bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular mechanism of Wilms’ tumor (Wt1) (+/−KTS) variants promoting proliferation and migration of ovarian epithelial cells by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaomei , Zhao Jingyu , Zhang Yixin , Liu Yuxin , Wang Jinzheng , Shi Ruoxi , Yuan Jinxiang , Meng Kai
Published: February 2023

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a gynecological disease with the highest mortality. With the lack of understanding of its pathogenesis, no accurate early diagnosis and screening method has been established for EOC. Studies revealed the multi-faceted function of Wilms’ tumor (Wt1) genes in cancer, which may be related to the existence of multiple alternative splices. Our results show thatWt1(+KTS) orWt1(−KTS) overexpression can significantly promote the proliferation and migration of human ovarian epithelial cells HOSEpiC, andWt1(+KTS) effects were more evident. To explore theWt1(+/−KTS) variant mechanism in HOSEpiC proliferation and migration and ovarian cancer (OC) occurrence and development, this study explored the differential regulation ofWt1(+/−KTS) in HOSEpiC proliferation and migration by transcriptome sequencing. OC-related hub genes were screened by bioinformatics analysis to further explore the differential molecular mechanism ofWt1(+/−KTS) in the occurrence of OC. Finally, we found that the regulation ofWt1(+/−KTS) variants on the proliferation and migration of HOSEpiC may act through different genes and signaling pathways and screened out key genes and differentially regulated genes that regulate the malignant transformation of ovarian epithelial cells. The implementation of this study will provide new clues for the early diagnosis and precise treatment of OC.
CMTM7 inhibits breast cancer progression by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Chen Zhao-Hui , Tian Yao , Zhou Guang-Lei , Yue Hao-Ran , Zhou Xue-Jie , Ma Hai-Yan , Ge Jie , Wang Xin , Cao Xu-Chen , Yu Yue
Published: February 2023

Background

Breast cancer is the major cause of death in females globally. Chemokine-like factor like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 7 (CMTM7) is reported as a tumor suppressor and is involved in epidermal growth factor receptor degradation and PI3K/AKT signaling in previous studies. However, other molecular mechanisms of CMTM7 remain unclear.

Methods

The expression level of CMTM7 in breast cancer cells and tissues was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot, and the methylation of CMTM7 promoter was detected by BSP sequencing. The effect of CMTM7 was verified both in vitro and in vivo, including MTT, colony formation, EdU assay, transwell assay and wound healing assay. The interaction between CMTM7 and CTNNA1 was investigated by co-IP assay. The regulation of miR-182-5p on CMTM7 and TCF3 on miR-182-5p was detected by luciferase reporter assay and ChIP analysis.

Results

This study detected the hypermethylation levels of the CMTM7 promoter region in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. CMTM7 was performed as a tumor suppressor both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, CMTM7 was a direct miR-182-5p target. Besides, we found that CMTM7 could interact with Catenin Alpha 1 (CTNNA1) and regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, transcription factor 3 (TCF3) can regulate miR-182-5p. We identified a feedback loop with the composition of miR-182-5p, CMTM7, CTNNA1, CTNNB1 (β-catenin), and TCF3, which play essential roles in breast cancer progression.

Conclusion

These findings reveal the emerging character of CMTM7 in Wnt/β-catenin signaling and bring new sights of gene interaction. CMTM7 and other elements in the feedback loop may serve as emerging targets for breast cancer therapy.
Metabolic surgery versus usual care effects on diabetes remission: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mirghani Hyder , Altedlawi Albalawi Ibrahim
Published: February 2023

Background

Bariatric surgery is superior to usual care for diabetes remission. Previous meta-analyses were limited by pooling observational and randomized trials, using various definitions of diabetes remission, and not controlling for various diabetes medications. The current meta-analysis aimed to compare bariatric surgery and usual care regarding the same.

Methods

We searched PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library for relevant articles from the date of the first inception up to February 2023. The keywords diabetes remission, Bariatric surgery, metabolic surgery, lifestyles, usual care, GLIP-1 agonists, insulin use, gastric banding, biliopancreatic diversion, sleeve gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, were used. A datasheet was used to extract the relevant data.

