Unmasking a role for sex chromosomes in gene silencing

Several sexually dimorphic phenotypes correlate with sex-chromosome dosage rather than with phenotypic sex. New research suggests that sex chromosome dimorphism helps to regulate gene silencing

How can we enhance sexual health outcomes in men who have sex with men in Lebanon?

In Lebanese men who have sex with men (MSM), the prevalence of HIV is 12% and the prevalence of having at least one symptom of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is 34.9%.1 Low HIV testing rates, unprotected unprotected sexual intercourse, alcohol and substance use contribute to this epidemic.2 Here we present data on the prevalence of STIs in a sample of MSM attending a sexual health clinic in order to identify the correlates of risk-taking behaviour, and of testing behaviour in this population. Addressing these questions is crucial for reducing the incidence of HIV/STIs and, thus, for enhancing sexual health outcomes in this high-risk population in Lebanon

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

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

Implementation of the Integrated TOD Spatial Model for Jakarta Metropolitan Region

Jakarta Metropolitan Region (JMR) is the biggest megacity urban areas in Indonesia. However,theexistingpublictransportfacilitiesarenotadequatelyfulfillingthedemand ofitsinhabitant.Therefore,itisimportantforovercomingthoseissueswithshedlighton the integration of spatial and transportation by applying Transit Oriented Development (TOD) model. The method of this paper using the spatial and transportation approach by differentiates TOD each railway stations based on the typology. The results were that the TOD spatial model is focusing on solving public transport issues related to urban planning. Therefore, certain policy from stakeholders for this region greatly encourages transport planning in a more sustainable manner

Re-Assessing TOD Index in Jakarta Metropolitan Region (JMR)

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is believed to be able to overcome the issues of urban transport. However, in practice, the current TOD in Jakarta  Metropolitan Region (JMR) is still a deficiency in accommodating the needs of transportation movement and not in facilitating services in terms of TOD function. The objective of this paper was to re-assess the service quality of actual TOD in 54 commuter railway stations. The paper performed criteria-indicators and measured a composite TOD index by using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)-multicriteria model, statistics test, and Geographical Information System (GIS) application. TOD index was found that urban areas have a high TOD index. On the other hand, the suburban areas have a low TOD-index. The statistical test showed that there was a strong correlation between different criteria. This paper concluded that most of the stations which were located in the suburban area had a low index thus need improvement. Consequently, the station areas needed to have a policy relevance. &nbsp

Bmp2, Bmp4 and Bmp7 Are Co-Required in the Mouse AER for Normal Digit Patterning but Not Limb Outgrowth

Outgrowth and patterning of the vertebrate limb requires a functional apical ectodermal ridge (AER). The AER is a thickening of ectodermal tissue located at the distal end of the limb bud. Loss of this structure, either through genetic or physical manipulations results in truncation of the limb. A number of genes, including Bmps, are expressed in the AER. Previously, it was shown that removal of the BMP receptor Bmpr1a specifically from the AER resulted in complete loss of hindlimbs suggesting that Bmp signaling in the AER is required for limb outgrowth. In this report, we genetically removed the three known AER-expressed Bmp ligands, Bmp2, Bmp4 and Bmp7 from the AER of the limb bud using floxed conditional alleles and the Msx2-cre allele. Surprisingly, only defects in digit patterning and not limb outgrowth were observed. In triple mutants, the anterior and posterior AER was present but loss of the central region of the AER was observed. These data suggest that Bmp ligands expressed in the AER are not required for limb outgrowth but instead play an essential role in maintaining the AER and patterning vertebrate digits

Planning TOD with Land Use and Transport Integration: a Review

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) implementation in urban development is globally adopted by many countries in the world in a rapid manner. However, the city and regional acute problems is still propagating. An in-depth study to examine this problem is required. Thus, this paper review various study related to the integration of land use and transport with TOD. The subject of the paper will be described as follow: Method, criteria and indicators of TOD\u27S research, Reviewing the strategic plan and the public transport plan in the worldwide, and Cross-continent comparison of integration planning. In conclusion, practice and integration of TOD through land use and transportation is an alternative solution in acquiring the objective of the master plan and to solve urban issues such as urban congestion, reduce travel time, and car dependency

Managing HIV prevention in the Eastern Mediterranean Region during the COVID19 outbreak: challenges and opportunities

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global pandemic and has had a significant impact on society, health and wellbeing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). There is limited insight into the potential impact of the pandemic on HIV outcomes. This paper focuses on the challenges and opportunities for HIV management amid the COVID-19 outbreak and provides three key recommendations for the EMR: condom distribution and packaging in light of physical distancing measures through civil organizations; implementation of a special hotline for HIV/sexual health through community testing centers; and most importantly scale-up of the recently implemented HIV self-testing which plays a crucial role in the management of HIV during COVID-19

Psychological distress and self-harm in a religiously diverse sample of Lebanese students

Drawing on identity process theory from social psychology, this study explores the protective and risk factors of psychological distress and self-harm in a religiously diverse sample of heterosexual and non-heterosexual students at an English-speaking university in Lebanon. A convenience sample of 209 undergraduate students participated in a cross-sectional survey and completed measures of religiosity, identity threat, psychological distress and self-harm. Results indicated that non-heterosexual participants exhibited higher levels of psychological distress, were more likely to report self-harm, and reported lower levels of religiosity than their heterosexual counterparts. The multiple regression analyses showed that religiosity is protective against psychological distress, and that sexual orientation distress predicts self-harm. In order to reduce the risk of psychological distress and self-harm, it will be necessary to challenge stigma towards sexual minorities, to promote engagement with a broader range of social identity categories (other than just religion), and to ensure that individuals of all faiths and sexualities in Lebanon are able to access counselling support if they require it

Germ Cells Are Not Required to Establish the Female Pathway in Mouse Fetal Gonads

The fetal gonad is composed of a mixture of somatic cell lineages and germ cells. The fate of the gonad, male or female, is determined by a population of somatic cells that differentiate into Sertoli or granulosa cells and direct testis or ovary development. It is well established that germ cells are not required for the establishment or maintenance of Sertoli cells or testis cords in the male gonad. However, in the agametic ovary, follicles do not form suggesting that germ cells may influence granulosa cell development. Prior investigations of ovaries in which pre-meiotic germ cells were ablated during fetal life reported no histological changes during stages prior to birth. However, whether granulosa cells underwent normal molecular differentiation was not investigated. In cases where germ cell loss occurred secondary to other mutations, transdifferentiation of granulosa cells towards a Sertoli cell fate was observed, raising questions about whether germ cells play an active role in establishing or maintaining the fate of granulosa cells. We developed a group of molecular markers associated with ovarian development, and show here that the loss of pre-meiotic germ cells does not disrupt the somatic ovarian differentiation program during fetal life, or cause transdifferentiation as defined by expression of Sertoli markers. Since we do not find defects in the ovarian somatic program, the subsequent failure to form follicles at perinatal stages is likely attributable to the absence of germ cells rather than to defects in the somatic cells.Stem Cell and Regenerative Biolog