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There has been a global decline in fertility rates, with ovulatory disorders emerging as the leading cause, contributing to a global lifetime infertility prevalence of 17.5%. Formation of the primordial follicle pool during early and further development of oocytes after puberty is crucial in determining female fertility and reproductive quality. However, the increasing exposure to environmental toxins (through occupational exposure and ubiquitous chemicals) in daily life is a growing concern; these toxins have been identified as significant risk factors for oogenesis in women. In light of this concern, this review aims to enhance our understanding of female reproductive system diseases and their implications. Specifically, we summarized and categorized the environmental toxins that can affect oogenesis. Here, we provide an overview of oogenesis, highlighting specific stages that may be susceptible to the influence of environmental toxins. Furthermore, we discuss the genetic and molecular mechanisms by which various environmental toxins, including metals, cigarette smoke, and agricultural and industrial toxins, affect female oogenesis. Raising awareness about the potential risks associated with toxin exposure is crucial. However, further research is needed to fully comprehend the mechanisms underlying these effects, including the identification of biomarkers to assess exposure levels and predict reproductive outcomes. By providing a comprehensive overview, this review aims to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of environmental toxins on female oogenesis and guide future research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Diatoms are photosynthetic unicellular microalgae that drive global ecological phenomena in the biosphere and are emerging as sustainable feedstock for an increasing number of industrial applications. Diatoms exhibit enormous taxonomic and genetic diversity, which often results in peculiar biochemical and biological traits. Transposable elements (TEs) represent a substantial portion of diatom genomes and have been hypothesized to exert a relevant role in enriching genetic diversity and making a core contribution to genome evolution. Here, through long‐read whole‐genome sequencing, we identified a mutator‐like element (MULE) in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and we report the direct observation of its mobilization within the course of a single laboratory experiment. Under selective conditions, this TE inactivated the uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) gene of P. tricornutum, one of the few endogenous genetic loci currently targeted for selectable auxotrophy for functional genetics and genome‐editing applications. We report the observation of a recently mobilized transposon in diatoms with unique features. These include the combined presence of a MULE transposase with zinc‐finger SWIM‐type domains and a diatom‐specific E3 ubiquitin ligase of the zinc‐finger UBR type, which are suggestive of a mobilization mechanism. Our findings provide new elements for the understanding of the role of TEs in diatom genome evolution and in the enrichment of intraspecific genetic variability. Significance Statement: We identified a DNA transposon in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. This mutator‐like element encodes a transposase and a diatom‐specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, suggestive of a mobilization mechanism. We documented independent insertions that spontaneously inactivated the uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) locus, a common selectable marker. We provide insights on the role of transposons in diatom genome dynamics and evolution, and on the potential challenges of choosing UMPS as a selection locus in diatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent sleep guidelines regarding evening exercise have shifted from a conservative (i.e., do not exercise in the evening) to a more nuanced approach (i.e., exercise may not be detrimental to sleep in circumstances). With the increasing popularity of wearable technology, information regarding exercise and sleep are readily available to the general public. There is potential for these data to aid sleep recommendations within and across different population cohorts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine if sleep, exercise, and individual characteristics can be used to predict whether evening exercise will compromise sleep. Methods: Data regarding evening exercise and the subsequent night’s sleep were obtained from 5,250 participants (1,321F, 3,929M, aged 30.1 ± 5.2 yrs) using a wearable device (WHOOP 3.0). Data for females and males were analysed separately. The female and male datasets were both randomly split into subsets of training and testing data (training:testing = 75:25). Algorithms were trained to identify compromised sleep (i.e., sleep efficiency <90%) for females and males based on factors including the intensity, duration and timing of evening exercise. Results: When subsequently evaluated using the independent testing datasets, the algorithms had sensitivity for compromised sleep of 87% for females and 90% for males, specificity of 29% for females and 20% for males, positive predictive value of 32% for females and 36% for males, and negative predictive value of 85% for females and 79% for males. If these results generalise, applying the current algorithms would allow females to exercise on (25% of evenings with (15% of those sleeps being compromised and allow males to exercise on (17% of evenings with(21% of those sleeps being compromised. Discussion: The main finding of this study was that the models were able to predict a high percentage of nights with compromised sleep based on individual characteristics, exercise characteristics and habitual sleep characteristics. If the benefits of exercising in the evening outweigh the costs of compromising sleep on some of the nights when exercise is undertaken, then the application of the current algorithms could be considered a viable alternative to generalised sleep hygiene guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve projections of the future ice-sheet surface mass balance and the interpretation of the isotopic signals of past accumulation preserved in ice cores, it is critical to understand the mechanisms that transport water vapor to the Antarctic continent. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers distributed across Antarctica to monitor ice velocity and solid Earth motion can be used to understand accumulation, ablation, and snow redistribution at the ice-sheet surface. Here, we present a forward model for reflector height change between the GNSS antenna phase center and the snow surface and an inverse framework to determine accumulation rate and near-surface firn densification from the reflector height time series. We use this model to determine accumulation at the sites of three long-term on-ice GNSS receivers located in the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE) and at a network of GNSS receivers deployed in 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 austral summers. From the GNSS-IR accumulation reconstructions, we find that extreme precipitation dominates total precipitation and that extreme event frequency varies seasonally. We use our GNSS-IR accumulation reconstructions together with reanalysis products to characterize the atmospheric conditions that promote extreme snowfall in the ASE. The blocking pressure systems that promote extreme accumulation on Thwaites Glacier are facilitated by tropical teleconnections, specifically convection that promotes Rossby waves trains from the Western Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans to the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyse the contribution of atmospheric rivers (ARs), cyclones, and fronts to the total precipitation in the Arctic. We focus on two distinct periods of different weather conditions from two airborne campaigns: ACLOUD (Arctic Cloud Observations Using airborne measurements during polar day; May/June 2017) and AFLUX (Aircraft campaign Arctic Boundary Layer Fluxes; March/April 2019). Both campaigns covered the northern North Atlantic sector, the area in the Arctic that is affected by the highest precipitation rates. Using ERA5 reanalysis, we identify pronounced regional anomalies with enhanced precipitation rates compared to the climatology during ACLOUD due to these weather systems, whereas during AFLUX enhanced precipitation rates occur over most of the area. We have established a new methodology that allows us to analyse the contribution of ARs, cyclones, and fronts to precipitation rates based on ERA5 reanalysis and different detection algorithms. Here, we distinguish whether these systems occur co-located or separately. The contributions differ between the two periods. During ACLOUD (early summer), the precipitation rates are mainly associated with AR- (40 %) and front-related (55 %) components, especially if they are connected, while cyclone-related components (22 %) play a minor role. However, during AFLUX (early spring) the precipitation is mainly associated with cyclone-related components (62 %). For both campaign periods, snow is the dominant