every second counts.
"You know you're going to get the best care possible," rookie paramedic Michael Austin said. "Some agencies don't offer and do the types of things that we can do in the aircraft."
The pilots love the new helicopters, too.
"Brand new aircraft with auto pilot night-vision goggles. It's fantastic," said John Barber, a Shands pilot since 1985.
Barber said that previously, Shands had one chopper at the hospital and one in Lake City. But it makes more sense to have them stationed in communities farther away from the hospital because it saves a trip, which saves time and lives.
That's especially the case now that Orange Park Medical Center is no longer a trauma center. St. Augustine residents will need to get to Shands faster than what they were able to by ambulance.
Austin said he's honored to get to be a part of TraumaOne.
"Being able to provide that level of care for those patients and knowing that you make a difference really makes me want to come to work every day," he said.
While there will be no helicopters stationed in Jacksonville, Shands says people living in the River City will still get to the hospital in plenty of time by ambulance.


text:
Difference between revisions of "Talk:2016 Group 5 Project"
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* At least one image is a student drawn image
* At least one image is a student drawn image
==Lab 3 Assessment==
==Lab 3 Assessment==
Revision as of 19:45, 22 April 2016
|Group Projects - Blood Cell Biology - Updated 21 April
|This year's main topic is Blood Cell Biology. Each group should discuss with group members the specific sub-topic that will be covered by their project.
Here is a list of some of the cell types (Structure and Function)
Embryology - content cannot be reused but a useful resource about cell development.
Histology - images these can be reused in your projects.
|Group Assessment Criteria
Group Assessment Criteria
Group 5: User:Z5015719 | User:Z3462124 | User:Z3463953 | User:Z5017292
- 1 Project Sub-Topic
- 2 Lab 3 Assessment
- 2.1 z3462124
- 2.2 z5017292
- 2.2.1 Article Source: Blockade of Mast Cell Activation Reduces Cutaneous Scar Formation Chen L, Schrementi ME, Ranzer MJ, Wilgus TA, DiPietro LA (2014) Blockade of Mast Cell Activation Reduces Cutaneous Scar Formation. PLoS ONE 9(1): e85226. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085226
- 2.2.2 Article Source: Mast Cells Modulate Acute Toxoplasmosis in Murine Models Huang B, Huang S, Chen Y, Zheng H, Shen J, et al. (2013) Mast Cells Modulate Acute Toxoplasmosis in Murine Models. PLoS ONE 8(10): e77327. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077327
- 2.2.3 Article Source: Familial Occurrence of Systemic Mast Cell Activation Disease Molderings GJ, Haenisch B, Bogdanow M, Fimmers R, Nöthen MM (2013) Familial Occurrence of Systemic Mast Cell Activation Disease. PLoS ONE 8(9): e76241. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076241
- 2.2.4 Article Source: Apoptosis and Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Response of Mast Cells Induced by Influenza A Viruses Liu B, Meng D, Wei T, Zhang S, Hu Y, et al. (2014) Apoptosis and Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Response of Mast Cells Induced by Influenza A Viruses. PLoS ONE 9(6): e100109.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100109
- 2.3 z5015719
- 2.3.1 Article Source: study of mast cells and granules from Primo Nodes using Scanning Ionic conductance microscopy
- 2.3.2 Article Source: A method for detailed analysis of the structure of mast cell secretory granules by negative contrast imaging
- 2.3.3 Article Source: Phospholipase D2: A Pivotal Player Modulating RBL-2H3 Mast Cell Structure
- 2.3.4 Article Source: NOD1 and NOD2 Interact with the Phagosome Cargo in Mast Cells: A Detailed Morphological Evidence
- 2.4 3463953
- 3 Discussion continued
Project Sub-Topic
Z5015719 (talk) 18:14, 22 March 2016 (AEDT) hey guys! so does anyone have any preferences for which topic to do? I feel like they'd all be quite good, the options from red blood cell to monocyte/ macrophage look particularly good to me in terms of the marking criteria and so does the mast cell but again they all look pretty good to do. Thoughts?
Z5017292 (talk) 18:26, 22 March 2016 (AEDT)I would be happy with any of these topics really, if i had to choose then maybe mast cells would be my first choice. What is everyone else thinking?
Z5015719 (talk) 12:12, 23 March 2016 (AEDT) Mast cells sound good! so maybe we should just keep that as a tentative first option until everyone else posts what they think?
Z5017292 (talk) 12:24, 23 March 2016 (AEDT)I think that sounds like a plan.
Z5017292 (talk) 10:43, 24 March 2016 (AEDT)I've added the heading Mast Cells to our page because we needed to decide on a topic before the lab.
Z3462124 (talk) 11:06, 24 March 2016 (AEDT)
- Cell surface specialisations
- History of the cell and research
- Functions
Z3462124 (talk) 11:41, 24 March 2016 (AEDT)
These two articles are review articles but they're a good place to star for background info and to find primary articles.
Ok, so here is the brainstormed list of suggested subtopics: ○ Introductory paragraph ○ History § Current research § Future research ○ Morphology/structure ○ Physiology ○ Biochemistry ○ Pathology ○ CNS/ autism ○ Staining----- ○ glossary
By week 5, let's all have read the wikipedia page on mast cells, read those 4 research articles and decide which sections we're going to write!
Z5015719 (talk) 12:28, 24 March 2016 (AEDT) I just took down some notes about the marking criteria:
- content - correctly cited and referenced: referenced source, copyright info, student image template, reference appears with the image
- don't cite review article as original research- there is no new information here
- element of teaching to peer level
- citation of literature, put to date research in area (published in the last 2 years etc) - current areas of research about the cell
- Identify key research labs that are researching on the topic: external links that is researching something specific about the cell
- feedback in the group discussion (positive criticism)
- animations, videos (yt) (insert link),
- At least one image is a student drawn image
Z5015719 (talk) 19:45, 22 April 2016 (AEST) PMID: 26976119 - this is a review article but its a good source for information on the role of mast cells in allergic diseases which is really good for our own discussion for the pathology section
Lab 3 Assessment
Four article summaries on one selected sub-section
Role of Mast Cells in disease and examples of diseases.
Z3462124 (talk) 11:27, 30 March 2016 (AEDT)
The aim of this article was to analyse the relationship between mast cells and the glycoslphosphatidylinositol-anchored molecule CD48, and the role of this relationship in the recognition (and immune response) of pathogenic E. coli via FimH. Malaviya et.al. demonstrated that CD48 binding to E. coli that expressed FimH could be inhibited by pretreatment of mast cells with CD48 antibodies. It was further shown that FimH-expressing E. coli effectively binds to recombinant CD48 in a cell free system and that the insertion of cDNA encoding rat CD48 into CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cells resulted in CD48 acting as functional FimH receptors. Additionally, they found that pretreatment of Bone Marrow mast cells with increasing concentrations of phospholipase C resulted in a significant reduction in mast cell ability to release TNF-a (therefore decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis) after exposure to FimH-expressing E. coli. Therefore, it was shown that mast cells TNF-a response to FimH expressing bacteria is mediated by CD48 molecules which could be clinically significant in the immune response to pathogenic E. coli in the immunocompromised. [1]
This article would be useful when talking about the role of mast cells in disease as it talks about the relationship between mast cells and the FimH expressing bacteria (specifically E. coli). An understanding of the mechanisms of recognition and the immune response to bacterial pathogens is an important section of the cells role in disease. This study also explains the implications of the environment surrounding the mast cell on their ability to efficiently carry out normal functions and the effects that would have on the pathogenesis of a disease. Finally, the study also provides an explanation of the clinical significance of its findings and a possible treatment for the immunocompromised.
