Specific Reprogramming of Alpha Cells to Insulin-Producing Cells by Short Glucagon Promoter-Driven Pdx1 and MafA

Endogenous reprogramming of pancreas-derived non-beta cells into insulin-producing cells is a promising approach to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D). One strategy that has yet to be explored is the specific delivery of insulin-producing essential genes, Pdx1 and MafA, to pancreatic alpha cells to reprogram the cells into insulin-producing cells in an adult pancreas. In this study, we utilized an alpha cell-specific glucagon (GCG) promoter to drive Pdx1 and MafA transcription factors to reprogram alpha cells to insulin-producing cells in chemically induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. Our results showed that a combination of a short glucagon-specific promoter with AAV serotype 8 can be used to successfully deliver Pdx1 and MafA into alpha cells in the mouse pancreas. Pdx1 and MafA expression specifically in alpha cells was also able to correct hyperglycemia in both induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. With this technology, targeted gene specificity and reprogramming were accomplished with an alpha-specific promotor combined with an AAV-specific serotype and provide an initial basis to develop a novel therapy for the treatment of T1D.

Specific Reprogramming of Alpha Cells to Insulin-Producing Cells by Short Glucagon Promoter-Driven Pdx1 and MafA

Endogenous reprogramming of pancreas-derived non-beta cells into insulin-producing cells is a promising approach to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D). One strategy that has yet to be explored is the specific delivery of insulin-producing essential genes, Pdx1 and MafA, to pancreatic alpha cells to reprogram the cells into insulin-producing cells in an adult pancreas. In this study, we utilized an alpha cell-specific glucagon (GCG) promoter to drive Pdx1 and MafA transcription factors to reprogram alpha cells to insulin-producing cells in chemically induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. Our results showed that a combination of a short glucagon-specific promoter with AAV serotype 8 can be used to successfully deliver Pdx1 and MafA into alpha cells in the mouse pancreas. Pdx1 and MafA expression specifically in alpha cells was also able to correct hyperglycemia in both induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. With this technology, targeted gene specificity and reprogramming were accomplished with an alpha-specific promotor combined with an AAV-specific serotype and provide an initial basis to develop a novel therapy for the treatment of T1D.

The relationship between maternal smartphone use, physiological responses, and gaze patterns during breastfeeding and face-to-face interactions with infant

Smartphone use during parent-child interactions is highly prevalent, however, there is a lack of scientific knowledge on how smartphone use during breastfeeding or face-to-face interactions may modulate mothers’ attentive responsiveness towards the infant as well as maternal physiological arousal. In the present study, we provide the first evidence for the influence of the smartphone on maternal physiological responses and her attention towards the infant during breastfeeding and face-to-face interactions. Twenty breastfeeding mothers and their infants participated in this lab study during which electrodermal activity, cardiograph impedance, and gaze patterns were monitored in breastfeeding and face-to-face interactions with three conditions manipulating the level of maternal smartphone involvement. We report that mothers’ gaze toward their infants decreased when breastfeeding while using the smartphone compared to face-to-face interaction. Further, we show that greater maternal electrodermal activity and cardiac output were related to longer maternal gaze fixation toward the smartphone during breastfeeding. Finally, results indicate that mothers’ smartphone addiction levels were negatively correlated with electrodermal activity during breastfeeding. This study provides an initial basis for much required further research that will explore the influence of smartphone use on maternal biobehavioral responses in this digital age and the consequences for infant cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Physicochemical Characteristics and Bioactive Compounds of New Black Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Varieties Grown in Vietnam

Some physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of three varieties of black cherry tomato (Indigo Rose, OG, F1:001) grown in Vietnam were investigated. The results showed that the two varieties OG and F1:001 have roughly the same size with weight, height, diameter, geometric diameter and surface area ranging from 21.62 to 22.25 g, 25.69 to 26.40 mm, 24.46 to 25.11 mm, 24.86 to 25.53 mm and 19.47 to 20.51 cm2, respectively. Meanwhile, the Indigo variety is twice as large with the corresponding parameters as 45.2 g, 48.03 mm, 55.18 mm, 52.69 mm and 87.20 cm2. All three varieties are in a spherical shape with sphericity and aspect ratios ranging from 96.72 to 109.69% and 0.951 to 1.149, respectively. The variety of OG contained higher levels of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanin, not only in the skin but also in the outer tissue. Six anthocyanin compounds were identified in the two varieties of OG and Indigo Rose while only four anthocyanin compounds were found in the variety of F1:001. Among them, two new compounds (delphinidin-3-(p-coumaroyl)-glucoside and delphinidin-3-(p-coumaroyl)-glucoside-arabinoside) were discovered in all three varieties. The finding of this study will be a basis for consumers to better understand the nutritious properties of black cherry tomatoes grown in Vietnam, thereby promoting the need to grow and consume this beneficial fruit. The study also provides the important physicochemical parameters of black cherry tomatoes, which are the initial basis for fruit preservation and processing.

