Musthamin Balumbi, Stang Stang, Suriah Suriah
et al.
Reproductive health education at the primary school level is a controversial topic. Although some recognize its importance in providing accurate information about the body and development, others raise concerns about cultural sensitivities and age-appropriateness. This review intends to explore various aspects related to the importance of reproductive health education among primary school children, as well as the challenges and benefits associated. This article presents a literature review of previous studies on the implementation of health and reproductive education in elementary school children. An extensive search was conducted to identify relevant papers using relevant databases like ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The articles included were selected if published between 2013 and 2023, in the English language, and have undergone a rigorous peer-review process. Our review identified substantial benefits of reproductive health education in primary schools. Studies showed a positive impact on reducing misconceptions about reproduction, promoting healthy attitudes towards the body, and potentially lowering risks of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. However, the review also revealed significant challenges. Cultural and religious sensitivities often lead to resistance from some communities. Additionally, ensuring age-appropriate language, content, and delivery methods remains a concern. The findings highlight the need for a balanced approach to reproductive health education in primary schools. While acknowledging cultural sensitivities, strategies like involving communities and using inclusive language can promote inclusivity. Open communication within families and well-trained teachers are crucial for effective reproductive health implementation. By addressing these challenges through inclusive and age-appropriate methods, reproductive health education programs can equip children with the knowledge and skills necessary for a healthy future.
Special aspects of education, Public aspects of medicine
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic and potentially fatal zoonotic parasitic disease that seriously affects the host’s health. It is caused by the proliferation of <i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i> larvae within the liver. Due to its long incubation period following host infection, early diagnosis of the disease is currently not feasible. Treatment options are extremely limited, with the only choice being curative surgical resection combined with benzimidazole medication. Thus, the development of early, rapid, and minimally invasive diagnostic methods is crucial for enhancing patient prognosis. This study conducted proteomic and metabolomic analyses of protein and metabolite changes in the serum of a treatment group and control group, aiming to compare the differences between them. Overall, 22 proteins showed significant differences between the treatment and control groups, primarily involved in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. The upregulation of genes related to immune response and enhanced glycolysis were observed, possibly associated with the reproduction of <i>E. multilocularis</i> in the liver. A total of 182 metabolites were screened to distinguish between the treatment group and control group. A significant increase in the cytochrome P450 (cP450) metabolite of arachidonic acid indicated signs of renal and splenic involvement in the treatment group. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis highlighted a strong association between amino acid metabolism and the development of AE. The observed changes in amino acid levels may provide nutrients that facilitate <i>E. multilocularis</i> colonization and contribute to the pathogenesis of AE. In summary, by investigating the different characteristics of the AE and control group through proteomic (<i>n</i> = 4/group/time point) and metabolomic (<i>n</i> = 8/group/time point) analyses, potential serum biomarkers for diagnosing mice with AE were identified.
Abstract Due to its asexual reproduction characteristics, Naematelia aurantialba faces limitations in genetic diversity, germplasm identification, and intellectual property protection, necessitating molecular-level approaches to address these challenges. This study utilized resequencing data from 36 germplasm resources of N. aurantialba to conduct a population structure analysis and construct fingerprint maps based on core multinucleotide polymorphisms (MNPs), core single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and core insertions/deletions (INDELs), while also calculating genetic similarity among strains based on different variant sites. The results indicated that when K = 2, the genetic structure of individual strains was more distinctly divided, a finding corroborated by both the phylogenetic tree and the principal component analysis. A total of 108 core MNPs (comprising 333 SNPs), 54 core SNPs, and 40 core INDELs were identified. Fingerprint maps for the 36 germplasm resources of N. aurantialba were constructed using combinations of different core variant sites. In strains with high similarity, the genetic similarity identified by the three types of core variant sites was all above 97%, and could reach up to 100%, achieving mutual complementary validation. Therefore, it is preliminarily determined that strains with genetic similarity above 97% can be considered as the same strain. These achievements provide valuable resources for the identification of N. aurantialba germplasm and for intellectual property protection. Additionally, the multi-fingerprint map construction method offers new insights for research on other edible fungi.