Results

Diabetes remission (complete and prolonged) was higher among bariatric surgeries compared to usual care, odd ratio, 0.06, 95 CI, 0.02–0.25 and 0.12, 95 CI, 0.02–0.72, respectively. bariatric surgery patients were younger, had higher HbA1c, odd ratio, − 3.13, 95 CI, − 3.71 to 2.54, and 0.25, 95 CI, 0.02–0.48, respectively, insulin use was higher, and glucagon-like peptide agonists use was lower among bariatric surgery patients, odd ratio, 0.49, 95% CI, 0.24–0.97, and 3.06, 95% CI, 1.44–6.53, respectively.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery was better than usual care in diabetes remission. Bariatric surgery patients were younger, had higher HbA1c, and received more insulin and lower GLP-1 agonists. No differences were evident regarding body mass index and the duration of diabetes. Further trials comparing the new anti-diabetic medications and different forms of bariatric surgery and controlling for the level of exercise and diet are recommended.
A novel chondrocyte sheet fabrication using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived expandable limb-bud mesenchymal cells
Authors: Takao Tomoka , Sato Masato , Fujisawa Yuki , Toyoda Eriko , Yamada Daisuke , Hitsumoto Yukio , Nakata Eiji , Ozaki Toshifumi , Takarada Takeshi
Published: February 2023

Background

Cell sheet fabrication for articular cartilage regenerative medicine necessitates a large number of chondrocytes of consistent quality as a cell source. Previously, we have developed human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived expandable PRRX1+ limb-bud mesenchymal cells (ExpLBM) with stable expansion and high chondrogenic capacity, while in this study; our ExpLBM technology was combined with cell sheet engineering to assess its potential as a stable cell source for articular cartilage regeneration.

Methods

ExpLBM cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), including 414C2 and Ff-KVs09 (HLA homozygous), were seeded onto a culture plate and two-dimensional chondrogenic induction (2-DCI) was initiated. After 2-DCI, ExpLBM-derived chondrocytes were stripped and transferred to temperature-responsive culture inserts and the chondrocyte sheets were histologically examined or transplanted into osteochondral knee defects of immunodeficient rats.

Results

Immunohistochemistry revealed that ExpLBM-derived cell sheets were positive for Safranin O, COL2, and ACAN but that they were negative for COL1 and RUNX2. Furthermore, the engrafted tissues in osteochondral knee defects in immunodeficient rats were stained with SafO, human VIMENTIN, ACAN, and COL2.

Conclusions

The present study is the first to report the chondrocyte sheet fabrication with hiPSC-derived cell source. hiPSC-derived ExpLBM would be a promising cell source for cell sheet technology in articular cartilage regenerative medicine.
Prognostic value of pre-treatment FDG PET/CT SUVmax for metastatic lesions in de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma following chemotherapy and locoregional radiotherapy
Authors: Yan Wenbin , Sun Chunhua , Ou Xiaomin , Hu Chaosu
Published: February 2023

Background

To explore the prognostic role of FDG PET/CT maximal standard uptake values of metastatic lesions (SUVmax-M) in patients with de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC) following palliative chemotherapy and locoregional radiotherapy (LRRT).

Methods

We retrospectively collected the information of 86 eligible patients between Jan 2012 and Oct 2020. All the parameters involving SUVmax and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at diagnosis were evaluated and cutoff values were determined by the maximum log-rank statistic method. The multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression to identify the independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival (OS). All estimated survival rates were conducted with Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Median survival and progression time in the cohort were 38.2 and 13.9 months, respectively. The univariable analysis showed that male, number of metastatic sites ≥ 4, presence of liver, serum LDH ≥ 229, SUVmax-M ≥ 10, SUVmax-M-sum ≥ 10, and SUVmax-M-mean ≥ 8.8 were significant prognostic factors. Five variables were identified after LASSO regression and entered into the multivariate analysis. Furthermore, liver involvement (P = 0.039), elevated LDH (≥ 229) (P = 0.05) and higher SUVmax-M (≥ 10) (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with worse OS.

Conclusion

The high SUVmax of metastatic lesions (≥ 10), liver involvement, and elevated serum LDH (≥ 229) at diagnosis could independently predict poor survival for de novo mNPC patients treated with palliative chemotherapy following LRRT.
Prevalence of enteric bacterial pathogens in diarrheic under-five children and their association with the nutritional status in Bahir Dar Zuria District, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Balew Mastewal , Kibret Mulugeta
Published: February 2023

Background

Diarrheal disease is one of the leading causes of child mortality in low and middle-income countries. Low nutritional status and bacterial infections contribute to growth deficiency and death in children. But there is a gap in identifying the bacterial etiology of diarrheal diseases and their association with the nutritional status of under-five children. This study aimed to determine the bacterial etiology of diarrheal diseases and their association with the nutritional status of diarrheic under-five children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2021 to March 2022 at seven Health Centers in Bahir Dar Zuria district, Ethiopia. A total of 196 diarrheic under-five children visiting the health centers were included in the study. Stool samples were collected from each child for the isolation of Salmonella, Shigella, and E.coli O157:H7. The demographic characteristics and symptoms of children were obtained from parents/guardians. The weight, height, and age of each child were recorded and anthropometric indices were determined by WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 software. The association between bacterial prevalence and the nutritional status of children was analyzed by SPSS version 26 software using Binary logistic regression. All analyses were conducted at a 95% confidence interval and significant association was determined using a p-value < 0.05.

