Epigenetic regulation is known to be important in embryonic development, cell differentiation and regulation of cancer cells. Molecular mechanisms of epigenetic modification have DNA methylation and histone tail modification such as acetylation, phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Until now, many kinds of enzymes that modify histone tail with various functional groups have been reported and regulate the epigenetic state of genes. Among them, Prdm genes were identified as histone methyltransferase. Prdm genes are characterized by an N-terminal PR/SET domain and C-terminal some zinc finger domains and therefore they are considered to have both DNA-binding ability and methylation activity. Among vertebrate, fifteen members are estimated to belong to Prdm genes family. Even though Prdm genes are thought to play important roles for cell fate determination and cell differentiation, there is an incomplete understanding of their expression and functions in early development. Here, we report that Prdm genes exhibit dynamic expression pattern in Xenopus embryogenesis. By whole mount in situ hybridization analysis, we show that Prdm genes are expressed in spatially localized manners in embryo and all of Prdm genes are expressed in neural cells in developing central nervous systems. Our study suggests that Prdm genes may be new candidates to function in neural cell differentiation.

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This article outlines the shifts in NICU music therapy due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Japan, and Colombia, from the beginning of the outbreak in each of the countries until September 2020. Detailed information will be provided on how the pandemic has changed hospital policies and has had an impact on the families and the music therapy services. Furthermore, the authors discuss current biosecurity protocols, parental visiting guidelines, telehealth strategies, and the financial impact of the pandemic. While the way healthcare workers and healthcare institutions cope with the current situation may be unique according to cultural and societal particularities in each country, many overlaps between the three countries were found.

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