Abstract Objective To evaluate the technical feasibility of isolating fetal trophoblasts and detecting fetal chromosomal anomalies (trisomy 21 and XY chromosomes) using cervical smear samples obtained during routine prenatal care, and to explore the potential of this approach as a preliminary step towards a cost-effective alternative to current non-invasive prenatal testing methods. Study design Prospective cohort study with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of cervical smear samples for chromosomal screening. Place and duration Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Caspian International Hospital, Azerbaijan, conducted in 2024. Methods Fifty pregnant women between 5 and 15 gestational weeks underwent cervical smear collection via cytobrush during routine prenatal visits. Samples were processed for the isolation of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). Successful isolation of EVTs was confirmed by morphological assessment and the presence of HLA-G markers. Samples were then analyzed using FISH methodology with probes specific for chromosomes 21, X, and Y. Ultrasound confirmation of fetal sex and nuchal translucency measurements was performed for initial correlation (Interim Correlation Standard). Automated scanning systems and manual verification were employed for accurate chromosomal analysis. Results Extravillous trophoblasts were successfully isolated in all 50 samples (100% success rate (95% CI: 92.9%-100%)). XY chromosomes were detected in 17 cases (34%), with ultrasound confirming male sex in 6 of 7 eligible cases (85.7% concordance). XX chromosomes were identified in 33 cases (66%), with ultrasound confirming female sex in 12 of 14 cases (85.7% concordance). No trisomy 21 cases were detected in this cohort, precluding the calculation of sensitivity for Trisomy 21 detection. One case presented with nuchal translucency ≥ 3 mm and was referred for amniocentesis, with subsequent normal karyotype confirmed by amniocentesis. FISH analysis demonstrated 100% specificity for chromosomal detection with no false-positive results for the sex chromosomes when correlated with the interim ultrasound standard. Conclusion Cervical smear-based FISH analysis represents a promising non-invasive, cost-effective approach for early fetal chromosomal screening that leverages existing clinical infrastructure. While demonstrating excellent specificity for sex chromosome determination, and technical feasibility of EVT isolation, the absence of Trisomy 21 cases in this pilot cohort limits the assessment of sensitivity for aneuploidy detection. A key limitation of this feasibility study is the use of ultrasound as an interim standard for sex determination; we lacked definitive postnatal follow-up data. Definitive validation will require a subsequent publication with full newborn follow-up data. Larger multicenter studies with known aneuploidy cases are essential to validate sensitivity for trisomy 21 detection and establish clinical implementation protocols. This methodology offers potential advantages in resource-limited settings and could complement current prenatal screening strategies as a preliminary screening tool.
ABSTRACT The maternal gut microbiome affects the duration of pregnancy, delivery, and lactation. It also coordinates the stability of maternal metabolism by regulating and modulating inflammatory cytokines and reproductive hormones. This has been shown in several species; however, the situation in ruminants remains a black box. Here, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between the hindgut microbiota, metabolism, and reproductive hormones in domestic goats (Capra hircus) during nonpregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation stages. The hindgut microbiota was altered during these three stages, with a drastic decrease in the abundance of Family_XIII_AD3011_group in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Additionally, a decline in the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Turicibacter was observed from the nonpregnancy stage to late gestation. Family_XIII_AD3011_group and Paeniclostridium were strongly correlated with decreased fecal estradiol and progesterone. Furthermore, we generated a metabolome atlas of the gut and serum from nonpregnancy to lactation to reveal the specific metabolic fingerprints of each physiological stage. Several specific gut metabolites, including carnitine C8:1, γ-aminobutyric acid, and indole-3-carboxylic acid, were negatively correlated with the fecal and serum estradiol concentrations. In contrast, 2′-deoxyinosine, deoxyadenosine, and 5′-deoxyadenosine were positively correlated with the fecal and serum estradiol concentrations. The levels of 2′-deoxyinosine, deoxyadenosine, and 5′-deoxyadenosine in fecal samples were positively correlated with Family_XIII_AD3011_group. Other serum metabolites, such as (±)12-HEPE (hydroxy eicosapentaenoic acid), (±)15-HEPE, (±)18-HEPE, cytidine, uracil, and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, were negatively correlated with the serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone. Finally, Corynebacterium and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 in the fecal samples were positively correlated with the abundance of 11,12-EET (epoxy-eicosatrienoic acid), (±)18-HEPE, (±)15-HEPE, and (±)12-HEPE in the serum. IMPORTANCE Our findings revealed that the activity of Family_XIII_AD3011_group and Corynebacterium is strongly correlated with the beneficial regulation of physiological hormones and metabolic changes during pregnancy and lactation. These findings are key for guiding targeted microbial therapeutic approaches to modulate microbiomes in gestating and lactating mammals.