Specific Reprogramming of Alpha Cells to Insulin-Producing Cells by Short Glucagon Promoter-Driven Pdx1 and MafA

Endogenous reprogramming of pancreas-derived non-beta cells into insulin-producing cells is a promising approach to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D). One strategy that has yet to be explored is the specific delivery of insulin-producing essential genes, Pdx1 and MafA, to pancreatic alpha cells to reprogram the cells into insulin-producing cells in an adult pancreas. In this study, we utilized an alpha cell-specific glucagon (GCG) promoter to drive Pdx1 and MafA transcription factors to reprogram alpha cells to insulin-producing cells in chemically induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. Our results showed that a combination of a short glucagon-specific promoter with AAV serotype 8 can be used to successfully deliver Pdx1 and MafA into alpha cells in the mouse pancreas. Pdx1 and MafA expression specifically in alpha cells was also able to correct hyperglycemia in both induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. With this technology, targeted gene specificity and reprogramming were accomplished with an alpha-specific promotor combined with an AAV-specific serotype and provide an initial basis to develop a novel therapy for the treatment of T1D.

Application of light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) in the extensionof the cultivation period of Spirulina in Northern Vietnam

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is cultured in Vietnam mainly as a functional food for humans and supplementary food for aquatic species. In the North, the most suitable time to cultivate Spirulina is from early May to late September. Other times, due to the decrease in light intensity and temperature, the growth of Spirulina significantly reduced and gave low yield, especially in the period from December to the end of February. This study investigated the influence of LEDs light on the growth of Spirulina during the periods from early March to late April (T3-T4), from early October to late November (T10-T11), and from early December to late February (T12-T2) in Hanoi. The results showed that the continuous irradiation of red LEDs increased the yield of Spirulina and pigments, phycocyanin, and chlorophyll in the two stages (T3-T4) and (T10-T11). The irradiation of both red and blue LEDs did not show a significant effect in the period T12-T2. Green LEDs did not significantly affect the growth of Spirulina. The research results provided an initial basis for the application of red LEDs to the extent of the cultivation time of Spirulina in the North of Vietnam

The relationship between maternal smartphone use, physiological responses, and gaze patterns during breastfeeding and face-to-face interactions with infant

Smartphone use during parent-child interactions is highly prevalent, however, there is a lack of scientific knowledge on how smartphone use during breastfeeding or face-to-face interactions may modulate mothers' attentive responsiveness towards the infant as well as maternal physiological arousal. In the present study, we provide the first evidence for the influence of the smartphone on maternal physiological responses and her attention towards the infant during breastfeeding and face-to-face interactions. Twenty breastfeeding mothers and their infants participated in this lab study during which electrodermal activity, cardiograph impedance, and gaze patterns were monitored in breastfeeding and face-to-face interactions with three conditions manipulating the level of maternal smartphone involvement. We report that mothers' gaze toward their infants decreased when breastfeeding while using the smartphone compared to face-to-face interaction. Further, we show that infants' temperament - specifically, higher infants' negative affect, as well as greater maternal electrodermal activity and cardiac output were all related to longer maternal gaze fixation toward the smartphone during breastfeeding. Finally, results indicate that mothers' smartphone addiction levels were negatively correlated with electrodermal activity during breastfeeding. This study provides an initial basis for much required further research that will explore the influence of smartphone use on maternal biobehavioral responses in this digital age and the consequences for infant cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Analysis of integrated logistics support (ILS) in the shipbuilding industry. Advantages and improvement opportunities for the naval industry. COTECMAR case study

Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) applied in the world-class shipbuilding industry has set significant trends in the processes and life cycles of the products and/or systems developed. COTECMAR as a Countrywide pioneer company in this sector, with specific strengths in naval prototypes, has been developing actions together with the National Navy to integrate concepts related to ILS, in its processes. Therefore, a detailed analysis of how these processes are facing the requirements of such support, has become necessary, starting from the initial basis of the possible advantages and opportunities for improvement that this could bring to the corporation and the sector. This is based on the theoretical and conceptual foundations in the ILS framework and how these are developed in the company under analysis.

Лингвокультурная интепретация одесских мифологем в киноповести Эфраима Севелы Одесса-мама

This article dwells upon linguacultural specificity of Odessa mythologems. They function as sample and initial basis for creating a mythological portrayal of Odessa, also of personages, statements, situations in the film story Odessa-mama by Efraim Sevela (1971–1988), that was based on I. Babel’s Odessa stories. In the text under analysis fixed Odessa mythologems form a storyline, that has conceptual and precedential meaning.