This study analyses the quantity of mast cell infiltration into colon tissues identified with different pathologies, including colonic polyps, well-differentiated colonic adenocarcinoma and poorly-differentitated colonic adenocarcinoma. The analysis of mast cell infiltration aimed to understand the relationship between mast cell presence and the development of colorectal cancer. Bone Marrow mast cells were co-cultured with colon cancer cells for 24-48 hours and the increase in the rate of colon cancer cell proliferation in the co-cultutred group compared to a control group indicated that colon cancer cell proliferation is significantly promoted by mast cells. It was also identified that colon chance cell migration occurred quicker in the co-cultured group where mast cells were present. After confirming that mast cell play a significant role in colon cancer cell proliferation and migration, both in vivo and in vitro, regulatory pathways of this process were analysed. It was demonstrated that mast cells promote colon cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis through MAPK/Rho-GTPase/STATs pathways. Finally, it was determined that colon tumour development can be significantly controlled via Fcε-PE40 chimeric toxin, killing mast cells without inducing degranulation and anaphylactic reaction. [3]
The major benefit and relevance of this article to the sub-section of the role of mast cells in disease, is that it demonstrates and explains an example of the negative role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of a disease. This study provides an interesting perspective on the role of mast cells in disease as they are typically thought to be cells that aid the hosts defence system rather than a stimulant of the pathogen. This article also provides an explanation of the clinical significance on their findings and suggests a possible treatment in reducing colon tutor development.
In this study, the underlying mechanisms of extracellular anti-microbal activity and mechanisms of mast cells was analysed using the bacteria S. pyogenes to exclude influence of mast cell phagocytic function. Results demonstrated that extracellular anti-microbal activity was carried out through the production of extracellular traps. It was observed that S. pyogenes growth was inhibited by human mast cells when in close proximity in a co-culture, but phagocytosis of the pathogen did not occur. Fluorescent staining of the human mast cell DNA, S. pyogenes and cathelicidin LL-37 (release by mast cells) depicted the entrapment of the pathogen in a highly defined structure containing DNA. This structure was associated with the extracellular presence of LL-37. Histones and tryptase were also recognised to be other structural components of the mast cell extracellular trap. Mast cell extracellular trap formation was demonstrated to be a result of mast cell death, a process dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species which indicated that mast cell extracellular trap formation was an active and controlled process in response to specific stimuli. This study is the first to demonstrate the formation of extracellular traps by immune cells other than neutrophils. [4]
This article is beneficial to the understanding of the role of mast cells in disease because it provides information on additional ways that mast cells influence immune response. The study outlines the formation of extra-cellular traps, a mechanism initially thought to be exclusion to neutrophils, and their role in the response to pathogens. Furthermore, it broadens the knowledge and understanding of the physiology of mast cells by presenting it as a complex cell with many mechanisms in the immune response.
The effect of histamine release, by mast cells, on the maturation of immature dendritic cells and the subsequent differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into either Th1 or Th2 phenotypes and cytokine release was analysed in the above study. It is already known that histamine plays a major role in atopic diseases such as allergy, anaphylaxis and even asthma, however, this study demonstrates that histamines direct action on immature dendritic cells can influence the development of adaptive responses. This was supported by the observation that dendritic cells matured in a histamine rich culture polarised naive CD4+ T cells towards the Th2 phenotype. It was observed that the histamine secretion by mast cells was able to regulate the secretion of cytokines and chemokines, particularly down regulating the production of IL-12, a cytokine crucial for the development of Th1 responses. The data collected in the study also demonstrated that histamine can upregulate the expression of CD86 within dendritic cells (a component necessary for Th2 phenotype responses). Therefore, this study proposes that elevated levels of IgE and Th2 cells often present in atopic diseases could be established by a positive feedback loop of mast cell histamine release promoting Th2 phenotype differentiation and therefore IgE production, ultimately resulting in further histamine production and the positive feedback loop. [5]
Similarly to the above article, this study produces another mechanism that mast cells utilise to aid in the body's response to pathogens. This article is particularly interesting because it presents mast cells as a complex mediator of T cell maturation (towards the Th2 phenotype) through the establishment of a positive feedback loop of histamine secretion.
Z5017292 (talk) 20:08, 5 April 2016 (AEST)
Sub-Topic: Mast Cell Pathology
Article Source: Blockade of Mast Cell Activation Reduces Cutaneous Scar Formation Chen L, Schrementi ME, Ranzer MJ, Wilgus TA, DiPietro LA (2014) Blockade of Mast Cell Activation Reduces Cutaneous Scar Formation. PLoS ONE 9(1): e85226. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085226
This research article explores the role of Mast cells in tissue repair, and particularly their influence on the formation of scar tissue. Mast cells are among the first cells to respond to any trauma to the body and initiate an immune response. They are present in scar tissue and the activated cells can cause excess inflammation and scar tissue to develop. This study used mice to demonstrate the effect of Mast cells on scar tissue formation. The mice were injected with a Mast cell inhibitor called disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). They were injected shortly before receiving a small 3mm incisional wound, and then given additional doses after the wounding. The results showed that the DSCG treated mice showed a reduced scar width compared to the control group. The wound breaking strength was not affected by DSCG as both the DSCG treated group and the control group displayed similar wound strength. There was less wound inflammation in the DSCG treated mice but the Mast cell inhibitor DSCG did not affect re-epithelialisation. These results suggest that Mast cell blockade has an affect on the formation of scar tissue as it reduces scar tissue formation but does not weaken the healed wound. This article is quite relevant to my topic sub-section 'Mast cell pathology' as it examines the role of Mast cells in tissue repair and concludes that these cells do in fact have an effect on tissue repair and scar formation. Mast cells are often seen as important in hypersensitivity reactions, so it is nice to get information on their role in other processes such as inflammation and repair.[6]
Article Source: Mast Cells Modulate Acute Toxoplasmosis in Murine Models Huang B, Huang S, Chen Y, Zheng H, Shen J, et al. (2013) Mast Cells Modulate Acute Toxoplasmosis in Murine Models. PLoS ONE 8(10): e77327. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077327
This study examines the role of Mast cells in the pathogenesis of the disease Toxoplasmosis. The researchers infected mice with toxoplasma gondii and injected them with either a Mast cell inhibitor or a Mast cell activator, and then compared the levels of inflammation and parasite burden in the subjects. The results of the study revealed all of the infected mice died within 9-10 days regardless of what treatment they were given. Interestingly, the infected control mice showed severe inflammation and necrosis in the liver, but even more severe inflammation and necrosis was detected in the infected mice treated with the Mast cell activator. Conversely, the mice treated with the Mast cell inhibitor showed only mild inflammation and less necrosis. The infected mice treated with the Mast cell activator showed increased levels of parasite burden whereas the infected mice treated with the Mast cell inhibitor showed a decrease in parasite burden. These results suggest that Mast cells play an important role in parasite clearance and the inflammatory process associated with Toxoplasmosis. This indicates that Mast cells could be a potential topic for further research into controlling Toxoplasmosis.
