Linking Community Participatory Research to Global Policymaking: Lessons Learned

The past two decades saw a proliferation of opportunities for the perspectives of people experiencing poverty and marginalisation to input into global policymaking spaces. So far these efforts have been contested, with attempts to embed participatory methodologies facilitating only limited consultation and falling into many pitfalls. While Participate was built on learning from previous attempts to influence global policy, we aimed to further understand participatory processes, and advance practical mechanisms for participation at every level of decision-making, from local to national and global. Participate emphasises the interactions between these levels and the importance of impacting multiple levels in order to create lasting, transformative change. This chapter describes what has been learnt about bringing the voices on the ground into global policymaking. We examine how and by whom the knowledge and evidence created were used, and the barriers and challenges to embedding this knowledge into global policy processes, through the following questions: • What have been the challenges to embedding participatory processes into global policy spaces? • What have these pathways of influence looked like, and what are some of the key lessons learned from these

Extraneous color affects female macaques’ gaze preference for photographs of male conspecifics

Humans find members of the opposite sex more attractive when their image is spatially associated with the color red. This effect even occurs when the red color is not on the skin or clothing (i.e. is extraneous). We hypothesize that this extraneous color effect could be at least partially explained by a low-level and biologically innate generalization process, and so similar extraneous color effects should be observed in non-humans. To test this possibility, we examined the influence of extraneous color in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Across two experiments, we determined the influence of extraneous red on viewing preferences (assessed by looking time) in free-ranging rhesus monkeys. We presented male and female monkeys with black and white photographs of the hindquarters of same and opposite sex conspecifics on either a red (experimental condition) or blue (control condition) background. As a secondary control, we also presented neutral stimuli (photographs of seashells) on red and blue backgrounds. We found that female monkeys looked longer at a picture of a male scrotum, but not a seashell, on a red background (Experiment 1), while males showed no bias. Neither male nor female monkeys showed an effect of color on looking time for female hindquarters or seashells (Experiment 2). The finding for females viewing males suggests that extraneous color affects preferences among rhesus macaques. Further, it raises the possibility that evolutionary processes gave rise to extraneous color effects during human evolution

The genera Melanothamnus Bornet & Falkenberg and Vertebrata S.F. Gray constitute well-defined clades of the red algal tribe Polysiphonieae (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales).

Polysiphonia is the largest genus of red algae, and several schemes subdividing it into smaller taxa have been proposed since its original description. Most of these proposals were not generally accepted, and currently the tribe Polysiphonieae consists of the large genus Polysiphonia (190 species), the segregate genus Neosiphonia (43 species), and 13 smaller genera (< 10 species each). In this paper, phylogenetic relationships of the tribe Polysiphonieae are analysed, with particular emphasis on the genera Carradoriella, Fernandosiphonia, Melanothamnus, Neosiphonia, Polysiphonia sensu stricto, Streblocladia and Vertebrata. We evaluated the consistency of 14 selected morphological characters in the identified clades. Based on molecular phylogenetic (rbcL and 18S genes) and morphological evidence, two speciose genera are recognized: Vertebrata (including the type species of the genera Ctenosiphonia, Enelittosiphonia, Boergeseniella and Brongniartella) and Melanothamnus (including the type species of the genera Fernandosiphonia and Neosiphonia). Both genera are distinguished from other members of the Polysiphonieae by synapomorphic characters, the emergence of which could have provided evolutionarily selective advantages for these two lineages. In Vertebrata trichoblast cells are multinucleate, possibly associated with the development of extraordinarily long, photoprotective, trichoblasts. Melanothamnus has 3-celled carpogonial branches and plastids lying exclusively on radial walls of the pericentral cells, which similarly may improve resistance to damage caused by excessive light. Other relevant characters that are constant in each genus are also shared with other clades. The evolutionary origin of the genera Melanothamnus and Vertebrata is estimated as 75.7-95.78 and 90.7-138.66 Ma, respectively. Despite arising in the Cretaceous, before the closure of the Tethys Seaway, Melanothamnus is a predominantly Indo-Pacific genus and its near-absence from the northeastern Atlantic is enigmatic. The nomenclatural implications of this work are that 46 species are here transferred to Melanothamnus, six species are transferred to Vertebrata and 13 names are resurrected for Vertebrata

High intake of phytoestrogens and precocious thelarche: case report with a possible correlation

Precocious thelarche is the breast development before 8 years of age with two peaks of incidence during the first two years of life and after 6 years of age. A 4.75-year-old girl presented with thelarche associated to an excessive intake of phytoestrogens (phye). Tanner development B2P1-2, hormonal levels and pelvic US were compatible with peripheral precocious puberty. During follow-up, a daily intake of soy-based foods was observed (> 40 mg phye/day). Soy is rich in phytoestrogens, mainly genistein and daidzein. Although phye are less strong than estradiol, its concentration could be from 13,000 to 22,000 times stronger in children fed only by soy-based formulas. Parents were advised and soy intake was reduced to once a week. Progression of pubertal development ceased at B2-3P1. The patient, now 8.66 years old, keeps growing with similar bone and chronological ages. Some questions related to industrial food security, mainly the soy-based food, remain without precise answer. Although it is well known the entity of non-progressive precocious puberty and premature thelarche, pubertal development in this case was strongly related to excessive daily intake of soy and other phye-rich food that could trigger puberty as endocrine disruptor.Telarca precoce, desenvolvimento mamário antes dos 8 anos de idade, apresenta dois picos de incidência, nos dois primeiros anos de vida e após os 6 anos de idade. Uma menina de 4,75 anos apresentou-se com telarca associada à ingestão excessiva de fitoestrógenos. O desenvolvimento puberal M2P1-2, os níveis hormonais e o US pélvico eram compatíveis com puberdade precoce periférica. Durante o seguimento, observou-se ingestão diária de alimentos baseados em soja (> 40 mg fitoestrógenos/dia). Soja contém fitoestrógenos, principalmente genisteína e daidzeína. Embora menos potentes do que o estradiol, sua concentração pode ser 13.000 a 22.000 vezes maior em crianças alimentadas somente com fórmulas baseadas em soja. Os pais foram aconselhados a reduzir para uma vez na semana o seu fornecimento na dieta. O desenvolvimento puberal cessou em M2-3P1 e a paciente, com 8,66 anos, continua a desenvolver-se com idades óssea e cronológica equivalentes. Questões relacionadas à segurança alimentar, principalmente de alimentos baseados em soja, permanecem sem respostas precisas. Embora sejam conhecidas as etiologias da puberdade precoce não progressiva e da telarca prematura, neste caso esteve fortemente relacionada à ingestão excessiva de soja e de outros alimentos ricos em fitoestrógenos que poderiam ter desencadeado a telarca atuando como desreguladores endócrinos.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

Long-term survival characteristics of 832 resin-retained bridges and splints provided in a post-graduate teaching hospital between 1978 and

flSUMMARY The clinical performance of 832 resinhad a pronounced effect which was not readily retained bridges and splints provided in the adult explained in terms of the distribution of other sigfixed prosthodontic clinic of a post-graduate teachnificant factors. Resin-retained restorations made ing hospital was reviewed. Recall data was availwith minimal tooth preparation are shown to be able for 58·4% of cases and the median survival was capable of extended clinical service and their fail-7 years and 10 months. Analysis of clinical variables ure rarely resulted in adverse consequences for the influencing survival revealed that the design and patient. Patient satisfaction with their treatment retainer coverage were significant factors. The expewas reportedly high. rience of the operator carrying out treatment als