Results

Of the total children included in the study, 13.1% had either E.coli O157:H7, Shigella, or Salmonella. Watery diarrhea and fever were the most clinical characteristics observed in children who are positive for enteric bacteria. The prevalence of stunted, underweight, and wasted was 56.6%, 24.4%, and 13.2% respectively. Children with wasting were significantly associated with Salmonella detection (OR = 7.2, CI, 1.38–38.1, P = 0.02) whereas stunted and underweight were not associated with bacterial prevalence.

Conclusion

Overall, the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in the study area is high. Stunting, wasting, and being underweight are important nutritional deficits of diarrheic under-five children in the study site. Further studies targeting possible sources of bacteria and determinants of malnutrition in children are suggested. Health sectors found in the district should increase their effort to enhance good nutritional practice through health education and treatment of malnourished children by the provision of micronutrients.
The predictive role of right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement in patients with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing pulmonary valve replacement
Authors: Monti Caterina Beatrice , Zanardo Moreno , Capra Davide , Lastella Giulia , Guarnieri Gianluca , Giambersio Emilia , Pasqualin Giulia , Sardanelli Francesco , Secchi Francesco
Published: February 2023

Background

Our purpose was to evaluate the correlations between right ventricular (RV) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) scheduled for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) and post-PVR functional data.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed ToF patients scheduled for PVR who underwent two CMR examinations at our institution, one before the procedure (CMR-0), including contrast-enhanced sequences, and one after the procedure (CMR-1). Functional left and RV data were obtained by segmenting short-axis stacks on both CMR examinations, and normalised variations were calculated by dividing differences between CMR-1 and CMR-0 by the intercurring time interval, whereas the RV scar burden was assessed on CMR-0 LGE sequences both semiquantitatively and quantitatively. Data were reported as median and interquartile range, differences were appraised with the Mann–Whitney U test, while correlations were assessed with Spearman’s ρ.

Results

Fifteen patients with a median age of 25 years (16–29), including 9 (60%) males, with a median time interval between CMR-0 and CMR-1 of 17 months (12–23), were retrospectively reviewed. The semiquantitative LGE score at CMR-0 was 7 (6–9), and LGE volume was 4.49 mL (3.70–5.78), covering 5.63% (4.92–7.00) of the RV. RV LGE score showed a moderate positive correlation with the normalised variation of RV stroke volume (ρ = 0.662, p = 0.007) and a borderline moderate positive correlation with the normalised variation of RV end-diastolic indexed volume (ρ = 0.513, p = 0.050).

Conclusions

The assessment of RV LGE before PVR may provide insights on post-PVR functional data, potentially facilitating a patient-tailored treatment pathway.
A National Multicenter Study of Leptin and Leptin Receptor Deficiency and Systematic Review
Authors: Besci Özge , Fırat Sevde Nur , Özen Samim , Çetinkaya Semra , Akın Leyla , Kör Yılmaz , Pekkolay Zafer , Özalkak Şervan , Özsu Elif , Erdeve Şenay Savaş , Poyrazoğlu Şükran , Berberoğlu Merih , Aydın Murat , Omma Tülay , Akıncı Barış , Demir Korcan , Oral Elif Arioglu
Published: February 2023

Context

Homozygous leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) variants lead to childhood-onset obesity.

Objective

To present new cases with LEP and LEPR deficiency, report the long-term follow-up of previously described patients, and to define, based on all reported cases in literature, genotype-phenotype relationships.

Methods

Our cohort included 18 patients (LEP = 11, LEPR = 7), 8 of whom had been previously reported. A systematic literature review was conducted in July 2022. Forty-two of 47 studies on LEP/LEPR were selected.

Results

Of 10 new cases, 2 novel pathogenic variants were identified in LEP (c.16delC) and LEPR (c.40 + 5G > C). Eleven patients with LEP deficiency received metreleptin, 4 of whom had been treated for over 20 years. One patient developed loss of efficacy associated with neutralizing antibody development. Of 152 patients, including 134 cases from the literature review in addition to our cases, frameshift variants were the most common (48%) in LEP and missense variants (35%) in LEPR. Patients with LEP deficiency were diagnosed at a younger age [3 (9) vs 7 (13) years, P = .02] and had a higher median body mass index (BMI) SD score [3.1 (2) vs 2.8 (1) kg/m2, P = 0.02], which was more closely associated with frameshift variants (P = .02). Patients with LEP deficiency were more likely to have hyperinsulinemia (P = .02).

