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Copyright of Annals of Burns & Fire Disasters is the property of Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns & Fire Disasters and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tibetan pigs are a unique swine strain adapted to the hypoxic environment of the plateau regions in China. The unique mechanisms underlying the adaption by Tibetan pigs, however, are still elusive. Only few studies have investigated hypoxia-associated molecular regulation in the lung tissues of animals living in the plateau region of China. Our previous study reported that ssc-miR-101-3p expression significantly differed in the lung tissues of Tibetan pigs at different altitudes, suggesting that ssc-miR-101-3p plays an important role in the adaptation of Tibetan pigs to high altitude. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism, in this study, the target genes of ssc-miR-101-3p and their functions were analyzed via various methods including qRT-PCR and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. The action of ssc-miR-101-3p was investigated by culturing alveolar type-II epithelial cells (ATII) of Tibetan pigs under hypoxic conditions and transfecting ATII cells with vectors overexpressing or inhibiting ssc-miR-101-3p. Overexpression of ssc-miR-101-3p significantly increased the proliferation of ATII cells and decreased the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic factors. The target genes of ssc-miR-101-3p were significantly enriched in FOXO and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways required to mitigate lung injury. Further, FOXO3 was identified as a direct target of ssc-miR-101-3p. Interestingly, ssc-miR-101-3p overexpression reversed the damaging effect of FOXO3 in the ATII cells. In conclusion, ssc-miR-101-3p targeting FOXO3 could inhibit hypoxia-induced apoptosis and inflammatory response in ATII cells of Tibetan pigs. These results provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms elucidating the response of lung tissues of Tibetan pigs to hypoxic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Suicide is one of the major causes of death in Nepal. This study examines trends in suicide methods in Kathmandu, Nepal. The study aims to understand suicidal method changes over time and guide effective prevention strategies. Methods This study is descriptive study of autopsy data from the Department of Forensic Medicine at Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Kathmandu from January 2013 to December 2022. Linear regression analyzed changes in suicide rates by gender and method over time. Chisquare tests assessed monthly frequency deviations. Data was stratified by age groups and sex to identify any potential correlations between these variables and the methods of suicide used. Results Among 2,513 males suicide, the most common method was hanging accounting for 1,633 (64.98%) cases, followed by self-poisoning at 806(32.07%) cases, with falls and self-immolation each at 1.31%. For 1,905 females suicide, hanging remained the most prevalent method with 1,215 (63.77%) cases, followed by self-poisoning at 622 (32.65%) cases, with falls (0.57%) and self-immolation (2.78%) being less common. The mean age for male suicides was 37.15(SD=15.83), while for females it was 30.94 (SD=14.20), indicating a difference of 6.21 years. Suicide rates peaked in summer (July-August) with 450 cases and dropped in winter (December-February) at 309 cases. Conclusion Hanging was the most common method of suicide across all age groups, though its prevalence declined with age. In contrast, selfpoisoning became more common as age increased. The study depicted that females tend to commit suicide at relatively younger age than males. Significant seasonal variations in suicide rates were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fritillaria unibracteata (FRU) belongs to the genus Fritillaria of the Liliaceae family. It is one of the original plants of the Chinese medicinal material "Chuanbeimu" and also a biological resource featured in the Tibetan Plateau of China. The dried bulbs of FRU are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The chemical constituents of FRU that have been isolated and identified include alkaloids, sterols, organic acids and their esters, nucleosides and volatile oils. FRU has antitussive, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, acute lung injury-reducing, antifibrosis, antitumor, and other pharmacological effects. This valuable plant has an extremely high market demand, and over the years, due to over-exploitation, FRU has now been listed as a key species that is endangered and scarcely cultivated in China as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. However, research on FRU is rare, and its effective components, resource control, and mechanisms of action need further study. This review systematically discusses the herbal characteristics, resource distribution, chemical composition, biosynthesis, pharmacological effects, clinical application, and breeding techniques of FRU, hoping to provide a reference for further research and the use of FRU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of the article is the figure and symbolism of Christ in Oscar Wilde's fairy tales from his collections The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888) and A House of Pomegranates (1891). Christ appears in them as a personal model, an ideal of humanity, a symbol of love understood as "self-immolation". In the figures of the fairy-tale protagonists we will find the Baby Jesus, but also Christ the King triumphing over evil, the Crucified Christ. In particular, rich religious symbolism is evoked by the images of Christian mercy, suffering and selfless sacrifice of one's life for the love of others. Fairy tales outline the deepest and most sincere thoughts of the writer about the nature and spirituality of man, as well as the primary values on the path of the human spirit. The most important of them turns out to be merciful love, the readiness to sacrifice one's life for love, which was most fully expressed by Christ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-immolation, a form of self-harm involving setting oneself on fire, is associated with high mortality, morbidity, and healthcare burden. This study aimed to characterize potential clinical correlates and predisposing factors for self-immolation based on burn severity using TBSA percentage scoring. Additional objectives included identifying motivational elements, associated risk factors, and clinical characteristics to optimize patient care and reduce future self-immolation incidents. A retrospective review of admissions to the Arizona Burn Center from July 2015 to August 2022 identified 103 self-immolation patients for the study. Burn severity was categorized as mild to moderate (TBSA < 20%) or severe (TBSA ≥ 20%) based on TBSA. This study population had a mortality rate of 21%. Positive urine drug screens were found in 44% of subjects, and 63% having chronic substance use, with methamphetamine (37%) and alcohol (30%), being the most prevalent. Underlying psychiatric illnesses were present in 83% of patients. Suicidal intent strongly predicted severe burns (P <.001) among the 68 severe burn cases identified. In conclusion, this study emphasizes that the presence of suicidal intent among self-immolation patients significantly correlates with burn severity. These findings highlight the importance of involving psychiatric services early in patient care to improve outcomes and reduce the recurrence of self-immolation acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Elsholtzia, as a folk medicine, has been widely used in Miao, Yi, and Lahu nationalities and Tibetan and Chinese medicines in China. We aimed to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action of flavonoids of Elsholtzia densa Benth. (FIE) on apoptosis in HeLa human cervical cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to detect the chemical constituents responsible for the effects of FIE. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the active constituents and their targets to explore the mechanism of action of FIE in treating cervical cancer. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and the mitochondrial membrane potential were detected in HeLa cells treated with FIE. RT-PCR assays quantified the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Results and Discusssion: A total of 36 and 109 components were identified by GC-MS and LC-MS, respectively. Six active components, including 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone, baicalein, cirsimaritin, epicatechin, luteolin, and 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxy2-phenylchromen-4-onem, were predicted by network pharmacology. The active components may affect the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa cells through various cancer pathways, such as NF-kB and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. FIE significantly inhibited colony formation in HeLa cells. We observed an increase in the total population of apoptotic cells and ROS content in HeLa cells. Further, the mitochondrial membrane potential of HeLa cells was significantly decreased. In HeLa cells, the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes, such as cytochrome C, caspase-3, caspase-9, and bax, were increased, while that of bcl-2 was decreased. Moreover, the ultrastructure of the cells exhibited apoptotic characteristics. Numerous vacuoles and the autophagic structure of the damaged mitochondrial organelles were observed in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells. Conclusions: Flavonoids of Elsholtzia densa Benth. showed clear inhibitory activity in HeLa cells and induced HeLa cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial endogenous apoptotic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calpastatin gene has been extensively studied as a candidate gene because of its regulatory function within muscle development of animals. However, little is known about the association between variation of the calpastatin gene and growth traits in Tibetan sheep. Using DNA sequencing, four single-nucleotide polymorphisms g.3844A>G, g.88874T>C, g.89126C>T, and g.89157A>C were identified in this study. An association analysis indicates that the g.3844A>G and g.89126C>T polymorphisms affected body weight (P < 0.05). The g.89157A>C polymorphism was significantly correlated with body weight and chest circumference (P < 0.05). The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression of calpastatin gene presented an increasing trend with an increase in age. Remarkably lower mRNA expression was detected at the fetal stage compared with adult ewes (P < 0.05). These findings indicated that the calpastatin gene polymorphisms were involved in growth-related traits in Tibetan sheep, which can be considered as genetic markers for improving the growth traits of Chinese Tibetan sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The CapG gene, which is an actin-binding protein, is prevalent in eukaryotic cells and is abundantly present in various pathways associated with plateau hypoxia adaptation. Tibetan pigs, which have inhabited high altitudes for extended periods, provide an excellent research population for investigating plateau hypoxia adaptation. Results: This study focused on Tibetan pigs and Yorkshire pigs residing in Nyingchi, Tibet. The blood physiological data of Tibetan pigs were found to be significantly higher than those of Yorkshire pigs, including RBC, HGB, HCT, MCH, and MCHC. The SNP analysis of the CapG gene identified six sites with mutations only present in Tibetan pigs. Notably, the transcription factors at sites C-489T, C-274T, and A-212G were found to be altered, and these sites are known to be associated with hypoxia adaptation and blood oxygen transportation. The mRNA expression of the CapG gene exhibited highly significant differences in several tissues, with the target proteins predominantly higher in the Yorkshire pig compared to the Tibetan pig. Specifically, a notable difference was observed in the lung tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed high expression levels of CapG proteins in the lung tissues of both Tibetan and Yorkshire pigs, primarily localized in the cytoplasm and cell membrane. Conclusion: The CapG gene plays a significant role in regulating hypoxia adaptation in Tibetan pigs. This study provides a theoretical basis for the conservation and utilization of Tibetan pig resources, the breeding of highland breeds, epidemic prevention and control, and holds great importance for the development of the highland livestock economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer nanodiscs, especially with stimuli‐responsive features, represent an unexplored frontier in the nanomaterial landscape. Such 2D nanomaterials are considered highly promising for advanced biomedicine applications. Herein, we designed a rod‐coil copolymer architecture based on an amphiphilic, tadpole‐like bottlebrush copolymer, which can directly self‐assemble into core–shell nanodiscs in an aqueous environment. As the bottlebrush side chains are made of amorphous, UV‐responsive poly(ethyl glyoxylate) (PEtG) chains, they can undergo rapid end‐to‐end self‐immolation upon light irradiation. This triggered nanodisc disassembly can be used to boost small molecule release from the nanodisc core, which is further aided by a morphological change from discs to spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer nanodiscs, especially with stimuli‐responsive features, represent an unexplored frontier in the nanomaterial landscape. Such 2D nanomaterials are considered highly promising for advanced biomedicine applications. Herein, we designed a rod‐coil copolymer architecture based on an amphiphilic, tadpole‐like bottlebrush copolymer, which can directly self‐assemble into core–shell nanodiscs in an aqueous environment. As the bottlebrush side chains are made of amorphous, UV‐responsive poly(ethyl glyoxylate) (PEtG) chains, they can undergo rapid end‐to‐end self‐immolation upon light irradiation. This triggered nanodisc disassembly can be used to boost small molecule release from the nanodisc core, which is further aided by a morphological change from discs to spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compartmentalization protected biomolecules from the fluctuating environments of early Earth. Although contemporary cells mostly use phospholipid‐based bilayer membranes, the utility of non‐bilayer compartments was not ruled out during the prebiotic and modern eras. In the present study, we demonstrated the prebiotic synthesis of lipidated cationic amino acid‐based amphiphiles [lauryl ester of lysine (LysL); ornithine (OrnL); and 2,4‐diamino butyric acid (DabL)] using model dry‐down reaction. These amphiphiles self‐assemble into micellar membranes. However, the OrnL and DabL‐based micelles undergo pH‐responsive transformation to lipid droplet‐like morphologies, a modelcompartment in the prebiotic Earth. These cationic droplets encapsulated prebiotic molecules (isoprene) and assisted electron transfer reaction to synthesize isoprenoid derivatives at primitive Earth conditions. The self‐assembly of prebiotic amphiphiles, their transformation to droplet compartments, and droplet‐assisted C−C bond formation reaction might have helped the evolution to synthesize various biomolecules required for the origin of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macaques (genus Macaca) are the most widely distributed non‐human primates, and their evolutionary history, gene expression profiles, and genetic differences have been extensively studied. However, the DNA methylomes of macaque species are not available in public databases, which hampers understanding of epigenetic differences among