Effect of Soybean Hypocotyl Extract on Lipid Peroxidation in GK Rats

Vascular complications, as a consequence of atherosclerosis, are main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. There is increasing evidence that lipid peroxidation and oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is important in atherogenesis. In this study we investigated the effect of soybean hypocotyl extract (SHE), rich in isoflavones and saponins, on lipid peroxide (LPO) levels in liver, plasma and lipoproteins in GK diabetic rats, and its efficacy on the reduction of susceptibility of LDL and high density lipoprotein (HDL) to oxidation. The oxidative modification of LDL and HDL was determined with the lag time of copper ion-induced oxidation curve identified by the conjugated dienes. In SHE group which were fed diet containing 40 g/kg of SHE for 16 weeks, LPO levels in liver, plasma and HDL fraction were significantly decreased compared with the control group. The lag phage of LDL oxidation curve was prolonged noticeably by a mean of 27 min in SHE group as compared to the control group, indicating a reduced susceptibility to oxidation. The results suggest that intake of soybean hypocotyl extract might be useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and diabetes-associated diseases

Influence of the Temperature and the Genotype of the HSP90AA1 Gene over Sperm Chromatin Stability in Manchega Rams

The present study addresses the effect of heat stress on males' reproduction ability. For that, we have evaluated the sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI) by SCSA of ejaculates incubated at 37°C during 0, 24 and 48 hours after its collection, as a way to mimic the temperature circumstances to which spermatozoa will be subject to in the ewe uterus. The effects of temperature and temperature-humidity index (THI) from day 60 prior collection to the date of semen collection on DFI were examined. To better understand the causes determining the sensitivity of spermatozoa to heat, this study was conducted in 60 males with alternative genotypes for the SNP G/C−660 of the HSP90AA1 promoter, which encode for the Hsp90α protein. The Hsp90α protein predominates in the brain and testis, and its role in spermatogenesis has been described in several species. Ridge regression analyses showed that days 29 to 35 and 7 to 14 before sperm collection (bsc) were the most critical regarding the effect of heat stress over DFI values. Mixed model analyses revealed that DFI increases over a threshold of 30°C for maximum temperature and 22 for THI at days 29 to 35 and 7 to 14 bsc only in animals carrying the GG−660 genotype. The period 29–35 bsc coincide with the meiosis I process for which the effect of the Hsp90α has been described in mice. The period 7–14 bsc may correspond with later stages of the meiosis II and early stages of epididymal maturation in which the replacement of histones by protamines occurs. Because of GG−660 genotype has been associated to lower levels of HSP90AA1 expression, suboptimal amounts of HSP90AA1 mRNA in GG−660 animals under heat stress conditions make spermatozoa DNA more susceptible to be fragmented. Thus, selecting against the GG−660 genotype could decrease the DNA fragmentation and spermatozoa thermal susceptibility in the heat season, and its putative subsequent fertility gainsPublishe

Dietary isoflavones alter regulatory behaviors, metabolic hormones and neuroendocrine function in Long-Evans male rats

