Integrative analysis in toxicological assessment of the insecticide Malathion in Allium cepa L. system

For many centuries human populations have been suffering and trying to fight with disease-bearing mosquitoes. Emerging and reemerging diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya affect billions of people around the world and recently has been appealing to control with chemical pesticides. Malathion (MT) is one of the main pesticides used against mosquitoes, the vectors of these diseases. This study aimed to assess cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of the malathion for the bioindicator Allium cepa L. using a multivariate and integrative approach. Moreover, an appendix table was compiled with all available literature of insecticides assessed by the Allium cepa system to support our discussion. Exposures during 48h to 0.5 mg mL-1 and 1.0 mg mL-1 MT were compared to the negative control (distilled water) and positive control (MMS solution at 10 mg L-1). The presence of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, and mitotic index abnormalities was evaluated. Anaphase bridges were the alterations with higher incidence and presented a significantly elevated rate in the concentration of 0.5 mg mL-1, including when compared to the positive control. The integrative discriminant analysis summarizes that MT in assessed concentrations presented effects like the positive control, corroborating its potential of toxicity to DNA. Therefore, it is concluded that MT in its pure composition and in realistic concentrations used, has genotoxic potential in the biological assessment of A. cepa cells. The multivariate integrative analysis was fundamental to show a whole response of all data, providing a global view of the effect of MT on DNA.

An Integrative Approach to Dealing with Bereavements

Providing help and support to people experiencing grief after loss is one of the tasks of a psychologist and psychotherapist. Many views of various authors on the process of grieving and criticism of different opinions of each other make it difficult to choose any one theory for dealing with bereavement. The main goal of this paper is to take a holistic view of the course of adaptation to bereavement and create an integrative approach to the process of grieving based on the main principles of positive psychotherapy. To do this, I used the theories of living-through of grieving by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, John Bowlby, William Worden, Margaret Stroebe and Hank Shute, and Nossrat Peseschkian. Thus, an integrative model of the bereavement experience was created, in which the phases and tasks of two processes were identified: orientation to loss and orientation to restoration. Application of this model, as well as the use of the principles and techniques of positive psychotherapy as a guide, can help a therapist have a holistic view of the process of dealing with bereavement and be as effective as possible in the therapy process. Keywords: grief, grief work bereavement, positive psychotherapy, restoration

Integrative Multi−Omics Analysis Reveals Candidate Biomarkers for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Due to the lack of early detection and treatment, the survival rate of OSCC remains poor and the incidence of OSCC has not decreased during the past decades. To explore potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OSCC, we analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with OSCC using RNA sequencing technology. Methylation−regulated and differentially expressed genes (MeDEGs) of OSCC were further identified via an integrative approach by examining publicly available methylomic datasets together with our transcriptomic data. Protein−protein interaction (PPI) networks of MeDEGs were constructed and highly connected hub MeDEGs were identified from these PPI networks. Subsequently, expression and survival analyses of hub genes were performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online tool. A total of 56 upregulated MeDEGs and 170 downregulated MeDEGs were identified in OSCC. Eleven hub genes with high degree of connectivity were picked out from the PPI networks constructed by those MeDEGs. Among them, the expression level of four hub genes (CTLA4, CDSN, ACTN2, and MYH11) were found to be significantly changed in the head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC) patients. Three hypomethylated hub genes (CTLA4, GPR29, and TNFSF11) and one hypermethylated hub gene (ISL1) were found to be significantly associated with overall survival (OS) of HNSC patients. Therefore, these hub genes may serve as potential DNA methylation biomarkers and therapeutic targets of OSCC.

Individual Perception of Telehealth: Validation of a German Translation of the Telemedicine Perception Questionnaire and a Derived Short Version

Telehealth is a growing domain with particular relevance for remote patient monitoring. With respect to the biopsychosocial model of health, it is important to evaluate perception and satisfaction with new methods in telehealth as part of an integrative approach. The Telemedicine Perception Questionnaire (TMPQ) is a 17-item questionnaire measuring patients’ perception of and satisfaction with telecare. We translated this survey into German and determined its validity and reliability in 32 adolescents and adults. Furthermore, we derived a short version of the TMPQ, named Patient and Physician Satisfaction with Monitoring (PPSM), which is a 5-item questionnaire that can be administered to both patients and physicians. Validity and reliability were tested in 32 patients and 32 physicians. Crohnbach’s α for the translated TMPQ was 0.76, and the German version yielded high validity (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.995). We tested the PPSM in both patients and physicians and found acceptable values for Crohnbach’s α (0.72 and 0.78) with excellent validity (ICC 0.965). We therefore concluded from this small study that both German versions of the TMPQ and PPSM can be used to investigate the acceptance of telehealth applications.

