Temperature and humidity index (THI) affects salivary cortisol (HC) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) concentrations in growing bulls following stress generated by performance test procedures

The hypothalamus-pituitary–adrenal axis response to a challenge was proposed for genetic selection of robust and resilient animals. As ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) test and hormone measurements in blood may result impractical, it may be useful to measure salivary hormones in response to natural stressors, after an accurate biological validation, to control factors that could contribute to the response. We evaluated whether animal handling during performance test affects salivary HC and DHEA secretion and could be used for selection. We tested the effects of habituation to repeated handling and THI as putative bias. Bull calves (N = 273) undergoing performance test were sampled at 8–9 and 11–13 months (N = 101), 8–9 months (N = 131), or 11–13 months (N = 41). On each test day (D0), calves were isolated, conducted to a squeeze chute and immobilized for 6 min. Saliva samples were collected in the morning after feed administration (T0), and after 6 min immobilization in the squeeze chute (T1) for HC and DHEA measurement. Environmental temperature and relative humidity were recorded every hour from 1:00 h to 24:00 h during the 6 days before the performance test and on D0. Salivary HC and DHEA concentrations were higher in T1 (p < 0.01), although a clear individual positive response to handling could be observed in less than 10% of subjects. The mixed model revealed: (i) HC and HC/DHEA were higher in Young bulls (p < 0.05). (ii) The time of T0 sample collection significantly affected DHEA (p < 0.01) and HC/DHEA (p < 0.05). (iii) THI affected both steroids (p < 0.001) but not HC/DHEA. Spearman correlations suggested that THI weakly affected salivary HC at T0 only (ρ = 0.150, p < 0.01), while moderate statistically significant correlations were found between DHEA and THI at T0 (ρ = 0.316, p < 0.001), and T1 (ρ = 0.353, p < 0.001). Salivary HC and DHEA in response to handling procedures might identify subpopulations of subjects with sensitive HPA axis. Habituation to repeated handling played a role, as the hormone response was lower in older animals. Chronic exposure to high THI had a minor effect on salivary HC visible at T0. A more intense THI effect was observed on salivary DHEA concentrations at both T0 and T1, which should be worth of further investigations

Pla de desenvolupament i coaching per a la pràctica informada en l'evidència per a la inclusió escolar

This document was written under the framework of the Project 'Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion [EIPSI] (2020-1-ES01-KA201-082328)'. Project funded under the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership ProgramThis resource package comprises a self-assessment tool, EIP general guidelines, EIP implementation guidelines, a coaching plan and an EIP resource package dedicated to school leaders and to schools, aimed at improving EIP for inclusion and at guiding them through their EIP adoption process

Albert Speer y los dibujos de ruinas futuras

Para Albert Speer, el arquitecto oficial del Tercer Reich, la representación gráfica de la arquitectura tuvo un papel importante, más allá de lo habitual para cualquier arquitecto. Bocetos intercambiados con Hitler se conservan como testigos mudos de sus debates, precedentes de grandes proyectos posteriormente desarrollados por ejércitos de técnicos a su servicio. Además, ambos compartían un interés singular, una atracción nostálgica por cuadros y grabados de restos de grandes imperios de la antigüedad. Esta inclinación se fue transformando en una obsesión sobre la percepción futura de las ruinas de lo que estaban construyendo. Tal fijación se materializó en perspectivas idealizadas, encargadas por el arquitecto durante la construcción de las obras y en dibujos clandestinos realizados en la prisión de Spandau. La comunicación analiza especialmente el rol de la representación gráfica en el concepto de percepción de ruinas futuras a través de referencias artísticas del pasado, ..