form of precipitation, and the small rain occurrence is almost all associated with ARs. About one-third of the precipitation can not be attributed to one of the weather systems, the so-called residual. While the residual can be found more frequently as convective than as large-scale precipitation, the rare occasion of convective precipitation (roughly 20 %) can not completely explain the residual. The fraction of precipitation classified as residual is reduced significantly when a precipitation threshold is applied that is often used to eliminate "artificial" precipitation. However, a threshold of 0.1 mm h -1 reduces the total accumulated precipitation by a factor of 2 (ACLOUD) and 3 (AFLUX), especially affecting light precipitation over the Arctic Ocean. We also show the dependence of the results on the choice of the detection algorithm serving as a first estimate of the uncertainty. In the future, we aim to apply the methodology to the full ERA5 record to investigate whether the differences found between the campaign periods are typical for the different seasons in which they were performed and whether any trends in precipitation associated with these weather systems can be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a large body of research has focused on the physiological effects of multiple environmental stressors, how behavioural and life‐history plasticity mediate multiple‐stressor effects remains underexplored. Behavioural plasticity can not only drive organism‐level responses to stressors directly but can also mediate physiological responses. Here, we provide a conceptual framework incorporating four fundamental trade‐offs that explicitly link animal behaviour to life‐history‐based pathways for energy allocation, shaping the impact of multiple stressors on fitness. We first address how small‐scale behavioural changes can either mediate or drive conflicts between the effects of multiple stressors and alternative physiological responses. We then discuss how animal behaviour gives rise to three additional understudied and interrelated trade‐offs: balancing the benefits and risks of obtaining the energy needed to cope with stressors, allocation of energy between life‐history traits and stressor responses, and larger‐scale escape from stressors in space or time via large‐scale movement or dormancy. Finally, we outline how these trade‐offs interactively affect fitness and qualitative ecological outcomes resulting from multiple stressors. Our framework suggests that explicitly considering animal behaviour should enrich our mechanistic understanding of stressor effects, help explain extensive context dependence observed in these effects, and highlight promising avenues for future empirical and theoretical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In brief: Whether sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) affects embryo development and clinical outcomes is still controversial, which limits the utility of SDF testing in assisted reproductive technology management. This study demonstrates that high SDF is associated with the incidence of segmental chromosomal aneuploidy and increased paternal whole chromosomal aneuploidies. We aimed to investigate the correlation of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) with the incidence and paternal origin of whole and segmental chromosomal aneuploidies of embryos at the blastocyst stage. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with a total of 174 couples (women aged 35 years or younger) who underwent 238 cycles (including 748 blastocysts) of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGT-M). All subjects were divided into two groups based on the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) level: low DFI (<27%) and high DFI (=27%). The rates of euploidy, whole chromosomal aneuploidy, segmental chromosomal aneuploidy, mosaicism, parental origin of aneuploidy, fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst formation were compared between low- and high-DFI groups. We found no significant differences in fertilization, cleavage, or blastocyst formation between the two groups. Compared to that in the low-DFI group, segmental chromosomal aneuploidy rate was significantly higher in the high-DFI group (11.57% vs 5.83%, P = 0.021; OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.10-4.89, P = 0.028). The whole chromosomal embryonic aneuploidy of paternal origin was significantly higher in cycles with high DFI than in cycles with low DFI (46.43% vs 23.33%, P = 0.018; OR: 4.32, 95% CI: 1.06-17.66, P = 0.041). However, the segmental chromosomal aneuploidy of paternal origin was not significantly different between the two groups (71.43% vs 78.05%, P = 0.615; OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.16-6.40, P = 0.995). In conclusion, our results suggested that high SDF was associated with the incidence of segmental chromosomal aneuploidy and increased paternal whole chromosomal aneuploidies in embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each country has its own set of unique elements and institutions to foster innovation within its boundaries. This combination of elements and institutions is known as an innovation system. Innovation has been used to boost countries' growth and competitiveness for decades. However, it is a much questioned strategy because it may compromise the opportunities of future generations and thus sustainable development. Hence, academics and policymakers are now turning to eco‐innovation to create sustainability‐based innovation systems that improve not only a country's economic efficiency but also people's well‐being and quality of life. However, the uncertainty and complexity around eco‐innovation hinder the creation and implementation of eco‐innovation policies because of a failure to identify its drivers. The aim of this paper is to detect the national‐level factors that are necessary or sufficient for eco‐innovation in European countries. Fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is used for this purpose. The conditions in this analysis are governance, human capital capacity, research institutions, and public and private research and development (R&D) investment. The use of fsQCA to study eco‐innovation systems is methodologically unique. The findings suggest that research institutions, human capital capacity, and public R&D investment are valuable for eco‐innovation. Therefore, the findings of this study have implications for the design of policies aimed at creating businesses, enriching society, and boosting sustainable development through eco‐innovation. Such policies should focus on education, social awareness, stakeholder engagement, support from research institutions, and public R&D investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With progressing global warming, snowfall in Antarctica is expected to increase, which could counteract or even temporarily overcompensate increased ice-sheet mass losses caused by increased ice discharge and melting. For sea-level projections it is therefore vital to understand the processes determining snowfall changes in Antarctica. Here we revisit the relationship between Antarctic temperature changes and precipitation changes, identifying and explaining regional differences and deviations from the theoretical approach based on the Clausius–Clapeyron relationship. Analysing the latest estimates from global (CMIP6, Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) and regional (RACMO2.3) model projections, we find an average increase of 5.5 % in annual precipitation over Antarctica per degree of warming, with a minimum sensitivity of 2 % K -1 near Siple Coast and a maximum sensitivity of > 10 % K -1 at the East Antarctic plateau region. This large range can be explained by the prevailing climatic conditions, with local temperatures determining the Clausius–Clapeyron sensitivity that is counteracted in some regions by the prevalence of the coastal wind regime. We compare different approaches of deriving the sensitivity factor, which in some cases can lead to sensitivity changes of up to 7 percentage points for the same model. Importantly, local sensitivity factors are found to be strongly dependent on the warming level, suggesting that some ice-sheet models which base their precipitation estimates on parameterisations derived from these sensitivity factors might overestimate warming-induced snowfall changes, particularly in high-emission scenarios. This would have consequences for Antarctic sea-level projections for this century and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and knowledge-based view (KBV) theories, this study contributes to deepen the knowledge that corporate social responsibility (CSR) exerts on firms' innovation, considering the role played by cooperation. The research also seeks to ascertain the factors that influence the development of business cooperation. Design/methodology/approach: The database used is the Community Innovation Survey (CIS, 2014) applied in the European Union (EU) during the time period 2012–2014. A sample of 7083 Portuguese firms were analyzed through the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings: The results suggest that CSR positively relates with firms' innovation, and business cooperation partially mediates this relationship. The