Eastern Countries Research Articles

THE ORIGINS OF GANCH COMPOSITIONS WITH OYNAVAND-O’UMA IN THE INTERIORS OF UZBEKISTAN AND GEORGIA

Ganch (fired clay ceramics with gypsum) has long been an integral part of the interior and exterior decoration for appropriate buildings to make them stand out. First of all, these are classy palaces, Buddhist traditional harem-type buildings in Western and Central Asia and other mosques, madrasas, mausoleums and minarets in some Oriental cultures associated with Islam. In particular, in the territories of Khorasan (now a part of modern Uzbekistan, was Iran, referred to as some kingdoms sort of the Bukhara emirate). The goal is to establish the origins of oynavand-o’uma, (stucco network decorations made of alumina with coloured powders and shiny pearl or mirror elements), which are genetically related to monuments in Uzbekistan and Georgia of the 5th/7th–19th centuries. The following methods were used in this study: analysis, generalisation and systematisation. The study highlighted that in the pre-Arabic period of the Iranian-speaking tribes of the Eftalites and Bukharhudates, who were simultaneously influenced by Buddhist and Greco-Byzantine cultures, the phenomenon of a local plastic canon was formed, which laid the foundation for the development of carved alabaster and plaster, which further developed without a figurative component during the Muslim era and spread to Asian lands until the time of the Turkic-Persian Qajar dynasty, reaching not only Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, but also Georgia. The study also discussed the specific features of art education in the context of preserving and developing the cultural heritage of the regions. The findings of this study can be used by specialists in the field of studying the evolution of the plastic canon of monumental and decorative art of certain Eastern countries, experts in the scientific restoration and reconstruction of oriental visions of the synthesis of painting with ganch and mirrors, as well as teachers of the history of oriental culture.

Modeling health outcomes of air pollution in the Middle East by using support vector machines and neural networks

This study investigates the impact of air pollution on health outcomes in Middle Eastern countries, a region facing severe environmental challenges. As such, these are important in an effort to add up to policy-level as well as interventional changes that can be put in practice in the area of public health. Numeration analysis and association with health parameters was carried out by using Analytical tools such as, AIR Data, ARIMA,ANN, SVM and Exponential smoothing. Amongst the models, Support Vector Machine came again on top, with high accuracy yielding Mean Absolute Percentage Error of approximately 1%. Mortality of Air pollution in Qat from the case of Mortality of Air Pollution in Qatar is 959 while Auto regressive Integrated Moving average is 11.096, Exponential Smoothing 9.892 and Artificial Neural Networks are the source of inspiration for the development of this paper 4.61. The above perceptions indicate that there is need to adapt modeling strategies depending on the context and establish that it is possible to implement ML models in public health planning basket. This paper publishes the methodological frameworks for the purpose of modeling and analysis of the EHDs and serves as policy prescription for the policy makers to intending to reduce the effects of air borne pollution on health.

Does diversity in top management and boards affect ESG performance? Evidence from Islamic and conventional banks in the MENA region

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of gender diversity in top management teams and boards on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. The authors propose a corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee as a moderating variable in this relationship, drawing on resource dependence and legitimacy theories. This study is crucial in understanding the dynamics of gender diversity and its impact on ESG performance in the banking sector. Design/methodology/approach The study examines a sample of Islamic and conventional banks from 10 Middle Eastern and North African countries during 2008–2022. Initial analysis was conducted using fixed effects panel regression, whereas the robustness test used the generalized method of movement dynamic system. Findings The findings, which are significant for both conventional and Islamic banks, indicate that female directors are crucial in promoting ESG performance in conventional banks. In contrast, female executives do not appear to contribute significantly. However, for Islamic banks, neither board nor executive gender diversity significantly affects ESG performance. Moreover, the find that the positive moderating role of the CSR committee is significant only for the nexus between board gender diversity and conventional banks’ ESG performance and for the connection between executive gender diversity and Islamic banks’ ESG performance. Originality/value Despite the widespread belief that gender diversity in top management teams is pivotal in promoting ESG performance, empirical studies supporting these claims are scarce, particularly in the banking sector. The study, therefore, brings a novel perspective to this discourse. These findings have the potential to significantly assist stakeholders in evaluating how gender diversity in top management teams influences banks’ sustainability practices, thereby empowering them to make more informed and impactful investment decisions.

