366 research outputs found

    炭水化物水酸基の相対的反応性について (そのII) : ペントースの選択的エステル化反応を中心に

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    Landfill site of Tangier City is non-engineered low lying open dump. It has neither bottom liner nor leachate collection and treatment system. Therefore, all the leachate generated finds its paths into the surrounding environment Leachate samples of landfill site were collected and analyzed to estimate its pollution potential. The analyzed samples contained a high concentration of organic and inorganic compounds, beyond the permissible limits

    Defending the genome from the enemy within:mechanisms of retrotransposon suppression in the mouse germline

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    The viability of any species requires that the genome is kept stable as it is transmitted from generation to generation by the germ cells. One of the challenges to transgenerational genome stability is the potential mutagenic activity of transposable genetic elements, particularly retrotransposons. There are many different types of retrotransposon in mammalian genomes, and these target different points in germline development to amplify and integrate into new genomic locations. Germ cells, and their pluripotent developmental precursors, have evolved a variety of genome defence mechanisms that suppress retrotransposon activity and maintain genome stability across the generations. Here, we review recent advances in understanding how retrotransposon activity is suppressed in the mammalian germline, how genes involved in germline genome defence mechanisms are regulated, and the consequences of mutating these genome defence genes for the developing germline

    Dermoscopy for venereologists: an update on patterns of tumors, inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitalia, and tips for differential diagnosis

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    Introduction: Dermoscopy is an integrative part of clinical dermatologic examination. For clinicians mainly dealing with genital dermatoses and other venereal diseases, the differential diagnosis includes a broad spectrum of neoplastic, inflammatory, and infectious entities. Dermoscopy might have a valuable role to enhance the clinical differential diagnosis and help avoid some biopsies done for diagnostic purposes. Although the dermoscopic patterns of most tumors and inflammatory diseases of the trunk/face have been described, their manifestations on genital areas are less elucidated. We aimed to provide a succinct summary of existing data on dermoscopy of dermatologic diseases on genital areas. Methods: A literature search was performed on PubMed using the terms dermoscopy OR dermatoscopy OR videodermoscopy OR video dermoscopy AND genital. All studies reporting on dermoscopic findings of at least one case of a dermatologic disease on genital areas were included in the review. Unless otherwise indicated, 710 was the magnification used in the reported studies. The main outcome was to describe the dermoscopic feature of each disease. Results: A total of 31 articles were identified and analyzed. They included single case reports and case series. The described entities were categorized into anatomical variants, vascular and lymphatic lesions, tumors, inflammatory disorders, and infectious conditions. Conclusion: In diseases of the genital area, dermoscopic findings can be highly diagnostic and might establish a confident diagnosis. Limitation is that most of the criteria are based on case series, and few of them have been validated

    Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

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    Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

    Task-technology fit and technology acceptance model application to structure and evaluate the adoption of social media in academia

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    NurulAmalinMohamad2020_VocationalEducationforAutismSpectrumThe purpose of this article was to reduce the dissimilarities in the literature regarding the use of social media for training and its impact on students' academic performance in higher education institutions. The main method of data collection for task-technology fit (TTF) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) was a questionnaire survey. This research hypothesizes that TTF applied to social media for learning will affect technology, task, and social characteristics that in turn improve students' satisfaction and students' academic performance. It also posits that the behavioral intent to use social media for learning will affect comprehension efficiency, ease of use, and enjoyment, all of which also improve students' satisfaction and students' academic performance. The data collection questionnaire was conducted with 162 students familiar with social media. Quantitative structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the results. A significant relationship was found between technology, task, and social features with TTF for utilizing social media for academic purposes, all of which fostered student enjoyment and improved outcomes. Similarly, a clear relationship was found between comprehension efficiency, ease of use, and enjoyment with behavioral intentions to utilize social media for academic purposes that positively affected satisfaction and achievement. Therefore, the study indicates that TTF and behavioral intentions to use social media improve the active learning of students and enable them to efficiently share knowledge, information, and discussions. We recommend that students utilize social media in pursuit of their educational goals. Educators should also be persuaded to incorporate social media into their classes at higher education institutions

    Temporal Transcriptional Profiling of Somatic and Germ Cells Reveals Biased Lineage Priming of Sexual Fate in the Fetal Mouse Gonad