outcomes also reveal that investing in certain types of innovation activities increases the firms' willingness to cooperate. Originality/value: The findings contribute to encourage an open innovation strategy as an easy and effective way to cope with rapid trends and changes, since it demonstrates the complementary between innovation and cooperation, as sources of value creation. From a triple bottom line (TBL) perspective, it also highlights that CSR must include social, economic and environmental initiatives, and should be a part of the firms' innovation strategy. As a result, managers who intend to contribute for society in the long term should plan, monitor and manage all CSR dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is an uncommon clinicopathological condition describing patients who have oral lesions characterized by persistent labial enlargement, oral ulcers and a variety of other orofacial features. Sarcoidosis is a systemic non-caseating granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology that may affect multiple organ systems. As a systemic disease, it is well documented in existing literature. However, the rarity and its often non-specific oral manifestation emphasize the need to reinforce the literature with more clinical case examples and draw additional attention to clinical features that general practitioners may encounter. In this report, a rare case is presented with definite association of sarcoidosis and orofacial granulomatosis with two years follow up after treatment. This report aims to expand the literature surrounding orofacial sarcoidosis and support oral and general health practitioners in recognizing its orofacial manifestations along with the clinical presentations that all led to a diagnosis of sarcoidosis in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Customers service centres have become a veritable tool for connecting with subscribers and projecting distinctive capabilities in competition in the telecommunication industry. Consequently, operational efficiency of these units is an essential variable in the design and adoption of cost leadership and differentiation strategies. This study is based on data obtained from twenty-five (25) customers service centres spread across four telecommunication service providers. Data envelopment analysis methodological approach was utilized to estimate efficiency of these service centres, types of scale and identify critical resources for improving performances. Results indicate an average technical efficiency scores range of 50.5%-80.2%, suggesting substantial waste of resources and weak capacity for pursuit of cost leadership strategy with scale efficiency scores range of 60.5%-86.4%. The study also found that 36% of these facilities are operating under increase returns to scale (IRS) regime, 40% (decreasing returns to scale, (DRS) and 24% under constant returns to scale regime. Furthermore, customers service personnel were identified as critical input variable to be given pre-emptive priority to change to enhance operations and capacity to strive for cost leadership, therefore, it is suggested that telecommunication firms invest more resources on technology to enhance capabilities of the service personnel for improved efficiency as well as for effective pursuit of cost leadership and differentiation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While insect populations are simultaneously threatened by many local‐ and global‐scale stressors, the interacting effects of these factors remain poorly understood. These interactions between stressors, whether additive or antagonistic, may have profound effects on our assumptions about and predictions for any given system. Here we address this gap by exploring the interactive effects of introduced predators and elevated temperatures on emerging aquatic insects across alpine lakes. Using a crossed factorial field survey, we examine whether warmer temperatures either directly affect the magnitude or diversity of insect emergence, or mediate the impacts of predation via interactions with predator presence. Based on data from more than 11,000 insects collected across a two‐year period, we find a 71% reduction in insect emergence associated with an additional 3.6°C of water temperature in oligotrophic alpine lakes. While our work confirms prior findings that predator presence drives strong reductions in insect emergence, we find that the effects of predation are significantly weaker in warmer lakes (2% reduction in warmest lakes studied vs. 75% reduction in coldest). Combining our results with regional studies of predator communities to identify mechanisms suggests that the interaction effects between temperature and predator presence are likely due to changes in predator behavior across temperatures. Critically, to fully understand the multiple stressors that impact insect populations and predict their future effects, we must consider the interactions between stressors across spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The aim of the study is to assess healthcare system efficiency in both regular circumstances and during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on key factors influencing efficiency, and offer health authorities insights into healthcare system resilience. Research methodology - The analysis was conducted in two stages. The initial stage involved the application of Data Envelopment Analysis output-oriented model with a constant-return-to-scale framework. The second stage employed Tobit regression method to identify factors that influenced countries' efficiency. Findings - We identified the healthcare system efficiency of 14 CIS and EU countries in Pre and pandemic settings and provided a methodology for results interpretation accounting for the complexity of healthcare systems and temporal variations in pandemic trends. The Tobit regression highlighted the role of the health workforce, emphasizing the caution for the reduction of physicians in the system. Research limitations - The research focused on efficiency in just two regions of Eurasia and only considered medical factors as the primary drivers of efficiency. Additionally, the examination covered the initial year of the pandemic, reflecting only the earlier stages of countries' performance during the pandemic. Practical implications - This study contributes to the assessment of healthcare resilience on a global scale and provides information for policymakers, aiding in the selection of optimal practices during the pandemic and enhancing preparedness for future crises. Originality/Value - Countries' efficiency assessment in four models and two settings provides valuable insight into the healthcare systems' resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On March 11th, 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic; and caused more than 4 million deaths worldwide. In Pakistan, government efforts to minimize the spread of disease emphasized protective behaviors including social distancing, hand washing, self-isolation, and seeking medical attention if experiencing symptoms. However, the local populace remained largely disengaged, seemed unaware, and failed to adhere to official preventive guidelines from the government. This study investigated the relationship among optimism bias, fear of COVID-19, and compliance with COVID-19-related protective behaviors among a sample of healthy and high-risk young adults diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Fifty healthy and 50 diabetic young adults aged 18-23 years were administered the Optimism Bias Measurement (Druică et al., 2020), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (Ahorsu et al., 2020), and the Preventive COVID-19 Infection Behavior Scale (Chang et al., 2020). The results revealed that optimism bias had a significant negative, and fear of COVID-19 had a significant positive correlation with compliance with COVID-19-related protective behaviors. Moreover, healthy young adults had significantly higher optimism bias, but lower fear and compliance as compared to diabetic young adults. Overall, the findings will facilitate public health policymakers and social scientists to better understand the factors that can influence compliance with preventive protocols enforced against the pandemic in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oocytes develop in the germline cyst, a cellular organization in which germ cells are tightly interconnected and surrounded by somatic cells. The cyst produces oocytes for follicle formation and is a hub for essential processes inmeiosis and oocyte differentiation. However, the formation and organization of the cyst, and their contribution to oocyte production in vertebrates remain unclear. Here, we provide tools for three-dimensional and functional in vivo analyses of the germline cyst in the zebrafish ovary. We describe the use of serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) to resolve the threedimensional architecture of cells and organelles in the cyst at ultrastructural resolution. We present a deep learning-based pipeline for high-throughput quantitative analysis of three-dimensional confocal datasets of cysts in vivo. We provide a method for laser ablation of cellular components for manipulating cyst cells in ovaries. These methods will facilitate the investigation of the cyst cellular organization, expand the toolkit for the study of the zebrafish ovary, and advance our understanding of female developmental reproduction. They could also be further applied to the investigation of other developmental systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold temperatures and can lead to severe injury resulting in amputations. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a thrombolytic agent that has demonstrated efficacy preventing amputation in frostbite patients. The goal of frostbite management with tPA is to salvage tissue without causing clinically significant bleeding complication. The purpose of this study was to characterize bleeding complications in severe frostbite patients managed with and without tPA. Retrospective chart review of severe frostbite patients admitted to a single ABA verified burn center. Bleeding events were grouped: category 0: no bleed; category 1: bleed not resulting in change or intervention; category 2: bleed resulting in change of management; and category 3: bleed resulting in change of management and intervention. Over a 7-year period, 188 patients were included in the study. Most patients had no documentation suggesting a bleeding complication: 69.7% category 0, 19.1% category 1, 4.8% category 2, and 6.4% category 3. There was no significant difference in category 2 or 3 bleeding complications between patients treated with or without tPA. Overall, 9 of the 143 patients (6.3%) treated with tPA had a category 2 or 3 bleeding complication within 12 hours of tPA completion and 12 of 143 (8.4%) within 24 hours of tPA completion. Based on the low risk of severe bleeding and significant benefit relative to limb or digit salvage demonstrated in this study, we conclude that tPA is safe and effective for the treatment of frostbite in appropriately selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In late March 2011, landfast sea ice (hereafter, 'fast ice') formed in the northern Larsen B embayment and persisted continuously as multi-year fast ice until January 2022. In the 11 years of fast ice presence, the northern Larsen B glaciers developed extensive mélange areas and formed ice tongues that extended up to 16 km from their 2011 ice fronts. In situ measurements of ice speed on adjacent ice shelf areas spanning 2011 to 2017 show that the fast ice provided significant resistive stress to ice flow. Fast ice breakout began in January 2022, and was closely followed by retreat and break-up of both the glacier mélange and the adjacent ice tongue areas. We investigate the probable triggers for the loss of fast ice and document the initial upstream glacier responses. Our results suggest that the fast ice loss was linked to strong wave action (>1.5 m amplitude) with long period swells (>5 s) that reached the embayment simultaneously with the appearance of rifts in the ice. This coincided with a 12-year low in sea ice concentration in the northwestern Weddell Sea. Remote sensing data in the months following the fast ice break-out reveals an initial ice flow speed increase (up to 333%), elevation loss (9 to 11 m), and rapid calving of floating and grounded ice for the three main glaciers Crane (11 km), Hektoria (25 km), and Green (18 km). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenoviral-vectored vaccines are licensed for prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Ebola virus, but, for bacterial proteins, expression in a eukaryotic cell may affect the antigen's localization and conformation or lead to unwanted glycosylation. Here, we investigated the potential use of an adenoviral-vectored vaccine platform for capsular group B meningococcus (MenB). Vector-based candidate vaccines expressing MenB antigen factor H binding protein (fHbp) were generated, and immunogenicity was assessed in mouse models, including the functional antibody response by serum bactericidal assay (SBA) using human complement. All adenovirus-based vaccine candidates induced high antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses. A single dose induced functional serum bactericidal responses with titers superior or equal to those induced by two doses of protein-based comparators, as well as longer persistence and a similar breadth. The fHbp transgene was further optimized for human use by incorporating a mutation abrogating binding to the human complement inhibitor factor H. The resulting vaccine candidate induced high and persistent SBA responses in transgenic mice expressing human factor H. The optimized transgene was inserted into the clinically relevant ChAdOx1 backbone, and this vaccine has now progressed to clinical development. The results of this preclinical vaccine development study underline the potential of vaccines based on genetic material to induce functional antibody responses against bacterial outer membrane proteins. Editor's summary: Adenoviral-vectored vaccines have been approved for viral infections, but their utility for protecting against bacterial infections is unclear. Here, Dold et al. evaluated an adenoviral-vectored vaccine platform for capsular group B meningococcus. The authors found, using multiple mouse models, that the vaccine candidates elicited robust antibody and T cell responses with a single dose. The authors further optimized the vaccine and incorporated the immunogen into the ChAdOx1 backbone. This vaccine, which is now in clinical development, may offer a single shot option for meningococcal disease. —Courtney Malo [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental and occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), causes female reproductive failures and infertility. Cr(VI) is used in more than 50 industries and is a group A carcinogen, mutagenic and teratogenic, and a male and female reproductive toxicant. Our previous findings indicate that Cr(VI) causes follicular atresia, trophoblast cell apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in metaphase II (MII) oocytes. However, the integrated molecular mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced oocyte defects is not understood. The current study investigates the mechanism of Cr(VI) in causing meiotic disruption of MII oocytes, leading to oocyte incompetence in superovulated rats. Postnatal day (PND) 22 rats were treated with potassium dichromate (1 and 5 ppm) in drinking water from PND 22–29 and superovulated. MII oocytes were analyzed by immunofluorescence, and images were captured by confocal microscopy and quantified by Image-Pro Plus software, Version 10.0.5. Our data showed that Cr(VI) increased microtubule misalignment (~9 fold), led to missegregation of chromosomes and bulged and folded actin caps, increased oxidative DNA (~3 fold) and protein (~9–12 fold) damage, and increased DNA double-strand breaks (~5–10 fold) and DNA repair protein RAD51 (~3–6 fold). Cr(VI) also induced incomplete cytokinesis and delayed polar body extrusion. Our study indicates that exposure to environmentally relevant doses of Cr(VI) caused severe DNA damage, distorted oocyte cytoskeletal proteins, and caused oxidative DNA and protein damage, resulting in developmental arrest in MII oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate reference Doppler velocimetry indices (DVIs) of the fetal ductus venosus (DV) during 11-13 + 6 gestational weeks. Materials and Methods: In a prospective observation over referrals to a single tertiary care center in a 2-year interval, normal singleton pregnancies with fetal crown-rump lengths (CRLs) of 43-80 mm were examined by a single experienced sonographer for their DV pulsatility index (DVPI), DV resistance index (DVRI), and S-wave maximum velocity/A-wave minimum velocity (S/A ratio). Multinomial and quantile regression functions were used to analyze the effect of gestational age (estimated by CRL) on reference values (5th and 95th percentiles of the distribution in each gestational day/week). P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Over a sample of 415 participants with a mean/median gestational age of 12 + 1 weeks, no significant correlations were found between the CRL and DVIs using multinomial regression functions (linear model best fitted for all [DVPI: B coefficient = 0.001, P = 0.235] [DVRI: B coefficient = 0.001, P = 0.287] [DV S/A: B coefficient = 0.010, P = 283]). Quantile regression analyses of DVIs' reference values were nonsignificant across the CRL range except for the DVRI ([5th regression line: coefficient = -0.004, P = 0.018] [95th regression line: coefficient = -0.001, P = 0.030]). Conclusion: Reference values for DVPI, DVRI, and DV S/A ratios were established as 0.80-1.39, 0.62-0.88, and 2.57-6.70, respectively. Future meta-analyses and multicenter studies are required to incorporate DV DVIs into an updated universal version of the practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of health-care expenditure on health outcomes and the efficiency of health-care financing schemes in the OECD are estimated with a panel of 30 countries over 1995–2019. The survival rate constructed from the data on age-standardized health-related mortality is used as the health outcome variable. The stochastic frontier model used in the study accommodates nonmonotonic relationships between the factors of interest and the outcome, allowing us to