Social and environmental justice organisations have silenced discourse on human overpopulation due to fear of any association with reproductive coercion, but in doing so they have failed to acknowledge the oppressive role of pronatalism in undermining reproductive autonomy. Pronatalism, which comprises cultural and institutional forces that compel reproduction, is far more widespread, and as damaging to individual liberties as attempts to limit reproduction. The failure to recognise the enormity of pronatalism has led to the wholesale abandonment of voluntary, rights-based efforts toward a sustainable population despite widespread scientific agreement that population growth is a major driver of multiple cascading environmental crises. We examine the full range of patriarchal, cultural, familial, religious, economic and political pronatalist pressures, and argue that the reluctance to address population as a driver of the ecological crisis serves the very pronatalist forces that undermine reproductive autonomy. We posit that addressing overpopulation, and the pronatalism that drives it, must be central to international conservation and development efforts to elevate reproductive rights while also promoting planetary health.
Jakaria Jakaria, Kholijah Kholijah, Sri Darwati
et al.
Background and Aim: Coat color variations in cattle are known to be influenced by the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) and receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) genes. The presence of coat color abnormalities, such as white spots and albinism, in Bali cattle was the focus of this study. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding region of MC1R and exons 2 and 3 of KIT associated with coat color abnormalities in Bali cattle.
Materials and Methods: The study included the analysis of 48 Bali cattle, including 20 individuals with standard coat color, 15 with white spots, and 13 with albinism. Total DNA was extracted using a DNA Extraction Kit, and MC1R (coding region) and KIT (exons 2 and 3) gene amplifications were analyzed using forward and reverse primers with polymerase chain reaction product lengths of 1071, 234, and 448 bp, respectively. The determination of MC1R and KIT gene diversity was analyzed through direct sequencing. Melanocortin 1 receptor and KIT gene sequence data were analyzed using BioEdit and MEGA6 to identify SNPs associated with standard and abnormal coat color phenotypes (white-spotted and albino) in Bali cattle.
Results: No SNPs associated with coat color abnormalities were found in the coding region of MC1R and exons 2 and 3 of KIT genes in Bali cattle. However, the intron two regions of KIT contained the SNP g.70208534A>G, which showed a high degree of diversity. The AA genotype frequency was highest in albino Bali cattle, whereas the G allele frequency was highest and the A allele frequency was lowest in white-spotted Bali cattle.
Conclusion: The results indicated that standard, white-spotted, and albino coat colors in Bali cattle could not be distinguished by analyzing the MC1R and KIT genes.
There are about 10,400 living avian species belonging to the class Aves, characterized by feathers which no other animal classes possess and are warm-blooded vertebrates with four-chamber heart. They have excellent vision, and their forelimbs are modified into wings for flight or swimming, though not all can fly or swim. They lay hard-shelled eggs which are a secretory product of the reproductive system that vary greatly in colour, shape and size, and the bigger the bird, the bigger the egg. Since domestication, avian species have been basically reared for eggs, meat, pleasure and research. They reproduce sexually with the spermatozoa being homogametic and carry Z-bearing chromosomes, and the blastodisk carries either Z-bearing or W-bearing chromosomes, hence, the female is heterogametic, and thus, determines the sex of the offspring. The paired testes produce spermatozoa, sex hormones and the single ovary (with a few exceptions) produces yolk bearing the blastodisk and sex hormones. Both testis and ovary are the primary sex organs involved in sexual characteristics development in avian. In avian reproduction, there must be mating for fertile egg that must be incubated to produce the young ones. At hatch, hatchling sex is identified and reared to meet the aim of the farmer.
