Appointment of Leader Position: Study on the Regional Government of West Nusa Tenggara

This study aims to develop a model for leadership appointment positions in the Regional Government of Nusa Tenggara Barat. Using Yin multi case study method, data collection was carried out through observation, tracing and document analysis as well as in-depth interviews with informants consisting of two clusters (K-I and K-II). This research found that competence supports meritocracy, because the higher the competence, the better the meritocracy value. Meritocracy get the most dominant element, and political intervention has a negative role on employees and hinders the implementation of meritocracy, however, political functions in policy formulation and political control over the bureaucracy are needed. Local wisdom strengthens values ​​of morality and integrity so as to fortify the unfair competition between civil servants and the discretion of regional heads. Talent management as urgent factor considering that more than half of the human resources are in a critical age. The study recommends developing a model for leadership appointment position with local wisdom and talent management elements that reinforce competence and meritocracy and inhibit political discretion towards superior performing leaders.

Potential Role of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Pediatric Food Allergy

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are involved both in immune system regulation and inflammation. In particular, within the PUFAs category, omega-3 (ω-3) may reduce inflammation, whereas omega-6 (ω-6) PUFAs are generally considered to have a proinflammatory effect. Recent evidence highlights an imbalance in the ω-3: ω-6 ratio with an increased intake of ω-6, as a consequence of the shift towards a westernized diet. In critical age groups such as infants, toddlers and young children, as well as pregnant and lactating women or fish allergic patients, ω-3 intake may be inadequate. This review aims to discuss the potential beneficial effects of PUFAs on pediatric food allergy prevention and treatment, both at prenatal and postnatal ages. Data from preclinical studies with PUFAs supplementation show encouraging effects in suppressing allergic response. Clinical studies results are still conflicting about the best timing and dosages of supplementation and which individuals are most likely to benefit; therefore, it is still not possible to draw firm conclusions. With regard to food-allergic children, it is still debated whether PUFAs could slow disease progression or not, since consistent data are lacking. In conclusion, more data on the effects of ω-3 PUFAs supplementation alone or in combination with other nutrients are warranted, both in the general and food allergic population.

THE EFFECT OF CHOCOLATE BISCUIT AND JELLY CANDY CONSUMPTION ON SALIVARY pH IN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Introduction:Dental caries is a disease of hard dental tissue, namely enamel, dentin, and cementume caused by a microorganism in a carbohydrate that can be shared. Stimulus secretion of saliva consists of mechanical stimulation including talking, chewing, and gargling, while chemical stimulation in the form of the impression of taste. Chocolate biscuits and jelly candies are sweet, sticky, and chewy cariogenic foods that greatly affect changes in salivary pH. Children aged 9-10 years are more susceptible to dental disease because it is a critical age group, at that age there is a transition of tooth growth from baby teeth to permanen teeth. Purpose:This study aims to determine the differences in salivary pH between consuming chocolate biscuits and jelly candies in students aged 9-10 years. Materials and Methods: The research design used was a pre-experimental study with a pretest and posttest control group design. The number of subjects required was 32 respondents, by taking a Simple Random Sampling, which was divided into 2 groups, each group consisting of 16 people. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon test and One Way ANOVA. Result and Discussion: The result showed that, the mean value of saliva pH before chewing chocolate biscuits was 8.09, in minute to five was 3.96, in minute to ten was 6.50, then in minute to fifteen was 7.33. While the mean salivary pH before chewing jelly candy was 7.66, in minute to five was 5.17, in in minute to ten was 6.81, and in minute to fifteen was 7.50. Conclusion: The conclusion of this study was that chewing chocolate biscuits was more influential in lowering salivary pH than chewing jelly candies after 5 (five) minutes of mastication and there was no difference in mean increase in salivary pH between groups after 10-15 (ten-fifteen) minutes of chewing chocolate biscuits and jelly candies.

Critical Age-Friendly Research and Representational Ethics

As the efforts of the Global Age-friendly Cities and Communities movement mature and continue to grapple with society’s shifting dynamics, blind spots and knowledge gaps are exposed. This research applies critical discourse analysis to examine the evolution of Age-friendly NYC using an intersectional lens committed to an ethics of representation. Over 1,000 pages of public records were analyzed to trace the history of this movement in relation to age, race, sexuality, gender, ability, and class. Findings suggest that Age-friendly NYC is a global leader of the age-friendly movement, yet social identities are represented neither equally nor universally in its initiatives. Discussions of race, sexuality, and gender are subtle. They also overlook how these identities may intersect and shape the aging experience for differently positioned older adults. A comprehensive understanding of the aging experiences of those with multiple intersecting identities is needed to inform future age-friendly policies and programs.

Prevalence characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women receiving physical examinations in the Shangcheng District, Hangzhou city, China

This paper aimed to investigate the characteristics of female HPV infection in the Shangcheng District, Hangzhou city, China. The retrospective study was designed to analyze the HPV prevalence rate of 22,382 women receiving physical examinations from 2016 to 2020 in the Shangcheng District of Hangzhou city in China. A commercial kit was designed to detect the HPV genotypes. Trends were examined for age-specific groups (≤ 30 years, 31–44 years, 45–54 years, 55–64 years, ≥ 65 years). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the correlation of age classification in high risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection. 22.41% (5015/22,382) of samples were HPV positive, 91.28% (4578/5015) of HPV positive women were infected by HR-HPV. The most prevalent HR-HPV genotypes were 16, 52, 18, 58, 56, and 51. The trend of HPV prevalence showed the significant differences in age-specific groups (χ2 = 164.70, P < 0.001). Moreover, the areas under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.712 in 55–64 years group which showed a strong contribution of age classification for HR-HPV infection. This study provided baseline data on the prevalence characteristics of HPV infection and the critical age group of HR-HPV prevalence rate was 55–64 y among the samples receiving physical examinations.