find the optimal levels of the factors. The marginal effect of per capita health-care expenditure on the maximum achievable survival rate diminishes as the level of spending increases and is no longer statistically positive after health-care spending reaches $4811 (2015 PPP). The optimal share of compulsory financing in health expenditure is between 55 and 65%, and health care systems where it exceeds 90% are significantly less efficient. Health-care systems where the percentage of private financing in health expenditure is below 18% are significantly less efficient than those where it is close to the optimal level of about 62%. Further research is needed to examine the effects on health-care efficiency of more specific characteristics of health-care systems taking into account their complex interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing evidence of widespread impacts of humans on animal behaviour, our understanding of how humans reshape species interactions remains limited.Here, we present a framework that draws on key concepts from behavioural and community ecology to outline four primary pathways by which humans can alter predator–prey spatiotemporal overlap.We suggest that predator–prey dyads can exhibit similar or opposite responses to human activity with distinct outcomes for predator diet, predation rates, population demography and trophic cascades. We demonstrate how to assess these behavioural response pathways with hypothesis testing, using temporal activity data for 178 predator–prey dyads from published camera trap studies on terrestrial mammals.We found evidence for each of the proposed pathways, revealing multiple patterns of human influence on predator–prey activity and overlap. Our framework and case study highlight current challenges, gaps, and advances in linking human activity to animal behaviour change and predator–prey dynamics.By using a hypothesis‐driven approach to estimate the potential for altered species interactions, researchers can anticipate the ecological consequences of human activities on whole communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An entrepreneurial approach is being highlighted by an increasing number of recent studies. The relationship between green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and environmental performance (EP) has been studied in the past, and it includes a number of apparatuses. The research inconsistent findings are likely caused by the absence of the mediating and moderating effects of green competitive advantage (GCA) and green innovation (GI). This study investigates how GEO influences EP Johannesburg municipality in the Gauteng province: the role of GCA and GI. The data was collected form 424 respondents across the Johannesburg municipality. The data was analysed using SmartPLS 4.0. The empirical findings of this study show that there is a significant positive relationship between GEO and the EP of SMEs. The study further shows that the relationship between GEO and EP is partially mediated by GCA and the relationship is also moderated by GI at an average weight. This paper fills a gap in the literature by exploring external business variables mediating and moderating the relationship between GEO and EP and contributes to the discussion on the contradictory results regarding the relationship between GEO and EP. The study suggests some recommendations on how the managers of SMEs can improve GEO. These include the provision of training and development workshops on environmental strategy for management and employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 2030 Program (2017–2021) was launched to accelerate World Health Organization (WHO) FCTC implementation in 15 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We evaluated the Program in six domains: Governance; Smoke-Free Policies; Taxation; Packaging and Health Warnings; Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS) bans; and International and Regional Cooperation. Aims and Methods Following a mixed-methods design, we surveyed (June–September 2020) FCTC focal persons in 14 of the 15 countries, to understand the Program's financial and technical inputs and progress made in each of the six domains. The data were coded in terms of inputs (financial = 1, technical = 1, or both = 2) and progress (none = 1, some = 2, partial = 3, or strong = 4) and a correlation was computed between the inputs and progress scores for each domain. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in five countries. We triangulated between the survey and interview findings. Results FCTC 2030 offered substantial financial and technical inputs, responsive to country needs, across all six domains. There was a high positive correlation between technical inputs and progress in five of the six domains, ranging from r = 0.61 for taxation (p <.05) to r = 0.91 and for smoke-free policies (p <.001). The interviews indicated that the Program provided timely and relevant evidence and created opportunities for influencing tobacco control debates. Conclusions The FCTC 2030 Program might have led to variable, but significant progress in advancing FCTC implementation in the 15 countries. As expected, much of the progress was in augmenting existing structures and resources for FCTC implementation. The resulting advances are likely to lead to further progress in FCTC policy implementation. Implications What this study adds: In many LMICs, WHO FCTC policies are not in place; and even when enshrined in law, they are poorly enforced. It is not clear how financial and technical assistance to high tobacco-burden LMICs can most effectively accelerate the implementation of WHO FCTC policies and offer value for money. Bespoke and responsive assistance, both financial and technical, to LMICs aimed at accelerating the implementation of WHO FCTC policies are likely to lead to progress in tobacco control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface mass balance (SMB) over the Antarctic Ice Sheet must be better understood to document current Antarctic contribution to sea-level rise. Field point data using snow stakes and ice cores are often used to evaluate the state of the ice sheet's mass balance as well as to validate SMB derived from regional climate models, which are then used to produce future climate projections. However, spatial representativeness of individual point data remains largely unknown, particularly in the coastal regions 5 of Antarctica with highly variable terrains. Here, we compare ice core data collected at the summit of eight ice rises along the coast of Dronning Maud Land, as well as at the Dome Fuji site, and shallow ice-penetrating radar data over these regions. Shallow radar data has the advantage of being spatially extensive with a temporal resolution that varies between annual and sub-decadal resolution from which we can derive a SMB record over the entire radar survey. This comparison allows us therefore to evaluate the spatial variability of SMB and the spatial representativeness of ice-core derived 10 SMB. We found that ice core mean SMB is very local and the difference with radar-derived SMB increases in a logarithmicfashion as the surface covered by the radar data increases, with for most ice rises a plateau ~1-2 km away from the ice crest where there are strong wind-topography interactions, and ~10 km where the ice shelves begin. The relative uncertainty in measuring SMB also increases rapidly as we move away from the ice core sites. Five of our ice rise sites show a strong spatial representativeness in terms of temporal variability, while the other three sites show it is limited to a surface areas between 15 20-120 km2. The Dome Fuji site on the other hand shows a small difference between pointwise and area mean SMB, as well as a strong spatial representativeness in terms of temporal variability. We found no simple parameterization that could represent the spatial variability observed at all the sites. However, these data clearly indicate that local spatial SMB variability must be considered when assessing mass balance as well as comparing modeled SMB values to point field data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repressive KRAB domain-containing zinc-finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) are abundant in mammalian genomes and contribute both to the silencing of transposable elements (TEs) and to the regulation of developmental stage- and cell type-specific gene expression. Here we describe studies of zinc finger protein 92 (Zfp92), an X-linked KRAB-ZFP that is highly expressed in pancreatic islets of adult mice, by analyzing global Zfp92 knockout (KO) mice. Physiological, transcriptomic and genome-wide chromatin binding studies indicate that the principal function of ZFP92 in mice is to bind to and suppress the activity of B1/Alu type of SINE elements and modulate the activity of surrounding genomic entities. Deletion of Zfp92 leads to changes in expression of select LINE and LTR retroelements and genes located in the vicinity of ZFP92-bound chromatin. The absence of Zfp92 leads to altered expression of specific genes in islets, adipose and muscle that result in modest sex-specific alterations in blood glucose homeostasis, body mass and fat accumulation. In islets, Zfp92 influences blood glucose concentration in