Conclusion

Frameshift variants were more common in patients with LEP deficiency whereas missense variants were more common in LEPR deficiency. Patients with LEP deficiency were identified at younger ages, had higher BMI SD scores, and had higher rates of hyperinsulinemia than patients with LEPR deficiency. Eleven patients benefitted from long-term metreleptin, with 1 losing efficacy due to neutralizing antibodies.
Neonatal Halter Traction for Severe Cervical Spine Deformity: A Technical Case Report With 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Menger Richard P. , Beauchamp Eduardo C. , Alexiades Nikita , Szpilka Ryan T. , Anderson Richard C. E.
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:

Although rare, severe congenital cervical spine deformity can present with limited treatment options and potentially catastrophic outcomes. The use of halter traction for cervical deformity correction in children has been well described, but it has not been previously reported in the management of neonates.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

A baby girl born at full-term gestation presented with generalized hypotonia, bilateral club feet, and significant right upper extremity weakness. Imaging demonstrated a severe congenital swan-neck deformity with spinal cord compression. Halter traction was initiated in the neonatal intensive care unit with subsequent neurological and radiographic improvement. After 7 days, traction was discontinued and she was placed in a custom-fitted cervico-thoracic orthosis. At 2 years of follow-up, she remains neurologically stable with maintained cervical alignment.

CONCLUSION:

Halter traction followed by external bracing is technically possible in the neonatal period. For children with severe cervical congenital deformity, this technique can reduce spinal cord compression, provide significant deformity correction, and delay the need for definitive operative spinal stabilization.
Knockout mice are an important tool for human monogenic heart disease studies
Authors: Cacheiro Pilar , Spielmann Nadine , Mashhadi Hamed Haseli , Fuchs Helmut , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Smedley Damian , de Angelis Martin Hrabĕ
Published: February 2023

Mouse models are relevant to studying the functionality of genes involved in human diseases; however, translation of phenotypes can be challenging. Here, we investigated genes related to monogenic forms of cardiovascular disease based on the Genomics England PanelApp and aligned them to International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) data. We found 153 genes associated with cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias or congenital heart disease in humans, of which 151 have one-to-one mouse orthologues. For 37.7% (57/151), viability and heart data captured by electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, morphology and pathology from embryos and young adult mice are available. In knockout mice, 75.4% (43/57) of these genes showed non-viable phenotypes, whereas records of prenatal, neonatal or infant death in humans were found for 35.1% (20/57). Multisystem phenotypes are common, with 58.8% (20/34) of heterozygous (homozygous lethal) and 78.6% (11/14) of homozygous (viable) mice showing cardiovascular, metabolic/homeostasis, musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, nervous system and/or growth abnormalities mimicking the clinical manifestations observed in patients. These IMPC data are critical beyond cardiac diagnostics given their multisystemic nature, allowing detection of abnormalities across physiological systems and providing a valuable resource to understand pleiotropic effects.
Shotgun knockdown of RNA by CRISPR-Cas13d in fission yeast
Authors: Chen Zhikai , Zheng Shengnan , Fu Chuanhai
Published: February 2023

The CRISPR-Cas13d system has a single small effector protein that targets RNA and does not require the presence of a protospacer flanking site in the targeted transcript. These features make CRISPR-Cas13d an attractive system for RNA manipulation. Here, we report the successful implementation of the CRISPR-Cas13d system in fission yeast for RNA knockdown. A high effectiveness of the CRISPR-Cas13d system was ensured by using an array of CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that are flanked by two self-cleaving ribozymes and are expressed from an RNA polymerase II promoter. Given the repressible nature of the promoter, RNA knockdown by the CRISPR-Cas13d system is reversible. Moreover, using the CRISPR-Cas13d system, we identified an effective crRNA array targeting the transcript of gfp and the effectiveness was demonstrated by successful knockdown of the transcripts of noc4-gfp, bub1-gfp and ade6-gfp. In principle, the effective GFP crRNA array allows knockdown of any transcript carrying the GFP sequences. This new CRISPR-Cas13d-based toolkit is expected to have a wide range of applications in many aspects of biology, including dissection of gene function and visualization of RNA.
From perplexing to predictive: are we ready to forecast insect disease susceptibility in a warming world?
Authors: Ferguson Laura V. , Adamo Shelley A.
Published: February 2023

Insects are critical to our ecosystems, but we do not fully understand their future in our warming world. Rising temperatures are affecting insect physiology in myriad ways, including changes to their immune systems and the ability to fight infection. Whether predicted changes in temperature will contribute to insect mortality or success, and the role of disease in their future survival, remains unclear. Although heat can enhance immunity by activating the integrated defense system (e.g. via the production of protective molecules such as heat-shock proteins) and accelerating enzyme activity, heat can also compromise the immune system through energetic–resource trade-offs and damage. The responses to heat are highly variable among species. The reasons for this variability are poorly known, and we are lagging in our understanding of how and why the immune system responds to changes in temperature. In this Commentary, we highlight the variation in insect immune responses to heat and the likely underlying mechanisms. We suggest that we are currently limited in our ability to predict the effects of rising temperatures on insect immunity and disease susceptibility, largely owing to incomplete information, coupled with a lack of tools for data integration. Moreover, existing data are concentrated on a relatively small number of insect Orders. We provide suggestions for a path towards making more accurate predictions, which will require studies with realistic temperature exposures and housing design, and a greater understanding of both the thermal biology of the immune system and connections between immunity and the physiological responses to heat.
Screening for drought resistance among ornamental maples (Acer sp.). A field experiment in juvenile plants
Authors: Oravec Adrián , Ferus Peter , Košútová Dominika , Konôpková Jana
Published: February 2023

