28th Fungal Genetics Conference

Full abstracts from the 28th Fungal Genetics Conference Asilomar, March 17-22, 2015

Towards an integrated understanding of low-dose chemical exposures in the development of human cancer

Both genetic and environmental factors can play a role in an individual’s cancer susceptibility, and lifestyle-related factors have been a primary focus of our prevention efforts for several decades. However, advances in our understanding of cancer causation have resulted in additional concerns being raised about exposures to chronic, low-level exposures to combinations of chemicals. In this project, a large multinational task force comprised of twelve teams was organized to review 11 hallmark phenotypes of cancer and identify priority target sites for disruption in each area. Prototypical chemical disruptors for all targets were then identified, and dose-response information was gathered. Evidence of low-dose effects for each chemical was noted and cross-hallmark effects for all targets and chemicals were documented. In total, 85 examples of chemicals were reviewed for actions on key pathways/mechanisms related to carcinogenesis. Only 15% (13/85) were found to have evidence of a dose-response threshold, whereas 59% (50/85) exerted low-dose effects. No dose-response information was found for the remaining 26% (22/85). This analysis reveals that every day exposures to individual (non-carcinogenic) chemicals that act on a range of mechanisms, pathways, and systems could conspire to instigate environmental carcinogenesis. Additional research on carcinogenesis is needed and the carcinogenic potential of low-dose exposures to mixtures of chemical that act selectively to enable these hallmark phenotypes also needs to be explored. Current models of risk assessment will also need to be revisited as they are not at aligned with our current understanding of cancer biology

Digital Transformation and Public Services

Through a series of studies, the overarching aim of this book is to investigate if and how the digitalization/digital transformation process affects various welfare services provided by the public sector, and the ensuing implications thereof. Ultimately, this book seeks to understand if it is conceivable for digital advancement to result in the creation of private/non-governmental alternatives to welfare services, possibly in a manner that transcends national boundaries. This study also investigates the possible ramifications of technological development for the public sector and the Western welfare society at large. This book takes its point of departure from the 2016 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report that targets specific public service areas in which government needs to adopt new strategies not to fall behind. Specifically, this report emphasizes the focus on digitalization of health care/social care, education, and protection services, including the use of assistive technologies referred to as "digital welfare." Hence, this book explores the factors potentially leading to whether state actors could be overrun by other non-governmental actors, disrupting the current status quo of welfare services. The book seeks to provide an innovative, enriching, and controversial take on society at large and how various aspects of the public sector can be, and are, affected by the ongoing digitalization process in a way that is not covered by extant literature on the market. This book takes its point of departure in Sweden given the fact that Sweden is one of the most digitalized countries in Europe, according to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), making it a pertinent research case. However, as digitalization transcends national borders, large parts of the subject matter take on an international angle. This includes cases from several other countries around Europe as well as the United States

miR-137, schizophrenia and sleep regulation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Introduction – microRNAs are non-coding DNA sequences, which regulate gene expression by promoting the destruction of target mRNAs. The evolutionarily conserved miR-137 is expressed in invertebrate and mammalian neuronal tissue and there is experimental evidence for mir-137 regulating neurological development, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function. Other genes likely regulated by miR-137 include members of the dopamine signalling pathway. Furthermore, genome wide association studies (GWAS) have linked SNPs in mir-137 with schizophrenia (SZ). Modulation of dopaminergic signalling and SZ are associated with abnormal sleep quality, suggesting that miR-137 may mediate sleep-wake behaviour. Method – This prediction was tested by assessing the diurnal and circadian sleep-wake behaviour of Drosophila melanogaster homozygous for a null miR-137 allele (miR-137KO) or in flies where miR-137 expression had been silenced (miR-137sponge). Further investigation involved reintroduction of miR-137 expression in selected brain regions through use of the Drosophila UAS/Gal4 genetic construct. Sleep-wake behaviour was monitored and quantified using a well characterised Drosophila activity monitoring system (DAMS). Locomotor behaviour was assessed by video tracking flies and quantifying climbing ability in a negative geotaxis assay. For gene expression, qualitative PCR (qPCR) Taqman assays were used, and PCR genotyping was completed with custom designed primer sets and gel electrophoresis. A total transcriptomics assay was conducted and analysed using bioinformatical tools, then compared to GWAS datasets. Results – miR-137 null and knockdown genotypes had an extreme sleep phenotype characterised by increased total sleep amount. The phenotype was attributed to the homeostatic sleep control pathway through activation of the fan- shaped and mushroom bodies in the brain. Successful knockdown of miR-137 expression in the brain by the miR-137sponge was verified in qPCR, and PCR genotyping confirmed the replacement of miR-137 locus with an inserted wmW.hs sequence. There was also a moderate locomotor defect, though this did not account for the severity of the sleep phenotype. Additionally, there was a developmental delay along with an increased mortality in the pupal stage. There was no evidence for circadian disruption or shortening of lifespan because of mir-137 loss of function. Comparison of the transcriptome expression changes with sleep and psychiatric disorder related GWAS identified a select set of genes which provide putative mechanisms for miR-137 function. Conclusion – miR-137 is an important conserved microRNA with alleles already significantly associated with a major psychiatric disorder in humans. Currently, this research demonstrates that miR-137 is responsible for regulating pathways ultimately controlling sleep amount, and causing a slight locomotor phenotype, both of which are synonymous with some symptoms in the human SZ disorder. The project also acts to validate the high efficiency and ability of using Drosophila melanogaster as a model for future research into conserved microRNAs

Primary Health Care

This book presents examples from various countries about the provision of health services at the primary care level. Chapters examine the role of professionals in primary healthcare services and how they can work to improve the health of individuals and communities. Written by authors from Africa, Asia, America, Europe, and Australia, this book provides up-to-date information on primary health care, including telehealth services in the era of COVID-19

7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21)

Information and communication technologies together with new teaching paradigms are reshaping the learning environment.The International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd) aims to become a forum for researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas, experiences,opinions and research results relating to the preparation of students and the organization of educational systems.Doménech I De Soria, J.; Merello Giménez, P.; Poza Plaza, EDL. (2021). 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD21.2021.13621EDITORIA

A complex systems approach to education in Switzerland

The insights gained from the study of complex systems in biological, social, and engineered systems enables us not only to observe and understand, but also to actively design systems which will be capable of successfully coping with complex and dynamically changing situations. The methods and mindset required for this approach have been applied to educational systems with their diverse levels of scale and complexity. Based on the general case made by Yaneer Bar-Yam, this paper applies the complex systems approach to the educational system in Switzerland. It confirms that the complex systems approach is valid. Indeed, many recommendations made for the general case have already been implemented in the Swiss education system. To address existing problems and difficulties, further steps are recommended. This paper contributes to the further establishment complex systems approach by shedding light on an area which concerns us all, which is a frequent topic of discussion and dispute among politicians and the public, where billions of dollars have been spent without achieving the desired results, and where it is difficult to directly derive consequences from actions taken. The analysis of the education system's different levels, their complexity and scale will clarify how such a dynamic system should be approached, and how it can be guided towards the desired performance