postnatal mice via transcriptional effects on Mafb, whereas in adipose and muscle, it regulates Acacb, a rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid metabolism. In the absence of Zfp92, a novel TE-Capn11 fusion transcript is overexpressed in islets and several other tissues due to de-repression of an IAPez TE adjacent to ZFP92-bound SINE elements in intron 3 of the Capn11 gene. Together, these studies show that ZFP92 functions both to repress specific TEs and to regulate the transcription of specific genes in discrete tissues. Author summary: Nearly half of the genomic DNA in mammals is comprised of transposable genetic elements (TEs) that provide a massive source of sequence diversity and regulatory activity. Most TEs are silenced by host factors that include KRAB domain-containing zinc-finger proteins (ZFPs), the majority of which remain uncharacterized. In this study, we analyzed mice that lack Zfp92, a mammalian conserved KRAB-ZFP that is highly expressed in pancreatic islets. We found that Zfp92 principally binds to short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) and modulates the activity of these and other TEs and nearby genes. Zfp92 positively regulates the expression of Mafb, a transcription factor important for normal islet development and function, and Acacb, an enzyme important for lipolysis in adipose and muscle tissues. The absence of Zfp92 causes the re-activation of an IAPez TE in intron 3 of the Capn11 gene, resulting in the marked overexpression of a novel TE-Capn11 fusion transcript in islets and several other tissues. These findings provide another example of how TEs and their partnering KRAB-ZFPs may affect the regulation and function of nearby genes, thereby contributing in important ways to cellular development and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microspherule protein 1 (Mcrs1) is a component of the nonspecific lethal (NSL) complex and the chromatin remodeling INO80 complex, which participates in transcriptional regulation during mitosis. Here, we investigate the roles of Mcrs1 during female meiosis in mice. We demonstrate that Mcrs1 is a novel regulator of the meiotic G2/M transition and spindle assembly in mouse oocytes. Mcrs1 is present in the nucleus and associates with spindle poles and chromosomes of oocytes during meiosis I. Depletion of Mcrs1 alters HDAC2‐mediated H4K16ac, H3K4me2, and H3K9me2 levels in nonsurrounded nucleolus (NSN)‐type oocytes, and reduces CDK1 activity and cyclin B1 accumulation, leading to G2/M transition delay. Furthermore, Mcrs1 depletion results in abnormal spindle assembly due to reduced Aurora kinase (Aurka and Aurkc) and Kif2A activities, suggesting that Mcrs1 also plays a transcription‐independent role in regulation of metaphase I oocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the transcription factor Mcrs1 has important roles in cell cycle regulation and spindle assembly in mouse oocyte meiosis. Synopsis: Microspherule protein 1 (Mcrs1) is involved in meiotic resumption in female mice by regulating histone modifications and the maturation promotion factor (MPF) in germinal vesicle (GV)‐stage oocytes. It also interacts with Aurora kinases to regulate spindle assembly during metaphase I.Mcrs1 regulates CDK1 activity and cyclin B1 accumulation in oocyte meiosis.Mcrs1 regulates histone modifications and transcriptional activity in GV oocytes.Mcrs1 regulates meiotic spindle assembly via the Aurora kinases in oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Universal health coverage (UHC) is a major pathway to save many people from catastrophic and impoverishing healthcare spending and address the inequality in health and healthcare. The objective of this paper is to assess the efficiency with which health systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are utilizing healthcare resources to progress towards achieving the UHC goal by 2030. Methods: The study followed the guidelines proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank joint UHC monitoring framework and the computational operationalization approach proposed by Wagstaff et al. (2015) to estimate the UHC index for each of the 30 selected SSA countries. The bootstrapping output-oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to estimate the bias-corrected technical efficiency scores and examine the environmental factors that influence health system efficiency. Results: The estimated UHC levels ranged from a minimum of 52% to a maximum of 81% (S D = 8.6 %) with a median coverage of 66%. The average bias-corrected efficiency score was 0.81 95 % C I : 0.77 - 0.85 . The study found that education, governance quality, public health spending, external health funding, and prepayment arrangements that pool funds for health had a positive significant effect on health system efficiency in improving UHC, while out-of-pocket payment had a negative impact. Conclusion: The results show that health systems in SSA can potentially enhance UHC levels by at least 19% with existing healthcare resources if best practices are adopted. Policymakers should aim at improving education, good governance, and healthcare financing architecture to reduce out-of-pocket payments and over-reliance on donor funding for healthcare to achieve UHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unhealthy dietary habits have been identified as a risk factor for the development and progression of cancer. Therefore, adopting a healthy eating pattern is currently recommended to prevent the onset of different types of cancers, including breast carcinoma. In particular, the Mediterranean diet, based on high consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (N-3 PUFAs), such as those found in cold-water fish and other seafood, nuts, and seeds, is recommended to reduce the incidence of several chronic-degenerative diseases. Indeed, the consumption of N-3 PUFAs, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), reduced the risk of different types of cancer, including breast cancer. Moreover, they can counteract breast cancer progression and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer survival. Studies have demonstrated that DHA, exhibiting greater antitumor activity than EPA in breast cancer, can be attributed to its direct impact on breast cancer cells and also due to its conversion into various metabolites. N-docosahexaenoyl ethanolamine, DHEA, is the most studied DHA derivative for its therapeutic potential in breast cancer. In this review, we emphasize the significance of dietary habits and the consumption of N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly DHA, and we describe the current knowledge on the antitumoral action of DHA and its derivative DHEA in the treatment of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista da Micro e Pequena Empresa is the property of Faculdade Campo Limpo Paulista 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.)

Research suggests that people's experiences of COVID-19 lockdowns have been detrimental to their lives and wellbeing. The current research compared the experiences and perceptions on health, wellbeing and social interaction of 300 UK adults and 450 adults in California. Individuals reported whether aspects of their life had changed for the better, worse, or not at all during lockdown in April 2020, and what the "best" and "worst" things about lockdown were. There were more similarities than differences in the regional comparison of perceptions of changes in specific aspects of 'health and wellbeing' and 'social interaction'. Both regions reported the same number and nature of best and worst things about lockdown. Overarching themes of 'health, self and wellbeing', 'being with others', and 'concerns with daily living' were identified. Although reports of life changes and the positives and negatives of lockdown were similar across different demographic groups, some differences were present by age, sex, relationship, and family-status. Incorporating knowledge of unified and positive experiences of lockdown can be useful in informing future lockdown restrictions and supporting the population when restrictions are lifted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aims to analyze the health resource allocation efficiency in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2018 and provide other countries with China's experience. Methods We used the super efficiency slack based model (SBM) model and Malmquist index to analyze the super efficiency and inter-period efficiency of health resource allocation in 19 cities in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2018 and propose the input-output optimization scheme of health resource allocation in 2018. Finally, the Tobit model was used to estimate the influencing factors of health resource allocation efficiency. Results The total allocation of health resources in Sichuan Province was increasing in addition to the total number of visits from 2010 to 2018. The super efficiency SBM results identified that the sample's average score was between 0.651 and 3.244, with an average of 1.041, of which 15 cities had not reached data envelopment analysis effectiveness. According to the Malmquist index, the average total factor productivity index of Sichuan Province was 0.930, which showed an imbalance in resource input, and