Urban greenery is often affected by adverse environment (including inadequate water availabil-ity) of human agglomerations. Besides high aesthetic value, maples (Acer sp.) with elevated resistance to air/soil pollution, have become common components of ornamental plantations in Europe. Because of high theoretical (representativeness for species evaluation) and practical (planting age) relevancy, morphological and metabolic reactions of juvenile plants of eight maple species to one month long summer drought were studied in the experimental field to estimate the species drought resistance. In spite of marked growth differences, none from tested species showed a significant decrease in leaf relative water content indicating stress. However, in some of them activation of protective mechanisms was observed, what points to the past stress sensing. A. negundo with A. tataricum bet on transpiration area reduction (leaf shedding) and A. buergerianum, A. palmatum and A. saccharinum on osmotic adjustment (increased free proline concentration). Increase in stomatal index and/or reduction in specific leaf area, observed almost exclusively in species with continuous growth, had limited effect on the plant hydration status. Relative trunk growth was par-ticularly affected in the fast growing species. Taking into account the decisive protective mechanisms onset and trunk growth stability, species can be ordered in respect of drought resistance as follows: A. campestre, A. monspessulanum, A. platanoides, A. tataricum, A. negundo, A. saccharinum, A. palmatum and A. buergerianum.
State-of-the-art of invasive Group A Streptococcus infection in children: protocol for a scoping review of the literature with a focus on predictors of invasive infection
Authors: Mariani Francesco , Martino Laura , Gentili Carolina , Pulcinelli Valentina , Valentini Piero , Buonsenso Danilo
Published: February 2023

Background: Invasive group A streptococcus infection (iGAS) is a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition, with high case fatality rates and high morbidity whose incidence is greatly increased in the last years. Despite the increasing importance and frequency of this condition, at the best of our knowledge, no previous reviews have been published focusing on the risk factors for the development of this condition and its early clinical features. This paper reports the study protocol for a scoping review that aims to analyze the early signs and clinical features of invasive group A streptococcus disease in children, to recognize the prodromal stage of the disease.

Methods: Comprehensive research combining the terms pediatric and invasive group A streptococcus infection has been performed on PubMed and SCOPUS to identify potential eligible studies. The search strategy for PubMed will be available in this paper. Two reviewers will screen first the abstract and subsequently the full text to identify eligible articles according to the predefined inclusion criteria. Divergences between the reviewers will be resolved by discussion (with a third author if necessary). Two review authors will extract data independently, everyone on a different Excel spreadsheet. Each researcher will be blinded to the decision of the other researcher. When the process will be completed, in case of discordance, any disagreement will be identified and resolved through discussion (with a third author if necessary).

Dissemination: The findings of this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern in the Seychelles: Introduction and spread
Authors: Morobe John Mwita , Pool Brigitte , Marie Lina , Didon Dwayne , Lambisia Arnold W. , Makori Timothy , Mohammed Khadija Said , Ndwiga Leonard , Mburu Maureen W. , Moraa Edidah , Murunga Nickson , Mwanga Mike , Musyoki Jennifer , Moturi Angela K. , Namulondo Joyce , Tembo Susan Zimba , Ogendi Edwin , Balde Thierno , Dratibi Fred Athanasius , Ali Ahmed Yahaya , Gumede Nicksy , Achilla Rachel A. , Borus Peter K. , Wanjohi Dorcas W. , Tessema Sofonias K. , Mwangangi Joseph , Bejon Philip , Nokes D. James , Ochola-Oyier Lynette Isabella , Githinji George , Biscornet Leon , Agoti Charles N.
Published: February 2023

Background: The emergence of the Omicron variant of concern in late 2021 led to a resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 infections globally. By September 2022, Seychelles had experienced two major surges of SARS-CoV-2 infections driven by the Omicron variant. Here, we examine the genomic epidemiology of Omicron in the Seychelles between November 2021 and September 2022.

Methods: We analysed 618 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron genomes identified in the Seychelles between November 2021 and September 2022 to infer virus introductions and local transmission patterns using phylogenetics and the ancestral state reconstruction approach. We then evaluated the impact of government coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) countermeasures on the estimated number of viral introductions during the study period.