The genome of oil-Camellia and population genomics analysis provide insights into seed oil domestication

Background As a perennial crop, oil-Camellia possesses a long domestication history and produces high-quality seed oil that is beneficial to human health. Camellia oleifera Abel. is a sister species to the tea plant, which is extensively cultivated for edible oil production. However, the molecular mechanism of the domestication of oil-Camellia is still limited due to the lack of sufficient genomic information. Results To elucidate the genetic and genomic basis of evolution and domestication, here we report a chromosome-scale reference genome of wild oil-Camellia (2.95 Gb), together with transcriptome sequencing data of 221 cultivars. The oil-Camellia genome, assembled by an integrative approach of multiple sequencing technologies, consists of a large proportion of repetitive elements (76.1%) and high heterozygosity (2.52%). We construct a genetic map of high-density corrected markers by sequencing the controlled-pollination hybrids. Genome-wide association studies reveal a subset of artificially selected genes that are involved in the oil biosynthesis and phytohormone pathways. Particularly, we identify the elite alleles of genes encoding sugar-dependent triacylglycerol lipase 1, β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III, and stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturases; these alleles play important roles in enhancing the yield and quality of seed oil during oil-Camellia domestication. Conclusions We generate a chromosome-scale reference genome for oil-Camellia plants and demonstrate that the artificial selection of elite alleles of genes involved in oil biosynthesis contributes to oil-Camellia domestication.

Integrative Approach to COVID-19: An Indian Facebook Recipe for Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has given the world a big blow and has forced the entire world to develop a new thought process. To cope with the stress of lockdown, it was important for people to indulge in educational and health activities to save them from the threats being caused by the news and social media. A Facebook page named Yoga scholars Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) was created where three sessions were held per day for 225 days regularly. This activity resulted in people adopting an integrative approach towards alternative medicine. This also made possible a trial of Ashwagandha for COVID-19 treatment by the Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) ministry.

Integrative profiling of Epstein–Barr virus transcriptome using a multiplatform approach

Background Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is an important human pathogenic gammaherpesvirus with carcinogenic potential. The EBV transcriptome has previously been analyzed using both Illumina-based short read-sequencing and Pacific Biosciences RS II-based long-read sequencing technologies. Since the various sequencing methods have distinct strengths and limitations, the use of multiplatform approaches have proven to be valuable. The aim of this study is to provide a more complete picture on the transcriptomic architecture of EBV. Methods In this work, we apply the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION (long-read sequencing) platform for the generation of novel transcriptomic data, and integrate these with other’s data generated by another LRS approach, Pacific BioSciences RSII sequencing and Illumina CAGE-Seq and Poly(A)-Seq approaches. Both amplified and non-amplified cDNA sequencings were applied for the generation of sequencing reads, including both oligo-d(T) and random oligonucleotide-primed reverse transcription. EBV transcripts are identified and annotated using the LoRTIA software suite developed in our laboratory. Results This study detected novel genes embedded into longer host genes containing 5′-truncated in-frame open reading frames, which potentially encode N-terminally truncated proteins. We also detected a number of novel non-coding RNAs and transcript length isoforms encoded by the same genes but differing in their start and/or end sites. This study also reports the discovery of novel splice isoforms, many of which may represent altered coding potential, and of novel replication-origin-associated transcripts. Additionally, novel mono- and multigenic transcripts were identified. An intricate meshwork of transcriptional overlaps was revealed. Conclusions An integrative approach applying multi-technique sequencing technologies is suitable for reliable identification of complex transcriptomes because each techniques has different advantages and limitations, and the they can be used for the validation of the results obtained by a particular approach.