This article is relevant to the pathology of mast cells as it demonstrates the role they play in defence against parasites. This shows that Mast cells can be quite diverse in function. It is interesting to have an article that explores the role of Mast cells in parasite defence because it shows they have a different function to the previous article that was summaries, which described their role in tissue repair. [7]
Article Source: Familial Occurrence of Systemic Mast Cell Activation Disease Molderings GJ, Haenisch B, Bogdanow M, Fimmers R, Nöthen MM (2013) Familial Occurrence of Systemic Mast Cell Activation Disease. PLoS ONE 8(9): e76241. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076241
This article focuses on systemic Mast cell activation disease (MCAD) and particularly whether it can be inherited or not. Prior to this study, knowledge of familial occurrence of MCAD was very limited, but now it is thought that it may be more frequent than anticipated. The study analysed 84 patients who have MCAD and tested their first-degree relatives for the disease. The results showed that 74% of the patients had at least one relative who also had the disease. The study suggests that the prevalence of MCAD is higher among families who contain a MCAD sufferer than just the general population. This could point to a genetic link to familial occurrence as opposed to just an environmental link. This study could be a stepping stone to more research into inheritance of MCAD. This article is relevant as it explains a disorder associated with Mast cells and provides a possible explanation of how to disease is contracted. It could be interesting for the group project to include information about MCAD as it explores the effects of Mast cells on the body when they are not functioning properly. [8]
Article Source: Apoptosis and Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Response of Mast Cells Induced by Influenza A Viruses Liu B, Meng D, Wei T, Zhang S, Hu Y, et al. (2014) Apoptosis and Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Response of Mast Cells Induced by Influenza A Viruses. PLoS ONE 9(6): e100109.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0100109
The aim of this article is to investigate the role of Mast cells in response to Influenza A infection. The article notes that Mast cells are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of Influenza A virus, and so the study seeks to understand their contribution in further detail. The results of the study revealed that the H1N1, H5N1 and H7N2 viruses could cause mast cell apoptosis. This study was the first to uncover this information. The researchers also found that different strains of the Influenza virus caused different levels of Mast cell apoptosis. The production of the virus was impaired when the apoptosis of Mast cells was inhibited. The results of this study shed light on the role of Mast cells in defending the body against influenza, in particular how apoptosis affects the pathogenesis of influenza. This article is relevant as it demonstrates apoptosis in Mast cells, which is a defence mechanism that the cells can use when the body is under the threat of a disease. It is also interesting to have information on how Mast cells behave when under the threat of the Influenza virus because it is such a prevalent disease in the world. [9]
Structure/ morphology of mast cells
Z5015719 (talk) 22:17, 6 April 2016 (AEST)
Article Source: study of mast cells and granules from Primo Nodes using Scanning Ionic conductance microscopy
<pubmed> 26742911 </pubmed>
In this article, scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is used to study the three dimensional structure of live mast cells, and the distribution of mast cell granules in each of their four developmental stages. This was done in the in the primo node (PN) of the primo vascular system from the surfaces of the large and small intestines, abdominal walls and bladder of rats, as mast cells are found to be in abundance here. Through the use of SICM, the mast cells were easily observed through the presence of their granule structures, and by the use of toludine blue stain. SICM methods were able to obtain a 3D image of these mast cells, with the surface of the cells densely covered with granules. Through this, it was able to be determined that the structure of the mast cell included 74 granules, with an average diameter of 1.2 micrometers. Upon further analysis, early stages of degranulation of the mast cell in stage 2 showed a granule-free region in the middle upper portion of the cell. In addition, the mast cell in stage 3 showed very sparse remnants of granules on the upper most parts of the cell surface. Here, SICM picked up the disintegrated boundary of the mast cell as having an appearance of laced patches, with a diameter of 1.6 micrometers. It was observed that the height of the mast cell progressively decreased with each stage, while the round shape and diameters of the granules remained the same.
This article was useful to the subtopic of mast cell structure, as it provided a detailed analysis of the structure and appearance of mast cells in their various developmental stages, with a focus on the mast cell granules during these stages. The graunles are an essential component of mast cell structure as these are secreted when mast cells are triggered, thus making it important to understand its structure. Hence, this article was useful in the research of the structure and morphology of mast cells. [10]
Article Source: A method for detailed analysis of the structure of mast cell secretory granules by negative contrast imaging
<pubmed> 26997316 </pubmed>
An essential aspect of mast cell structure is the large number of secretory granules (SG) found in the cytoplasm. These elicit inflammation through molecules including histamine and serotonin. Several models suggest that a single mast cell has a large number of different types of secretory granules, all in various stages of development. Secretory granules also contain lysosomal proteins and markers such as CD63, and are hence lysosomal granules.
In order properly study the structure of mast cells, this study aims to gain insight into the structure and organisation of SGs via negative contrast imaging (NCI). Within the mast cell, organelles such as SGs are separated from the cytoplasm by a lipid bilayer, and this method uses microscopy techniques in order to visualise negatively stained organelles. These NCI techniques highlight the presence of small outlines in the perinuclear region surrounded by large, spherical shapes. NCI usage in this study also identified key structures such as the cell body, nucleoli, nuclear membrane as well as the mitochondria. The structural appearance of mast cell SGs was found to be either single elongated structures or a cluster of multiple spherical structures strung together. Experimental data indicated SGs are cylindrical in shape, and fuse along the vertical axis, highlighting polarity in structure. Further, time lapse observation during the cell cycle showed that SGs increase in abundance with cell size, but are under continuous control to maintain size distribution. This data is important as mast cell proliferation in peripheral tissues is an issue of interest in allergy treatment.
Thus, this article was beneficial in facilitating knowledge in the sub topic of mast cell morphology as it sheds light on the structure of mast cell SGs, including their organelle volume, size and number using NCI techniques. These methods can ultimately provide more information on the detailed molecular mechanisms of SG biogenesis in mast cells. [12]
Article Source: Phospholipase D2: A Pivotal Player Modulating RBL-2H3 Mast Cell Structure
<pubmed> 22344748 </pubmed>
This article examines the role of PLD2 in mast cell structure maintenance. It is thought that PLD plays a key role in mast cell degranulation, and PLD2 is essential in maintaining the structure of mast cells. The study examined if differences in PLD2 expression reflected upon alternations in morphology of the mast cells, with different cell lines being used, and was found that the inactive form of PLD2 has a dramatic effect on the morphology of these cells. The morphology of secretory granules was also determined, with these granules being heterogeneous in some cell lines include PDL2Ca, but having an electron lucid content in others. It was thus found through this study that the overexpression of the inactive form of PLD2 has a dramatic effect on the structure of mas cells, thus suggesting that the production of PA by PLD2 assists in the structural maintenance of the cytoskeleton, golgi complex as well as influencing the distribution of lysosomes and secretory granules in mast cells.
This article is hence relevant to the sub topic of mast cell structure as it highlights the specific role of PLD2 in the maintenance of the structure and morphology of the mast cell, as well as the structures within the cell. Thus, this article is beneficial as it provides a background knowledge regarding the way in which the specific structure of the cell is maintained. [13]
Article Source: NOD1 and NOD2 Interact with the Phagosome Cargo in Mast Cells: A Detailed Morphological Evidence
<pubmed> 25502289 </pubmed>
This article analyses the detailed structure of the mast cell, and in particular, the mast cell phagosome, as it has key functions in triggering the inflammatory process and has phagocytic properties. The mast cells express NOD1 and NOD2 proteins whose role is to recognize intracellular foreign components and initiate cytokine synthesis. In this study, five experiments were conducted in which mast cells were incubated with E. coli and at least 100 cells were analysed in order to determine the main morphology in each cell population. The maturation of the paghosome structure of the mast cells was also followed closely, and the outside leaflet of the mast cell plasma membrane was able to be distinguished. As structure was analysed, it was seen that many granules were interacting with the phagosome, with the phagosome membrane structure undergoing remodeling over time. It was also established that the phagosome membrane is interrupted in places in direct contact with the granule components, and these interruptions were observed at sites of granule-phagosome interaction. Additionally, NOD1 and NOD2 were found to be associated with granule surface or the granule matrix of the mast cell. The article was thus useful for this particular subtopic as it analyses the structure and morphology of the various components of the mast cell, such as the phagosome. It is beneficial to gain some perspective on the structure of the phagosome that is heavily involved in inflammatory processes, which is a key function of the mast cell. [14]
1- Mast cell activation syndrome: a newly recognized disorder with systemic clinical manifestations
Matthew J Hamilton, Jason L Hornick, Cem Akin, Mariana C Castells, Norton J Greenberger Mast cell activation syndrome: a newly recognized disorder with systemic clinical manifestations. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.: 2011, 128(1);147-152.e2 PubMed 21621255 [edit]
File:Histology of intestine, staining for mast cells.jpg[2] Summary: People who suffer from systemic mastocytosis have clinical manifestations that are characteristic of mast cell mediator release. A similar disorder called monoclonal mast cell activation sydrome (MCAS) has an unclarified clinical manifestation. Unlike mastocytosis the patient doesn't have abnormally high levels of mast cells (MCs), rather, the MCs they have express chemical mediators excessively. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical manifestations of MCAS and to compare it against the recently proposed diagnostic criteria. The authors of the paper ruled out clonal MC disease and found lab data indicative of MC activation. Further, the patients responded to anti-MC therapy. This was part of the classification used in this experiment to include patients as MCAS sufferers (this criteria was pre-established by previous research). The clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria were consistent with one another. Almost all patients had abdominal pain, dermatographism or flushing. The research suggested that MCAS should have a more significant clinical profile due to its excellent response to anti-MC mediators. There were, however, some limitations such as: it was a nonblind study and there is no consensus as to a reference standard for number of mucosal mast cells in GIT.