Results: The genomes classified into 43 distinct Pango lineages. The first surge in Omicron cases (beginning November 2021 and peaking in January 2022) was predominated by the BA.1.1 lineage (59%) co-circulating with 11 other Omicron lineages. In the second surge (between April and June 2022), four lineages (BA.2, BA.2.10, BA.2.65 and BA.2.9) co-circulated and these were swiftly replaced by BA.5 subvariants in July 2022, which remained predominant through to September 2022. In the latter period, sporadic detections of BA.5 subvariants BQ.1, BE and BF were observed. We estimated 109 independent Omicron importations into Seychelles over the 11-month period, most of which occurred between December 2021 and March 2022 when strict government restrictions (SI>50%) were still in force. The districts Anse Royale, and Baie St. Anne Praslin appeared to be the major dispersal points fuelling local transmission.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the waves of Omicron infections in the Seychelles were driven by multiple lineages and multiple virus introductions. The introductions were followed by substantial local spread and successive lineage displacement that mirrored the global patterns.
The genome sequence of the Twin-spot Plume, Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla (Scopoli, 1763)
Authors: Langdon William B.V. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla (the Twin-spot Plume; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Pterophoridae). The genome sequence is 822.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.8 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl has identified 22,137 protein coding genes.
MAPPING THE TERRITORY. E-LEARNING OPTIONS FOR TEACHERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Borzea popovici Anca , Mironov Cosmina , Hartescu Ioana
Published: February 2023

The teachers literacy in the field of e-learning represents a current challenge within the
framework of knowledge based society. The use of new technologies in education tackles the
very core of teaching and learning, the issue of knowledge and skills transfer from teachers to
learners.
In this context it is truly important to design and implement specific strategies for the in-service
teacher training which should encompass their competitiveness in the field of e-learning.
In Romania, this area of teacher training is expanding, while the tools that support this
development are multiplying. In fact, many projects are financed through the European Social
Fund (especially Operational Program Human Resources Development) to provide teachers with
opportunities for continuing professional development, and many of these projects are offering
blended learning programs.
Our paper focuses on identifying the delivery methods proposed by these programs (face to face,
self-paced e-learning through multimedia content, synchronous and asynchronous collaborative
activities, etc.), as well as the tools used (forums, webinars, etc.), and analyze their correlation
with characteristics of the target group (level: pre-school primary, secondary, domain, etc).
The methodology approach is that of an exploratory analysis of project websites, leading to
an inventory of learning tools and a mapping of characteristics which allowed us to draw up
correlations between different variables. The conclusion of the paper presents some of the
vulnerabilities of the current developments (such as lack of coverage in specific areas). The
main result of the investigation is sketching a map of the present state of the art in the field of
teachers’ professional development and inferring some of the implications in the years to come.
THE DYNAMICS OF THE TEACHER’S ROLES IN AN ICT LANGUAGE CLASS
Authors: Catelly Yolandamirela
Published: February 2023

The paper is meant as a necessary radiograph of the roles which a foreign language teacher may or, rather, should assume in an ICT based class, in response to the current knowledge society high demands and expectations from education. The question arises whether a teacher focused both on instruction, but mainly on construction, i.e. on the students and on their learning, can develop as a reflective professional, thus contributing to better ensuring the educational process increased efficiency against the teaching context constraints, of which time is perhaps the most important one. In order to obtain a more clear perspective, a debate is initiated on whether the teacher’s new roles, required by the use of ICT in the teaching/learning/evaluation cycle, such as that of a facilitator, can be successfully performed, while maintaining the essentially positive humanistic characteristics that foster a foreign language class. In order to illustrate this thesis, a case study, presenting in detail a language teacher’s evolution in this respect, is provided. The analysis which is carried out takes into consideration a presentation of the teacher’s profile, as well as her ICT focused training in its dynamic development throughout a decade of teaching English using ICT in different manners. An essential shift of focus has taken place during this period in the teacher’s approach to using the modern technology in class, from the initial - unavoidable! - enthusiastic exaggeration of its role, toward a perspective that is characterized by well justified options from the pedagogical point of view, and which should enrich the humanistic context of the foreign language class. The main stages in the teacher’s increasing awareness of the best ways of approaching and using ICT in the language class are described and commented upon. Examples of various means of implementing ICT in the English classes at tertiary education level are given as an illustration of this evolution.
AN OVERVIEW OF QUALITY OF SERVICE APPROACH IN E-LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Dobre Iuliana
Published: February 2023