B - 102 Neurocognitive Functioning of Patients Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease in Low-to-Middle Income Countries

Abstract Objective Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a monogenic blood disorder affecting the production of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to all vital organs in the body. As a result, insufficient oxygen delivery and cerebrovascular complications often occur which can affect neurocognitive performance. In low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC) where health care and treatment of the disease are harder to access, there is minimal neurocognitive surveillance. Our research aim was to evaluate the neurocognitive impact of SCD in children living in LMIC and establish which neurocognitive assessment measures are commonly used in SCD samples worldwide. Data Selection To analyze this, a librarian created search terms in studies from Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Global Health CABI, ERIC, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Studies that focused on participants with SCD of any genotype with a measure for cognitive/academic outcomes were included while commentaries and editorials were excluded. Two research assistants screened 1831 abstracts in Covidence, 52 abstracts were chosen for full-text review, and 18 articles were ultimately included for data extraction. Data Synthesis A systematic review was used to analyze these studies. Most of the studies were conducted in African and Middle Eastern countries and Brazil. Common measures included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or Adults. Information regarding cultural or language adaptations of neurocognitive measures was rarely reported. Several of the studies demonstrated that individuals with SCD have lower neurocognitive functioning compared to a non-SCD control group. Conclusion Further research is needed regarding the validity of neurocognitive measures used in LMIC among patients diagnosed with SCD.

Quality Indicators of Antimicrobials Prescribing in Iraq: A Scoping Review

Background: Antimicrobial overconsumption is a global public health concern, particularly in the Middle East, where illnesses and antibiotic use are on the increase. Antimicrobial resistance is associated with excessive usage. As a Middle Eastern country, Iraq provides a suitable baseline for situating it amid its neighbors. We use quality indicators to reliably identify bad practice and recommend updated antibiotic prescribing guidelines for hospitalized patients. Objectives: To compare antimicrobial prescribing quality metrics in Iraqi hospitals to those in Middle Eastern nations. Methods: We conducted a point prevalence survey to assess the inappropriateness of antibiotic usage in the Middle East after evaluating literature from sources such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCO. To examine the Iraqi scenario, we used four primary quality indicators: guidelines compliance, stop/review note documentation, parenteral administration, and the selection of specific antibios. According to the study, Iraq's guideline availability ranged from 0% to 7%, which was lower than Jordan's optimum of 95.8%. Results: The rate of stop/review documentation was approximately 0.4%, which was lower than the maximum rate of 72% in the UAE; and only 1.2% of prescriptions were targeted antibiotics, which was higher than Iran's 0%. Regarding parenteral antibiotics, Iraq reported that 89.9% of the antibiotics used were injectable, which is consistent with most comparable nations (74%-100%). Conclusions: In Iraqi hospitals, antimicrobials are used inappropriately. An immediate effort is necessary to update national records, with ongoing follow-up by regular prevalence surveys.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of pharmacy students in 7 Middle Eastern countries concerning antibiotic resistance: A cross-sectional study.

Addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stands as a major global health challenge threatening humanity. Resolving this issue can be initiated through emphasizing the significance of AMR education among students in health colleges during their undergraduate studies. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the pharmacy students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic resistance in 7 Middle Eastern countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students at universities in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait between March 2021 and January 2022. The first section of the questionnaire gathered demographic information. The knowledge section comprised 7 questions. Subsequently, the questionnaire explored participants' attitudes (6 items) and practices (2 items) concerning antibiotic resistance. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the median knowledge score between different demographic groups. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for being more knowledgeable about antibiotic resistance. A 2-sided P < .05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 4265 pharmacy students were involved in this study (Egypt (2249), Jordan (n = 704), Saudi Arabia (n = 531), Lebanon (n = 401), United Araba Emirates (n = 130), Qatar (n = 129), and Kuwait (n = 121)). The median knowledge score for the participating pharmacy students was 5.00 (IQR = 4.00-6.00) out of 7, equals to 71.4% with 4th, and 5th year students and bachelor of pharmacy program students have higher odds of being more knowledgeable about antibiotics resistance compared to other students (P < .05). The majority of the students agreed that antibiotic resistance is increasing, they should be more concerned regarding antibiotic consumption and that government should create more awareness of antibiotic resistance, and that they should have enough knowledge to prevent antibiotic resistance. Around 3 quarters of the students (73.0%) confirmed that they take antibiotic only after getting prescription from their physician and almost half (51.7%) reported that they take antibiotic to manage their fever. The study concluded good educational programs in Middle East pharmacy schools with the need for targeted educational interventions promoting responsible antibiotic stewardship practices among future pharmacists.