macaque species. Epigenetic modifications can potentially affect development, physiology, behavior, and evolution. Here, we investigated the methylation patterns of the Tibetan macaque (M. thibetana; TM), Chinese rhesus macaque (M. mulatta lasiota; CR), and crab‐eating macaque (M. fascicularis; CE) through whole‐genome bisulfite sequencing from peripheral blood. We compared genome‐wide methylation site information for the three species. We identified 12,128 (CR vs. CE), 59,165 (CR vs. TM), and 39,751 (CE vs. TM) differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the three macaques. Furthermore, we obtained the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the three macaque species. The differences between CR and CE were smaller at both the methylome and transcriptome levels than compared with TM (CR vs. TM and CE vs. TM). We also found a change in the density of single nucleotide mutations in DMRs relative to their flanking regions, indicating a potential mechanism through which genomic alterations may modulate methylation landscapes, thereby influencing the transcriptome. Functional enrichment analyses showed the DMR‐related genes were enriched in developmental processes and neurological functions, such as the growth hormone‐related pathway, insulin secretion pathway, thyroid hormone synthesis pathway, morphine addiction, and GABAergic synapses. These differences may be associated with variations in physiology and habitat among the macaques. Our study provides one of the first genome‐wide comparisons of genetic, gene expression, and epigenetic variations across different macaques. Our results should facilitate further research on comparative genomic and genetic differences in macaque species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐immolative polymers (SIPs) are a class of degradable macromolecules that undergo stimuli‐triggered head‐to‐tail depolymerization. However, a general approach to readily end‐functionalize SIP precursors for programmed degradation remains elusive, restricting access to complex, functional SIP‐based materials. Here we present a "click to self‐immolation" strategy based on aroyl azide‐capped SIP precursors, enabling the facile construction of diverse SIPs with different trigger units through a Curtius rearrangement and alcohol/thiol‐isocyanate "click" reaction. This strategy is also applied to polymer‐polymer coupling to access fully depolymerizable block copolymer amphiphiles, even combining different SIP backbones. Our results demonstrate that the depolymerization can be actuated efficiently under physiologically‐relevant conditions by the removal of the trigger units and ensuing self‐immolation of the p‐aminobenzyl carbonate linkage, indicating promise for controlled release applications involving nanoparticles and hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐immolative polymers (SIPs) are a class of degradable macromolecules that undergo stimuli‐triggered head‐to‐tail depolymerization. However, a general approach to readily end‐functionalize SIP precursors for programmed degradation remains elusive, restricting access to complex, functional SIP‐based materials. Here we present a "click to self‐immolation" strategy based on aroyl azide‐capped SIP precursors, enabling the facile construction of diverse SIPs with different trigger units through a Curtius rearrangement and alcohol/thiol‐isocyanate "click" reaction. This strategy is also applied to polymer‐polymer coupling to access fully depolymerizable block copolymer amphiphiles, even combining different SIP backbones. Our results demonstrate that the depolymerization can be actuated efficiently under physiologically‐relevant conditions by the removal of the trigger units and ensuing self‐immolation of the p‐aminobenzyl carbonate linkage, indicating promise for controlled release applications involving nanoparticles and hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cryptorchidism is believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in male yaks. In this study, we compared the morphology of the normal testis of the yak with that of the cryptorchidism, and found dysplasia of the seminiferous tubules, impaired tightness of the Sertoli cells, and a disruption of the integrity of the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in the cryptorchidism. Based on RNA-seq, bioinformatics analysis and biological experiments, CAV1 up-regulates or down-regulates the expression levels of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-11 via the FAK/ERK pathway in vitro cell model assays. Our results reveal a novel mechanism by which CAV1 modulates tight junctions and BTB, suggesting that CAV1 may be involved in the regulation of the occurrence of yak cryptorchidism. Yaks, a valuable livestock species endemic to China's Tibetan plateau, have a low reproductive rate. Cryptorchidism is believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in male yaks. In this study, we compared the morphology of the normal testis of the yak with that of the cryptorchidism, and found dysplasia of the seminiferous tubules, impaired tightness of the Sertoli cells, and a disruption of the integrity of the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in the cryptorchidism. Previous studies have shown that CAV1 significantly contributes to the regulation of cell tight junctions and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that CAV1 may play a regulatory role in tight junctions and BTB in Yaks Sertoli cells, thereby influencing the development of cryptorchidism. Additional analysis using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting confirmed that CAV1 expression is up-regulated in yak cryptorchidism. CAV1 over-expression plasmids and small RNA interference sequences were then transfected in vitro into yak Sertoli cells. It was furthermore found that CAV1 has a positive regulatory effect on tight junctions and BTB integrity, and that this regulatory effect is achieved through the FAK/ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings, the first application of CAV1 to yak cryptorchidism, provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cell tight junctions and BTB. This paper suggests that CAV1 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for yak cryptorchidism and may provide insight for future investigations into the occurrence of cryptorchidism, the maintenance of a normal physiological environment for spermatogenesis and male reproductive physiology in the yak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of charred bodies represents a serious challenge for forensic pathologists, and an interdisciplinary approach is often the only way to determine the cause and manner of death. We present an unusual case in which the charred body of a 61‐year‐old man was found inside his burning vehicle. In order to determine cause and manner of death, an interdisciplinary team was employed, with experts in forensic pathology, forensic radiology, toxicology and fire investigations. Post‐mortem computed tomography, autopsy and toxicology ruled out the presence of trauma injury and detected signs of vital exposure to fire and blood alcohol levels. On the other hand, according to fire investigations, the fire started inside the car and partially burned fragments of a garden hose were found along the right side of the car. A suicide could therefore be hypothesized, with the man having attempted to poison himself with the car's exhaust fumes and having set the car on fire. The death was consistent with a complicated suicide in which the victim, in a state of reduced capability, accidentally set his car on fire and was unable to escape. The hypothesis of a complex suicide, with the car having been set deliberately on fire, could not, however, be ruled out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim is to study the pattern of suicidal deaths, demographic profile including various contributary factors of victims and