Rbf Regulates Drosophila Spermatogenesis via Control of Somatic Stem and Progenitor Cell Fate in the Larval Testis

The Drosophila testis has been fundamental to understanding how stem cells interact with their endogenous microenvironment, or niche, to control organ growth in vivo. Here, we report the identification of two independent alleles for the highly conserved tumor suppressor gene, Retinoblastoma-family protein (Rbf), in a screen for testis phenotypes in X chromosome third-instar lethal alleles. Rbf mutant alleles exhibit overproliferation of spermatogonial cells, which is phenocopied by the molecularly characterized Rbf11 null allele. We demonstrate that Rbf promotes cell-cycle exit and differentiation of the somatic and germline stem cells of the testes. Intriguingly, depletion of Rbf specifically in the germline does not disrupt stem cell differentiation, rather Rbf loss of function in the somatic lineage drives overproliferation and differentiation defects in both lineages. Together our observations suggest that Rbf in the somatic lineage controls germline stem cell renewal and differentiation non-autonomously via essential roles in the microenvironment of the germline lineage

Decoding the Regulatory Logic of the Drosophila Male Stem Cell System

The niche critically controls stem cell behavior, but its regulatory input at the whole-genome level is poorly understood. We elucidated transcriptional programs of the somatic and germline lineages in the Drosophila testis and genome-wide binding profiles of Zfh-1 and Abd-A expressed in somatic support cells and crucial for fate acquisition of both cell lineages. We identified key roles of nucleoporins and V-ATPase proton pumps and demonstrate their importance in controlling germline development from the support side. To make our dataset publicly available, we generated an interactive analysis tool, which uncovered conserved core genes of adult stem cells across species boundaries. We tested the functional relevance of these genes in the Drosophila testis and intestine and found a high frequency of stem cell defects. In summary, our dataset and interactive platform represent versatile tools for identifying gene networks active in diverse stem cell type

La Buena Muerte: An ethnographic exploratory case study of rezadoras in Guatemala

Although early access to palliative care has been shown to improve quality of life and health outcomes at end of life (EOL), disparities persist in access to palliative care for Latinos. In one study, as few as 2% of Latinos with advanced cancer received a palliative care referral. One cultural practice that supports the collective care-taking of Latinos at the EOL is the service of the rezadora, a lay spiritual leader. Latinos now comprise the largest ethnic minority in the United States, yet clinicians know very little about the work of the rezadora. In 2018, an ethnographic case study was conducted to learn about the role and work of the rezadora in two villages near Antigua, Guatemala. This study builds on an 11-year collaborative community-academic partnership in Guatemala. Interviews from three rezadoras were transcribed and analyzed by a bilingual research team composed of two US academic and two Guatemalan partners. Rezadoras were adult women between 65 and 70 years of age. Field notes and contextual observations informed the interviews. Inductive content analysis was used to identify commonalities and differences within and between cases. A major finding was that the rezadora was instrumental in supporting families and the dying in the Buena Muerte or Good Death, which was expressed through prayer and song to relieve pain and suffering. All rezadoras described a “license� to work or a “calling� by God. Conversely, several differences were noted among the rezadoras. First, the practice of visiting the sick alone vs. in pairs or groups. Second, home visitation vs. hospitals and nursing homes. Third, visiting only families and the dying vs. visiting families during other major life events. Palliative care providers could identify practicing lay spiritual leaders in US Latino communities and incorporate their work in EOL care. Further research to discover how rezadoras impart their knowledge to the next generation is warranted

An Assessment of the Physical Fitness of Senior High School Learners: Basis for the Development of a Home-Based Physical Fitness Plan