Does HLA explain the high incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in the Canary Islands? The role of Asp57 DQB1 molecules

The Canary Islands inhabitants, a recently admixed population with significant North African genetic influence, has the highest incidence of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Spain and one of the highest in Europe. HLA accounts for half of the genetic risk of T1D.AimsTo characterize the classical HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in children from Gran Canaria with and without T1D.MethodsWe analyzed classic HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in childhood-onset T1D patients (n = 309) and control children without T1D (n = 222) from the island of Gran Canaria. We also analyzed the presence or absence of aspartic acid at position 57 in the HLA-DQB1 gene and arginine at position 52 in the HLA-DQA1 gene. Genotyping of classical HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 alleles was performed at two-digit resolution using Luminex technology. The chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test) and odds ratio (OR) were computed to assess differences in allele and genotype frequencies between patients and controls. Logistic regression analysis was also used.ResultsMean age at diagnosis of T1D was 7.4 ± 3.6 years (46% female). Mean age of the controls was 7.6 ± 1.1 years (55% female). DRB1*03 (OR = 4.2; p = 2.13–13), DRB1*04 (OR = 6.6; p ≤ 2.00–16), DRB1* 07 (OR = 0.37; p = 9.73–06), DRB1*11 (OR = 0.17; p = 6.72–09), DRB1*12, DRB1*13 (OR = 0.38; p = 1.21–05), DRB1*14 (OR = 0.0; p = 0.0024), DRB1*15 (OR = 0.13; p = 7.78–07) and DRB1*16 (OR = 0.21; p = 0.003) exhibited significant differences in frequency between groups. Among the DQB1* alleles, DQB1*02 (OR: 2.3; p = 5.13–06), DQB1*03 (OR = 1.7; p = 1.89–03), DQB1*05 (OR = 0.64; p = 0.027) and DQB1*06 (OR = 0.19; p = 6.25–14) exhibited significant differences. A total of 58% of the studied HLA-DQB1 genes in our control population lacked aspartic acid at position 57.ConclusionsIn this population, the overall distributions of the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles are similar to those in other European populations. However, the frequency of the non-Asp-57 HLA-DQB1 molecules is greater than that in other populations with a lower incidence of T1D. Based on genetic, historical and epidemiological data, we propose that a common genetic background might help explain the elevated pediatric T1D incidence in the Canary Islands, North-Africa and middle eastern countries.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Physical Capability, Social Support, Loneliness, Depression, Anxiety, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults.

Physical capability, social support, loneliness, depression, and anxiety predict life satisfaction in older adults. Currently, no systematic review and meta-analysis have been conducted to investigate the strength of these associations globally. Therefore, this study quantified the strength of these associations. A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. We included observational studies assessing the association between physical capability, social support, loneliness, depression, and anxiety with life satisfaction in adults aged 65+. In total, 10,552 articles were identified, of which 78 studies in 164,478 participants were included in the systematic review and 57 were included in the meta-analysis. Greater life satisfaction was significantly associated with greater physical capabilities (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01-3.45; p < .001, k = 35, n = 33,732), higher social support (OR = 3.27; 95% CI: 2.59-4.13, k = 20 studies, n = 13,228), reduced loneliness (OR = 3.30; 95% CI: 2.53-4.30, k = 11, n = 33,638), depression (OR = 4.76; 95% CI: 3.10-7.32, k = 24, n = 64,097), and anxiety (OR = 5.10; 95% CI: 2.21-11.78, k = 5, n = 43,368). The strength of associations did not vary between Western and Eastern countries, year of publication, or quality. Gender was a moderator: Loneliness was more strongly associated with life satisfaction in females. Age was also a moderator; the association between social support and life satisfaction weakened with increasing age. Improving the physical capabilities of older individuals, fostering social support, and alleviating feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety may help build life satisfaction in older individuals, which policy-makers and healthcare professionals should prioritize when implementing strategies.