Training on Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion

Altres ajuts: This document was written under the framework of the Project 'Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion [EIPSI] (2020-1-ES01-KA201-082328)'. Project funded under the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership ProgramThe purpose of the Training on Evidence-Informed Practice for School Inclusion is to familiarize teachers and other educational stakeholders with the evidence-informed practice approach and to support them to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to facilitate them work in diverse schools' settings

miR-16 and miR-125b are involved in barrier function dysregulation through the modulation of claudin-2 and cingulin expression in the jejunum in IBS with diarrhoea

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in controlling intestinal epithelial barrier function partly by modulating the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins. We have previously shown differential messenger RNA (mRNA) expression correlated with ultrastructural abnormalities of the epithelial barrier in patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). However, the participation of miRNAs in these differential mRNA-associated findings remains to be established. Our aims were (1) to identify miRNAs differentially expressed in the small bowel mucosa of patients with IBS-D and (2) to explore putative target genes specifically involved in epithelial barrier function that are controlled by specific dysregulated IBS-D miRNAs. Healthy controls and patients meeting Rome III IBS-D criteria were studied. Intestinal tissue samples were analysed to identify potential candidates by: (a) miRNA-mRNA profiling; (b) miRNA-mRNA pairing analysis to assess the co-expression profile of miRNA-mRNA pairs; (c) pathway analysis and upstream regulator identification; (d) miRNA and target mRNA validation. Candidate miRNA-mRNA pairs were functionally assessed in intestinal epithelial cells. IBS-D samples showed distinct miRNA and mRNA profiles compared with healthy controls. TJ signalling was associated with the IBS-D transcriptional profile. Further validation of selected genes showed consistent upregulation in 75% of genes involved in epithelial barrier function. Bioinformatic analysis of putative miRNA binding sites identified hsa-miR-125b-5p and hsa-miR-16 as regulating expression of the TJ genes CGN (cingulin) and CLDN2 (claudin-2), respectively. Consistently, protein expression of CGN and CLDN2 was upregulated in IBS-D, while the respective targeting miRNAs were downregulated. In addition, bowel dysfunction, perceived stress and depression and number of mast cells correlated with the expression of hsa-miR-125b-5p and hsa-miR-16 and their respective target proteins. Modulation of the intestinal epithelial barrier function in IBS-D involves both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. These molecular mechanisms include miRNAs as master regulators in controlling the expression of TJ proteins and are associated with major clinical symptoms

The alternative serotonin transporter promoter P2 impacts gene function in females with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gut-brain disorder in which symptoms are shaped by serotonin acting centrally and peripherally. The serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 has been implicated in IBS pathophysiology, but the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unclear. We sequenced the alternative P2 promoter driving intestinal SLC6A4 expression and identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were associated with IBS in a discovery sample. Identified SNPs built different haplotypes, and the tagging SNP rs2020938 seems to associate with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) in females. rs2020938 validation was performed in 1978 additional IBS patients and 6,038 controls from eight countries. Meta-analysis on data from 2,175 IBS patients and 6,128 controls confirmed the association with female IBS-C. Expression analyses revealed that the P2 promoter drives SLC6A4 expression primarily in the small intestine. Gene reporter assays showed a functional impact of SNPs in the P2 region. In silico analysis of the polymorphic promoter indicated differential expression regulation. Further follow-up revealed that the major allele of the tagging SNP rs2020938 correlates with differential SLC6A4 expression in the jejunum and with stool consistency, indicating functional relevance. Our data consolidate rs2020938 as a functional SNP associated with IBS-C risk in females, underlining the relevance of SLC6A4 in IBS pathogenesis