Yukiko Katagiri, Seung Chik Jwa, Akira Kuwahara
et al.
Abstract Purpose The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology records online annual cycle‐based information for assisted reproductive technology (ART). This report presents the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles registered during 2019. Methods The Japanese ART registry includes cycle‐specific information from 619 participating facilities, including treatment and pregnancy outcomes. Descriptive analyses were conducted for cycles registered during 2019. Results In 2019, 458 101 treatment cycles and 60 598 neonates were reported, both of which increased from 2018. The number of fresh cycles, including in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, decreased, while frozen‐thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles increased. The mean maternal age was 37.9 years (standard deviation ± 4.7). Of 239 348 oocyte retrievals, 123 690 (51.7%) involved freeze‐all‐embryos cycles; fresh ET was performed in 41 831 cycles (a decreasing trend since 2015). In 2019, there were 211 597 frozen‐thawed ET cycles, resulting in 74 882 pregnancies and 54 168 neonates born. Single ET was performed in 82.6% of fresh transfers and 85.1% of frozen‐thawed cycles, with singleton live birth rates of 97.3% for both. Conclusions The number of fresh cycles decreased but frozen cycles increased in 2019. Single ET was performed in >80% of cases, and the proportion of babies born from frozen‐thawed ET increased.
Diseases of the endocrine glands. Clinical endocrinology, Reproduction
Brett C. Ramirez, Steven J. Hoff, Morgan D. Hayes
et al.
Swine heat production (HP) data are an essential element of numerous aspects affecting swine production sustainability, such as, housing environmental control design, energetics and thermoregulation modeling, as well as understanding of feed energy partitioning. Accurate HP values that reflect the continuous advances in growth, nutrition, health, and reproduction are needed to update outdated models and data; hence, this review of swine HP values is a critical contribution. This review updates the last previous review conducted in 2004, by reviewing literature from growing and breeding pigs from 2003 to 2020. In total, 33 references were identified that provided relevant HP data and from these references, 192 records were identified for pigs ranging in weight from 12.5 to 283 kg and exposed to temperatures between 12.0°C and 35.5°C. For growing pigs at thermoneutral conditions, a 4.7% average increase in HP was observed compared to HP data summarized from 1988 to 2004. Only five records were identified for gestating sows and the 43 records for lactating sows plus litter. This sow data shows high variability and inconsistent trends with temperature, most likely attributed to variation in experimental protocols, management, and limited reported information. There is still a lack of data on growing pigs greater than 105 kg, gilts and gestating sows housed in different systems (stall, pen, mixed, etc.), and latent HP values that reflect different housing systems. Further, there is a need to standardize reporting of HP values (with an example provided) across different disciplines to drive documentation of increased swine production efficiency, environmental control design, and energetics modeling.
Agian Jeffilano Barinda, Wawaimuli Arozal, Ni Made Dwi Sandhiutami
et al.
Purpose: Ovarian carcinoma is one of the gynaecological malignancies that have the highest mortality rates due to its progressivity. Endothelin signalling plays a leading role in the progression of ovarian cancer through Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Cisplatin commonly used as potent chemotherapy; however, its application hindered by its nephrotoxic effect. Curcumin, a turmeric-derived compound, has an anticancer property, as well as a renal protective effect. Moreover, curcumin augments the affinity of the antioxidant enzyme, while inhibits endothelin-1 (ET-1) signalling. The effects of curcumin on ovarian cancer progression and cisplatin-induced kidney injury remain unknown. Methods: Curcumin was used as a supplementary therapy together with cisplatin in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell line (SKOV3) and also in rodent-induced ovarian cancer. The kidney phenotype in the ovarian cancer rat model after cisplatin ± curcumin administration will also be analyzed Results: Co-treatment of cisplatin with curcumin enhanced the expression of a gene involved in apoptosis in association with NRF2 enhancement, thus activated ETBR-mediated ET-1 clearance in SKOV3 cell and ovarian cancer model in rat. Moreover, curcumin treatment improved mitochondria biogenesis markers such as PGC-1α and TFAM and prevented the elevated of ET-1-mediated renal fibrosis and apoptosis in kidney isolated from cisplatin-treated ovarian cancer rat. Conclusion: Curcumin could be potentially added as an anticancer adjuvant with protective effects in the kidney; thus, improves the efficacy and safety of cisplatin treatment in the clinical setting.