analyze the magnitude of deaths in and around Vijayawada part of Andhra Pradesh so that preventive measures can be set up to avoid such situation. A death by suicide is defined as the deliberate termination of life. For a death to be a suicide, it should be an un-natural death, the desire to die should originate within the person, and there should be a reason for ending their life, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. While India's suicide rate of 14.04/lakh population in 2019 puts it at 49th rank globally, the grim reality of the highest numbers of suicides being reported annually from India cannot be overlooked. When you look at suicide deaths, the highest suicide rates are in the south. In central India, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, you have "middling suicide rates", and the rate falls up north, in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Material & Methods: A five years retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. All the autopsies conducted on victims of suicidal deaths during the period from Jan, 2016 to Dec, 2020 were studied from the available data. Inclusion criteria includes all the suicidal deaths due to poisoning, hanging and self-immolation by burns. Exclusion criteria includes suicidal deaths from causes other than poisoning, hanging and suicidal burns like drowning, electrocution, fall from height etc. Results: It is clear that committing suicide by consuming poison accounts for major number of deaths followed by committing suicide by hanging and least followed by committing suicide by self-immolation. It is also clear that committing suicides has increased year by year from 2016 to 2020 irrespective of committing suicide by hanging, poisoning. Coming to sex pattern, suicide by hanging was observed more in males. Sex pattern in suicidal deaths due to poisoning clearly showed that females outnumbered males. Sex pattern in suicidal deaths due to selfimmolation clearly showed that females outnumbered males with high margin. Coming to the age pattern in committing suicidal deaths by hanging, 30 - 45 years age group showed highest incidence year by year followed by 45 - 60 years and least among 15 - 25 years age group. Where as in case of suicidal deaths by poisoning and self-immolation, incidence was highest in 30 - 45 age group followed by 15 - 30 years age group and least among 45 - 60 years group. Conclusion: According to the World Health Organization, in India, suicide is an emerging and serious public health issue. Suicide rates in India have been rising over the past five decades. India's contribution to global suicide deaths increased from 25.3% in 1990 to 36.6% in 2016 among women, and from 18.7% to 24.3% among men. In 2016, suicide was the most common cause of death in both the age groups of 15-29 years and 15-39 years in India. Factors such as frustration, family problems, love affairs, poverty, harassment, sexual violence, social boycott, chronic diseases and bankruptcy were studied as the main reasons leading to committing of suicides in people. The need for a strategy which will raise awareness and help make suicide prevention a national priority has to be recognized. Such a national strategy will need a comprehensive approach that encompasses the promotion, coordination, and support of activities to be implemented across the country at national, regional, and local levels. The program would need to be tailored for populations at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-inflicted burns (SIBs) are preventable injuries that often occur due to suicidal intent or deliberate self-harm. The incidence of SIB and demographics vary across different countries. This study highlights our regional experience of SIB over almost 2 decades, assessing characteristics and outcomes. A retrospective chart review of all patients assessed at a UK regional burns center, presenting with SIB, from 2003 to 2021, was performed. Subgroup analyses based on gender, the presence or absence of pre-existing psychiatric disorders, and in-hospital patient mortality were undertaken. The relationship between annual mental health funding and the incidence of SIB was assessed. Over the study period, a total of 285 SIB cases, with a median age of 42.84 years, were presented to our center. The majority of patients were male (63.2%) and had a pre-existing psychiatric disorder (74.7%). Flame burns were the most frequent type of injury (82.1%) and the median total BSA (TBSA) was 10.25%. The average length of hospital stay was 10 days and the inpatient mortality rate was 20.7%, significantly greater than the mortality of the rest of the cohort (3.7%, P <.01). SIB survivors were younger and had less severe burns, relative to non-survivors. There was no statistically significant correlation between the incidence of SIBs and mental health funding. SIBs account for a minority of referrals to our regional burns center. Adequately funded regional and national measures should be implemented to reduce the incidence and impact of these injuries, alongside appropriate mental health support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide is one of the oldest phenomena of human societies, and since it must be studied and understood within the framework of social psychology of each society and its subcommunities, so far an important part of social studies of suicide has been focused on suicide in nomadic and rural areas. For several years, the significant number of suicides and especially women's self-immolations in the Dishmuk region of Kohgiluyeh and Boyar Ahmad provinces has been widely reflected in the media. This research sought to study and investigate suicide in this rural-nomadic area by using the qualitative method of phenomenology in Georgi's style and using semi-structured interviews. The research sample is purposeful and consists of people who have had an unsuccessful suicide or one of their relatives has committed suicide leading to death. In understanding the interviewees' perceptions of the causes and contexts of suicide attempts in this region, the researchers divided them into five main categories: 1) lack of knowledge and life management skills; 2) lack of satisfaction with private life; 3) reaching a feeling of dead end and getting stuck in social life; and 5) the personal aspects and the superficiality of some religious beliefs have been reached, each of which has been separated into more detailed concepts in the findings section and documented with quotes from the interviewees. Finally, these categories are compared with some of the theoretical literature on suicide, and the authors provide suggestions for suicide prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of Burns & Fire Disasters is the property of Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns & Fire Disasters and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Self-immolation is one of the most brutal suicide methods and is a significant social and medical problem throughout the world. Self-immolation is more common in low-income countries than in high-income countries. Aim: The aim is to evaluate the trends in self-immolation and examine its frequency in Iraq. Methods: The PRISMA guideline was used to conduct this systematic review study. We searched for publications in English, Arabic and Kurdish in PubMed and Google Scholar. A total of 105 publications were identified through the search; however, 92 were eliminated due to duplication and irrelevant content. Finally, 13 full articles were included for data extraction. The inclusion criteria were articles that investigated self-immolation. However, letters to editors and media reports on self-immolation were excluded. The retrieved studies were selected, reviewed and then quality assessed. Results: This study included 13 articles. According to the findings, self-immolation accounted for 26.38% of all burn admissions in the Iraqi provinces and the Kurdistan region, with 16.02% of those occurring in the middle and southern provinces of Iraq and 36.75% in the Kurdistan region. It is more common in women than in men, especially among young, married, illiterate, or poorly educated people. Sulaymaniyah had a higher percentage of self-immolation than other governorates in Iraq, accounting for 38.3% of burn admissions. Cultural and social norms, domestic violence, mental health problems, family conflicts and financial problems were identified as the most common causes of self-immolation. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-immolation is high among the Iraqi population, compared to other countries, particularly among the Kurdish population and in Sulaymaniyah. Self-immolation is relatively common among women. There are sociocultural factors that could contribute to this problem. Families must be restricted from having easy access to kerosene, and high-risk individuals should have access to psychological consultation to reduce the risk of self-immolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibody–drug Conjugates (ADCs) are a powerful therapeutic modality for cancer treatment. ADCs are multi-functional biologics in which a disease-targeting antibody is conjugated to an effector payload molecule via a linker. The success of currently used ADCs has been largely attributed to the development of linker systems, which allow for the targeted release of cytocidal payload drugs inside cancer cells. Many lysosomal proteases are over expressed in human cancers. They can effectively cleave a variety of peptide sequences, which can be exploited for the design of ADC linker systems. As a well-established linker, valine-citrulline-p-aminobenzyl carbamate (ValCitPABC) is used in many ADCs that are already approved or under preclinical and clinical development. Although ValCitPABC and related linkers are readily cleaved by cathepsins in the lysosome while remaining reasonably stable in human plasma, many studies have shown that they are susceptible to carboxylesterase 1C (Ces1C) in mouse and rat plasma, which hinders the preclinical evaluation of ADCs. Furthermore, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, two of the most commonly observed dose-limiting adverse effects of ADCs, are believed to result from the premature hydrolysis of ValCitPABC by human neutrophil elastase. In addition to ValCitPABC, the GGFG tetrapeptidyl-aminomethoxy linker is also cathepsin-cleavable and is used in the highly successful ADC drug, DS8201a. In addition to cathepsin-cleavable linkers, there is also growing interest in legumain-sensitive linkers for ADC development. Increasing plasma stability while maintaining lysosomal cleavability of ADC linkers is an objective of intensive current research. This review reports recent advances in the design and structure–activity relationship studies of various peptide/peptidomimetic linkers in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MTNR1A and MTNR1B, two high-affinity MT membrane receptors found in mammals, mediate the activity of MT on the HPGA to regulate animal reproduction. Nevertheless, the expression patterns and function of the MTNR1A and MTNR1B genes in the HPTA of seasonal estrus sheep and perennial estrus sheep have not been elucidated. We studied the expression of MTNR1A and MTNR1B in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA) of Tibetan sheep at different reproductive stages using histochemistry, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELSIA), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and Western blot (WB), and analyzed the relationship between their expression and reproductive hormone receptors. We also compared relevant characteristics between seasonal Tibetan sheep and non-seasonal Small Tail Han sheep in the same pastoral area. The results showed that MTNR1A and MTNR1B were expressed in all tissues of the Tibetan sheep HPTA, and both were co-expressed in the cytoplasm of epididymis basal and halo cells located at common sites of the epididymis basement membrane, forming an immune barrier. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that not only MTNR1A but also N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), hydroxyindole-oxygen- methyltransferase (HIOMT), androgen receptor (AR), and estrogen receptor α (ERα) mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in the testis and epididymis of Tibetan sheep during the breeding season, whereas no clear upregulation of these genes was observed in the tissues of Small Tail Han sheep. MTNR1A and MTNR1B are important regulators of the HPTA in sheep. MTNR1A mediates seasonal estrus regulation in Tibetan sheep. Both MTNR1A and MTNR1B may play important roles in formation of the blood-epididymal barrier. The results of this study should help advance research on the mechanism of reproductive regulation of the HPTA in male animals and provide reference data for improving the reproductive rate of seasonal breeding animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular organisms possess intricate mechano‐adaptive systems that enable them to sense forces and process them with (bio)chemical circuits for functional adaptation. Inspired by such processes, this study introduces a hydrogel system capable of mechanically activated and chemically transduced self‐destruction. Our judiciously designed hydrogels can mechanically generate radicals that are processed and amplified in a self‐propagating radical de‐crosslinking reaction, ultimately leading to mechanically triggered self‐immolation. We put such systems to work in mechano‐induced debonding, and in a bilayer actuator, where swelling‐induced bending generates sufficient force for selective degradation of one layer, leading to autonomous self‐regulation associated with unbending. Our work helps define design criteria for molecularly controlled adaptive and self‐regulating materials with embodied mechano‐chemical information processing, and showcases their potential for adhesives and soft robotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The process of aging itself and the behavioral changes caused by aging have been extensively studied and recognized in the field of biology. In this study, we determined that age had no effect on social behavior in male Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Old female macaques were less likely to approach other monkeys. This study provides a new perspective on adjusting social interaction strategies in old non-human primates under nature environments. Aging can induce changes in social behaviors among humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). Therefore, investigating the aging process in primate species can provide valuable evidence regarding age-related concerns in humans. However, the link between aging and behavioral patterns in nonhuman primates remains poorly comprehended. To address this gap, the present research examined aging-related behaviors exhibited by Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) in their natural habitat in Huangshan, China, during the period from October 2020 to June 2021. We collected behavioral data from 25 adult macaques using different data collection methods, including focal animal sampling and ad libitum sampling methods. We found that among adult female macaques, the frequency of being attacked decreased with their age, and that the frequency of approaching other monkeys also decreased as age increased. In males, however, this was not the case. Our findings demonstrate that older female macaques exhibit active conflict avoidance, potentially attributed to a reduction in the frequency of approaching conspecifics and a decreased likelihood of engaging in conflict behaviors. This study provides some important data for investigating aging in NHPs and confirms that Macaca can exhibit a preference for social partners under aging-related contexts similar to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As violent forms of border control have become increasingly diverse and prevalent, migrants and their allies have struggled to find adequate techniques for resistance. Without much notice from scholars and analysts, self-immolation has become part of this repertoire of resistance. Because migrant self-immolations take place in different countries and are committed by individuals of diverse nationalities, these events are treated as disconnected incidents: conflicts between specific migrants and the states which deny them entry. I argue that it is politically and analytically essential that we be able to "read" these events together. Towards this end, I propose one possible framework for analysis: reading these events as a form of migrant counterconduct that is produced by and responsive to specific modalities of border violence. In this article, I focus on migrant self-immolations "addressed" to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees—the most visible international symbol of migrant management. Examining border violence through the politics of visibility and visuality, I show how borderwork makes it impossible to see, count, and account for the pain and death that result from violence at the border. Closely reading administrative procedures and border policing strategies, I show how self-immolation responds directly to these modes of violence and their attendant politics of visibility. Self-immolation brings migrant death into view, manifests the violence of the border, and powerfully counters state claims to "rescue" migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reads Annie Dillard's short text 'Death of a Moth' (1976) in a comparative context, focusing mostly on the description of the scene of the moth's self-immolation in a candle flame. After considering the challenges that the text poses to the category 'short fiction', the article discusses the different uses of the image of 'the moth and the flame' in different cultures. Focusing especially on the Persian literary tradition, the historical variability of interpretations of the image is outlined, and closer parallels are drawn between Dillard's text and Aḥmad Ghazzālī's interpretation of 'love' through their respective narrations of the moth's death in the candle flame. In a closer reading of Dillard's text, an uneasy coexistence is revealed between a mystical inclination and an ironic, self-consciously literary use of imagery and figurative language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Class IV sirtuin (SIRT6 and SIRT7) played essential roles in biometabolism processes via deacetylating specific transcription factors. The present study was conducted to search for mutations in SIRT6/7 and determine their associations with growth traits in black Tibetan sheep. Via DNA sequencing methods, three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in 427 ewes, including a mutation (g.3724C > T) in the intron 1 of SIRT6 and two mutations (g.3668G > T and g.4223C > G) in SIRT7 intron 6 and 8, respectively. Based on the χ2 test, both g.3724C > T and g.4223C > G loci fitted with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05). Compared with animals with genotype TT, the CC genotype at g.3724C > T locus (SIRT6) exhibited the highest mean for body weight (p < 0.05) and heart girth (p < 0.05). At g.3668G > T locus (SIRT7), individuals carrying the GG genotype tended to have heavier body weight than those of TT genotype (p < 0.05). With the exception of body weight, body measurement traits not affected by combinative genotype (p > 0.05). Our results could be used as genetic markers for marker-assisted selection and maybe guide sheep breeding in economic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve sustainable development goals and to solve environmental problems, land resources in eco-sensitive areas should be used and optimized. Qinghai, which is an important eco-sensitive area in China, represents a typical ecological vulnerable region on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Using land use/cover data for 2000, 2010 and 2020, this study applied a series of quantitative methods to analyze the spatial pattern and structure of the production–living–ecological space (PLES) in Qinghai. The results indicated that the spatial pattern of the PLES in Qinghai was stable over time, but the spatial distribution was very different. The structure of the PLES in Qinghai was stable, and the proportion of each space from high to low was ecological (81.01%), production (18.13%) and living (0.86%). We found that the proportion of ecological space in both the Qilian Mountains and the Three River Headwaters Region was lower than the rest of the study area, except for the Yellow River–Huangshui River Valley. Our study objectively and credibly presented the characteristics of the PLES in an important eco-sensitive area in China. This study further formulated targeted policy suggestions to provide a basis for regional sustainable development, ecological environment protection, and land and space optimization in Qinghai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-immolation is considered among the most rigorous acts of suicide. Lately, this act has increased in children. We evaluated the frequency of self-immolation among children in the largest burn referral center in southern Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2014 to the end of 2018 at a tertiary referral burn and plastic surgery healthcare center in southern Iran. Subjects were pediatric self-immolation burn patients registered as outpatients or inpatients. The patients' parents were contacted regarding any incomplete information. Among 913 children admitted due to burn injuries, 14 (1.55%) were admitted with an impression of suicidal self-immolation. Among self-immolation patients, the ages ranged from 11 to 15 years (mean: 13.64 ± 1.33), and the average burnt percentage of total body surface area was 67.07 ± 31.19%. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1, and the majority were from urban areas (57.1%). The most frequent cause of burn injury was fire (92.9%). There was no history of family mental illness or suicide among the patients, and only one of the patients had an underlying disease of intellectual disability. The mortality percentage was 64.3%. The percentage of childhood suicidal attempts by burn injuries was alarmingly high among children aged from 11 to 15. While contrary to many reports, we reported this phenomenon to be relatively similar between genders, and also between urban and rural patients. Compared with accidental burn injuries, the self-immolation group had significantly higher age and burn percentage, and were more frequently caused by fire, occurred outdoors, and resulted in mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Progress. Journal of Young Researchers is the property of University of Gdansk / Uniwersytet Gdanskim and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Tibetan chickens (Gallus gallus; TBCs), an indigenous breed distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, are well adapted to the hypoxic environment. Currently, the molecular genetic basis of hypoxia adaptation in TBCs remains unclear. This study investigated hypoxia adaptation patterns of embryonic brain at different development stages by integrating analysis of the transcriptome with our previously published metabolome data in TBCs and Dwarf Laying Chickens (DLCs), a lowland chicken breed. Results: During hypoxia, the results revealed that 1334, 578, and 417 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log2 fold change|>1, p-value < 0.05) on days 8, 12, and 18 of development, respectively between TBCs and DLCs. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analyses revealed that DEGs are mainly related to metabolic pathways, vessel development, and immune response under hypoxia. This is consistent with our metabolome data that TBCs have higher energy metabolism than DLCs during hypoxia. Some vital DEGs between TBCs and DLCs, such as EPAS1, VEGFD, FBP1, FBLN5, LDHA, and IL-6 which are involved in the HIF pathway and hypoxia regulation. Conclusion: These results suggest varied adaptation patterns between TBCs and DLCs under hypoxia. Our study provides a basis for uncovering the molecular regulation mechanism of hypoxia adaptation in TBCs and a potential application of hypoxia adaptation research for other animals living on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and may even contribute to the study of brain diseases caused by hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter discusses a case of complex suicide involving a power drill and self-immolation. The authors describe the injuries sustained by a 61-year-old male, including burns, a drilled hole in the forehead, and drilled wounds on the chest and abdomen. The autopsy revealed that the man likely died from burns and smoke asphyxiation, with the penetrating intracranial wound from the power drill serving as a contributory factor. The authors note that suicides involving power-driven tools are uncommon, and the appearance of drill injuries can vary depending on various factors. The case also highlights the use of multiple methods in complex suicides and the potential for misinterpretation of injuries. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: A. truncatum Bunge (Sapindaceae or formerly Aceraceae) is a tall deciduous tree native to China. Traditionally, the leaves of A. truncatum are decocted and used by Chinese Mongolians, Koreans, and Tibetans to treat skin itching, dry cracks, and other skin ailments, which indicates A. truncatum leaves may have a potential inhibitory effect on various skin inflammations. Methods: To examine the protective effect against skin inflammations of A. truncatum leaf extract (ATLE), an in vitro dermatitis model was established using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SLS)-induced HaCaT cells. The antiinflammatory effect of ATLE was evaluated by analyzing cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. Results: Orthogonal experiments showed that the pretreatment with ATLE can reduce the IL-6 levels, PGE2 levels, and apoptosis increased in SLS-stimulated HaCaT cells, which indicates that ATLE has positive efficacy for dermatitis. Furthermore, three flavonoid compounds kaempferol-3-O-a-L-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-a-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-a-L-rhamnoside, and 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucopyranose (PGG) were isolated and identified. Among them, kaempferol-3,7-di-O-a-L-rhamnoside was isolated from this plant for the first time. These compounds have been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect. They may contribute to the efficacy of A. truncatumin treating skin inflammation. Discussion: The results revealed that ATLE has the potential to be used as an additive in various skin care products to prevent skin inflammations and may be incorporated in formulations for topical application as a therapeutic approach against dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan cashmere goat is a precious breed in China and its cashmere is widely used in clothing and textiles. The genes IGF-1, FGF5, and KAP 1.4 have been shown to be crucial regulators of cashmere growth. In this study, we examined mRNA expression levels of these three genes and detected IGF-1, FGF5, and KAP 1.4 SNP loci in the Tibetan cashmere goat. After amplification and sequence alignment of the genes IGF-1, FGF5, and KAP 1.4 among 206 Tibetan cashmere goats, two new SNP loci were detected in gene KAP 1.4, while no SNP loci were found in amplified fragments of genes IGF-1 and FGF5. The expression levels of gene IGF-1 in Baingoin and Nyima counties were significantly higher than in other counties (p < 0.05). Moreover, the expression level of gene FGF5 in Gêrzê was significantly higher than in Rutog. The expression levels of mRNA in KAP 1.4 showed significant variation among seven counties. There were no significant differences in mRNA expression levels of IGF-1, FGF5, and KAP 1.4 in Tibetan cashmere goats when analysed by sex. The gene IGF-1 was slightly up-regulated in one to five-year-old cashmere goats, except in those that were 4 years old. The mRNA expression levels of FGF5 in one and two-year-old cashmere goats was lower compared with those in three to five-year-old cashmere goats. KAP 1.4 was up-regulated across one to five-year-old cashmere goats. In this study, SNP detection and mRNA expression analysis of IGF-1, FGF5, and KAP 1.4 genes was able to add data to genetic evolutionary analysis. Further studies should be carried out in SNPs to detect other fragments in genes IGF-1 and FGF5, as well as signal pathways and gene functions in protein levels of genes IGF-1, FGF5, and KAP 1.4 in the Tibetan cashmere goat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a traditional Tibetan medicine in China, Meconopsis grandis Prain has been used to treat a variety of illnesses by local people for thousands of years. However, the active ingredients contained in Meconopsis grandis Prain and its pharmacodynamic mechanisms have scarcely been reported. We isolated a meroterpenoid named D1399 from Meconopsis grandis Prain endophytic fungi with strong antitumor activity. The structure analysis showed that D1399 is an alkaloid containing a 13-membered macrocyclic structure. The IC50 of D1399 for human lung cancer cells' viability ranged from 0.88 to 2.45 μM. Furthermore, we utilized TUNEL assay and western blotting to investigate the antitumor effectiveness of D1399. The results have shown that D1399 induced the apoptosis of lung cancer cells on the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways by boosting ROS generation and repressing AKT activity. In the mouse xenograft model, the average tumor weight with 30 mg·kg−1 D1399 treatment exhibited 73.19% inhibition compared with the untreated control, without affecting body weight loss. Above all, for the first time, our study provides a possible mechanism for the antitumor activity of D1399 in vitro and in vivo as a natural product from Tibetan medicine with Meconopsis grandis Prain, which may be a potentially promising antitumor drug candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the infections of wounds or medical device surfaces, bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa are prone to forming biofilms which prevent the penetration of antimicrobial agents. Herein, a combined therapy using bactericidal nano-micelles Ce6-ZnFeO4@ABCsi-micelles was developed that employed colistin cross-linked Pluronic micelles as a carrier, with the magnetic metal oxide ZnFeO4 and photosensitizer dihydroporphyrin (Ce6) encapsulated in the core of micelles. Driven by an external magnetic field, the nano-micelles could penetrate the external barrier of the biofilm. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the photosensitizer Ce6 disrupted the barrier of the biofilm, which facilitated the distribution of the Ce6 and colistin antibiotics into the biofilm, realizing a 99.5% clearance rate of bacteria. Using such a combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy, Ce6-ZnFeO4@ABCsi-micelles could clear wound infection in a murine abscess model, owing to the targeted driving effect of the external magnetic field, along with the chemotherapeutic effect of colistin and the photodynamic effect of Ce6. This design provides an effective targeted therapeutic strategy to address biofilm infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan plateau and high mountain ranges of Nepal are one of the challenging geographical regions inhabited by modern humans. While much of the ethnographic and population-based genetic studies were carried out to investigate the Tibetan and Sherpa highlanders, little is known about the demographic processes that enabled the colonization of the hilly areas of Nepal. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the past demographic events that shaped the extant Nepalese genetic diversity using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations from ethnic Nepalese groups. We have analyzed mtDNA sequences of 999 Nepalese and compared data with 38,622 published mtDNA sequences from rest of the world. Our analysis revealed that the genomic landscapes of prehistoric Himalayan settlers of Nepal were similar to that of the low-altitude extant Nepalese (LAN), especially Newar and Magar population groups, but differ from contemporary high-altitude Sherpas. LAN might have derived their East Eurasian ancestry mainly from low-altitude Tibeto-Burmans, who likely have migrated from East Asia and assimilated across the Eastern Himalayas extended from the Eastern Nepal to the North-East of India, Bhutan, Tibet and Northern Myanmar. We also identified a clear genetic sub-structure across different ethnic groups of Nepal based on mtDNA haplogroups and ectodysplasin-A receptor (EDAR) gene polymorphism. Our comprehensive high-resolution mtDNA-based genetic study of Tibeto-Burman communities reconstructs the maternal origins of prehistoric Himalayan populations and sheds light on migration events that have brought most of the East Eurasian ancestry to the present-day Nepalese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Musicology / Hudební Věda is the property of Akademie Ved Ceske Republiky, Etnologicky ustav, p.r.i. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anos 90 is the property of Anos 90 and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Some challenges to the natural law being applied to interreligious dialogue are isolated. The International Theological Commission's document on this matter is used to focus on the issue as well as the questions posed by M.Ganeri. To suggest a way through these difficulties, the author focuses on the radically 'different' tradition of Hinduism and the controversial understanding of sati (widow self-immolation) within Hinduism. It would appear that such an act is clearly against the natural law. However, the author demonstrates that even within a different world view from Christianity there are still analogical connections to sati, showing how both the natural law and its Christological orientation actually illuminate and foster interreligious dialogue in such a difficult case as sati. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of IgualdadES is the property of Centro de Estudios Politicos y Constitucionales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Tibetan pig is an endemic economic animal in the plateau region of China, and has a unique adaptation mechanism to the plateau hypoxic environment. Research into microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the mechanism underlying hypoxia adaptation of Tibetan pig is very limited. Therefore, we isolated alveolar type II epithelial (ATII) cells from the lungs of the Tibetan pig, cultured them in normoxia/hypoxia (21% O2; 2% O2) for 48 h, and performed high-throughput sequencing analysis. We identified a hypoxic stress-related ssc-miR-141 and predicted its target genes. The target genes of ssc-miR-141 were mainly enriched in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), autophagy-animal, and Ras signaling pathways. Further, we confirmed that PDCD4 may serve as the target gene of ssc-miR-141. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis was performed to confirm the expression levels of ssc-miR-141 and PDCD4, and a dual-luciferase gene reporter system was used to verify the targeted linkage of ssc-miR-141 to PDCD4. The results showed that the expression level of ssc-miR-141 in the hypoxia group was higher than that in the normoxia group, while the expression level of PDCD4 tended to show the opposite trend and significantly decreased under hypoxia. These findings suggest that ssc-miR-141 is associated with hypoxia adaptation and provide a new insight into the role of miRNAs from ATII cells of Tibetan pig in hypoxia adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, the South Korean government decided to resume importing beef from the United States, which had been stopped since 2003. The government's attempt to reassure citizens with scientific claims met severe resistance, resulting in a whirlwind of political and technoscientific controversies over risks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). This article examines memories of protests in 2008 with two objectives; first, to discuss how sub-politics evolves when matters of concern become matters of fact and second, to better understand the aftermath of Korean BSE controversies. Thirty-eight semi-structured interviews with proponents and opponents of the BSE protests were conducted in 2019 and analyzed. Focusing on the complicated discursive struggles over science, society, and their relations, we demonstrated that, along with what people widely accept as the "facts" about US beef, a modern imaginary of science and politics as two separate spheres was reconstructed in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the genetic mechanism of how animals adapt to extreme conditions is fundamental to determine the relationship between molecular evolution and changing environments. Goat is one of the first domesticated species and has evolved rapidly to adapt to diverse environments, including harsh high-altitude conditions with low temperature and poor oxygen supply but strong ultraviolet radiation. Here, we analyzed 331 genomes of domestic goats and wild caprid species living at varying altitudes (high > 3000 m above sea level and low < 1200 m), along with a reference-guided chromosome-scale assembly (contig-N50: 90.4 Mb) of a female Tibetan goat genome based on PacBio HiFi long reads, to dissect the genetic determinants underlying their adaptation to harsh conditions on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Population genomic analyses combined with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) revealed a genomic region harboring the 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate synthase 2 (PAPSS2) gene showing strong association with high-altitude adaptability (PGWAS = 3.62 × 10−25) in Tibetan goats. Transcriptomic data from 13 tissues revealed that PAPSS2 was implicated in hypoxia-related pathways in Tibetan goats. We further verified potential functional role of PAPSS2 in response to hypoxia in PAPSS2 -deficient cells. Introgression analyses suggested that the PAPSS2 haplotype conferring the high-altitude adaptability in Tibetan goats originated from a recent hybridization between goats and a wild caprid species, the markhor (Capra falconeri). In conclusion, our results uncover a hitherto unknown contribution of PAPSS2 to high-altitude adaptability in Tibetan goats on QTP, following interspecific introgression and natural selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While Robert Grosseteste's contribution to the 13th-century debate on the reason for the Incarnation is well known, his novel theory of what caused Christ's death, and in particular the role which it plays in shaping his understanding of the atonement, has largely gone unexplored. This article first outlines Grosseteste's belief that Christ died not as a result of the cross, but rather as a result of his divine will, focusing specifically upon on his scientific arguments showing that at the moment of his death Christ's body was still 'healthy and whole.' The article then shows how Grosseteste makes his theory of Christ's self-immolation central to his account of satisfaction. Particular attention is paid to the role of suffering in Grosseteste's theory of the redemption and how he places charity and the Aristotelian notion of friendship at the heart of Christ's satisfactory act, thereby prefiguring something of Aquinas's key ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]