PREVALENCE OF UNDERWEIGHT CHILDREN UNDER 5-YEARS OF AGE IN THE ADOPTED BARANGAYS OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

This study aimed to determine the “Prevalence of underweight children under 5-years of age of the adopted barangays  of Northwestern University (NWU)”. It utilized the descriptive approach. Cases are defined as underweight children under 5-years old. Controls are non-underweight  children matched by residency, sex, age, number of family member, ethnicity or life background, parents’ occupation and family income. It was also focused on the present Baseline Date-indicate date of weighing and measuring of the different adopted barangays as compared to the previous results. Checklist on the demographic  profiles of the respondents and questionnaires  were provided and gathered from the target clienteles with the company of the Barangay Health Workers. Structured interviews served as a supplement. Prior to the study, the researchers conducted 4 meetings for 2 months for the actual observation and assessment on previous health situations of the clienteles. The data gathering was conducted on a one- on-one to facilitate the activity and at the same time to clarify questions if ever some statements are not clear to the respondents. After thorough observations and interviews of health situations of children, the researchers assessed the over-all health condition of the clienteles using the Child Growth Standards of children under 5 years old and determined their condition which coincided with the standard. The researchers were also able to proposed several projects and actions addressing the eradication of underweight children in the adopted barangays of NWU. The support of NWU to the adopted barangays continued as health and other initiatives were carried on

MLL2 Is Required in Oocytes for Bulk Histone 3 Lysine 4 Trimethylation and Transcriptional Silencing

Conditional knockout mouse strategies identify the histone methyltranferase MLL2 as a key player in epigenetic reprogramming of female gametes

A“Dirty” Footprint: Macroinvertebrate diversity in Amazonian Anthropic Soils

International audienceAmazonian rainforests, once thought to be pristine wilderness, are increasingly known to have been widely inhabited, modified, and managed prior to European arrival, by human populations with diverse cultural backgrounds. Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are fertile soils found throughout the Amazon Basin, created by pre-Columbian societies with sedentary habits. Much is known about the chemistry of these soils, yet their zoology has been neglected. Hence, we characterized soil fertility, macroinvertebrate communities, and their activity at nine archeological sites in three Amazonian regions in ADEs and adjacent reference soils under native forest (young and old) and agricultural systems. We found 673 morphospecies and, despite similar richness in ADEs (385 spp.) and reference soils (399 spp.), we identified a tenacious pre-Columbian footprint, with 49% of morphospecies found exclusively in ADEs. Termite and total macroinvertebrate abundance were higher in reference soils, while soil fertility and macroinvertebrate activity were higher in the ADEs, and associated with larger earthworm quantities and biomass. We show that ADE habitats have a unique pool of species, but that modern land use of ADEs decreases their populations, diversity, and contributions to soil functioning. These findings support the idea that humans created and sustained high-fertility ecosystems that persist today, altering biodiversity patterns in Amazonia

Transforming Growth Factor β Receptor Type 1 Is Essential for Female Reproductive Tract Integrity and Function

The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily proteins are principle regulators of numerous biological functions. Although recent studies have gained tremendous insights into this growth factor family in female reproduction, the functions of the receptors in vivo remain poorly defined. TGFβ type 1 receptor (TGFBR1), also known as activin receptor-like kinase 5, is the major type 1 receptor for TGFβ ligands. Tgfbr1 null mice die embryonically, precluding functional characterization of TGFBR1 postnatally. To study TGFBR1–mediated signaling in female reproduction, we generated a mouse model with conditional knockout (cKO) of Tgfbr1 in the female reproductive tract using anti-Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 promoter-driven Cre recombinase. We found that Tgfbr1 cKO females are sterile. However, unlike its role in growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) signaling in vitro, TGFBR1 seems to be dispensable for GDF9 signaling in vivo. Strikingly, we discovered that the Tgfbr1 cKO females develop oviductal diverticula, which impair embryo development and transit of embryos to the uterus. Molecular analysis further demonstrated the dysregulation of several cell differentiation and migration genes (e.g., Krt12, Ace2, and MyoR) that are potentially associated with female reproductive tract development. Moreover, defective smooth muscle development was also revealed in the uteri of the Tgfbr1 cKO mice. Thus, TGFBR1 is required for female reproductive tract integrity and function, and disruption of TGFBR1–mediated signaling leads to catastrophic structural and functional consequences in the oviduct and uterus

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Factors affecting the compliance of first time mothers regarding the immunization schedule of their child in selected barangays in the City of Imus, Cavite

The researchers used a descriptive type of research design. The respondents of this study belonged to the early adulthood stage with ages 20 to 35 years old who were coherent, competent and willing to participate and answer the self-made questionnaire to complete the study. Participants were chosen using convenience sampling. Data was analysed using frequency and percentage distribution, mean, and f-test. Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) most of the respondents were 20 to 25 years old, unemployed, reached high school level, Roman Catholic, and married; the factors affecting the compliance of first time mothers regarding immunization schedule of their child was ranked according to the over-all mean per domain and it showed that psychoemotional factors with a total mean of 3.23 ranked highest among the factors that affect their compliance. It was followed by health services factors with a total mean of 3.19, then psychosocial factors with a total mean of 3.11 and maternal knowledge and beliefs regarding immunization with a total mean of 3.00. Socio-economic factors with a total mean of 2.49 ranked the least affective domain that influence the compliance of the first time mothers; (2) there were no significant differences in the factors affecting compliance of first time mothers regarding immunization status of their child when they were grouped according to age, employment status, educational attainment, religion, and civil status

Kuwentong Buhay: Mga Danas, Pagsubok, at Naratibo ng Pag-asa ng mga Ayta sa Putingkahoy, Rosario, Batangas sa Panahon ng COVID-19

Ang papel na ito ay tinatalakay ang danas, pagsubok, karanasan, at pag-asa ng komunidad ng Ayta sa Putingkahoy, Rosario, Batangas, sa panahon ng paghihirap dulot ng pandemya na COVID-19. Itinatampok nito ang mga karanasan ng mga mag-aaral at mga naghahanapbuhay sa panahong ito. Ang mga tema tulad ng (1) mga hakbang sa banta ng pandemya, (2) hanapbuhay, (3) ayuda, (4) bakuna, (5) edukasyon, at (6) positibong dala ng pandemya, ay naging posible sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng paraan ng pagproseso ng datos ni Butina na nagsilbing gabay sa paggawa ng codes, snowball sampling upang magtipon ng mga kalahok, at pakikipagkuwentuhan na kinakailangan upang mabuwag ang istraktura ng interview na may “interviewer-interviewee.” Base sa naging resulta ng pakikipagkuwentuhan sa mga mamamayan ng Putingkahoy, lubos silang nahirapan sa paghihigpit na dala ng pandemya. Lubos itong nakaapekto sa kanilang hanapbuhay, transportasyon, at pangunahing mapagkukunan ng pang araw-araw na kailangan. Bagamat ganito ang naging sitwasyon, sandigan ng bawat isa ang kanilang pamilya at kanilang ikinagagalak ang bayanihan sa kanilang komunidad. Ang papel na ito ay nagsisilbing boses ng mga mamamayan ng Putingkahoy hinggil sa kanilang mga karanasan at hinaing sa tugon ng pamahalaan sa pandemya. Ito rin ay maaaring magsilbing gabay sa pagpapatupad ng mga interbensyon at programa para sa susunod na pandemya, at kahit epidemya