Marta Rodriguez de Assis Machado, Márcia Lima, Natália Neris
The goal of this paper is to analyze Brazilian anti-racism law in practice, assessing judicial response to cases of racial stigma and insult. We analyzed over 200 cases from 9 Brazilian states involving racial insults and racial disparagement in Brazilian courts of appeal. We find that the judiciary tends to downplay the importance of insult and stigma, often dismissing cases or lowering penalties. This judicial treatment conflicts with the evidence that racial insults are prevalent in society and serve to maintain racial hierarchies. While the judiciary appears to be enforcing anti-discrimination law, the actual decisions show that the legal system fails to recognize and deal with the real dynamics of Brazilian racism thereby reinforcing the myth of Brazil racial democracy.
The article discusses the problems of organization of scientific and production activities with the aim of import substitution as a systemic problem of the national economy. The authors believe that the most appropriate theoretical basis is the mechanism of the triple helix, with some adaptation to modern conditions. This tool can make only with qualified personnel, who must be prepared according to the “dual education”. Recommendations for the integrated management of human capital development.
Carine de Freitas Souza, Matheus Dellaméa Baldissera, Bernardo Baldisserotto
et al.
In fish, stressful events initiate a hormone cascade along the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal and hypothalamus-sympathetic-chromaffin (HSC) axis to evoke several physiological reactions in order to orchestrate and maintain homeostasis. Several biotic and abiotic factors, as well as aquaculture procedures (handling, transport, or stocking density), activated stress system inducing negative effects on different physiological processes in fish (growth, reproduction, and immunity). In order to reduce these consequences, the use of essential oils (EOs) derived from plants has been the focus of aquaculture studies due to their diverse properties (e.g., anesthetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial), which have been shown to reduce biochemical and endocrine alterations and, consequently, to improve the welfare status. Recently, several studies have shown that biogenic compounds isolated from different EOs present excellent biological activities, as well as the nanoencapsulated form of these EOs may potentiate their effects. Overall, EOs presented less side effects than synthetic compounds, but their stress-reducing efficacy is related to their chemical composition, concentration or chemotype used. In addition, their species-specific actions must be clearly established since they can act as stressors by themselves if their concentrations and chemotypes used are not suitable. For this reason, it is necessary to assess the effect of these natural compound mixtures in different fish species, from marine to freshwater, in order to find the ideal concentration range and the way for their administration to obtain the desired biological activity, without any undesired side effects. In this review, the main findings regarding the use of different EOs as stress reducers will be presented to highlight the most important issues related to their use to improve fish welfare in aquaculture.
Освещаются ключевые социальные детерминанты (источники, причины и факторы) воспроизводства коррупции в современном российском обществе. Отмечается, что в современной России имеется основательная законодательная база для противодействия коррупции и совершенствуется правоприменительная практика. Но вследствие устойчивого существования и перманентного действия формационных, сферальных и структурных факторов, обусловливающих не только живучесть, но и постоянное воспроизводство условий для коррупции, борьба с ней не дает результатов. Не менее важно знать, как коррупция отражается в массовом сознании, какие оценки антикоррупционной политике дают сами граждане, насколько в обществе сформированы антикоррупционный климат, неприятие коррупционных практик. На основе материалов социологических исследований в статье формулируются предложения по комплексному решению проблемы искоренения коррупции, предусматривающему не только расширение демократических начал в обществе и политике, ограничение чрезмерного влияния товарно-денежных отношений, господствующих в российской системе олигархического капитализма, но прежде всего активизацию системной модернизации всего российского общества на принципах Конституции в направлении его эволюционной трансформации в современную модель постиндустриального общества, включая формирование полноценного демократического социально-правового государства.