Comprehensive analysis of microbiome biodiversity in popular date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit varieties

Due to its nutritional value and health benefits, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an essential dietary food crop throughout Middle Eastern and African countries. Consumers are concerned about the possible microbial contamination of dates, especially since most dates arriving in local markets are unprocessed. The absence of processing increases the possibility of microbial contamination, which raises the probability of microbial contamination. This study aims to analyze and evaluate the variability of fungal and bacterial microbiota identified in the most popular date palm fruits in Saudi Arabia. The study assessed ten date variety fruits from the most popular date palm varieties for consumption in Saudi Arabia and analyzed the microbial count. Morphological and molecular characterization and comparison of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences identified 78 fungi, including 36 distinct species across 15 fungal genera. Alternaria, Fusarium, Curvilaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were the most frequent genera among the ten fruit cultivars studied, according to ITS-rDNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, 36 bacterial isolates were obtained from ten date varieties studied, each with a unique colony morphology. These isolates were identified based on sequence alignment and comparison of their 16S rDNA internal spacer regions to those available in public databases. The results showed that the bacterial isolates included 15 species from five bacterial genera. The results suggested that Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, and Brucella were the prevailing genera among the ten tested fruit varieties. Some bacterial genera, such as Brucella, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas, are well-known potential human pathogens. Chaetomium globosum was also recognized as air pollution causing adverse health effects such as allergies and as the causal agent of human fungal infections among the tested date varieties; the Rashodiah type exhibited the highest fungal contamination, whereas the Sagai variety displayed the lowest fungal contamination. Conversely, the Sukkari, Barhi, and Mejdool varieties were the most contaminated with bacteria among the ten tested varieties, while the Khalas variety showed the least bacterial contamination. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provides the initial comprehensive account of the molecular and morphological identification of all fungal and bacterial genera associated with date palm (P. dactylifera) fruits.

Molecular epidemiology of brucellosis in Asia: insights from genotyping analyses.

Brucellosis infects humans and animals worldwide but is particularly prevalent in Asia. In many Asian countries, molecular diagnostic tools for accurate molecular diagnostics and molecular epidemiology are lacking. Nonetheless, some countries have conducted in-depth molecular epidemiological studies. The objective of this study was to reveal the genetic relationships, geographic origins, and distributions of Brucella strains across Asia for two primary species, B. abortus and B. melitensis. For this, we systematically searched genotyping data from published studies on the molecular epidemiology of Brucella species for both humans and livestock in Asia. We used data from multilocus sequence typing (MLST), multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), and whole genome sequencing analysis of Brucella strains. We also analyzed the MLVA genotypes of 129 B. abortus isolates and 242 B. melitensis isolates with known origins in Asia from an online MLVA database using MLVA-11 data in minimum spanning trees and MLVA-16 data in neighbor-joining trees. We found that the B. melitensis East Mediterranean lineage is predominant across the continent, with only a small number of samples from the Africa and Americas lineages, and none from the West Mediterranean lineage. The "abortus C" genotype was the most common group of B. abortus in Asia, with limited genetic variation for this species. Several studies also reported that Near Eastern countries frequently encounter human brucellosis cases of B. abortus from genotypes 42 and 43. Our study highlights the inconsistent collection of genetic data for Brucella species across Asia and a need for more extensive sampling in most countries. Finally, a consistent nomenclature is necessary to define various groupings of strains within a lineage (i.e., clade) so uniform terminology should denote particular genetic groups that are understood by all researchers.

The construction of dual ethnic identity among multi-ethnic adolescents

This article examines the relationship between intermarriage and integration in a novel context, centering on Israeli adolescents with ethnic origins from both Europe and Middle Eastern and North African countries. Current analyses explore this relationship mainly through the self-identification of multi-ethnic individuals. One line of studies shows that intermarriage enlarges social networks and lowers social differences thereby weakening ethnic identification among multi-ethnic adolescents; another line points to the continuation of ethnic boundaries within multi-ethnic families and close environments that lead adolescents to identify themselves as ethnic. In contrast to these lines of research, that examine the relationship between intermarriage and integration among different ethnic groups, this article analyses this relationship between two subgroups – Middle Eastern and North African and European Jews – from the same ethnic group: Israeli Jews. Interviews with Israeli multi-ethnic adolescents show that they develop a dual ethnic identity that comprised two opposing elements. The first is a ‘thin’ identity, which enables them to choose and switch between ethnicities, thus blurring ethnic boundaries; the other, a ‘strong’ identity, creates an inner experience of two opposing ethnicities, thereby maintaining a hierarchy between the groups. This article demonstrates that in specific structural conditions, intermarriage does not influence integration in one direction only, but facilitates and impedes this process simultaneously in both directions.

