Hypoxia-induced Suppression of EGF/MAPK Signaling Delays Steroid-Dependent Maturation in Drosophila

For proper animal development, tissues and organs require sufficient oxygen; defects in oxygen supply (hypoxia) can cause developmental disorders(1). In humans, disrupted oxygen supply underlies many diseases(2). Although tissue-culture studies have revealed much about adaptation to hypoxia at the cellular level(3 4), less is known of what mediates whole-body responses. My research employs Drosophila to study how hypoxia affects development at the organismal level. Drosophila larvae have evolved to grow on decaying food – an environment of low ambient oxygen(5–8). Hence, they provide a good genetic model to study how hypoxia influences physiology and development. In the lab, larvae exposed to hypoxia (5% O2) adapt by reducing their growth and delaying development to the pupal stage. However, the molecular bases for these adaptations remain unclear. The larval-pupal developmental transition is controlled by a neuroendocrine pathway involving the prothoracic gland (PG), an endocrine organ that produces the maturation steroid hormone ecdysone (9,10). At the end of the larval period, neuronal input to the PG triggers autocrine signaling through the conserved Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (Egfr)/MAP kinase (ERK) pathway, which induces the PG to synthesize and release ecdysone(11). This ecdysone acts on all tissues to initiate maturation(11). My data suggest this autocrine Egf/ERK signaling is blunted in hypoxia, thus delaying the developmental transition. Since signaling and key aspects of steroid hormone regulation are conserved between Drosophila and humans (9,10,12), my work provides insights into how the program of development can adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions

Journeying with Communities: A Community Engagement and Organizing Handbook for University Extension Workers

This handbook highlights the public and social mission of higher educational institutions (HEI) through Community Engagement; a term that brings forth the important use of Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Community Organizing for Community Development (COCD). The unique contribution of this handbook is that it specifically situates HEI Community Engagement within the unique historical context of the Philippines; thus adding a Philippine voice in the literature of Community-Engaged Scholarship (CEnS). It also provides activity exercises and case studies where readers can situate themselves and apply the theories; concepts; and tools they have learned so they can enhance the Community Engagement programs and projects of their respective colleges and universities with their partner communities

Community participation in COVID-19 prevention and control

Community-based health protocols are essential strategies for prevention and control of COVID-19 and community participation is an essential contribution of communities during the pandemic. This study assessed community participation to COVID-19 prevention and control activities among barangays in a component city in northern Philippines. This descriptive-quantitative research was conducted in six barangays with the least and most COVID-19 cases in 2021. Barangay residents, officials and health workers were surveyed about community participation using five process indicators namely needs assessment, leadership, organization, resource mobilization and management. A high level of community participation towards COVID-19 prevention and control activities was seen in the barangays with leadership having the highest mean (4.23) and resource mobilization having the lowest mean (3.44). Leadership was significantly the same among all barangays while organization, management, needs assessment and resource mobilization significantly differed according to type of barangay, COVID-19 prevalence and population size. The researchers conclude that there is strong community participation of barangays towards COVID-19 prevention and control activities especially along leadership. However, the capacity of barangays to contribute, mobilize and distribute resources must be improved to maximize community prevention and control of COVID-19

Pre-service Science Teachers’ Experiences in their Virtual Internship

The emergence of the Novel Corona Virus in 2019 has been the root cause of severe disruptions in economic opportunities and educational curriculum implementation, affecting people's daily lives worldwide. The pandemic has brought about changes in the educational system. The mode of learning and teaching has shifted from face-to-face to online education. This study aimed to explore the experiences of the pre-service science teachers as well as their recommendations to improve the implementation of online teaching delivery in their virtual internship. This basic qualitative research was carried out to explore the experiences of the pre-service science teachers as well as their recommendations to improve the implementation of online teaching delivery in their virtual internship. Twenty pre-service teachers took part in this study through an online interview. The findings revealed three major recurring themes: (1) Pre-deployment experiences of pre-service science teachers in their virtual internship; (2) Deployment experiences of pre-service science teachers in their virtual internship; and (3) Post-deployment experiences of pre-service science teachers in their virtual internship. The study concludes that pre-service science teachers have both positive and negative experiences during their virtual teaching internship. The recommendations of the informants focused primarily on the implementation of virtual internship program during the pandemic.</p

Rapid DNA analysis for automated processing and interpretation of low DNA content samples

Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis of casework samples with low DNA content include those resulting from the transfer of epithelial cells from the skin to an object (e.g., cells on a water bottle, or brim of a cap), blood spatter stains, and small bone and tissue fragments. Low DNA content (LDC) samples are important in a wide range of settings, including disaster response teams to assist in victim identification and family reunification, military operations to identify friend or foe, criminal forensics to identify suspects and exonerate the innocent, and medical examiner and coroner offices to identify missing persons. Processing LDC samples requires experienced laboratory personnel, isolated workstations, and sophisticated equipment, requires transport time, and involves complex procedures. We present a rapid DNA analysis system designed specifically to generate STR profiles from LDC samples in field-forward settings by non-technical operators. By performing STR in the field, close to the site of collection, rapid DNA analysis has the potential to increase throughput and to provide actionable information in real time

Operational efficiency and sustainability of vector control of malaria and dengue: descriptive case studies from the Philippines

Background: Analysis is lacking on the management of vector control systems in disease-endemic countries with respect to the efficiency and sustainability of operations. Methods: Three locations were selected, at the scale of province, municipality and barangay (i.e. village). Data on disease incidence, programme activities, and programme management were collected on-site through meetings and focus group discussions. Results: Adaptation of disease control strategies to the epidemiological situation per barangay, through microstratification, brings gains in efficiency, but should be accompanied by further capacity building on local situational analysis for better selection and targeting of vector control interventions within the barangay. An integrated approach to vector control, aiming to improve the rational use of resources, was evident with a multi-disease strategy for detection and response, and by the use of combinations of vector control methods. Collaboration within the health sector was apparent from the involvement of barangay health workers, re-orientation of job descriptions and the creation of a disease surveillance unit. The engagement of barangay leaders and use of existing community structures helped mobilize local resources and voluntary services for vector control. In one location, local authorities and the community were involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of malaria control, which triggered local programme ownership. Conclusions: Strategies that contributed to an improved efficiency and sustainability of vector control operations were: micro-stratification, integration of vector control within the health sector, a multi-disease approach, involvement of local authorities, and empowerment of communities. Capacity building on situational analysis and vector surveillance should be addressed through national policy and guidelines

Rapid Multi-Locus Sequence Typing Using Microfluidic Biochips

sequencing of 6–8 housekeeping loci to assign unique sequence types. In this work we adapted MLST to a rapid microfluidics platform in order to enhance speed and reduce laboratory labor time. isolated in this study from one location in Rockville, Maryland (0.04 substitutions per site) was found to be as great as the global collection of isolates.Biogeographical investigation of pathogens is only one of a panoply of possible applications of microfluidics based MLST; others include microbiologic forensics, biothreat identification, and rapid characterization of human clinical samples