Community burden of hypertension and treatment patterns: An in-depth age predictor analysis: (The Rural Community Risk of Non-Communicable Disease Study - Nyive Phase I)

Background This study aimed to describe the burden, treatment patterns and, age threshold for predicting hypertension among rural adults in Nyive in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, Ghana. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 417 adults aged 20 years and above were randomly selected from households within the Nyive community. The WHO STEPwise approach for non-communicable diseases risk factor surveillance (STEPS) instrument was used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical information including age, gender, educational background, marital status, and occupation as well as hypertension treatment information. Blood pressure was measured using standard methods. The risk of hypertension and the critical age at risk of hypertension was determined using binary logistic regression model and the receiver-operator characteristics (ROC) analysis. Results The direct and indirect age-standardized hypertension prevalence was higher in males (562.58/487.34 per 1000 residents) compared to the females (489.42/402.36 per 1000 residents). The risk of hypertension among the study population increased by 4.4% (2.9%-5.9% at 95% CI) for one year increase in age while the critical age at risk of hypertension was >39 years among females and >35 years among males. About 64(46.72%) of the hypertensive participants were not on treatment whereas only 42(30.66%) had their blood pressure controlled. Conclusion Rural hypertension is high among adults in Nyive. The critical age at risk of hypertension was lower among males. The estimated annual increase of risk of hypertension was 4.7% for females and 3.1% for males. High levels of undiagnosed and non-treatment of hypertension and low levels of blood pressure control exist among the rural folks.

Suppressed Undergrowth of Siberian Spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) in Early Ontogeny: One-Way Ticket or Survival Strategy?

The study examined the growth characteristics of the Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) under the canopy of coniferous forests in early ontogeny. We revealed that spruce undergrowth in adverse conditions is suppressed, is slow to grow and has xylorhizomes. The result is a significant difference in height, age and stage of ontogeny that affects the forest’s growth dynamics. The formation of xylorhizomes changes the relative dimensions of the above-ground part and the plant’s absolute height from 42 to 75%, depending on age. We identified two periods of growth intensity (slow and stable) and the critical age for spruce undergrowth to move from one stage of ontogeny to the next. If it does not make the transition, it will die. There are two strategies for developing spruce undergrowth: a “direct” path during rapid growth and a “waiting” path when the plants are suppressed. Such growth pathways in the pre-generative stage of the Siberian spruce’s ontogeny allow the undergrowth, even in a suppressed state, to survive in an adverse environment under the forest canopy.

Resurgence of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: Case Series and Global Epidemiological Trends

Resurgence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)—case series and global epidemiological trends. We noted a recent increase in cases of SSPE admitted in our institute, even though they had received measles vaccination. We did a detailed study of our cases and compared with global epidemiological trends of SSPE in preimmunization and era of developed immunity. Out of total 23 cases of SSPE, 12 presented in the year 2017 alone, reflecting a steep rise in incidence. Sixteen patients had received measles vaccine and never had prior measles infection. Mean age of onset was 8.2 years and average time of progression to advanced stage of disease was 65 days. Global data showed similar trends, that is, earlier age of onset with a faster rate of progression in the postvaccination era as compared with prevaccine era. Possible mechanisms to account for this trend include an early wild measles infection in the critical age of 6 to 9 months, before vaccination. There is a changing epidemiological trend of SSPE in terms of lower age of onset and faster rate of progression, also reflected in global data. There is a need for multicenter studies to verify the findings and explore possible measures like lowering the age of measles vaccination to halt this alarming trend.

Colonic Handling of Calcium Appears To Occur Via Different Pathways in Mouse Models of Infants and Adults

Objectives Calcium (Ca2+) is a vital micronutrient for many physiological functions with the greatest rate of accumulation occurring during the critical period of infancy. Previous work has demonstrated that molecular mechanisms of intestinal Ca2+ absorption across the small intestine are significantly different in animal models of infants and adults to permit greater absorption early in life. The colon contributes to overall Ca2+ balance in adults via transcellular, TRPV6 mediated and paracellular claudin-2 and -12 mediated pathways. Whether these same colonic pathways contribute to overall Ca2+ absorption in infants is not known. Here we aimed to investigate the molecular details of Ca2+ absorption across the large intestine in murine models of infancy relative to older mice. Methods Mice at 14 days (P14) were used as a model of suckling infants and mice at 2 months were employed to represent adult physiology. Wildtype and mutant mice with a non-functioning Trpv6 or deletions of Cldn2 or Cldn12 were used. Net 45Ca2+ flux (JCa) and Ca2+ permeability (PCa) were measured in Ussing chambers. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. Results JCa indicates net absorption across the colon at both P14 and 2 months. While gene expression of Trpv6 and S100g suggest greater cellular uptake of Ca2+ into colonocytes at P14, net JCa in vitro was not different than at 2 months. In contrast to previous work in mice at 2 months, TRPV6 does not mediate JCa at P14. PCa was 20% greater at P14 than 2 months, suggesting greater capacity for bidirectional diffusion of Ca2+ down an electrochemical gradient in younger mice. In contrast to previous work in mice at 2 months, claudin-2 and claudin-12 do not mediate PCa at P14 and, expression of Cldn2 and Cldn12 were significantly reduced in younger mice. Conclusions These results improve our understanding of intestinal Ca2+ handling during a critical age early in life. Future work is required to delineate molecular details under in vivo conditions of colonic Ca2+ transport in infants. Funding Sources This work was funded by grants from the Women and Children's Health Research Institute, which is supported by the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council to RTA, who is the Canada Research Chair in Renal Epithelial Transport Physiology.