Assessing the Expression of Astrocytic Markers in Retinal Ganglion Cell Projection of LCR/HCR Rats

Metabolic Syndrome is a human condition that presents with various metabolic issues such as abnormal distribution of body fat, high blood pressure, and a prothrombotic state, among other problems (Alberti,et al, 2005). This syndrome is a risk factor for visual disorders, such as glaucoma, and is often associated with increased levels of neuroinflammation. Currently, the animal model used to replicate this syndrome is The Low Capacity Runner and High Capacity Runner Rat Model. These rats have been bred based on their running capacities for 30+ generations to have drastic metabolic differences. We assessed key areas of the retinal ganglion cell projection (optic nerve, superior colliculus, and retina) and other important thalamic nuclei in Metabolic Syndrome such as the arcuate nuclei and inferior colliculus, in the rats for expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and Aquaporin 4. We expected to find elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein and Aquaporin 4 in key visual structures of Low Capacity Runner compared to High Capacity Runner rats. We found that in the superior colliculi of the Low Capacity Runner rats there was significantly a greater percent area fraction of glial fibrillary acidic protein than in the High Capacity Runner rats; as there was little Aquaporin 4 staining in many of the regions assessed, that data was inconclusive and it appears Aquaporin 4 plays a negligible role in stress-related changes associated with the Metabolic Syndrome phenotype. In this research, we provide novel evidence that Low Capacity Runner rats express an elevated immune response compared to their High Capacity Runner counterparts and that this response is partially specific to visual structures, as the inferior colliculus, an auditory-related thalamic nuclei, shoed to astroglial differences between High Capacity Runners and Low Capacity Runners. These findings could lead to a better understanding of the metabolic underpinnings of optic neuropathies and present new avenues for their treatment

Context matters: fostering, orphanhood and schooling in Sub-Saharan Africa

A growing body of research suggests that orphanhood and fostering might be (independently) associated with educational disadvantage in sub-Saharan Africa. However, literature on the impacts of orphanhood and fostering on school enrolment, attendance and progress produces equivocal, and often conflicting, results. This paper reports on quantitative and qualitative data from sixteen field-sites in Ghana and Malawi, highlighting the importance of historical and social context in shaping schooling outcomes for fostered and orphaned children. In Malawi, which has been particularly badly affected by AIDS, orphans were less likely to be enrolled in and attending school than other children. By contrast, in Ghana, with its long tradition of ‘kinship fostering’, orphans were not significantly educationally disadvantaged; instead, non-orphaned, purposively fostered children had lower school enrolment and attendance than their peers. Understanding the context of orphanhood and fostering in relation to schooling is crucial in achieving ‘Education for All’

Adoção do IFRS no Brasil: um terreno fértil para pesquisa sobre gerenciamento de resultados

We highlight aspects of the Brazilian operating and reporting environment that have led to ample opportunities for researchers to examine the topic of earnings management in financial reporting. In particular, we discuss the potential for research since Brazil has adopted a financial reporting system (IFRS) to replace its tax compliance system. Within that framework, we consider the role of other aspects of Brazil’s environment, including the recent influx of foreign investment, the ability to choose corporate structure, and the implications of inflation on the incentives and opportunities for earnings management. As a guideline to researchers in Brazil, we have also provided a discussion of the applicability of testing those earnings properties most often tested in relation to earnings management, paying particular attention to issues that would be of interest beyond Brazil’s borders.Esta pesquisa investiga aspectos do ambiente econômico em que são elaborados relatórios financeiros e contábeis, favoráveis ao estudo do gerenciamento de resultados. Em particular, o estudo discute o potencial de investigação acadêmica desse tópico no Brasil, país que adotou recentemente o IFRS, sistema internacional de relatórios financeiros, para substituir seu atual modelo de cumprimento das obrigações fiscais. Dentro desse quadro, foi considerado o papel de outras características do ambiente econômico brasileiro, como a atratividade recente de investimentos estrangeiros, a capacidade de escolha da estrutura societária e as implicações da inflação sobre os incentivos e sobre as oportunidades para o gerenciamento de resultados. Como orientação para pesquisadores no Brasil, este estudo discute a aplicabilidade do teste das propriedades do gerenciamento e dos ganhos vinculados a essa prática, com especial atenção para as questões de interesse para além das fronteiras do Brasil

More Than Simply “Letting Go”: Stakeholder Perspectives on Parental Roles in Health Care Transition

The transfer from pediatric to adult health care for youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) is a vulnerable period. Parents play a pivotal role in the transition process, however, little is known about the specific ways they may support YSHCN in negotiating the transition to adult services. A qualitative supplementary secondary data analysis was conducted to explore stakeholders’ perceptions about parents’ roles in health care transition. Thematic analysis was used to analyze individual and focus group interviews. Four themes were identified: 1) Parents are crucial; 2) Changing roles; 3) Interdependence rather than independence; 4) One of many transitions. These themes may serve as the basis for planning future intervention studies directed at parents of YSHCN

Genomewide and Enzymatic Analysis Reveals Efficient d-Galacturonic Acid Metabolism in the Basidiomycete Yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides.