Incidence, characteristics, and prehospital outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Qatar: a nationwide gender-based investigation

BackgroundResearch on incidence and characteristics of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) in the Middle East is limited. We assessed the incidence, prehospital characteristics, and outcomes of OHCA in Qatar, a Middle Eastern country. Subsequently, we performed gender-specific analysis.MethodsThis was a retrospective examination of data obtained from the OHCA registry at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar from 2017 to 2022. We included adults, non-traumatic, EMS-treatment OHCA. We calculated the incidence of adult OHCA and conducted descriptive analyses for prehospital characteristics, and prehospital outcomes presented by return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We evaluated gender differences in prehospital characteristics and ROSC using Student’s t-test and the Chi-Square test as appropriate. Furthermore, we conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to investigate the correlation between gender and achieving ROSC.ResultsWe included 4,306 adult OHCA patients, with 869 (20.2%) being females. The mean annual incidence of adult OHCA was 27.4 per 100,000 population-year. Males had a higher annual incidence of OHCA than females. Among all cases, 36.3% occurred in a public location, 25.8% had an initial shockable rhythm, and 28.8% achieved ROSC. Males had a higher proportion of bystander CPR, arrests in public locations, and initial shockable rhythms. While unadjusted analysis showed no significant gender differences in achieving ROSC, adjusted analysis revealed that male gender was associated with higher odds of achieving ROSC (adjusted OR male vs. female 1.38, 95% CI 1.15–1.66, p < 0.001).ConclusionsApproximately 720 adults undergo non-traumatic OHCA in Qatar every year, with a higher incidence observed in males. Male gender was associated with higher odds of achieving ROSC. Further gender-specific research in OHCA intervention and outcome in the Middle East is required.

489. EVALUATION OF THE ONCOLOGICAL QUALITY OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE TRANSCERVICAL OESOPHAGECTOMY (MICE) USING A CADAVERIC MODEL

Abstract Background Nodal involvement is a well-known factor of poor prognosis for esophageal cancer, but the extent of the lymph node dissection, or the number of the dissected lymph nodes, remains controversial questions. Western guidelines (ESMO and NCCN) suggest accomplishing esophagectomy with en-bloc two-field lymphadenectomy. Minimally Invasive transCervical oEsophagectomy (MICE) is a novel technique for the minimally invasive treatment of esophageal cancer. In the literature, the radicality of this procedure still remains unknown, as evidenced by studies conducted in Eastern countries. This descriptive study explores feasibility of MICE in Western countries using a cadaveric model. Methods A cadaver study was conducted in a real operating room setting, with bilateral lung ventilation induced to replicate a real-life situation. Mediastinal dissection was carried out via single port left transcervical mediastinoscopy. Subsequently, a right thoracoscopy in prone position was performed to access the clearance of the fatty tissue at the anatomical boundaries of the lymph node stations. The finalization of the dissection of the lower mediastinum via transhiatal approach was not performed because it was not in the aim of the study. The extent and the radicality of the dissection were evaluated by an independent external expert. Results Results indicated effectiveness of MICE in dissecting lymph nodes around the lower and middle esophagus, as well as at the subcarinal station. At the upper esophagus level, harvesting was complete on the left side but some residual tissue was found on the right-side at the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and on the right pleura, this result was attributed to technical difficulty. Conclusion The findings suggest that MICE is adequate in accomplish a complete dissection of lymph nodes around the mediastinal esophagus, including a complete subcarinal dissection, adhering to Western lymphadenectomy standards. Further descriptive study on cadaver will help to understand if a more extensive lymphadenectomy is achievable.