2- John D Brannan, Johan Bood, Ahmad Alkhabaz, David Balgoma, Joceline Otis, Ingrid Delin, Barbro Dahlén, Craig E Wheelock, Parameswaran Nair, Sven-Erik Dahlén, Paul M O'Byrne The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on bronchial hyperresponsiveness, sputum eosinophilia, and mast cell mediators in asthma. Chest: 2015, 147(2);397-405 PubMed 25321659 [edit]
File:Data of PD15 (15% dec in FEV(1)) after 3 weeks of dietary Omega 3 PUFA.png[3] Summary: Poly-unsaturated fatty acids, such as some mast cell mediators, are involved in inflammation. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) is a state of heightened sensitivity to bronchospasm that can occur as a result of mast cell mediator release in asthma and COPD. This study aimed to investigate whether dietary omega-3 PUFAs could inhibit mannitol-induced BHR. Mannitol induction of BHR mimics mast cell activation. The study was a randomize, double-blind, placebo controlled and crossover trial design. Patients suffered from asthma, did not smoke, and took omega-3s for 3 weeks. The omega 3 supplementation did not change the levels of mast cell pro-inflammatory mediator release. It is likely that it is more difficult to change the metabolic profile of mast cells than just by dietary intervention as the mast cell probably still has a significant reserve of pro-inflammatory lipids.
3- Daniel Smrz, Glenn Cruse, Michael A Beaven, Arnold Kirshenbaum, Dean D Metcalfe, Alasdair M Gilfillan Rictor negatively regulates high-affinity receptors for IgE-induced mast cell degranulation. J. Immunol.: 2014, 193(12);5924-32 PubMed 25378594 [edit]
File:MTOR and RICTOR in LAD2 cells in different environments.gif[4] Summary:
'Rapamycin-insensitive companion of mammalian target of rapamycin' (RICTOR) is a protein that regulates cell growth as a result of the presence nutrients and growth factors. This study showed that RICTOR can function as a negative regulator in igE induced mast cell degranulation, independent of other regulatory proteins like mTOR or mTOR2. They further showed at what stages in the molecular pathways the regulation took place. By analysing Ca2+ mobilisation and cytoskeletal rearrangement with confocal microscopy they were able to hypothesise that there was phosphorylation of certain proteins (LAT and PLCy1). They compared their results with a RICTOR knock-down model and found a decrease in igE induced degranulation
4- Zhuo Zhao, Hao Wang, Marina Lin, Leanne Groban GPR30 decreases cardiac chymase/angiotensin II by inhibiting local mast cell number. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.: 2015, 459(1);131-6 PubMed 25712524 [edit]
File:Cardiac angiotensin (Ang) II levels in the left ventricles of sham-operated and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats.jpg[5] Summary: Estrogen seems to have protective effect on heart cells. It likely interacts via the receptor GPR30 which is expressed in the heart. Estrogen may even regulate components of hormone systems associated with the heart like the renin-angiotensin pathway. This study aimed to investigate whether the cardioprotective effects observed as a result of estrogen occur via GPR30. GPR30 has important regulatory roles in cardiac mast cell activity and proliferation. This experiment will be looking at the latter. The findings suggested that the effects of estrogen on cardiac mast cells/chymase/Ang II occur specifically through activation of GPR30 to decrease cardiac mast cell number. However, further investigations are needed for the exact mechanisms by which GPR30 affects cardiac mast cell number in vivo. Investigation in the mast cell GPR30/chymase/angII pathway could have therapeutic uses in postmenopausal women at risk of cardiovascular disease
Discussion continued
hey guys this review gives a great in depth background knowledge of mast cells and has great links to other primary research
- ↑ <pubmed>10393956</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>26978404</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>26978404</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>18182576</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>11748270</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>24465509</pubmed>
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 <pubmed>24146978</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>24098785</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>24923273</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>26742911</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>26997316</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>26997316</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>22344748</pubmed>
- ↑ <pubmed>25502289</pubmed>


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Here's the details of the obligatory Super Bowl cities mayor bet
Recommended Video:
SEATTLE - The mayors of Seattle and Denver have made their friendly Super Bowl bets, promoting local businesses and causes.
In a call Monday, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said in the unlikely event of a Broncos win, he would send Denver Mayor Michael Hancock salmon, Dungeness crab, and a bicycle made by Rodriguez Bicycles in Seattle. He also says a piece of blown glass from artist Dale Chihuly would be auctioned to benefit Denver's Road Home program for the homeless.
If the Seahawks win, Mayor Hancock says he'll send a sampling of Denver's green chile and a hoodie, ball cap and skis handmade by Denver's locally grown Icelantic Skis. He also says he'll auction off a Denver-themed item to support the Seattle-based Lifelong AIDS Alliance.


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28 CFR § 1.6 - Consideration of petitions; notification of victims; recommendations to the President.
(a) Upon receipt of a petition for executive clemency, the Attorney General shall cause such investigation to be made of the matter as he or she may deem necessary and appropriate, using the services of, or obtaining reports from, appropriate officials and agencies of the Government, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(1) When a person requests clemency (in the form of either a commutation of a sentence or a pardon after serving a sentence) for a conviction of a felony offense for which there was a victim, and the Attorney General concludes from the information developed in the clemency case that investigation of the clemency case warrants contacting the victim, the Attorney General shall cause reasonable effort to be made to notify the victim or victims of the crime for which clemency is sought:
(i) That a clemency petition has been filed;
(ii) That the victim may submit comments regarding clemency; and
(iii) Whether the clemency request ultimately is granted or denied by the President.
(2) In determining whether contacting the victim is warranted, the Attorney General shall consider the seriousness and recency of the offense, the nature and extent of the harm to the victim, the defendant's overall criminal history and history of violent behavior, and the likelihood that clemency could be recommended in the case.
(3) For the purposes of this paragraph (b), "victim" means an individual who:
(i) Has suffered direct or threatened physical, emotional, or pecuniary harm as a result of the commission of the crime for which clemency is sought (or, in the case of an individual who died or was rendered incompetent as a direct and proximate result of the commission of the crime for which clemency is sought, one of the following relatives of the victim (in order of preference): the spouse; an adult offspring; or a parent); and
(ii) Has on file with the Federal Bureau of Prisons a request to be notified pursuant to 28 CFR 551.152 of the offender's release from custody.
(4) For the purposes of this paragraph (b), "reasonable effort" is satisfied by mailing to the last-known address reported by the victim to the Federal Bureau of Prisons under 28 CFR 551.152.
(5) The provisions of this paragraph (b) apply to clemency cases filed on or after September 28, 2000.
(c) The Attorney General shall review each petition and all pertinent information developed by the investigation and shall determine whether the request for clemency is of sufficient merit to warrant favorable action by the President. The Attorney General shall report in writing his or her recommendation to the President, stating whether in his or her judgment the President should grant or deny the petition.


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Encourage Your Kids to Explore, Discover, Experiment and be Creative
Do you remember what it feels like to sit on the ground and put your hands in the sand? Or how it feels when you swing as high as you can and look into the sky? How about what it feels like to imagine yourself as part of a pirate or mermaid adventure – to feel like you really are in a far away land?
Many adults seem to have lost that special gift. A child can imagine great worlds and can pretend that they're a part of them. Kids get excited about digging for dinosaur bones and exploring a far away jungle, even if they are actually just in the backyard. And whether your child is pretending or exploring their world, they are also learning and growing along the way.
Yet, too often kids do not get to experience the wonder of the world around them. Instead, they are bombarded with television shows or commercialized TV characters. As parents we have an opportunity to encourage and develop our children's sense of wonderment and curiosity.
Math and science were not my strongest subjects growing up and, because of that, I try to introduce simple and fun math and science experiences for my children. I am also aware that American kids are not excelling in science and math compared to the rest of the world and I think it is important to introduce our kids to the fun of science, math, art, and music.
After my kids had done a few science experiments, created a fun science potion, and made an invention, my kids began begging me to do a science experiment or invention regularly.
Ways to Keep the Magic Alive
Ways to Encourage Your Children to be Life Long Learners and Develop a Love for Science, Math and the Arts
I want my kids to love to learn. I want them to have a thirst for knowledge and to know they can learn to do anything they set their minds to.
I want my kids to discover their world and keep discovering it. I want them to know there will always be something new for them to uncover in this world – a place, a skill, book, an activity.
If you want this for your child, encourage and nurture their creativity, imagination, and exploration. Foster their curiosity by providing fun and educational toys, books and experiences they can learn from.
For more ideas about encouraging your kids to use their imagination, experiments and exploration visit www.ziggityzoom.com for activities and www.mommie911.com for articles.


text:
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Verbum et Ecclesia
On-line version ISSN 2074-7705
Print version ISSN 1609-9982
Verbum Eccles. (Online) vol.34 n.1 Pretoria Jan. 2013
The Ephesian elders come to Miletus: An Annaliste reading of Acts 20:15-18a
Mark WilsonI, II
IDepartment of Old Testament and Ancient Near East Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa
IIAsia Minor Research Center, Turkey
In his recent study on Ionia, A. Greaves adopts an Annaliste approach following the pioneering work of Fernand Braudel. Greaves attempts to move beyond a text-based understanding of sites and events by also considering the related landscape and geographical data. This study adopts Greaves' methodology in examining a text in Acts related to the Ionian cities of Ephesus and Miletus. Acts 20:15-18a records that Paul bypassed Ephesus, but later summoned the Ephesian elders to meet him in Miletus. This summons sets up one of Paul's most important speeches and the only one in Acts delivered to a Christian audience. This study will examine the landscape and geography related to this stage of Paul's third journey as well as the journey of the Ephesian elders to Miletus. It will also look at how recently published Bible atlases have incorrectly illustrated this segment of Paul's journeys. An Annaliste reading will bring fresh insights into Paul's travel habits and his decision making related to ministry as depicted in this pericope in Acts.
This article1 attempts to elucidate a text in the book of Acts - the visit of the Ephesian elders to Miletus2 during Paul's third journey - by way of an Annaliste reading. Discussed first is the methodology underlying this reading, which is drawn from a recent book by A. Greaves on Ionia. The primary focus is to examine the geography and history related to Paul's sea journey, the journey of the elders, and the sacred role of Miletus as a pilgrimage city. The study also reveals an important geographical lacuna in the maps of western Asia Minor found in all atlases of the Bible. The conclusion reviews the insights gained from this reading for understanding the pericope in Acts.
In his recent book, The land of Ionia, Greaves (2010) adopts an Annaliste approach to his study of archaic Ionia. Greaves builds upon the ideas of Braudel as articulated in the latter's classic 1972 study The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean world in the age of Philip II. In this volume, Braudel (1972) presents time according to three scales: (1) long-term geographic time (géohistoire or longue durée), concerned with people in relation to their environment, (2) medium time-scale (conjoncture), concerned with social history epitomised in 'economic systems, states, societies, civilisations and empire' (1972:21) and (3) short-term microhistory (l'histoire événementielle), which is episodic and lacking in pattern.3 From this perspective, Braudel argued that 'historical events achieve significance only when evaluated in spatially extensive, diachronic contexts' (as quoted in Knapp 1992:6).
In his study, Greaves builds upon this perspective by adopting a methodology that articulates five points: (1) landscape and environment are primary backgrounds, (2) human agency within environmental constraints must be recognised to avoid geographical determinism,4 (3) literature no longer provides the ultimate point of reference against which hypotheses are tested, (4) classical archaeology is no longer a treasure hunt wherein the clues are provided entirely by the texts and (5) textual and epigraphic sources must be balanced with archaeological and geographical ones (this is a summary of Greaves' [2010: 39-44] discussion). Greaves illustrates this using a pyramid graph (Figure 1). At the bottom he places landscape and environment; other themes and ideas are then built upon this.
He calls this a 'bottom-up' approach and objects to the fact that traditional studies begin at the apex of the triangle by examining the literary and epigraphic output of the elite. Other evidence, archaeological and otherwise, is then fitted into the metanarrative or 'story' constructed from the literary sources. Whilst Greaves' approach is not necessarily sequential and an overlap exists amongst points 3-5, his point that landscape and environment are primary backgrounds and that literary texts should be supplemental is a critical observation influencing the methodology of this study.
The historian J. Ma (1999) reiterates the importance of geographical background, stating that:
[m]uch more instructive for our purposes than 'ancient ruins', the land still allows us to study ancient sites-specific places in their relation with the geography. Western Asia Minor ... still survives as a physical entity, which can be studied on maps and in the accounts of earlier travellers, or by travel to modern Turkey, as long as attention is given not just to the cities, but also to routes, plains, mountains and the ways through them. (p. 17)
Ma's closing words emphasise that bodies of water and the passages across them must also be considered. Greaves (2010:1) makes a comment closely related to that of Ma (1999): 'An understanding of the physical environment is not just useful but essential when one is trying to understand any ancient city.'
Although biblical scholars are not the primary object of Greaves' critique, his points nevertheless strike a chord with this guild as well. As biblical scholars seek to interpret texts such as Acts, their exegesis often starts at the apex of the triangle. In seeking to adapt Greaves' methodology to biblical studies by implementing them in this study, several preliminary observations can be made: (1) landscape and environment area significant background to a biblical text, (2) human agency, in the form of the early Christians, is important as it acts within this landscape and environment, (3) other biblical texts may not provide the ultimate point of reference for how a text in question is interpreted, (4) exegesis must not be a treasure hunt wherein the clues are provided entirely by other texts and (5) literary and epigraphic sources must be balanced with geographical and archaeological ones.
With these methodological guidelines established, let us now attempt an Annaliste reading of the visit of the Ephesian elders to Paul in Miletus found in Acts 20:15-18a. The Greek text and my translation are below. These verses set up Paul's important speech that follows in verses 18b-35:
κάκεϊθεν άποπλεύσαντες τη έπιούση κατηντήσαμεν άντικρυς Χίου, τη δέ έτερα παρεβάλομεν εις Σάμον, τη δέ έχομένη ήλθομεν εις Μίλητον. κεκρίκει γάρ ό Παϋλος παραπλεϋσαι τήν Έφεσον, δπως μή γένηται αύτω χρονοτριβήσαι έν τη Ασία- εσπευδεν γάρ εί δυνατόν ε'ίη αύτω τήν ήμέραν τής πεντηκοστής γενέσθαι είς Ιεροσόλυμα. Άπό δέ τής Μιλήτου πέμψας είς Έφεσον μετεκαλέσατο τους πρεσβυτέρους τής εκκλησίας. ώς δέ παρεγένοντο πρός αύτόν-. [From there we sailed on the following day and arrived offshore of Chios. The next day we approached Samos, and the day after we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not lose time in Asia. For he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. From Miletus he sent a {messenger} to Ephesus to summon the elders of the church. And when they came to him ] (Acts 20:18b35, [authors own translation])
Around Mycale to Trogyllium
After departing Chios, Paul's ship crossed over to Samos (20:15). Paul decided to bypass Ephesus because of his unwillingness to be delayed in Asia and his desire to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (Ac 20:16).5 Bible atlases are split regarding the ship's route,6 whether it went west of Samos through open seas or followed the somewhat longer route along the coastline of Asia Minor.7 Three factors favour the coastal route: (1) the open sea is more risky in the event of a storm, (2) coasting vessels tend to stay close to ports and (3) the port of Samos (modern Pithagorio) was on the southeastern corner of the island toward Asia Minor. The inside route would be therefore the safest and quickest.8 Ahead of Paul's ship was a wall of stone called the Mycale Mountains (Samsun Dagi) looming some 610 m overhead, with their highest peak soaring to 1237 m. In 479 BCE Mycale was the site of a great battle in which the Persians were defeated by the Greeks. Paul's ship would have been forced to turn westward to sail around Mycale, and it then entered the narrow strait of 1300 m wide that separated Asia Minor from the island of Samos (Wilson 2010:326). After passing through this strait, the ship probably stopped for food and water at Samos's main port. After reprovisioning, the ship next attempted to sail around Mycale.
Mycale terminated in a promontory called Trogyllium (cf. Strabo Geogr. 14.1.12), a name found in the Byzantine (byz) and 'Western' (δ) texts of Acts 20:15: . The Kjv and nkjv, following the Byzantine text, add here: 'tarried ("stayed" nkjv) at Trogyllium'. Whether this reading is original is unknown. Bruce (1979:410), commenting on the inclusion of Trogyllium, writes: 'The additional words ... are not likely to have been interpolated and may have fallen out of the Alexandrian textual tradition.'9 Therefore it is noteworthy that a significant geographical reference is found here. With his ship becalmed, the captain found anchorage at a nearby harbour called Trogyllium. This portage still exists at a desolate spot on the southwestern tip of the modern Dilek Peninsula in Turkey.10 The failure of the winds would have delayed the arrival of the apostolic party at Miletus by perhaps half a day. Of course, this presents an irony in the text. Whilst Paul is hurrying toward Jerusalem, the forces of nature slow him down.
The Gulf of Latmus
On the following day Paul's ship continued its journey to Miletus and entered the Gulf of Latmus (Figure 2). This gulf separating Miletus from Mycale is strangely absent on all biblical maps of western Asia Minor. A selective review of eight major Bible atlases published since 2006 demonstrates the problem. The IVP atlas of Bible history (Lawrence 2006:161), Carta's new century handbook and atlas of the Bible (Rainey & Notley 2007:246), National Geographic's The biblical world (Isbouts & Chilton 2007:311), HarperCollins atlas of the Bible (Pritchard 2008:167), Oxford Bible atlas (Curtis 2009:261), New Moody Bible atlas (Beitzel 2009:261), Zondervan atlas of the Bible (Rasmussen 2010:231) and Crossway ESV Bible atlas (Currid & Barrett 2010:247) all depict the coast of 1st-century Asia Minor as it exists today. This omission is unfortunate because the Gulf of Latmus has been represented on maps such as W.M. Calder and G.E. Bean's standard 'A classical map of Asia Minor'.11 The Calder and Bean map has now been superseded by the regional maps found in the Barrington atlas of the Greek and Roman world (Talbert 2000). Whilst the large-scale Ephesus area map 61R shows the modern coastline, an enlarged inset on 61L shows the Gulf of Latmus and its surrounding area from the archaic to Roman periods (Talbert 2000). The Gulf of Latmus is also represented in many of the detailed maps of the western coast of Asia Minor in Brill's New Pauly historical atlas of the ancient world (Wittke, Olshausen & Szydlak 2010). Three of the four maps on the Pergamene kingdom of the Attalids show the gulf (p. 125). Unfortunately the larger-scale maps in the New Pauly such as those found on pages 161, 183 and 197 only show the modern coastline. Maps in works by specialists on Asia Minor show the Gulf of Latmus; for example, see Maps 1 and 2 in Ma (1999:xviii-xix).
What has happened over the centuries to change the coastline? Because of minimal tidal action in the Aegean Sea, the mouths of rivers in western Asia Minor have progressively silted up. Best known is that of the Cayster (Kücük Menderes) River, which eventually caused the city of Ephesus to become landlocked. The next river system to the south was the Meander (Büyük Menderes). Greaves (2002:6-7) writes, 'The mouth of the Büyük Menderes has moved progressively southwards and eastwards towards the Aegean due to the large amount of silt being carried down from the mountains.' Various hydrological survey teams have been working near Miletus to document this process, called alluviation or progradation. The first of these was conducted in the late 1980s with a resulting publication and map that sought to portray this process (Aksu, Piper & Konuk 1987:230, Figure 3).12 More recently, Brückner, working with other hydrologists and archaeologists, has been conducting extensive research on documenting progradation in the river deltas of western Turkey, such as the Meander. The result has been a number of publications that include new maps on the gulf's progradation based on these field studies.13
In antiquity the Gulf of Latmus separated Priene from Miletus. It was named after the mountain situated at its head - Latmus (Be§parmak Dagi, 1367 m). In 500 BCE the gulf extended inland, making Priene and Myus port cities as well. Because of silting, the shoreline moved progressively toward the coast. How fast this progradation occurred is unknown, but by the 1st century CE Priene was landlocked and Myus could only be reached by rowboats.14 However, Strabo (Geogr. 14.1.10) states that in the 1st century CE Miletus and Heraclea ad Latmus were still port cities on the gulf. By 500 CE even Miletus was landlocked, and the Gulf of Latmus had disappeared except for its upper portion, now called Bafa Lake (Çamiçi Gölü).15
Change of plans and summons to Miletus
Paul's change of mind and decision to stop in Miletus, despite his hurry to reach Jerusalem, are not explained by the 'we' narrator. Most commentators fail even to speculate concerning this change of plans.16 Trebilco (2004:173) appears to be the only commentator to ask: 'If Paul was in a hurry, and so did not visit Ephesus, how do we explain this delay of at least five days?' He (2004:173-174) then suggests four reasons why this was the case and concludes that 'all of these explanations are guesses, and there seems no way of favouring one over the others'.17 His final reason seems the most probable. Landing at Ephesus' harbour with its direct access to the commercial agora, where the silversmiths were centred, could possibly reignite the situation that had forced Paul to leave Ephesus just months before. Nevertheless, Paul came to feel that he must communicate with the elders of Ephesus one final time because he felt the possibility of death awaited him in Jerusalem (Ac 25:38).
From Miletus Paul sent a messenger across the Gulf of Latmus to Ephesus to summon the elders. Bruce (1990:429) suggests that the messenger was perhaps a member of the church in Miletus. Whilst this suggestion is logical, neither Acts nor Paul's letters specifically mention a Christian community in Miletus at this time.18 Acts 20:4 names two Asian believers, Tychicus and Trophimus, who were amongst the 'brothers' traveling with Paul to Jerusalem. Later we are told that Trophimus was an Ephesian (21:29), so it is quite probable that he was the messenger dispatched by Paul to bring the elders.19 Whether Trophimus also carried a written message to accompany Paul's verbal instructions is unknown. After Paul's abrupt departure from Ephesus and his return to Macedonia and Achaia, the Ephesian elders were perhaps wondering if they would hear from Paul again before he returned to Jerusalem. So it was undoubtedly a pleasant surprise to receive Paul's summons to Miletus for a meeting.
The elders journey to Miletus
How did the elders return with the messenger 'Trophimus'? The group had the options of travelling by ship or overland from Ephesus. The easiest and fastest mode of travel would appear to be by sea for the short voyage to Miletus. However, the elders would first need to locate a coasting vessel traveling south and then negotiate the cost of passage. Of course, they would be at the mercies of the sea breezes to reach their goal. If Paul's ship had been delayed at Trogyllium already, the possibility of another delay would have been in their minds as they pondered which route to take. Bekker-Nielsen (2013) aptly states the dilemma:
For travelers and couriers, on the other hand, road travel had the advantage of predictability. A sea traveller might have to wait days or weeks in port for a ship and a favourable wind. (p. 10)
Given the need to reach Paul promptly, the predictable land route was undoubtedly chosen.
As we have seen, Bible atlases do not help us in interpreting the geographical dynamics involved with this journey. Commentators on this passage, relying on such inexact maps, typically assume that it was an easy journey from Ephesus and thus arrive at faulty conclusions. For example, speculation exists regarding the distances involved. Haenchen (1971:590) approximates a distance of about 51.5 km as the crow flies, although it is much further by road. Of course, no messenger would go directly over the mountains of Mycale so the distance by air is not particularly helpful. Measurements using Google Earth together with the Barrington atlas (Talbert 2000) suggest a road distance of approximately 72 km between Ephesus and Miletus. Factored into that figure is a crossing of the Gulf of Latmus by ferry, a distance of approximately 11 km. It also is unlikely that the elders would have walked around the Gulf of Latmus. Strabo (Geogr. 14.1.9), in describing the distances between the cities of Miletus, Heraclea and Pyrrha, contrasts the short distances by water with the much longer ones following the coast.
Departing Ephesus, the group would have passed through the Magnesian Gate at the city's southeastern perimeter. Dating from the second half of the 1st century BCE, the gate served as the exit point to Ephesus's sister city Magnesia ad Maeandrum, 24 km to the southeast. Because this was also the road that led eastward through the Meander valley - the great southern highway that eventually led to Tarsus and Antioch on the Orontes - there would be many travellers on it. The Magnesian Gate also served as the entry point into Ephesus for the Sacred Way from the nearby Temple of Artemis. The elders might have passed one of the regular processionals coming from the Artemisium that also included worship to the Roman emperors through the imperial cult (Rogers 1991:86, 196; Scherrer 2000:66-68). After descending into the plain, the elders could look back and see the 127 columns of the Temple of Artemis rising nearby to their left.20 Three kilometres southeast of the Magnesian Gate, the road passed through the Marnas valley beneath a monumental two-story, triple-arched aqueduct built in 4-14 CE through the benefaction of an Ephesian noble named Pollio. The well-preserved bilingual Greek-Latin dedicatory inscription states that 'C. Sextillius Pollio erected this structure with his wife Ofillia Bassa and his stepson C. Ofillius Proculus from their own funds in honor of Augustus, Tiberius, and the Ephesian demos'. The aqueduct (Figure 3) was part of the Aqua Throessitica system that supplied Ephesus with water (Scherrer 2000:228-229).
After climbing out of the watershed of the Cayster River, the elders would encounter a milestone telling them they had travelled five Roman miles (ε; ca. 8 km) from Ephesus. The milestone (Figure 4) carried the name of Manius Aquillius, the first governor of Asia. He built a road from Ephesus to Laodicea where it met a branch from Pergamum, which then continued south-eastward to its terminus at Side. This road was built soon after the province was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 129 BCE.21 After passing through a lush forested plateau southeast of modern Çamlik, they began their descent into the Meander valley.22
Soon after walking out on the valley floor, the elders would encounter the aqueduct system of Magnesia ad Maeandrum. The Roman road paralleled this wonder of ancient engineering for several kilometres and led them into the city. Magnesia had all the typical features of a Greco-Roman city, but she was especially known in antiquity as the home of the temple of Artemis Leucophryne (Figure 5) ('with white eyebrows'). Magnesia was linked with Ephesus in that they both possessed important temples to Artemis. The elders would undoubtedly be impressed by the size of the temple, the fourth largest Hellenistic temple in Asia Minor.23 West of the temple was an elaborate altar to Artemis, believed to be a smaller model of the famous altar of Zeus in Pergamum (Bingöl 2007:77-81). Whether there was a Christian community at this time is unknown, but it is likely that Paul travelled to and through the city during his time in Ephesus and preached the gospel there. Ignatius addressed a letter to the Christians in Magnesia in the early 2nd century CE as well as those in nearby Ephesus and Tralles. The three Christian communities undoubtedly shared a common spiritual history so they all likely date to the middle of the 1st century.24 Depending on when the elders left Ephesus, Magnesia might have been their resting point for the first day.
The next city was Priene, 31 km ahead. After Magnesia, the elders began to follow the road in the Meander River valley along the southern base of Mycale and the northern shore of Latmus. The acropolis of this important Ionian city would have loomed before them in the distance. Priene was noted for its famous temple of Athena Polias, the city's most important public building. Designed by Pythius, the architect for the mausoleum at Halicarnassus, this hexastyle and peripteral temple with 11 columns on its long sides served as a model for Ionic temple architecture throughout the Greco-Roman world (Figure 6). By the middle of the 1st century Priene no longer had access to the Gulf of Latmus because of silting. Instead, Priene's port is thought to have been located about 6 km west near the modern village of Atburgazi.25 Depending on the time, the elders might have stopped for rest and a meal in Priene before continuing their journey.
Although Miletus was distantly visible across the gulf, the elders now encountered the final physical obstacle preventing their reunion with Paul - an 11-km stretch of water. Although no literary texts mention a ferry shuttling travellers across the Gulf of Latmus to Miletus, such a mode of transport must have existed.26 How long the elders waited for such a ferry, we do not know. But at some time, after 2 long days of travel, they would have finally arrived at Miletus, perhaps disembarking at its Lion Harbour (Figure 7).
A walk on the Sacred Way
Various time frames have been suggested for Paul's wait at Miletus. Hemer (1989:125), following Bruce (1990:429), thinks only 2 or 3 days were needed to make the round-trip journey. They arrive at this by estimating the distance by boat and road to be only 48 km. Dupont (1962:27) estimates a wait of 3 days. Barrett (1998:960) more realistically suggests that Paul would be 'obliged to spend more than 5 or 6 days in Miletus'. Haenchen (1971:590) likewise suggests that the messenger may have taken 2 days to travel from Miletus to Ephesus and slightly longer for the party's return to Miletus. These estimates lack any discussion as to how this waiting time was estimated, which this study has attempted to do in the previous paragraphs.27 As we have seen, the distance by land and water between Miletus and Ephesus was approximately 72 km, so a minimum of 4 long days of traveling was required for the messenger to return to Miletus with the elders (Figure 8).
As Paul waited for the Ephesian elders - and if he took a walking tour of the city like he did in Athens (cf. Ac 17:16-17, 23) - he would certainly have seen Miletus's noted sanctuary for Apollo Delphinius (Figure 9) near the Lion Harbour. In front of the Delphinion, one of the most famous sacred walks in antiquity started. It ran 16 km southward to the sanctuary of Apollo in Didyma, one of the three main oracle sanctuaries in the Aegean region. In his stroll around Miletus, Paul would have walked on the beginning of this Sacred Way and observed inscriptions mentioning the Didymean prophets.28 Was Paul curious enough to make the round-trip to see the Didymeion? He certainly had the time to make the journey.
Some readers of Acts might have recognised the irony in this text: Miletus, the beginning of the Sacred Way to the Didymeion, now became the terminus of a walk taken by the Ephesian elders to meet the apostle of a very different sacred Way! Paul's reference to the prophetic words given him by the Spirit (Ac 20:23) likewise placed his understanding of divine prophecy at odds with what was practiced at Didyma. Whilst the nascent Christian movement began in the shadow of the Apollo oracles, its steady growth as a prophetic movement soon brought it into conflict with them (Wilson 2008:172-175). Thus Paul's stop at Miletus portended a clash of prophetic voices that would end with the legalisation of Christianity and the demise of the Apollo cults in the 4th century.29
The Narratee and first readers
Finally, we might ask whether the geographical and historical insights drawn from this text using an Annaliste reading would have been recognisable to the original narratee Theophilus (Ac 1:1) and other first readers. Alexander (1999:163) observes this about Acts: 'This is a communication dependent on the conscious choice of its writer and written for the needs of a particular reader.' Granting that some literary dedications in antiquity existed as a social fiction, it is assumed that Theophilus was a real reader located in Rome or some other major city (Alexander 1999:163-164). In his explication of the significance of Theophilus as a type of the first readers, Creech (1990) observes:
Theophilus is assumed to be broadly familiar with the Roman world. The narrator regularly mentions place names without explanation ... He is broadly familiar with the geography of the Empire. (pp. 116, 122)
What today's audience generally misses in this pericope, Theophilus and other first readers would undoubtedly have understood by virtue of their education and experience.
The first readers also had a literary background foreign to most of today's readers. For example, Acts 20:15-16 mention four of the twelve cities that comprised the Ionian League -Chios, Samos, Miletus and Ephesus.30 Hence Luke's account does not merely include coastal cities; rather, it refers to ones that had great significance in antiquity. Herodotus (Hist. 1.142) mentions the league and the cities that comprised it. The 1st-century CE geographer Strabo (Geogr. 14.1.2-4) likewise discusses the league and the foundation myths associated with its cities.31 Given the prominence accorded to the Ionians and their history by these writers separated by centuries in time, it is highly likely that the first readers as educated Greek-speaking Gentiles would have recognised the historical connections amongst these cities and their significant place in the book of Acts.
Our Annaliste reading has produced several fresh insights into the text of Acts 20:15-18a. Building on Greaves' observation that landscape and geography are a critical background for the reading of a text, let us seek to elucidate those insights:
• Paul's travel by sea included visits to notable Ionian cities. However, he decided to skip Ephesus in order to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost.
• A variant reading in the Byzantine and 'Western' texts gives a credible description of a probable weather delay that left Paul's ship temporarily becalmed at Trogyllium.
• The failure to depict the Gulf of Latmus in Bible atlases has produced incorrect calculations related to Paul's journeys in western Asia Minor.
• A land route taken by the Ephesian elders through important centres of Greco-Roman culture has been suggested; its distance has been underestimated by commentators on Acts.