Virtually the higher education organizations are looking to improve continuously their educational process and the effectiveness of the same. Specific quality standards for ensuring a proper approach to education quality have been developed in the past decade in order to better fit the clients and end users requirements. As shown in some studies (Chapman and Adams, 2002) the precise meaning of education quality and the path to improvement of quality are often left unexplained. Higher education has a very important role in ensuring that professional people are handed to end users (industrial and non-industrial entities) with immediate and positive effect to their business. In this context the exponential growth of the educational systems, tremendously supported by the information and communication technologies development, requires a better approach of the quality of service provided by the higher education organizations. E-learning environments offer all necessary conditions to develop students’ knowledge and build proper skills. However, has to be taken into consideration the fact that a full agreement between the parties involved, from macro level (organizations involved) and micro level (teachers, support specialists, students, parents etc.), from the viewpoint of which ingredients should be used to achieve the highest quality of services and how to establish effective criteria and metrics to measure it is a very difficult task. In a such context, this article is presenting an overview of the quality of service from ISO 19796 series viewpoint and related to E-learning environments in higher educational process. Also, the author is proposing a generic quality management/assurance activity model together with several reference quality criteria and metrics as a step for ensuring the effectiveness of the quality of service within higher education systems.
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EDUCATIONAL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
Authors: Holotescu Carmen , Grosseck Gabriela
Published: February 2023

In an era of fundamental changes in education brought by virtual worlds and augmented reality, dominated by mobile devices and applications, it is necessary to rethink the educational environments based on the use of social applications like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs and collaborative bookmarking systems, in accordance with the skills and learning needs of students.

In this context, the authors discuss how today’s Romanian educational actors perceive and use social media, trying to find out the answers to questions such as:

- How teachers and students use social media as reflective and collaborative teaching and learning tools, also for research and professional development?
- Which is the relation between social media and mobile learning?
- Which are the potential benefits, challenges, and disadvantages in using social media in universities and colleges?
- How the usage can be extended, is there a need for training the educational actors in this topic?
- Have the universities an official policy/strategy related to social media?
- Is there any connection between social media usage and the universities' ranking?

Thus in order to shed light on the research issues, we have developed and applied an online questionnaire for scholars from different universities and colleges from Romania. Although our findings revealed an increasing use of social media by educational actors for the time being, only a few universities have adopted coherent strategies and policies for the pedagogical integration of social media and the development of the best methods for teaching and learning based on these strategies.
TOWARDS EFFECTIVE PRESCHOOL TO PRIMARY SCHOOL TRANSITIONS - RECOGNIZING THE POTENTIAL OF ICT
Authors: Petrescu Anca
Published: February 2023

Starting school has always been perceived as one of the most important transitions in a child’s life and as a major challenge for the adults around him/her. Measured in social and intelectual terms, the success of this initiation is deemed by many specialists a determining factor in the easy adaptation of the newly-student to the specific demands of the educational environment. Some reference books (Fabian & Dunlop, 2002; Dunlop & Fabian, 2003) even advance the idea of a long-term impact of this period, since all subsequent experiences of the child may be influenced by his/her initial success (or failure).
The huge contribution of ICT in education, in a century when the technological boom is an unprecedented one in the history of mankind, thus becomes completely justifiable by the richness of contexts and learning experiences they make available to the preschool and young age school pupils. The studies performed in various states of the world have already emphasized the positive role of inserting such modern means in the educational process, while affirming at the same time the need to train the teaching staff in this respect.
In this context, the present article focuses on a subject of topical interest: the impact of digital teaching resources on the beginning of school and the teacher’s role in developing some learning circumstances that should encourage the use of ICT. The debate is one with major implications in our area of interest, as ICT means can decisively influence, even during the kindergarten years, the training and development of intellectual work skills. In point of fact, the digital resources have many advantages from the point of view of improving the teaching-learning- assessment process, widely considered in the following pages, which comprise a critical and comparative analysis of the phenomenon, with a stress on the characteristics of the education system in Romania and on the benefits of exploiting, at national level, digital products that should support the transition from preschool to primary school.
THE USE OF WEBQUESTS IN INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING
Authors: Valle florez Rosa eva , Resines gordaliza Jose antonio
Published: February 2023

The implementation of the Bologna Process in European Universities suggests a major change in training methodologies and rethinking the objectives and content of qualifications. It is necessary that the lessons are planned so that students can achieve the skills required by their professional profile. The acquisition of these skills, the less attendance in the classroom and the consequent rise of independent work by students justify the need and importance of ICT in the development of new qualifications. We present the first results of research carried out at the University of León (Spain) based on the methodology of Problem-Based Learning. In here, we use WebQuests as a collaborative activity for the design and development of didactic sequences. Specifically, we describe the experience of training-action in a group of experimental science beginning teachers doing the Masters on Teacher Education in Secondary Education. An analysis of the state of affairs in science education shows that prospective teachers have a few preconceptions about the lessons learned \"environmentally\" in their previous schooling. These preconceptions are projected in the planning of the teaching-learning sequences using a simplistic view of science. This view presents the science from an optical closed, dogmatic, infallible, linear accumulation of knowledge and socially decontextualized. Therefore, in our experience, we use a process of construction-reconstruction WQ didactic sequences that allow us to reflect and question the implicit theories that we as teachers have about on how students learn and how to plan their learning. Initial data indicate that these experiences improve the mastery of reflective skills, metacognitive and planning in the design of teaching-learning situations in the direction of understanding the essence of scientific activity: what is scientific knowledge? how do we acquire it? And why should we need to learn it? .
TRANSNATIONAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORTED BY ICT. BENEFITS FOR LEARNING
Authors: Velea Simona
Published: February 2023