Public administration in Russia as a subject of administrative procedure

The subject. Doctrinal approaches that reveal the place and role of public authorities, as well as organizations performing the functions of these authorities in the administrative process carried out in the Russian Federation, the principles and norms of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, administrative procedural legislation that form the legal basis of the administrative process in Russia.The purpose of the article is scientific substantiation of the integration of non-judicial bodies carrying out the administrative procedure into a special subsystem of public power, called public administration in the Russian Federation.The methodology. Formal logical and dialectical methods as well as private scientific methods such as method of interpretation of legal norms, method of comparative jurisprudence were used.The main results, scope of application. The article reveals the scientifically based content of the integrative approach to understanding the administrative process in contemporary Russia, taking into account the norms of the Russian Constitution and the analysis of existing doctrinal developments of administrative scientists. The article substantiates the structure of the administrative procedural legislation of the Russian Federation ant it’s constituent entities, which includes the judicial administrative process and the executive (non-judicial) administrative process implemented by the public administration (executive authorities, local self-government bodies, other administrative and public bodies). Administrativeindicating legal norms are distinguished, the analysis of which allows us to reveal the content, form, structure of the judicial administrative process and the executive (extra-judicial) administrative process, as well as to establish an integrative relationship between them with the help of such special categories as “judicial administrative case”, “extra-judicial administrative case”, “administrative proceedings”, “administrative proceedings”. A number of key proposals are put forward to systematize the judicial administrative process and the executive (extrajudicial) administrative process in Russia on the basis of developed scientific positions. The article reveals the question of a scientifically based theory for understanding the administrative and public functions of public administration, as well as the system and structure of public administration in modern Russia.Conclusions. The presented integrative approach to understanding the administrative process and its differentiated systematization for the judicial administrative process and the executive (non-judicial) administrative process are the only true way to develop the Russian model of administrative process. The question of the need to systematize the administrative and public functions implemented by the public administration is raised. It is proposed to develop and adopt a federal law “On Public Administration in the Russian Federation”, the authors substantiate the content of the structure of this law.

Precautionary Principle or Evidence-Based Conservation? Assessing the Information Content of Threat Data for the Yangtze Finless Porpoise

Conservation management requires evidence, but robust data on key parameters such as threats are often unavailable. Conservation-relevant insights might be available within datasets collected for other reasons, making it important to determine the information content of available data for threatened species and identify remaining data-gaps before investing time and resources in novel data collection. The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) has declined severely across the middle-lower Yangtze, but multiple threats exist in this system and the relative impact of different anthropogenic activities is unclear, preventing identification of appropriate mitigation strategies. Several datasets containing information on porpoises or potential threats are available from past boat-based and fishing community surveys, which might provide novel insights into causes of porpoise mortality and decline. We employed multiple analytical approaches to investigate spatial relationships between live and dead porpoises and different threats, reproductive trends over time, and sustainable offtake levels, to assess whether evidence-based conservation is feasible under current data availability. Our combined analyses provide new evidence that mortality is spatially associated with increased cargo traffic; observed mortality levels (probably a substantial underestimate of true levels) are unsustainable; and population recruitment is decreasing, although multiple factors could be responsible (pollutants, declining fish stocks, anthropogenic noise, reduced genetic diversity). Available data show little correlation between patterns of mortality and fishing activity even when analyzed across multiple spatial scales; however, interview data can be affected by multiple biases that potentially complicate attempts to reconstruct levels of bycatch, and new data are required to understand dynamics and sustainability of porpoise-fisheries interactions. This critical assessment of existing data thus suggests that in situ porpoise conservation management must target multiple co-occurring threats. Even limited available datasets can provide new insights for understanding declines, and we demonstrate the importance of an integrative approach for investigating complex conservation problems and maximizing evidence in conservation planning for poorly known taxa.

INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS IN A CULTURE INTEGRATED ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE

The relevance of the study is dictated by the demand of the state for training competitive specialists who are ready to maintain an intercultural dialogue in their professional field. The main goal of modern language education is the development of innovative integrated courses that enable students to enrich their subject knowledge and to master the ability to use this knowledge at the international level. This article considers Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) to be promising ways of implementing the integrative approach into the education system. Many methodologists and linguists have proven the effectiveness of interconnected teaching foreign languages and cultures, resulting in the selection of a culture-based course designed in English as an object of the research. With a view to developing students’ professional foreign language competence and enriching subject knowledge, the educational process includes using digital tools provided by museums around the world (the State Hermitage Museum, the Louvre Museum, the British Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Uffizi Gallery, The Vatican Museums), as well as the tasks based on these authentic resources. The study reveals that digital archives, online art collections, ‘Virtual Visit’, audio and video resources are valuable sources of authentic materials that can be used in the process of professionally oriented English teaching.