bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Architecture of Myeloid and T Cells Orchestrates Immune Evasion and Clinical Outcome in Lung Cancer
Authors: Enfield Katey S.S. , Colliver Emma , Lee Claudia , Magness Alastair , Moore David A. , Sivakumar Monica , Grigoriadis Kristiana , Pich Oriol , Karasaki Takahiro , Hobson Philip S. , Levi Dina , Veeriah Selvaraju , Puttick Clare , Nye Emma L. , Green Mary , Dijkstra Krijn K. , Shimato Masako , Akarca Ayse U. , Marafioti Teresa , Salgado Roberto , Hackshaw Allan ,   TRACERx consortium, Jamal-Hanjani Mariam , van Maldegem Febe , McGranahan Nicholas , Glass Benjamin , Pulaski Hanna , Walk Eric , Reading James L. , Quezada Sergio A. , Hiley Crispin T. , Downward Julian , Sahai Erik , Swanton Charles , Angelova Mihaela
Published: April 2024

Understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in lung cancer is critical to improving patient outcomes. We identified four histology-independent archetype TMEs in treatment-naïve early-stage lung cancer using imaging mass cytometry in the TRACERx study (n = 81 patients/198 samples/2.3 million cells). In immune-hot adenocarcinomas, spatial niches of T cells and macrophages increased with clonal neoantigen burden, whereas such an increase was observed for niches of plasma and B cells in immune-excluded squamous cell carcinomas (LUSC). Immune-low TMEs were associated with fibroblast barriers to immune infiltration. The fourth archetype, characterized by sparse lymphocytes and high tumor-associated neutrophil (TAN) infiltration, had tumor cells spatially separated from vasculature and exhibited low spatial intratumor heterogeneity. TAN-high LUSC had frequent PIK3CA mutations. TAN-high tumors harbored recently expanded and metastasis-seeding subclones and had a shorter disease-free survival independent of stage. These findings delineate genomic, immune, and physical barriers to immune surveillance and implicate neutrophil-rich TMEs in metastasis.

Significance:

This study provides novel insights into the spatial organization of the lung cancer TME in the context of tumor immunogenicity, tumor heterogeneity, and cancer evolution. Pairing the tumor evolutionary history with the spatially resolved TME suggests mechanistic hypotheses for tumor progression and metastasis with implications for patient outcome and treatment.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 897
A Molecular Voyage: Multiomics Insights into Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Zhang Yu Wei , Gvozdenovic Ana , Aceto Nicola
Published: April 2024

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a pivotal role in metastasis, the leading cause of cancer-associated death. Recent improvements of CTC isolation tools, coupled with a steady development of multiomics technologies at single-cell resolution, have enabled an extensive exploration of CTC biology, unlocking insights into their molecular profiles. A detailed molecular portrait requires CTC interrogation across various levels encompassing genomic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic features. Here, we review how state-of-the-art multiomics applied to CTCs are shedding light on how cancer spreads. Further, we highlight the potential implications of CTC profiling for clinical applications aimed at enhancing cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Significance:

Exploring the complexity of cancer progression through cutting-edge multiomics studies holds the promise of uncovering novel aspects of cancer biology and identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities to suppress metastasis.
Exploring Microbial Diversity in Green Honey from Pulau Banggi Sabah: A Preliminary Study
Authors:   Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia, Rajindran Nanthini , Wahabb Roswanira Ab ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia, Huda Nurul ,   Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia, Oyewusi Habeebat Adekilekun ,   Department of Biochemistry, School of Science and Computer Studies, Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, Ado Ekiti PMB 5351, Nigeria, Gunam Ida Bagus Wayan ,   Bioindustry Laboratory, Department of Agro-Industrial Technology, Udayana University, Badung 80361, Indonesia, Shariff Amir Husni Mohd ,   Greentreebee Enterprise, 26070 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, Ismail Norjihada Izzah ,   School of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malay-sia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia, Huyop Fahrul ,   Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
Published: April 2024

The microbiological composition of honey can include microorganisms that are beneficial or harmful to human health. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the microbiological quality of different honey types available in the market. However, there is limited information available on the analysis, isolation, and characterization of honey-associated microbes, especially for green honey from Banggi Island. Green honey is sourced from underground areas within the island's forest. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of raw (freshly collected) and processed green honey by examining the presence of bacteria, yeast, molds, and pathogens. The results revealed that raw green honey had a slightly higher total plate count (770 ± 0.03 cfu/g) compared to processed green honey (640 ± 0.02 cfu/g). Both raw and processed green honey contained Lactobacillus spp. with counts of 350 ± 0.02 cfu/g and 160 ± 0.02 cfu/g, respectively. Bacillus count was higher in raw green honey (110 ± 0.01 cfu/g) compared to processed green honey (5 ± 0.01 cfu/g). Molds were only detected in raw green honey, while osmophilic yeast counts were higher in raw green honey (16000 ± 0.03 cfu/g) compared to processed green honey (120 ± 0.02 cfu/g). Mesophilic bacteria, thermophilic bacteria, coliforms, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in either raw or processed green honey. Furthermore, green honey was free from pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Shigella spp. