Dr. Mahfuz Sarker
Dr. Mahfuz Sarker completed his BS and MS degrees from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1982 and 1985, respectively. He is currently a tenured associate professor with joint appointment in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Microbiology, College of Science.
Kathy Magnusson, Brenna Brim and Siba Das recently published an invited review, entitled “Selective vulnerabilities of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors during brain aging” to the open access online journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (Front. Ag. Neurosci. 2:11. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2010.00011). The focus is on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are present in high density within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and play an important role in learning and memory. NMDA receptors are negatively affected by aging, but these effects are not uniform in many different ways. This review discusses the selective age-related vulnerabilities of different binding sites of the NMDA receptor complex, different subunits that comprise the complex, and the expression and functions of the receptor within different brain regions. Spatial reference, passive avoidance, and working memory, as well as place field stability and expansion all involve NMDA receptors. Aged animals show deficiencies in these functions, as compared to young, and some studies have identified an association between age-associated changes in the expression of NMDA receptors and poor memory performance. A number of diet and drug interventions have shown potential for reversing or slowing the effects of aging on the NMDA receptor. On the other hand, there is mounting evidence that the NMDA receptors that remain within aged individuals are not always associated with good cognitive functioning. This may be due to a compensatory response of neurons to the decline in NMDA receptor expression or a change in the subunit composition of the remaining receptors. These studies suggest that developing treatments that are aimed at preventing or reversing the effects of aging on the NMDA receptor may aid in ameliorating the memory declines that are associated with aging. However, we need to be mindful of the possibility that there may also be negative consequences in aged individuals.
Dr. Cyril Clarke will be hosting a Staff Appreciation Luncheon for CVM classified staff and professional faculty as a way of saying thank you for their dedication and service to the College. Recipients of the Outstanding Classified Staff and Exemplary Professional Faculty Awards will be announced during the luncheon.
If you have received an invitation and you plan to attend, please RSVP by April 14. Thank you to Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. for sponsoring this event. The luncheon will be in the Memorial Union, Room 109, April 21, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Dr. Temple Grandin. Photo by Jason Koski/University Photography
The Oregon Animal Health Foundation, in association with the Oregon State University Pre-Veterinary Club, Department of Animal Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, is sponsoring a free lecture by Dr. Temple Grandin. The title of Dr. Grandin’s talk is “Animal Behavior and Animal Welfare”. Dr. Grandin is the subject of the HBO film “Temple Grandin” and is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. She is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and is a world renowned expert in the development and design of humane livestock handling systems. This presentation is open to the public and will be held the evening of Friday, April 30 from 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. in Milam Auditorium.
In addition, there will be two daytime presentations for students, faculty and animal industry professionals. The first, “Animal Behavior,” will be in Gilfillan Auditorium from 10:00–10:50 a.m.; and the second, “Humane Livestock Handling,” will take place in Withycombe 109 from 2:00–2:50 p.m. Both of these lectures are on April 30.
For more information about these lectures contact Giovanna Rosenlicht.
Senior students Sarah Knepprath and Megan Nakagawa treating a patient in the existing intensive care unit.
On Wednesday, April 7, Andersen Construction began a 10 week, $195,000 remodel of the Small Animal Intensive Care Unit. The project was made possible by a gift to the College from the Elizabeth Mason estate and the new SA ICU will be named in her honor. The remodel will more than double the size of the ICU by combining the existing ICU and the old fluoroscopy room into one large room. The new space will feature a central island with two computer stations and work area on one end, and a combination stainless steel deep sink/treatment table on the other end. It will also have a new poured floor and hard ceiling. Additional lighting, drop down electrical cords, oxygen outlets, and minor upgrades will complete the remodel. Animal cages will be placed along the walls allowing easy viewing of all patients from the central station and cages will be purchased to accommodate very large dogs.
Marion-Polk Veterinary Medical Association and the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association will have a Veterinary Professions booth at the annual AgFest event on April 24-25, 2010 at the Salem fairgrounds. Dr. Nancy Titus (OSU alum ’07) is organizing the booth and has asked for CVM students to volunteer to help staff it on Saturday and Sunday.
AgFest is an annual event which promotes Oregon agriculture. About 17,000 people go through the exhibits, which are designed to educate school age children and the public about agriculture in Oregon. If you can volunteer for a few hours (then take a few hours to check out the booths) please contact Sarah Tauber (Student Ambassadors Club) or the Dean’s Office.
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