This study was conducted to determine the Physical Fitness Levels of Learners during the Lockdown Period: Basis for the Development of a Home-Based Physical Fitness Plan: To achieve the purpose of the study, the descriptive research design was used. Seventy-six (76) eleventh graders Health Optimizing Physical Education Accountancy, Business Management learners of Senior High School in Magalang Stand Alone 2 in the School Year 2020-2021 served as respondents of the study. The result revealed that body mass index marked a case of overweight and underweight, the respondents’ health-related fitness show above normal, needs improvement cardiovascular endurance, fair and needs improvement muscular strength. However, some are fair and need improvement in hamstring flexibility, and needs improvement in left shoulder girdle flexibility. Furthermore, the skill-related fitness of the respondents shows poor, fair, and needs improvement agility. Furthermore, poor and needs improvement balance, fair and needs improvement coordination. However, needs improvement and developing performance speed. Lastly, needs improvement in the leg, while needs improvement in reaction time. It is suggested the development of effective preventive strategies for all unfit students who are at high risk of being underweight and overweight and the design of programs that will enhance the fitness of students’ health and skill-related fitness

The challenges encountered by the novice secondary school teachers in Philippines: A basis for mentoring

This study was conducted to establish a potential association of challenges encountered and demographic profiles of the novice secondary school teachers. To accomplish the reason for the study the descriptive-correlation research design was used. The outcome of the study revealed that the demographic profile of the teachers-respondents revealed that the majority of 45.5% or 5 of the respondents were between the ages 23-29 years of age, 63.6%  or 7 of the teachers-respondents were females; 81.8%  or 9 of the teachers-respondents had educational attainment which is disseminated along the diverse field of specialization;  Mathematics, Accountancy, Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health, Computer Science, Nursing, Filipino, Agriculture, English; 54.5% or 6 had been serving for one to two years; and 72.7% or 8 of the teachers-respondents had a net pay of 22, 000 – 26,000, When it comes to the challenges encountered by novice teachers planning the lesson grand mean of 2.51 which means they were developing; Implementing the lesson grand mean was 2.49 with the descriptive rating of proficiency; assessment of learning grand mean of 2.25 with a descriptive rating of proficiency, and there is a significant relationship between the demographic profile and challenges encountered by novice teachers

Stress in the Workplace, Depression, and Academic Workloads of Public School Teachers

Stress and depression are unavoidable in the workplace and have turn out to be a perennial have fascinated many researcher in modern eras. The current study aims to findings the relationship between demographic profile, stress, and depression in the workplace. A descriptive sequential explanatory research design was used. A questionnaire was adopted from the American Institute of stress (2011) and Depression organization New Zealand (n.d.), the open-ended question on academic workloads, and coping mechanism as the whole main instruments used to gather the data for the current study. A total of 100 public school teachers were randomly selected from 7 clusters in the Division of Pampanga – Philippines. The result showed that the majority of the respondents were between the ages 32-37 years old, 53% of them were male, 84% were junior high school teachers, and 26% had been serving four to seven years, the stress grand mean 2.13 which means they were disagreeing, a total score of 63% of the respondents was moderately well,  the depression grand mean was  1.76 with a descriptive rating of several days, a total score of 57.6%  of the respondents moderately well, but things may get worse. It is also revealed that there is no significant as to sex, depression, stress, teaching level, and educational attainment. While the age, depression, sex, stress, teaching level, depression, educational attainment, years in service to stress, depression stating that there is a highly significant

Perceived Stress and Anxiety Levels of Teachers Toward an Intervention Program

This study evaluated teachers' perceived stress and anxiety levels. This study put into open and addressed the gap among the perceived stress and anxiety levels of the participants of the study as an input to an intervention program for the 39 teaching personnel of one of the leading university extension campuses in the province of Pampanga for the academic year 2021-2022. The study has 2 phases: the quantitative and the qualitative phase. This study was assessed through a 5-point type-Likert questionnaire, which is the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (1983) PROMIS Health Organization (PHO), and PROMIS Cooperative (2012). The Sequential Explanatory Approach was used in this study. In the quantitative data analysis of the results, the mean, frequency, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation were used. Outliers were then identified and used as variables in the qualitative process. For the qualitative part, interview transcriptions were included, and transcribed data were extracted and labeled to units of meaning through key point coding. Codings with similarities were grouped into concepts that were analyzed to form themes. There were 10 teachers as participants to collect qualitative data, an open-ended interview was used. Findings revealed that the participants’ perceived stress contributed to low self-esteem and life irritations.  Also, it revealed that participants encountered worry, nervousness, and tension; all of these symptoms brought about by anxiety. This study also revealed that there is no relationship between the demographic profiles of the respondents and their perception of stress and anxiety. Due to the positive result of the research, and the lack of stress and anxiety management programs in the institution, this study recommended a program that was formulated and then validated by the expert to provide reasonable practices and approaches to the stress and anxiety of the participants