Effect of atmospheric response induced by preceding typhoon on movement of subsequent typhoon over Northwestern Pacific

This study investigates the atmospheric interactions between two closely located typhoons in 2019. Typhoons in the Western Pacific significantly impact Eastern and Southeastern Asian countries, leading to various damages. As global warming is expected to increase typhoon intensity, accurate track forecasting becomes crucial for coastal disaster management. Despite the existing knowledge about the influence of typhoon activities on the atmospheric background, limited research addresses the atmospheric response between two typhoons. The study focuses on the cases of LEKIMA and KROSA, occurring simultaneously in 2019, and utilizes the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for simulations. The experimental setup involves comparing two scenarios: one with both typhoons and one with LEKIMA removed. Results reveal LEKIMA-induced distinctive atmospheric responses, including the closure of the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) boundary and the formulation of a wave train, influencing KROSA’s stagnation. The absence of LEKIMA allows KROSA to move more freely along the steering flow. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential of atmospheric models for understanding typhoon effects at regional to mesoscale levels. A comprehensive analysis of similar cases could enhance typhoon predictions, contributing to better damage mitigation strategies.

Detection of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Among Ruminant Animals.

HEV is endemic in several Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, which hosts the annual pilgrimage for Muslims from around the world. One of the Hajj rituals is the sacrifice of animals, including camels, cows, goats, and sheep. HEV Zoonosis is established in swine and other suspected species, including deer, rabbits, dromedary, and Bactrian camels. HEV was identified in small, domesticized animals like goats, cows, sheep, and horses. We previously investigated HEV seroprevalence in Camels. This study aimed to evaluate HEV seroprevalence in other highly consumed ruminants in Saudi Arabia, namely cows, sheep, and goats. Sera from cows (n = 47), goats (n = 56), and sheep (n = 67) were analyzed for the presence of HEV-IgG by using in-house developed ELISA assays. The highest seroprevalence was found in sheep (62.7%), followed by cows (38.3%), and then goats (14.3%), with a p-value of < 0.001. No other demographic characteristics of the animals were significantly correlated with the HEV seroprevalence. This study provides baseline data as the first study on the seroprevalence of HEV in ruminant animals in Saudi Arabia. The high seroprevalence found in sheep and cows must be further investigated for the potential zoonotic HEV transmission to humans. Further studies are needed to investigate the active viremia in these animal species through nucleic acid detection and sequencing to provide data on the circulating HEV genotypes among the targeted animal species. The detection of HEV in different animal products, such as milk, liver, and others, also remains an important study area to consider.

Analysis of R2R3-MYB Repressor Subfamily Identifies FcMYB57 as a Negative Regulator of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Ficus carica L. Fruit

Dry fig is a traditional healthy snack and has important economic value in a number of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. Cultivars with no anthocyanin accumulation in the fruit peel are preferred for dry fig production. R2R3-MYB transcription factors have promotive or repressive regulatory roles in plant anthocyanin biosynthesis. In this study, 113 R2R3-MYB genes were identified in Ficus carica, 3 of which were assigned to the S4 subfamily of flavonoid-biosynthesis repressors. FcMYB57 was further recruited as a candidate anthocyanin-biosynthesis repressor based on its sequence features and expression, which was significantly negatively correlated with that of anthocyanin-biosynthesis structural genes. Transient overexpression of FcMYB57 in strawberry totally inhibited fruit pigmentation and significantly increased fruit firmness. The metabolomic analysis confirmed a significant reduction in the contents of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, as well as other flavonoids, and transmission electron microscopy revealed an increment in cell-wall thickness. Transcriptome analysis showed downregulation of anthocyanin-biosynthesis structural genes and upregulation of genes related to xylan synthesis. Yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assays demonstrated a negative regulatory effect of FcMYB57 on the promoter of FcUFGT3 (UDP glucose-flavonoid 3-O-glcosyl-transferase). Yeast two-hybrid assay showed that FcMYB57 does not interact with FcbHLH42, 3, 14, MYC2, or FcTTG1, all of which have a previously identified or predicted role in flavonoid biosynthesis, however, interaction was detected with FcTPL (Topless), suggesting that FcMYB57 serves as an active repressor of anthocyanin biosynthesis. This is the first identification of an anthocyanin-biosynthesis repressor in fig, with a possible role in fig fruit quality.

Red Army operations 1944: are they appreciated in the historical memory of Russia?