its fluctuation was mainly related to the technological progress index and scale efficiency. The efficiency score was affected by the average annual income of residents, population density and education level. Conclusions The amount of health resource allocation in Sichuan Province had shown an overall upward trend since 2010. However, resource allocation efficiency was not high, and there were problems such as significant regional differences, insufficient technological innovation capabilities and unscientific allocation of resource scale. To optimize the resource allocation structure, we suggest that the relevant departments pay attention to the impact of natural disasters, the average annual income of residents, population density and education level on efficiency to allocate health resources scientifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) that reach the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) transport anomalous moisture from lower latitudes and can impact the AIS via extreme precipitation and increased downward longwave radiation. ARs contribute significantly to the interannual variability of precipitation over the AIS and thus are likely to play a key role in understanding future changes in the surface mass balance of the AIS. Dronning Maud Land (DML) is one of four maxima in AR frequency over coastal East Antarctica, with AR precipitation explaining 77% of the interannual variability in precipitation for this region. We employ a 16‐node self‐organizing map (SOM) trained with MERRA‐2 sea‐level pressure anomalies to identify synoptic‐scale environments associated with landfalling ARs in and around DML. Node composites of atmospheric variables reveal common drivers of precipitation associated with ARs reaching DML including anomalous high‐low surface pressure couplets, anomalously high integrated water vapor, and coastal barrier jets. Using a quasi‐geostrophic framework, we find that upward vertical motion associated with the occlusion process of attendant cyclones dominates atmospheric lift in AR environments. We further identify mechanisms that explain the variability in AR precipitation intensity across nodes, such as the lift associated with the occlusion process of attendant cyclones and the spatial coincidence of ascent induced by the occlusion process and frontogenesis. The latter suggests that ARs making landfall during the mature phase of cyclogenesis result in higher precipitation intensity compared to landfalling ARs that occur during the occluded phase. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) that reach the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) transport moisture in the atmosphere from lower latitudes and can result in significant precipitation on the ice sheet. Around Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, the precipitation associated with ARs has a substantial impact on the year‐to‐year variability in the amount of water stored by the ice sheet. As the climate warms, changing AR impacts may modulate future global sea level changes as more or less water is stored in the AIS. We assess the environmental factors driving AR precipitation from 1980 to 2020 around Dronning Maud Land, and find that the amount of moisture and the strength of the cyclone associated with an AR do not significantly impact the intensity of precipitation an AR produces. We also identify atmospheric conditions that lift moist air to produce precipitation. We find that ARs reaching Antarctica in the middle of a cyclone's life cycle result in stronger precipitation intensities compared to ARs reaching Antarctica toward the end of a cyclone's life cycle. Key Points: Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) that reach Dronning Maud Land (DML) control the interannual variability of precipitation in the regionAR environments near DML feature an anomalous surface pressure couplet, anomalously high moisture, and sometimes a coastal barrier jetThe occlusion process dominates the quasi‐geostrophic forcing for lift in DML ARs, which modulates the intensity of AR precipitation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mammals, meiotic recombination is initiated by the introduction of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) into narrow segments of the genome, defined as hotspots, which is carried out by the SPO11/TOPOVIBL complex. A major player in the specification of hotspots is PRDM9, a histone methyltransferase that, following sequence-specific DNA binding, generates trimethylation on lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and lysine 36 (H3K36me3) of histone H3, thus defining the hotspots. PRDM9 activity is key to successful meiosis, since in its absence DSBs are redirected to functional sites and synapsis between homologous chromosomes fails. One protein factor recently implicated in guiding PRDM9 activity at hotspots is EWS, a member of the FET family of proteins that also includes TAF15 and FUS/TLS. Here, we demonstrate that FUS/TLS partially colocalizes with PRDM9 on the meiotic chromosome axes, marked by the synaptonemal complex component SYCP3, and physically interacts with PRDM9. Furthermore, we show that FUS/TLS also interacts with REC114, one of the axis-bound SPO11-auxiliary factors essential for DSB formation. This finding suggests that FUS/TLS is a component of the protein complex that promotes the initiation of meiotic recombination. Accordingly, we document that FUS/TLS coimmunoprecipitates with SPO11 in vitro and in vivo. The interaction occurs with both SPO11β and SPO11α splice isoforms, which are believed to play distinct functions in the formation of DSBs in autosomes and male sex chromosomes, respectively. Finally, using chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we show that FUS/TLS is localized at H3K4me3-marked hotspots in autosomes and in the pseudo-autosomal region, the site of genetic exchange between the XY chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), social distancing is instrumental for containing the pandemic. To maximize its effectiveness, it is paramount to investigate psychological factors that predict adherence to social distancing guidelines and examine corresponding interventions. We focused on individual differences in if-then planning, self-control, and boredom, and tested an intervention based on if-then planning. We conducted a two-wave longitudinal study combining observational and experimental methods. Participants (N = 574, 35.7% female, age: M = 37.5 years, SD = 10.8) reported their adherence to social distancing guidelines and the perceived difficulty of adherence at T1, along with trait measures of if-then planning, self-control, and boredom. Afterwards, they were randomly assigned to an if-then planning intervention to increase adherence, or to a control intervention. One week later at T2, participants again reported their adherence and the perceived difficulty of adhering. Multiple regression and structural equation modeling were used to establish whether trait if-then planning, self-control, and boredom predicted adherence, and to examine the effects of the if-then planning intervention. Trait if-then planning, self-control, and boredom were associated with T1 adherence, while only if-then planning and boredom predicted T2 adherence. No overall treatment effect of the if-then planning intervention emerged; however, participants who complied with the intervention (75.6%) maintained higher levels of adherence over time than control participants. In sum, individual differences in if-then planning, self-control, and boredom predicted adherence to social distancing guidelines. If-then planning interventions are promising but require further steps to ascertain compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a well-known fact that the reproductive organs in women, especially oocytes, are exposed to numerous regulatory pathways and environmental stimuli. The maternal age is one cornerstone that influences the process of oocyte fertilization. More precisely, the longer a given oocyte is in the waiting-line to be ovulated from menarche to menopause, the longer the duration from oogenesis to fertilization, and therefore, the lower the chances of success to form a viable embryo. The age of menarche in girls ranges from 10 to 16 years, and the age of menopause in women ranges from approximately 45 to 55 years. Researchers are paying attention to the regulatory pathways that are impacting the oocyte at the very beginning during oogenesis in fetal life to discover genes and proteins that could be crucial for the oocyte's lifespan. Due to the general trend in industrialized countries in the last three decades, women are giving birth to their first child in their thirties. Therefore, maternal age has become an important factor impacting oocytes developmental competence, since the higher a woman's age, the higher the chances of miscarriage due to several causes, such as aneuploidy. Meiotic failures during oogenesis, such as, for instance, chromosome segregation failures or chromosomal non-disjunction, are influencing the latter-mentioned aging-related phenomenon too. These errors early in life of women can lead to sub- or infertility. It cannot be neglected that oogenesis is a precisely orchestrated process, during which the oogonia and primary oocytes are formed, and RNA synthesis takes place. These RNAs are crucial for oocyte growth and maturation. In this review, we intend to describe the relevance of regulatory pathways during the oogenesis in women. Furthermore, we focus on molecular pathways of oocyte developmental competence with regard to maternal effects during embryogenesis. On the background of transcriptional mechanisms that enable the transition from a silenced oocyte to a transcriptionally active embryo, we will briefly discuss the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current investigation was conducted to test the correlation between fear due to coronavirus (COVID-19) and mental health outcomes (stress, depression, and anxiety) and the mediating role of social support during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Palestine. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the conceptual model, where fear of Covid-19 was considered as a predictor, social support as a mediating variable, and mental health (stress, depression, and anxiety) as outcomes. The participants involved were 370 Palestinians, 266 females, and the remaining were males. Participants were recruited through online methods; Facebook advertising, Network email, and Twitter during the COVID-19 in Palestine. Results of the study showed that fear related to COVID-19 was positively and significantly correlated with mental health outcomes (anxiety; r =.29, p <.01, depression; r =.25, p <.01, and stress; r =.36, p <.01), while negatively correlated to perceived emotional support (r = -.30, p <.01), support seeking (r = -.29, p <.01), and received support (r = -.31, p <.01). Results of SEM indicated a standardized total effect of social support on mental health outcomes (βX, M = -.57; p <.001), and an indirect but statistically significant effect (via social support, βX, M, Y = -. 286; p <.01). These results indicate that social support fully mediated the relationship between fear associated with COVID-19 and mental health distress (stress, depression, and anxiety). The current study supported previous findings demonstrating that fear related to COVID-19 positively correlated with mental health distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). In addition, social support mediated the relationship between fear of COVID19 and mental health outcomes. However, further investigations are needed to test the correlation between current study variables and other associated factors and develop intervention programs targeting affected populations during crises to enhance mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Waste in healthcare systems can only be revealed by performance measurements. Aims: This study revealed the technical efficiency of healthcare systems and their determinants in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Methods: We developed a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and a panel Tobit regression model. Gross domestic product per capita, the economic growth rate, Gini Coefficient, the unemployment rate, 2008 global financial crisis, alcohol consumption, obesity and smoking rates, the ratio of dependent populations, and the ratio of university graduates were regressors in the panel Tobit. We employed a Simar and Wilson (2007) regression to check the robustness of Tobit results. Results: Gross domestic product per capita and the ratio of university graduates significantly and negatively affected inefficiency scores (p < 0.05). The unemployment rate, Gini Coefficient, 2008 global financial crisis, alcohol consumption, obesity and smoking rates, and the ratio of dependent populations significantly and positively affected inefficiency scores (p < 0.05). The economic growth rate also positively affected inefficiency scores but it was not found to be significant (p > 0.05). Simar and Wilson (2007) results were found to be consistent with Tobit results. Conclusions: Decision-makers should try to reveal the factors affecting the performance of healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a defense mechanism against transposable elements, the PIWI‐interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway maintains genomic integrity and ensures proper gametogenesis in gonads. Numerous factors are orchestrated to ensure normal operation of the piRNA pathway. Spindle‐E (Spn‐E) gene was one of the first genes shown to participate in the piRNA pathway. In this study, we performed functional analysis of Spn‐E in the model lepidopteran insect, Bombyx mori. Unlike the germline‐specific expression pattern observed in Drosophila and mouse, BmSpn‐E was ubiquitously expressed in all tissues tested, and it was highly expressed in gonads. Immunofluorescent staining showed that BmSpn‐E was localized in both germ cells and somatic cells in ovary and was expressed in spermatocytes in testis. We used a binary transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system to construct BmSpn‐E mutants. Loss of BmSpn‐E expression caused derepression of transposons in gonads. We also found that mutant gonads were much smaller than wild‐type gonads and that the number of germ cells was considerably lower in mutant gonads. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis and TUNEL staining revealed that apoptosis was greatly enhanced in mutant gonads. Further, we found that the BmSpn‐E mutation impacted gonadal development and gametogenesis at the early larval stage. In summary, our data provided the first evidence that BmSpn‐E plays vital roles in gonadal development and gametogenesis in B. mori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Pensamento Contemporâneo em Administração is the property of Universidade Federal Fluminense (Revista Pensamento Contemporaneo em Administracao) 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.)

Increased global temperatures caused by climate change are causing species to shift their ranges and colonize new sites, creating novel assemblages that have historically not interacted. Species interactions play a central role in the response of ecosystems to climate change, but the role of trophic interactions in facilitating or preventing range expansions is largely unknown. The goal of our study was to understand how predators influence the ability of range-shifting prey to successfully establish in newly available habitat following climate warming. We hypothesized that fish predation facilitates the establishment of colonizing zooplankton populations, because fish preferentially consume larger species that would otherwise competitively exclude smaller-bodied colonists. We conducted a mesocosm experiment with zooplankton communities and their fish predators from lakes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, USA. We tested the effect of fish predation on the establishment and persistence of a zooplankton community when introduced in the presence of higher- and lower-elevation communities at two experimental temperatures in field mesocosms. We found that predators reduce the abundance of larger-bodied residents from the alpine and facilitate the establishment of new lower-elevation species. In addition, fish predation and warming independently reduced the average body size of zooplankton by up to 30%. This reduction in body size offset the direct effect of warming-induced increases in population growth rates, leading to no net change in zooplankton biomass or trophic cascade strength. We found support for a shift to smaller species with climate change through two mechanisms: (a) the direct effects of warming on developmental rates and (b) size-selective predation that altered the identity of species' that could colonize new higher elevation habitat. Our results suggest that predators can amplify the rate of range shifts by consuming larger-bodied residents and facilitating the establishment of new species. However, the effects of climate warming were dampened by reducing the average body size of community members, leading to no net change in ecosystem function, despite higher growth rates. This work suggests that trophic interactions play a role in the reorganization of regional communities under climate warming., (© 2020 British Ecological Society.)

Intensive research on chiral liquid crystals (LCs) has been fueled by their actively tunable physicochemical properties and structural complexity, comparable to those of sophisticated natural materials. Herein, recent progress in the discovery of new classes of chiral LCs, enabled by a combination of nano- and macroscale investigations is reviewed. First, an overview is provided of liquid crystalline phases, made of chiral and achiral low-weight molecules, that exhibit chiral structure and/or chiral morphology. Then, recent progress in the discovery of new classes of chiral LCs, particularly enabled by the application of resonant X-ray scattering is described. It is shown that the method is sensitive to modulations of molecular orientation and therefore provides information hardly accessible by means of other techniques, such as the sense of helical structures or chirality transfer across length scales. Finally, a perspective is presented on the future scope, opportunities, and challenges in the field of chiral LCs, in particular related to nanocomposites., (© 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)