• Paul's waiting time in Miletus has likewise been underestimated, which would have given him time not only to tour the city but also to visit the Apollo temple at Didyma.
• Paul's emphasis on prophecy in his speech in Miletus was probably influenced by the city's geographical proximity to the oracle at Didyma.
• Since Miletus is the origination point of a famous Sacred Way in antiquity, the walk of the elders to Miletus portends a contrast with a new holy Way.
The emphasis of the Annaliste reading on geography and environment has helped to elucidate several fresh insights in this text. Thus, the methodology might also prove useful in exegeting other texts in the book of Acts.
Competing interests
The author declares that he has no financial or personal relationship(s) which may have inappropriately influenced him in writing this article.
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Mark Wilson
Gençlik Mah. Fevzi Çakmak Cad., Talya Apart. No: 67 Kat: 2/8
Muratpasa 07100, Antalya, Turkey
Email: email@example.com
Received: 18 May 2012
Accepted: 11 June 2013
Published: 09 Sept. 2013
1.This article was first presented in an earlier draft at the Book of Acts Section of the Society of Biblical Literature, San Francisco, November 2011.
2.For this article I am using the Latin spelling Miletus as used in the English translations of Acts rather than the Greek spelling Miletos used by Greaves and other scholars.
3.Lambrianides and Spencer (2007:1-3) in their study of a similar river delta on the Aegean Coast, the Madra, also engaged with Braudel's three famous time-scales.
4.An emphasis on a deterministic environment and a neglect of human agency has been perceived as a weakness of Braudel's model; see Lambrianides and Spencer (2007:2) and Knapp (1992:7).
5.As Walton (2007:53) astutely observes, two motifs dominate the description of the third journey - the focus on Jerusalem and a sense of divine restraint.
6.For example, the Moody atlas of the Bible (Beitzel 2009:261 [Map 112]); the IVP atlas of Bible history (Lawrence 2006:161); the Crossway ESV Bible atlas (Currid & Barrett 2010:247); the Zondervan atlas of the Bible (Rasmussen 2010:231), place the route west of Samos. The Oxford Bible atlas (Curtis 2009:169) and the Harper Collins atlas of Bible history (Pritchard 2008:167), (imprecisely) place the route east of Samos.
7.Utilising the new online digital mapping program, Orbis: The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Roman World (www.orbis.stanford.edu), a sea route was calculated for the month of May from Chios to Samos. The results indicated a distance of 135 km which took 0.9 days. A similar route calculated to 'Trogilion Pr' displayed 150 km in one day. Both routes went west of the island. The question also relates to when Paul made his decision to bypass Ephesus. If the coasting vessel had already begun to follow the Ionian coast, then it would have certainly continued on the leeward side of Samos.
8.In response to a question about the preferred sailing route from Chios to Samos, Linford Stutzman, a New Testament scholar who has personally sailed these waters (Stutzman 2006), replied: 'If I were plotting my own course, I would choose the inside route, and I am almost certain that the captain of Paul's boat would have chosen this route' (Linford Stutzman, pers. comm., 23 February 2013).
9.Haenchen (1971:53), on the other hand, writes: 'Since the redactor held it unlikely that the ship spent the night in the roads instead of putting in at the nearest harbor, he emended accordingly.' Marshall (1980:328) adopts a pragmatic approach: 'whether authentic or not, [the reading] probably describes what the travellers actually did.'
10.This cove is called Port St Paul in Denham's book of charts of the Aegean Sea (1970:123-124). He writes, 'The origin of the name ... is obscure, but by tradition St Paul on one of his voyages down the Anatolian coast put in here for a night's shelter to rest the oarsmen.' This author tried to reach this harbour in the summer of 2010, but the area is a military zone and the road there is passable only with a four-wheel drive vehicle.
11.This map, dating from 1958 and now out of print, was based on J.G.C. Anderson's 'Map of Asia Minor' (1903), which also showed the gulf. The primary reason for this cartographic error is that modern map makers and atlas authors or editors are unaware of the changed coastline. Hopefully Bible atlases published in the future will show the area around Miletus as it was in the 1st century.
12.The map in Greaves' book on Ionia (2010:59) is drawn from Aksu's map.
13.The colour map illustrating this section is available in Wikimedia Commons and used with the permission of its creator, Eric Gaba (2009) (User: Sting) http:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Miletus_Bay_silting_evolution_map-en.svg. See also the maps in Brückner (2003a:123, 2003b, Figure 1), Möllenhoff et al. (2004: esp. 56, Figure 1) and Brückner et al. (2006: esp. 69, Figure 2), which depict stages of progradation and interact with the earlier studies of Eisma, Erinç, Akuu et al., Erol and Schröder and Bay. There are slight differences in the maps of the Gulf of Latmus that appear in these studies.
14.See the helpful Table 2 in Brückner et al. (2006:68) of the 'Historic and palaeographic changes in Miletus'.
15.A visit to Heraclea ad Latmus (Kapikiri) today suggests what life was like on the ancient Gulf of Latmus.
16.Barrett (1998:960) does, however, by suggesting that Paul was carrying a considerable sum of money in the Jerusalem collection and perhaps felt safer stopping in Miletus than in Ephesus.
17.Trebilco's four 'guesses' are: (1) the fastest boat traveling from Troas was not stopping at Ephesus but at Miletus instead, (2) since delivering the collection to Jerusalem was the primary reason for the journey, this provided a good reason for haste and the avoidance of Ephesus, (3) a visit to Ephesus could hinder his commitment to go to Jerusalem since it might involve protracted delays due to opposition or the needs of the church there and (4) either he had been banned from Ephesus or the opposition was so great that he could not return there.
18.Schnabel (2004:1231) is optimistic and believes that Luke's account in Acts 20 'implies that there was a house in Miletus in which Christians could meet, suggesting the existence of a church'. However, the text in Acts never mentions that the meeting took place in a building. The men kneeling with Paul in prayer, then embracing and kissing him before they proceed directly to the ship (Ac 20:3638) suggests rather that the meeting was outdoors, perhaps near one of Miletus' four harbours.
19.It is this same Trophimus who is later left sick in Miletus by Paul according to 2 Timothy 4:20.
20.The descriptions of the cities and monuments are drawn passim from my book Biblical Turkey (Wilson 2010).
21.The distance on this Republican milestone found at Çamlik clearly indicates that the road's caput viae was Ephesus. The milestone is now displayed near the lower gate at Ephesus (French 1988:169-70, 2012:10, 36).
22.A century later the procurator, M. Caecilius Numa, oversaw the engineering of a rock-cut road called the Trachon that descended from this pass. Thonemann (2011:104, n. 11) calls it 'one of the most impressive engineering works in western Anatolia'.
23.For a detailed discussion of the temple with accompanying illustrations, see Bingöl (2007:53-76).
24.Schnabel (2004: 1233-1235) agrees with this assessment, suggesting that whilst Paul and his coworkers were active in Ephesus, churches in Priene, Magnesia ad Maeandrum and Tralles were founded.
25.For the possible connection of this to the port of Naulochus, see Rumscheid and Koenigs (1998:15-17).
26.Strabo (Geogr. 12.8.19) refers to the presence of ferries upstream on the Meander River. See the photograph in Thonemann (2011:309) of a ferry on the lower Meander near Myus taken by the excavators of Priene, Wiegand and Schrader, in the late 1800s.
27.Barrett (1998:960) does hint at this possibility: 'he [Luke] might ferry the Ephesian elders across in order to provide a partly Ephesian audience.'
28.Herda (2006:447-461) has extensively researched the Sacred Way that linked Miletus to Didyma and discussed the relationship between Apollo Delphinios and Apollo Didymeus along with Miletus and Didyma. An English summary of his work is now available (Herda 2011).
29.The others were at Delphi and Claros. I discussed this conflict in 'The Rise of the Christian Oracles in the Shadow of the Apollo Cults' (Wilson 2008:162-175).
30.The other eight cities comprising the Ionian dodekapolis were Phokaia, Erythrai, Klazomenai, Teos, Lebedos, Kolophon, Priene, and Myus. After 650 BCE Smyrna was added (Greaves 2010:96).
31.Although writing a century later, Pausanius (Descr.7.2.3-5.6) draws upon general knowledge in his extensive discussion of the cities of Ionia.