Khat use and related determinants among pregnant women within Haramaya, Ethiopia: a mixed methods study.

Introduction: Khat, a green leafy plant grown in East Africa and throughout the Arabian Peninsula, is chewed for its psychoactive and amphetamine-like effects, serving as a significant aspect of culture, economic livelihood, and global trade. Khat consumption during pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects, including anemia, premature rupture of membranes, and low birth weight, among others.

Methods: This cross-sectional, explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted in the Haramaya District of eastern Ethiopia using a questionnaire and focus group discussions.

Controlling genome topology with sequences that trigger post-replication gap formation during replisome passage: the E. coli RRS elements.

We report that the Escherichia coli chromosome includes novel GC-rich genomic structural elements that trigger formation of post-replication gaps upon replisome passage. The two nearly perfect 222 bp repeats, designated Replication Risk Sequences or RRS, are each 650 kb from the terminus sequence dif and flank the Ter macrodomain. RRS sequence and positioning is highly conserved in enterobacteria.

Gender systems in the Putin autocracy.

Over the last 23 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin's autocracy has revealed a set of interlocking gender systems that have come to the fore particularly vividly since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. How, this article asks, have the masculinist cultural and political practices of the Putin regime undermined democratic practices and engagement broadly speaking? How have they organized Russian state and society in ways that have led to today's war in Ukraine with its massive destruction, violence, and brutality? And have there been earlier signals that should have warned observers that this regime might undertake such a war of aggression? Drawing on public, mass media data, this article analyzes the gendered structures of power in Russia that have contributed to the degeneration of democracy in three main areas: (1) male-on-male domination in discourse and practice that supports Putin's personal rule and emasculates his enemies; (2) the elevation of male power clans, including the President's personal praetorian guard and the Russian private military companies; and (3) the overall taming and emasculation of the Russian Parliament combined with the elevation of tough women deputies, whom I call the Baba Commissars. These female MPs support the President's domination by creating an appearance of a threatening outside world that needs to be kept at bay.

The intrinsically disordered linker in the single-stranded DNA-binding protein influences DNA replication restart and recombination pathways in K-12.

Tetrameric single-stranded (ss) DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) stabilize ssDNA intermediates formed during genome maintenance reactions in . SSBs also recruit proteins important for these processes through direct SSB-protein interactions, including proteins involved in DNA replication restart and recombination processes. SSBs are composed of an N-terminal oligomerization and ssDNA-binding domain, a C-terminal acidic tip that mediates SSB-protein interactions, and an internal intrinsically disordered linker (IDL).

Identification of genetic interactions in by transposon sequencing.

DNA damage and subsequent DNA repair processes are mutagenic in nature and an important driver of evolution in prokaryotes, including antibiotic resistance development. Genetic screening approaches, such as transposon sequencing (Tn-seq), have provided important new insights into gene function and genetic relationships. Here, we employed Tn-seq to gain insight into the function of the gene, which renders cells moderately sensitive to a variety of DNA-damaging agents when they are absent.

Controlling Genome Topology with Sequences that Trigger Post-replication Gap Formation During Replisome Passage: The RRS Elements.

We report that the chromosome includes novel GC-rich genomic structural elements that trigger formation of post-replication gaps upon replisome passage. The two nearly perfect 222 bp repeats, designated Replication Risk Sequences or RRS, are each 650 kb from the terminus sequence and flank the Ter macrodomain. RRS sequence and positioning is highly conserved in enterobacteria.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Single-stranded DNA Intermediates in .

Single-stranded DNA gaps form within the chromosome during replication, repair and recombination. However, information about the extent of ssDNA creation in the genome is limited. To complement a recent whole-genome sequencing study revealing ssDNA gap genomic distribution, size, and frequency, we used fluorescence microscopy to monitor the spatiotemporal dynamics of single-stranded DNA within live cells.

Interaction with single-stranded DNA-binding protein modulates Escherichia coli RadD DNA repair activities.

The bacterial RadD enzyme is important for multiple genome maintenance pathways, including RecA DNA strand exchange and RecA-independent suppression of DNA crossover template switching. However, much remains unknown about the precise roles of RadD. One potential clue into RadD mechanisms is its direct interaction with the single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB), which coats single-stranded DNA exposed during genome maintenance reactions in cells.

RecF protein targeting to post-replication (daughter strand) gaps II: RecF interaction with replisomes.

The bacterial RecF, RecO, and RecR proteins are an epistasis group involved in loading RecA protein into post-replication gaps. However, the targeting mechanism that brings these proteins to appropriate gaps is unclear. Here, we propose that targeting may involve a direct interaction between RecF and DnaN.

RecA and SSB genome-wide distribution in ssDNA gaps and ends in Escherichia coli.

Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) gapped regions are common intermediates in DNA transactions. Using a new non-denaturing bisulfite treatment combined with ChIP-seq, abbreviated 'ssGap-seq', we explore RecA and SSB binding to ssDNA on a genomic scale in E. coli in a wide range of genetic backgrounds.

Interaction with the carboxy-terminal tip of SSB is critical for RecG function in E. coli.

In Escherichia coli, the single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) acts as a genome maintenance organizational hub by interacting with multiple DNA metabolism proteins. Many SSB-interacting proteins (SIPs) form complexes with SSB by docking onto its carboxy-terminal tip (SSB-Ct). An alternative interaction mode in which SIPs bind to PxxP motifs within an intrinsically-disordered linker (IDL) in SSB has been proposed for the RecG DNA helicase and other SIPs.

Global health-based virtual exchange to improve intercultural competency in students: Long-lasting impacts and areas for improvement.

Introduction: As public health expands its role in global settings, the need to develop intercultural competency for public health students also grows. One initiative being applied to promote global awareness is the use of virtual exchange (VE) programs. VE programs promote collaborative online international learning (COIL) and allow students from different countries to connect and work together on projects related to their field of study; however, there is little research around the long-term impacts of these programs.

Design and implementation of an integrated data model to support clinical and translational research administration.

Objective: Both academic medical centers and biomedical research sponsors need to understand impact of scientific funding to determine value. For the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs, tracking research activities can be complex, often involving multiple institutions and continually changing federal reporting requirements. Existing research administrative systems are institution-specific and tend to focus only on parts of a greater whole.

Transforming Perspectives Through Virtual Exchange: A US-Egypt Partnership Part 2.

Collaborative online international learning programs, such as virtual exchange, that utilize telecollaborative activities have been integrated into more classrooms within the higher education setting. These programs provide students exposure to international cultures, perspectives, and ideas is no longer considered "value added", but a prerequisite to entering many workforces. These programmatic objectives compliment Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory, that substantiates two major elements of transformative learning are critical reflection and dialectical discourse.

Transforming Perspectives Through Virtual Exchange: A US-Egypt Partnership Part 1.

With more classrooms within higher education mobilizing strategies for internationalization, collaborative online international learning (COIL), also referred to as virtual exchange, is an effective approach at offering intercultural competence through experiential learning. This strategy provides students who face barriers to international travel the opportunity to engage with students from other countries in meaningful ways, while enhancing and reinforcing course content. Grounded in the transformative learning theory, this study evaluates the effectiveness of a virtual exchange that was implemented within an undergraduate global public health course.

The Escherichia coli serS gene promoter region overlaps with the rarA gene.

Deletion of the entire gene encoding the RarA protein of Escherichia coli results in a growth defect and additional deficiencies that were initially ascribed to a lack of RarA function. Further work revealed that most of the effects reflected the presence of sequences in the rarA gene that affect expression of the downstream gene, serS. The serS gene encodes the seryl aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.

The rarA gene as part of an expanded RecFOR recombination pathway: Negative epistasis and synthetic lethality with ruvB, recG, and recQ.

The RarA protein, homologous to human WRNIP1 and yeast MgsA, is a AAA+ ATPase and one of the most highly conserved DNA repair proteins. With an apparent role in the repair of stalled or collapsed replication forks, the molecular function of this protein family remains obscure. Here, we demonstrate that RarA acts in late stages of recombinational DNA repair of post-replication gaps.

Exploring the differences between men's and women's perceptions of gender-based violence in rural Tajikistan: a qualitative study.

Background: Most women living in rural provinces of Tajikistan, specifically Khatlon, experience little to no opportunities for education and economic growth, making them vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV). Unfortunately due to social norms that are bolstered by a patriarchal society, GBV has become tolerated and even normalized in rural areas. This study looks to investigate the differences in perceptions of violence as it relates to empowerment among men and women in rural Tajikistan.

Redox controls RecA protein activity via reversible oxidation of its methionine residues.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause damage to DNA and proteins. Here, we report that the RecA recombinase is itself oxidized by ROS. Genetic and biochemical analyses revealed that oxidation of RecA altered its DNA repair and DNA recombination activities.

Corrigendum: Physiology of Highly Radioresistant After Experimental Evolution for 100 Cycles of Selection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.

RecA-independent recombination: Dependence on the Escherichia coli RarA protein.

Most, but not all, homologous genetic recombination in bacteria is mediated by the RecA recombinase. The mechanistic origin of RecA-independent recombination has remained enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that the RarA protein makes a major enzymatic contribution to RecA-independent recombination.

Physiology of Highly Radioresistant After Experimental Evolution for 100 Cycles of Selection.

Ionizing radiation (IR) is lethal to most organisms at high doses, damaging every cellular macromolecule via induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Utilizing experimental evolution and continuing previous work, we have generated the most IR-resistant populations developed to date. After 100 cycles of selection, the dose required to kill 99% the four replicate populations (IR9-100, IR10-100, IR11-100, and IR12-100) has increased from 750 Gy to approximately 3,000 Gy.

Single-molecule live-cell imaging reveals RecB-dependent function of DNA polymerase IV in double strand break repair.

Several functions have been proposed for the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase IV (pol IV). Although much research has focused on a potential role for pol IV in assisting pol III replisomes in the bypass of lesions, pol IV is rarely found at the replication fork in vivo. Pol IV is expressed at increased levels in E.