One of the most critical epigenetic signatures present in the genome of higher eukaryotes is the methylation of DNA at the C-5 position of the cytosine ring. Based on the sites of DNA methylation in a locus, it can serve as a repressive or activation mark for gene expression. In a crosstalk with histone modifiers, DNA methylation can consequently either inhibit binding of the transcription machinery or generate a landscape conducive for transcription. During developmental phases, the DNA methylation pattern in the genome undergoes alterations as a result of regulated balance between de novo DNA methylation and demethylation. Resultantly, differentiated cells inherit a unique DNA methylation pattern that fine tunes tissue-specific gene expression. Although apparently a stable epigenetic mark, DNA methylation is actually labile and is a complex reflection of interaction between epigenome, genome and environmental factors prior to birth and during progression of life. Recent findings indicate that levels of DNA methylation in an individual is a dynamic outcome, strongly influenced by the dietary environment during germ cell formation, embryogenesis and post birth exposures. Loss of balances in DNA methylation during developmental stages may result in imprinting disorders, while at any later stage may lead to increased predisposition to various diseases and abnormalities. This review aims to provide an outline of how our epigenome is uniquely guided by our lifetime of experiences beginning in the womb and how understanding it better holds future possibilities of improvised clinical applications.
Since the history of evolution of cities, civilizations have developed means to make their settlements advanced in terms of efficiency, comfort and to foster safety. Thus, safety within cities, is an important factor that forms an integral part of city design. This "safety" is not related to engineered design only but connected to human behavior that forms a very important attribute in livable environments. The paper is based on a robust literature review that aim to investigate into the field of Urban Safety. It deals with several theories that are interconnected and relate to this concept. The concept of safety in urban context is a very complicated construct and involves a large number of variables, thus is order to fine-tune this concept, a systematic scanning of several related fields of theories are undertaken. They are classified, categorized and further filtered into segments from which a large number of study parameters are identified that can contribute to the factor of urban safety in public areas. These parameters further could be used in further research to generate safety audit tool.
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