Ten strategic offensives of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army in 1944 (“Stalin’s ten offensives”) led to the liberation of vast territories in the western part of the USSR, the beginning of the cleansing of the “brown plague” of the countries of Eastern, Southeastern and Northern Europe, and the critical weakening of the Wehrmacht itself. Nevertheless, these events have not yet received sufficient attention in the politics of Russia`s historical memory. When referring to the lists of days of military glory, hero cities, cities of military glory, as well as art cinema, it turned out that no more than half of the 10 key operations of 1944 were noted. The focus is on the campaigns of 1943, when the mass liberation of the territories of the USSR began, and 1945 when there was the final surrender of the Third Reich. Russian society perceived 1944 only as an intermediate stage, although eventful, but not so bright. It is also important that in 1944, not only the territories of the RSFSR were already liberated, but the Union`s republics located to the west, which became independent states after the collapse of the USSR. Currently, Western policy, together with the policy of the Kiev regime, is trying to turn the coverage of the Red Army’s liberation role into a purely national agenda of Russia. The article suggests possible solutions to this problem which are the expanding the list of days of military glory due to the landmark dates of 1944 and the establishment of a day of complete liberation from Nazi occupation of each subject of the Russian Federation, as well as close coordination in this area with Belarus and Serbia.

A Scoping Review of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Wellbeing in Africa

Despite the immense interruptions to relationships and family life during the COVID-19 pandemic, only a few studies explicitly focused on family wellbeing. Therefore, the present study aimed to synthesize current evidence in the African context to provide a state-of-the-art representation of the pandemic's impact on family wellbeing. Using a scoping review, 22 articles on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family wellbeing in Africa were analysed. The results of the study showed a diverse and immense impact of the pandemic on family wellbeing. We noted that there were few studies on this topic and that wellbeing outcomes were measured from a deficit perspective rather than as a positive state of being. The theme of stigma was more pronounced in Western Africa, whereas domestic violence was linked more to Southern African contexts. Furthermore, the economic impact of the pandemic was emphasized in Eastern and Southern African countries than in Ghana and Nigeria in Western Africa. In line with the recommendations from the articles reviewed, a multifaceted policy response is needed to protect family wellbeing. Such interventions need to focus on family functioning, happiness and social wellbeing, and not just reactive and preventative approaches, to promote wellbeing.

The Mexico-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

In 2005, Mexico and Japan signed an Economic Partnership Agreement. The treaty is aimed to improve the economic relations between both nations and take advantage of market opportunities and bilateral cooperation. As a consequense, economic activities have grown more particularly in trade and investments from Japan. Analyzing the performance between both countries, Japan is more favored because of the comparative and absolute advantages of its producers.It is the same case for investments in Mexico. On the contrary, Mexico has also been benefited by promoting exports in the Japanese market, as a provider only in some sectors. According to the nature of the treaty, the of economic complementarity is met when producers participate in both economies and fulfill the requirements for production and commercialization. As the time goes by, the unequal relation remains in favor of the Eastern country. Through an analysis of results here is examined the commercial and economic perfomance between both nations and it is shown how the situation impacts in the expectations for the future.

Predicaments and coping strategies in implementing cancer truth-telling: a qualitative content analysis.

The patient-centered communication principles in Western countries are widely esteemed. In Eastern countries, a family-centered approach to medical decision-making is preferred. However, the predicaments faced by attending physicians and their coping strategies in the process of truth-telling about cancer are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to understand attending physicians' predicaments and coping strategies in implementing truth-telling for cancer in Taiwan. This study used a qualitative description approach to conduct in-depth interviews with attending physicians. Data were collected from two medical centers in Taiwan. Purposive sampling was also conducted. A total of 17 attending physicians participated in individual semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze and develop the subcategories, generic categories, and main categories. Four main categories emerged: (1) Causing harm to the patient: Family members' cooperation is needed. (2) Family members' request to conceal the truth: Physicians should judge based on the patient's disease condition. (3) Delayed treatment: Physicians should prioritize establishing confidence. (4) Delivering bad news about relapse: Physicians have different coping strategies. Physicians in Taiwan face challenges but prioritize family-centered care despite having coping strategies to protect patients. When faced with a scenario in which family members request concealment of truth, most physicians cooperate with them to determine the level and method of disclosing unfavorable news to patients. Physicians should prioritize patients' psychological needs when they experience relapse or metastasis or face strong negative emotions.