Phytoestrogens derived from soy foods (or isoflavones) have received prevalent usage due to their \u27health benefits\u27 of decreasing: a) age-related diseases, b) hormone-dependent cancers and c) postmenopausal symptoms. However, little is known about the influence of dietary phytoestrogens on regulatory behaviors, such as food and water intake, metabolic hormones and neuroendocrine parameters. This study examined important hormonal and metabolic health issues by testing the hypotheses that dietary soy-derived isoflavones influence: 1) body weight and adipose deposition, 2) food and water intake, 3) metabolic hormones (i.e., leptin, insulin, T3 and glucose levels), 4) brain neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels, 5) heat production [in brown adipose tissue (BAT) quantifying uncoupling protein (UCP-1) mRNA levels] and 6) core body temperature. Methods- This was accomplished by conducting longitudinal studies where male Long-Evans rats were exposed (from conception to time of testing or tissue collection) to a diet rich in isoflavones (at 600 micrograms/gram of diet or 600 ppm) vs. a diet low in isoflavones (at approximately 10^15 micrograms/gram of diet or 10^15 ppm). Body, white adipose tissue and food intake were measured in grams and water intake in milliliters. The hormones (leptin, insulin, T3, glucose and NPY) were quantified by radioimmunoassays (RIA). BAT UCP-1 mRNA levels were quantified by PCR and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis while core body temperatures were recorded by radio telemetry. The data were tested by analysis of variance (ANOVA) (or where appropriate by repeated measures). Results Body and adipose tissue weights were decreased in Phyto-600 vs. Phyto-free fed rats. Food and water intake was greater in Phyto-600 animals, that displayed higher hypothalamic (NPY) concentrations, but lower plasma leptin and insulin levels, vs. Phyto-free fed males. Higher thyroid levels (and a tendency for higher glucose levels) and increased uncoupling protein (UCP-1) mRNA levels in brown adipose tissue (BAT) were seen in Phyto-600 fed males. However, decreased core body temperature was recorded in these same animals compared to Phyto-free fed animals. Conclusions- This study demonstrates that consumption of a soy-based (isoflavone-rich) diet, significantly alters several parameters involved in maintaining body homeostatic balance, energy expenditure, feeding behavior, hormonal, metabolic and neuroendocrine function in male rats

AVPV neurons containing estrogen receptor-beta in adult male rats are influenced by soy isoflavones

BACKGROUND: Isoflavones, the most abundant phytoestrogens in soy foods, are structurally similar to 17beta-estradiol. It is known that 17beta-estradiol induces apoptosis in anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) in rat brain. Also, there is evidence that consumption of soy isoflavones reduces the volume of AVPV in male rats. Therefore, in this study, we examined the influence of dietary soy isoflavones on apoptosis in AVPV of 150 day-old male rats fed either a soy isoflavone-free diet (Phyto-free) or a soy isoflavone-rich diet (Phyto-600). RESULTS: The occurrence of apoptosis in AVPV was examined by TUNEL staining. The incidence of apoptosis was about 10 times higher in the Phyto-600 group (33.1 ± 1.7%) than in the Phyto-free group (3.6 ± 1.0%). Furthermore, these apoptotic cells were identified as neurons by dual immunofluorescent staining of GFAP and NeuN as markers of astrocytes and neurons, respectively. Then the dopaminergic neurons in AVPV were detected by immunohistochemistry staining of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). No significant difference in the number of TH neurons was observed between the diet treatment groups. When estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta were examined by immunohistochemistry, we observed a 22% reduction of ERbeta-positive cell numbers in AVPV with consumption of soy isoflavones, whereas no significant change in ERalpha-positive cell numbers was detected. Furthermore, almost all the apoptotic cells were ERbeta-immunoreactive (ir), but not ERalpha-ir. Last, subcutaneous injections of equol (a major isoflavone metabolite) that accounts for approximately 70–90% of the total circulating plasma isoflavone levels did not alter the volume of AVPV in adult male rats. CONCLUSION: In summary, these findings provide direct evidence that consumption of soy isoflavones, but not the exposure to equol, influences the loss of ERbeta-containing neurons in male AVPV

Facial Skin Coloration Affects Perceived Health of Human Faces

Numerous researchers have examined the effects of skin condition, including texture and color, on the perception of health, age, and attractiveness in human faces. They have focused on facial color distribution, homogeneity of pigmentation, or skin quality. We here investigate the role of overall skin color in determining perceptions of health from faces by allowing participants to manipulate the skin portions of color-calibrated Caucasian face photographs along CIELab color axes. To enhance healthy appearance, participants increased skin redness (a*), providing additional support for previous findings that skin blood color enhances the healthy appearance of faces. Participants also increased skin yellowness (b*) and lightness (L*), suggesting a role for high carotenoid and low melanin coloration in the healthy appearance of faces. The color preferences described here resemble the red and yellow color cues to health displayed by many species of nonhuman animals