Biorefining of renewable feedstocks is one of the most promising routes to replace fossil-based products. Since many common fermentation hosts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are naturally unable to convert many component plant cell wall polysaccharides, the identification of organisms with broad catabolism capabilities represents an opportunity to expand the range of substrates used in fermentation biorefinery approaches. The red basidiomycete yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides is a promising and robust host for lipid- and terpene-derived chemicals. Previous studies demonstrated assimilation of a range of substrates, from C5/C6 sugars to aromatic molecules similar to lignin monomers. In the current study, we analyzed the potential of R. toruloides to assimilate d-galacturonic acid, a major sugar in many pectin-rich agricultural waste streams, including sugar beet pulp and citrus peels. d-Galacturonic acid is not a preferred substrate for many fungi, but its metabolism was found to be on par with those of d-glucose and d-xylose in R. toruloides A genomewide analysis by combined transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and RB-TDNA-seq revealed those genes with high relevance for fitness on d-galacturonic acid. While R. toruloides was found to utilize the nonphosphorylative catabolic pathway known from ascomycetes, the maximal velocities of several enzymes exceeded those previously reported. In addition, an efficient downstream glycerol catabolism and a novel transcription factor were found to be important for d-galacturonic acid utilization. These results set the basis for use of R. toruloides as a potential host for pectin-rich waste conversions and demonstrate its suitability as a model for metabolic studies with basidiomycetes.IMPORTANCE The switch from the traditional fossil-based industry to a green and sustainable bioeconomy demands the complete utilization of renewable feedstocks. Many currently used bioconversion hosts are unable to utilize major components of plant biomass, warranting the identification of microorganisms with broader catabolic capacity and characterization of their unique biochemical pathways. d-Galacturonic acid is a plant component of bioconversion interest and is the major backbone sugar of pectin, a plant cell wall polysaccharide abundant in soft and young plant tissues. The red basidiomycete and oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides has been previously shown to utilize a range of sugars and aromatic molecules. Using state-of-the-art functional genomic methods and physiological and biochemical assays, we elucidated the molecular basis underlying the efficient metabolism of d-galacturonic acid. This study identified an efficient pathway for uronic acid conversion to guide future engineering efforts and represents the first detailed metabolic analysis of pectin metabolism in a basidiomycete fungus

PROSES BIOWASHING MENGGUNAKAN ENZIM SELULASE TIPE NETRAL (CELLUSOFTCR) TERHADAP KENAMPAKAN DAN SIFAT FISIK KAIN DENIM

Pada dasarnya benang lusi kain denim dicelup menggunakan zat warna indigo dengan proses perendaman beberapa kali (multi dip) menggunakan metoda slasher dyeing. Metoda ini menghasilkan celupan ring-dyeing, yaitu hasil pencelupan yang terkonsentrasi di permukaan benang sehingga mempermudah diperolehnya efek lusuh. Biowashing merupakan teknologi dalam proses penyempurnaan tekstil dengan memodifikasi pegangan serat menggunakan enzim selulase sebagai biokatalis dengan memutus ikatan 1,4-b-glukosida pada rantai molekul selulosa. Enzim yang digunakan adalah enzim selulase tipe netral (CellusoftÒCR) dengan variasi kondisi larutan pH 6, 7, 8 dengan waktu proses 10 menit, 20 menit dan 30 menit. Nilai optimum aktifitas kerja enzim selulase tipe netral (CellusoftÒCR) yaitu pada pH 6 selama 30 menit dengan hasil efek lusuh kain secara visual menunjukkan ranking pertama dengan nilai sebesar 99, pengurangan berat kain sebesar 3,03 %, kekuatan tarik kain sebesar 556 N untuk arah lusi dan 359 N untuk arah pakan dan kekakuan kain sebesar 7,9 mg.cm untuk arah lusi dan 2,9 mg.cm untuk arah pakan

Effect of Al, Ga, and In Doping on the Optical, Structural, and Electric Properties of ZnO Thin Films

ZnO thin films with oxygen vacancies and doped with Al, Ga, and In (Zn1-xMxO1−y (x = 0.03)) have been successfully deposited on soda-lime glass substrates using a simple soft chemical method. The crystalline structure shows a single hexagonal phase of wurtzite with preferred crystal growth along the 002 plane. The surface morphology, characterized by SEM, revealed that the grain shape varies depending on the dopant agent used. Optical measurements displayed an increase in the bandgap values for doped films from 3.29 for ZnO to 3.35, 3.32, and 3.36 for Al, Ga, and In doped films, respectively, and an average transmittance superior to 90% in some cases (in the range between 400 and 800 nm). The electrical response of the films was evaluated with a four-point probe being 229.69, 385.71, and 146.94 Ω/sq for aluminium, gallium, and indium doped films, respectively.We also appreciate the characterization assistance of the Central Service of Scientific Instrumentation (SCIC) at the University Jaume I. We also thank the group of F. Fabregat (INAM-UJI) for the analysis and characterization assistance.This research was funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the program Programa Estatal de I+D+I orientada a los retos de la sociedad (IGNITE Project Ref. ENE2017-87671-C3-3-R) and program Proyectos de I+D+i» de los Programas Estatales de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema de I+D+i y de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad, en el marco del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017-2020 (Ref. PID2020-116719RB-C43)

Youth livelihoods in the cellphone era: Perspectives from urban Africa

Issues surrounding youth employment and unemployment are central to the next development decade. Understanding how youth use mobile phones as a means of communicating and exchanging information about employment and livelihoods is particularly important given the prominence of mobile phone use in young lives. This paper explores and reflects on youth phone usage in Ghana, Malawi and South Africa, drawing on mixed-methods research with young people aged approximately 9-25 years, in 12 (high density) urban and peri-urban sites. Comparative work across these sites offers evidence of both positive and negative impacts. The final section of the paper considers policy implications

Cambios anatomofisiológicos causantes de dolor lumbar en mujeres embarazadas entre los 4 y 9 meses de gestación, trabajadoras de cerro matoso y sus fundaciones, atendidas en la IPS fundación Panzenú

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