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    The divergence of distinct cell populations from multipotent progenitors is poorly understood, particularly in vivo. The gonad is an ideal place to study this process, because it originates as a bipotential primordium where multiple distinct lineages acquire sex-specific fates as the organ differentiates as a testis or an ovary. To gain a more detailed understanding of the process of gonadal differentiation at the level of the individual cell populations, we conducted microarrays on sorted cells from XX and XY mouse gonads at three time points spanning the period when the gonadal cells transition from sexually undifferentiated progenitors to their respective sex-specific fates. We analyzed supporting cells, interstitial/stromal cells, germ cells, and endothelial cells. This work identified genes specifically depleted and enriched in each lineage as it underwent sex-specific differentiation. We determined that the sexually undifferentiated germ cell and supporting cell progenitors showed lineage priming. We found that germ cell progenitors were primed with a bias toward the male fate. In contrast, supporting cells were primed with a female bias, indicative of the robust repression program involved in the commitment to XY supporting cell fate. This study provides a molecular explanation reconciling the female default and balanced models of sex determination and represents a rich resource for the field. More importantly, it yields new insights into the mechanisms by which different cell types in a single organ adopt their respective fates

    Glucocorticoid receptor in astrocytes regulates midbrain dopamine neurodegeneration through connexin hemichannel activity

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    The precise contribution of astrocytes in neuroinflammatory process occurring in Parkinson's disease (PD) is not well characterized. In this study, using GR(Cx30CreERT2) mice that are conditionally inactivated for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in astrocytes, we have examined the actions of astrocytic GR during dopamine neuron (DN) degeneration triggered by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The results show significantly augmented DN loss in GR(Cx30CreERT2) mutant mice in substantia nigra (SN) compared to controls. Hypertrophy of microglia but not of astrocytes was greatly enhanced in SN of these astrocytic GR mutants intoxicated with MPTP, indicating heightened microglial reactivity compared to similarly-treated control mice. In the SN of GR astrocyte mutants, specific inflammation-associated transcripts ICAM-1, TNF-alpha and Il-1 beta as well as TNF-alpha protein levels were significantly elevated after MPTP neurotoxicity compared to controls. Interestingly, this paralleled increased connexin hemichannel activity and elevated intracellular calcium levels in astrocytes examined in acute midbrain slices from control and mutant mice treated with MPP+. The increased connexin-43 hemichannel activity was found in vivo in MPTP-intoxicated mice. Importantly, treatment of MPTP-injected GR(Cx30CreERT2) mutant mice with TAT-Gap19 peptide, a specific connexin-43 hemichannel blocker, reverted both DN loss and microglial activation; in wild-type mice there was partial but significant survival effect. In the SN of postmortem PD patients, a significant decrease in the number of astrocytes expressing nuclear GR was observed, suggesting the participation of astrocytic GR deregulation of inflammatory process in PD. Overall, these data provide mechanistic insights into GR-modulated processes in vivo, specifically in astrocytes, that contribute to a pro-inflammatory state and dopamine neurodegeneration in PD pathology

    Current trends in cannulation and neuroprotection during surgery of the aortic arch in Europe†‡

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    OBJECTIVES To conduct a survey across European cardiac centres to evaluate the methods used for cerebral protection during aortic surgery involving the aortic arch. METHODS All European centres were contacted and surgeons were requested to fill out a short, comprehensive questionnaire on an internet-based platform. One-third of more than 400 contacted centres completed the survey correctly. RESULTS The most preferred site for arterial cannulation is the subclavian-axillary, both in acute and chronic presentation. The femoral artery is still frequently used in the acute condition, while the ascending aorta is a frequent second choice in the case of chronic presentation. Bilateral antegrade brain perfusion is chosen by the majority of centres (2/3 of cases), while retrograde perfusion or circulatory arrest is very seldom used and almost exclusively in acute clinical presentation. The same pumping system of the cardio pulmonary bypass is most of the time used for selective cerebral perfusion, and the perfusate temperature is usually maintained between 22 and 26°C. One-third of the centres use lower temperatures. Perfusate flow and pressure are fairly consistent among centres in the range of 10-15 ml/kg and 60 mmHg, respectively. In 60% of cases, barbiturates are added for cerebral protection, while visceral perfusion still receives little attention. Regarding cerebral monitoring, there is a general tendency to use near-infrared spectroscopy associated with bilateral radial pressure measurement. CONCLUSIONS These data represent a snapshot of the strategies used for cerebral protection during major aortic surgery in current practice, and may serve as a reference for standardization and refinement of different approache

    Prevention of sexual transmission of mpox: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis of approaches.

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    BACKGROUND: The ongoing multi-country mpox outbreak in previously unaffected countries is primarily affecting sexual networks of men who have sex with men. Evidence is needed on the effectiveness of recommended preventive interventions. To inform WHO guidelines, a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis were conducted on mpox preventive behavioural interventions to reduce: (i) sexual acquisition; (ii) onward sexual transmission from confirmed/probable cases; and (iii) utility of asymptomatic testing. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane and WHO trial databases, grey literature and conferences were searched for English-language primary research published since 1 January 2022. A reviewer team performed screening, data extraction and bias assessment. A qualitative thematic synthesis explored views and experiences of engagement in prevention in individuals at increased risk. RESULTS: There were 16 studies: 1 on contact-tracing, 2 on sexual behaviour, and 13 on asymptomatic testing. Although MPXV was detected in varying proportions of samples (0.17%-6.5%), the testing studies provide insufficient evidence to fully evaluate this strategy. For the qualitative evidence synthesis, four studies evaluated the experiences of most affected communities. Preferences about preventive interventions were shaped by: mpox information; the diversity of sexual practices; accessibility and quality of mpox testing and care; and perceived cost to wellbeing. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent the sexual transmission of mpox remains scarce. Limited qualitative evidence on values and preferences provides insight into factors influencing intervention acceptability. Given global and local inequities in access to vaccines and treatment, further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of additional interventions

    Dosage des HAP dans les produits de pêche par GC-MS au niveau des côtes marocaines

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    Being widespread and highly likely to cause adverse biological effects, PAHs have been the subject of several studies and evaluation. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a series of hydrocarbons with the carbon atoms are arranged in benzene cycles united to each other, they pose a significant toxicological risk even at low concentrations, related especially to their carcinogenic and/or mutagenic properties. In addition, PAHs are part of some biodegradable contaminants which makes them persistent in natural environments. Thus, their fate in the environment has become a concern. For humans, the majority source of exposure to PAHs for non-smokers is the ingestion of food (meat, fish, vegetables, etc.). This study is conducted on fishery products collected along the Moroccan coast, landed at the level of the main ports of the Kingdom. Analyses of mean concentrations of PAHs in local products vary significantly according to the sites (p < 0,05). The results show a satisfactory quality of these products for consumption. The sampling sites are selected so as to diagnose the state of organic contamination in various fishing products. The determination of these pollutants is done by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.Les HAP étant largement répandus et fortement susceptibles d’entraîner des effets biologiques néfastes, ils ont fait l’objet de plusieurs études et évaluations. Les Hydrocarbure Aromatique Polycyclique (HAP) sont une série d'hydrocarbures dont les atomes de carbone sont disposés en cycles benzéniques unis les uns aux autres. Ils présentent un risque toxicologique important même à de faibles concentrations, liés surtout à leurs propriétés cancérigènes et/ou mutagènes. De plus, les HAP font partie des contaminants peu biodégradables ce qui les rend persistants dans les milieux naturels. Ainsi, leur sort dans l'environnement est devenu un sujet préoccupant. Pour l'homme, la source majoritaire d'exposition aux HAP pour les non fumeurs est l'ingestion des denrées alimentaires (viandes, poissons, légumes, etc..). Cette étude est menée sur les produits de pêche prélevés le long  du littoral marocain, débarqués au niveau des principaux ports du royaume. Les analyses des teneurs moyennes des HAP dans les produits locaux variaient significativement selon les sites (p<0,05). Les résultats montrent une qualité satisfaisante de ces  produits pour la consommation. Les sites des prélèvements sont choisis de manière à diagnostiquer l’état de la contamination organique dans les différents produits pêchés. Le dosage de ces polluants est réalisé par chromatographie gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de masse
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