The serotonin receptor 3E variant is a risk factor for female IBS-D

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gut-brain disorder of multifactorial origin. Evidence of disturbed serotonergic function in IBS accumulated for the 5-HT3 receptor family. 5-HT3Rs are encoded by HTR3 genes and control GI function, and peristalsis and secretion, in particular. Moreover, 5-HT3R antagonists are beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D). We previously reported on functionally relevant SNPs in HTR3A c.-42C > T (rs1062613), HTR3C p.N163K (rs6766410), and HTR3E c.*76G > A (rs56109847 = rs62625044) being associated with IBS-D, and the HTR3B variant p.Y129S (rs1176744) was also described within the context of IBS. We performed a multi-center study to validate previous results and provide further evidence for the relevance of HTR3 genes in IBS pathogenesis. Therefore, genotype data of 2682 IBS patients and 9650 controls from 14 cohorts (Chile, Germany (2), Greece, Ireland, Spain, Sweden (2), the UK (3), and the USA (3)) were taken into account. Subsequent meta-analysis confirmed HTR3E c.*76G > A (rs56109847 = rs62625044) to be associated with female IBS-D (OR = 1.58; 95% CI (1.18, 2.12)). Complementary expression studies of four GI regions (jejunum, ileum, colon, sigmoid colon) of 66 IBS patients and 42 controls revealed only HTR3E to be robustly expressed. On top, HTR3E transcript levels were significantly reduced in the sigma of IBS patients (p = 0.0187); more specifically, in those diagnosed with IBS-D (p = 0.0145). In conclusion, meta-analysis confirmed rs56109847 = rs62625044 as a risk factor for female IBS-D. Expression analysis revealed reduced HTR3E levels in the sigmoid colon of IBS-D patients, which underlines the relevance of HTR3E in the pathogenesis of IBS-D

The serotonin receptor 3E variant is a risk factor for female IBS-D

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gut-brain disorder of multifactorial origin. Evidence of disturbed serotonergic function in IBS accumulated for the 5-HT receptor family. 5-HT Rs are encoded by HTR3 genes and control GI function, and peristalsis and secretion, in particular. Moreover, 5-HT R antagonists are beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D). We previously reported on functionally relevant SNPs in HTR3A c.-42C > T (rs1062613), HTR3C p.N163K (rs6766410), and HTR3E c.*76G > A (rs56109847 = rs62625044) being associated with IBS-D, and the HTR3B variant p.Y129S (rs1176744) was also described within the context of IBS. We performed a multi-center study to validate previous results and provide further evidence for the relevance of HTR3 genes in IBS pathogenesis. Therefore, genotype data of 2682 IBS patients and 9650 controls from 14 cohorts (Chile, Germany (2), Greece, Ireland, Spain, Sweden (2), the UK (3), and the USA (3)) were taken into account. Subsequent meta-analysis confirmed HTR3E c.*76G > A (rs56109847 = rs62625044) to be associated with female IBS-D (OR = 1.58; 95% CI (1.18, 2.12)). Complementary expression studies of four GI regions (jejunum, ileum, colon, sigmoid colon) of 66 IBS patients and 42 controls revealed only HTR3E to be robustly expressed. On top, HTR3E transcript levels were significantly reduced in the sigma of IBS patients (p = 0.0187); more specifically, in those diagnosed with IBS-D (p = 0.0145). In conclusion, meta-analysis confirmed rs56109847 = rs62625044 as a risk factor for female IBS-D. Expression analysis revealed reduced HTR3E levels in the sigmoid colon of IBS-D patients, which underlines the relevance of HTR3E in the pathogenesis of IBS-D. [Abstract copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

IDENTIFIKASI FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMENGARUHI PILIHAN KARIER MAHASISWA EKONOMIKA DAN BISNIS DI DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi pilihan karier, serta, dalam dimensi yang lebih luas, keterkaitannya dengan nilai-nilai budaya dan orientasi karier. Penelitian menggunakan kuesioner elektronik dilakukan pada mahasiswa ekonomika dan bisnis di Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta pada bulan Maret 2017. Analisis yang digunakan meliputi analisis deskriptif; signifikansi satu sampel, dua-sampel terikat, dan dua-sampel bebas; serta korelasi. Hasil analisis menunjukkan ayah, ibu, serta tiga belas faktor yang diuji secara signifikan memengaruhi pilihan karier mahasiswa. Keahlian merupakan faktor yang paling berpengaruh. Nilai budaya yang dominan pada responden adalah kolektivis, sementara karakteristik orientasi karier protean didapati secara signifikan. Secara keseluruhan, tidak terdapat perbedaan antara pria dan wanita pada seluruh variabel yang diteliti. Selain itu, faktor-faktor pilihan karier berhubungan signifikan dengan orientasi protean, serta lebih kuat dengan nilai kolektivis, daripada individualis. Hasil tersebut memberi masukan pada industri mengenai pilihan karier SDM potensial yang terkait dengan rekrutmen, pengembangan karier, dan retensi