Education faces a continuous reform aimed to modernize the system as a whole and particularly the teaching and learning practices. The pressure for reforming education is sustained by the social changes, mainly determined by the technological progress. Pupils, teachers and parents’ mobility, the economical and cultural globalization and the increasing use of ICT in almost all the aspects of everyday life are influencing the school transformation. In this context, the needs for communication and collaboration, for exchange of ideas and for harmonizing the education between countries are obvious. ICT-supported school partnerships are a suitable solution to transfer practices, to export education practices / models and to support mutual learning. An important European Action – eTwinning, part of Comenius – Lifelong Learning Programme proved its benefits for supporting school transformation and for influencing teaching and learning. This paper analyses the role of ICT-based partnerships for changing the school and the learning process, with a particular focus on eTwinning school projects. During the 5 years of implementing eTwinning in Romania, more than 9000 teachers from around 4000 schools, highschools and kindergartens were involved in over 10.000 partnerships with schools from Europe. At European level, more than 150.000 teachers joined this initiative and benefit from being part of a European teachers’ community. eTwinning targets schools, teachers and pupils, and in a broader sense, the whole education system. But teachers are the main actors in making partnerships work. How prepared are they for initiating, managing and evaluating ICT-based partnerships? What type of competences do they need? What motivates them?What type of support is needed and from whom?
ADVANCED VIRTUAL FOOTWEAR DESIGN, BY RENDERING SHOE MODELS, INSTEAD OF DRAWING
Authors: Alex Antemie , Florentina Harnagea , Aurel Popp
Published: February 2023

Taking one step futher in specialized footwear CAD applications, is generating the base shoe model, instead of interactive drawing. This original technique, treats a shoe design as a parametrical form, by associating modelling mathematical laws with each classical design step from the theory. By implementing this concept in computer programming, an operator can create a solid design in a few seconds, and a shoe family (base model variations) in a few minutes, which represents a huge time economy, comparing to other design methods. The main advantage is that the operator resources are saved, so he can focus on the final design sooner, rather than paing attention to the design steps. Also, because entire design is starting from scratch, this application has an educative roll, by helping students to undertstand the correlation between footwear design steps. This paper shows which mathematical laws are used to convert a design step in a software rendering routine, the final application friendly-interface, exemples of different rendered shoe models and the integration of this software in the CAD specialized footwear applications . The mathematical laws are treated from a general perspective, and the software is focused on a management for this laws, how they are combined and their usage restrictions; also, approximation code for rendering the shape is explained here; the application allows the operator to use three different level for data regression and interpolation, depending on the hardware performance. The interface is build intuitive, based on the design parameters for footwear base models. For faster rendering, there had been presented sets of variables that trigger the software behaviour, and so the final design. Finally, the integration of this software within the CAD enviroment treats compatibility issues with other applications, like the files encryption qnd modular integration.
OBSOLESCENCE AND THE E-LEARNING ELEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF TEACHING AND ACQUIRING FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Authors: Ionita Mirela , Pastae Veronica
Published: February 2023

The “lifespan” of a textbooks is dependent on a wide range of factors-of linguistic, social, psychological, technological and even political nature. These factors have implications in the selling process, in the socio-cultural impact, as well as in the erosion of a textbook.
The e-learning element is the latest feature added to the process of teaching and acquiring foreign languages. However, it seems to be the subject of high-speed changes and reshaping. These complex phenomena are in connection with the rapid technological progress and evolution of the society itself. Hence some challenging questions arise: how should traditional way of learning blend with these new trends and how could the obsolescence factor affecting both textbooks and e-learning be best estimated and dealt with?

1.1. The lifespan of any textbook is limited to some extent. Both contents and graphics are perishable. Designed for teaching and learning purposes, any textbook is bound to become obsolete in the end. The viability of a textbook is in close connection with its usage - after this it becomes outdated. Quality is a dynamic feature constantly affected by the passage of time.

1.2. Language textbooks tailored for teaching and learning purposes are, in our opinion, a special kind of educational outcome. The market provides at least two types of products: school textbooks and independent methods, which are not restricted in any way by official curricula. Despite the fact that both these products are vulnerable and subject to change, school textbooks are the ones primarily altered by educational policies.

1.2.1. We will focus solely on those textbooks addressed to a public that is willing (not forced) to learn foreign languages. Regardless of the age group it targets (for instance, children, teenagers, adults) or their degree of proficiency (beginner, intermediate, advanced), such a textbook has to be accepted; it cannot be imposed. Consequently, its potential beneficiary can be extrapolated beyond borders, but not beyond time.