Identification of a myometrial molecular profile for dystocic labor

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The most common indication for cesarean section (CS) in nulliparous women is dystocia secondary to ineffective myometrial contractility. The aim of this study was to identify a molecular profile in myometrium associated with dystocic labor.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Myometrial biopsies were obtained from the upper incisional margins of nulliparous women undergoing lower segment CS for dystocia (n = 4) and control women undergoing CS in the second stage who had demonstrated efficient uterine action during the first stage of labor (n = 4). All patients were in spontaneous (non-induced) labor and had received intrapartum oxytocin to accelerate labor. RNA was extracted from biopsies and hybridized to Affymetrix HuGene U133A Plus 2 microarrays. Internal validation was performed using quantitative SYBR Green Real-Time PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy genes were differentially expressed between the two groups. 58 genes were down-regulated in the dystocia group. Gene ontology analysis revealed 12 of the 58 down-regulated genes were involved in the immune response. These included (ERAP2, (8.67 fold change (FC)) HLA-DQB1 (7.88 FC) CD28 (2.60 FC), LILRA3 (2.87 FC) and TGFBR3 (2.1 FC)) Hierarchical clustering demonstrated a difference in global gene expression patterns between the samples from dystocic and non-dystocic labours. RT-PCR validation was performed on 4 genes ERAP2, CD28, LILRA3 and TGFBR3</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest an underlying molecular basis for dystocia in nulliparous women in spontaneous labor. Differentially expressed genes suggest an important role for the immune response in dystocic labor and may provide important indicators for new diagnostic assays and potential intrapartum therapeutic targets.</p

Uforest training needs' assessment and stakeholder analysis report : Uforest project deliverable 3.1

This document reports the results of a training needs assessment (TNA) survey. It provides an overview of the existing demand on training needs that promote innovation and entrepreneurship in urban forestry (UF) and the delivery of associated Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The survey targeted university students - undergraduates and graduates, as well as Ph.D. students - professionals and citizens from European countries and other continents. The survey results clarify the training needs and the state of education focusing on innovation in UF. The survey took place between 01/06/2021 and 30/06/2021 through the EUSurvey online platform, the European Commission's official multilingual online survey management tool. Storytelling was a powerful tool to engage and increase the number of respondents. About 246 valid questionnaires were filled out by respondents of 27 different nationalities (European and non-European). About 40% of respondents are involved in the education sector (academia, research, teaching) and hold a master's degree in a diverse range of fields (mainly interdisciplinary backgrounds represented by "Ecology", "Forestry" and "Other fields")

Blueprint for innovation in urban forestry : Uforest project deliverable 3.3

Uforest is a three-year Knowledge Alliance project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. The project and alliance aim at promoting Europe's innovation capacity among universities, cities and businesses to deliver a new approach to Urban Forestry. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein

Toroid formation in polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) diblock copolymers: combined substrate and solvent control

A polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) diblock copolymer (PS-b-P4VP) has been used to create nanosized toroid-like structures on nitrided silicon oxide and gold substrates via simple solvent annealing of spun cast films. The significance of the role of polymer–substrate interactions in defining the morphology of the self-assembled block copolymer structure is discussed.Graphical abstract: A polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) diblock copolymer (PS-b-P4VP) has been used to create nanosized toroid-like structures on substrates via simple solvent annealing

Nature-based biopsychosocial resilience : An integrative theoretical framework for research on nature and health

Nature-based solutions including urban forests and wetlands can help communities cope better with climate change and other environmental stressors by enhancing social-ecological resilience. Natural ecosystems, settings, elements and affordances can also help individuals become more personally resilient to a variety of stressors, although the mechanisms underpinning individual-level nature-based resilience, and their relations to social-ecological resilience, are not well articulated. We propose ‘nature-based biopsychosocial resilience theory’ (NBRT) to address these gaps. Our framework begins by suggesting that individual-level resilience can refer to both: a) a person’s set of adaptive resources; and b) the processes by which these resources are deployed. Drawing on existing nature-health perspectives, we argue that nature contact can support individuals build and maintain biological, psychological, and social (i.e. biopsychosocial) resilience-related resources. Together with nature-based social-ecological resilience, these biopsychosocial resilience resources can: i) reduce the risk of various stressors (preventive resilience); ii) enhance adaptive reactions to stressful circumstances (response resilience), and/or iii) facilitate more rapid and/or complete recovery from stress (recovery resilience). Reference to these three resilience processes supports integration across more familiar pathways involving harm reduction, capacity building, and restoration. Evidence in support of the theory, potential interventions to promote nature-based biopsychosocial resilience, and issues that require further consideration are discussed

Unlocking the potential of urban forests : developing a local urban forestry action plan

Project title: Uforest. Uforest is a three-year Knowledge Alliance project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. The project and alliance aim at promoting Europe's innovation capacity among universities, cities and businesses to deliver a new approach to Urban Forestry.In recent years, urban forestry has increasingly caught the attention of policymakers and politicians as a nature-based approach to tackling some of our key societal challenges. These include the impact of climate change, biodiversity loss, urban densification, the demand for forest products and the health and recreation needs of urban populations. Furthermore, urban forestry offers potential to deliver key aspects of European Union (EU) policies such as the New Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the EU Urban Agenda. This document aims to increase awareness about urban forestry, the numerous and diverse benefits that it can provide and practical steps for developing an Urban Forestry Action Plan at a local level. In this respect, the multifunctionality of urban forestry and the cross-cutting outputs and services that it can deliver must be considered one of its greatest strengths