La Buena Muerte: An ethnographic exploratory case study of rezadoras in Guatemala

"Although early access to palliative care has been shown to improve quality of life and health outcomes at end of life (EOL) , disparities persist in access to palliative care for Latinos. In one study , as few as 2% of Latinos with advanced cancer received a palliative care referral. One cultural practice that supports the collective care-taking of Latinos at the EOL is the service of the rezadora , a lay spiritual leader. Latinos now comprise the largest ethnic minority in the United States , yet clinicians know very little about the work of the rezadora. In 2018 , an ethnographic case study was conducted to learn about the role and work of the rezadora in two villages near Antigua , Guatemala. This study builds on an 11-year collaborative community-academic partnership in Guatemala. Interviews from three rezadoras were transcribed and analyzed by a bilingual research team composed of two US academic and two Guatemalan partners. Rezadoras were adult women between 65 and 70 years of age. Field notes and contextual observations informed the interviews. Inductive content analysis was used to identify commonalities and differences within and between cases. A major finding was that the rezadora was instrumental in supporting families and the dying in the Buena Muerte or Good Death , which was expressed through prayer and song to relieve pain and suffering. All rezadoras described a ""license€ to work or a ""calling€ by God. Conversely , several differences were noted among the rezadoras. First , the practice of visiting the sick alone vs. in pairs or groups. Second , home visitation vs. hospitals and nursing homes. Third , visiting only families and the dying vs. visiting families during other major life events. Palliative care providers could identify practicing lay spiritual leaders in US Latino communities and incorporate their work in EOL care. Further research to discover how rezadoras impart their knowledge to the next generation is warranted.

MiMIC analysis reveals an isoform specific role for Drosophila Musashi in follicle stem cell maintenance and escort cell function

The Drosophila ovary is regenerated from germline and somatic stem cell populations that have provided fundamental conceptual understanding on how adult stem cells are regulated within their niches. Recent ovarian transcriptomic studies have failed to identify mRNAs that are specific to follicle stem cells (FSCs), suggesting that their fate may be regulated post-transcriptionally. We have identified that the RNA-binding protein, Musashi (Msi) is required for maintaining the stem cell state of FSCs. Loss of msi function results in stem cell loss, due to a change in differentiation state, indicated by upregulation of Lamin C in the stem cell population. In msi mutant ovaries, Lamin C upregulation was also observed in posterior escort cells that interact with newly formed germ cell cysts. Mutant somatic cells within this region were dysfunctional, as evidenced by the presence of germline cyst collisions, fused egg chambers and an increase in germ cell cyst apoptosis. The msi locus produces two classes of mRNAs (long and short). We show that FSC maintenance and escort cell function specifically requires the long transcripts, thus providing the first evidence of isoform-specific regulation in a population of Drosophila epithelial cells. We further demonstrate that although male germline stem cells have previously been shown to require Msi function to prevent differentiation this is not the case for female germline stem cells, indicating that these similar stem cell types have different requirements for Msi, in addition to the differential use of Msi isoforms between soma and germline. In summary, we show that different isoforms of the Msi RNA-binding protein are expressed in specific cell populations of the ovarian stem cell niche where Msi regulates stem cell differentiation, niche cell function and subsequent germ cell survival and differentiation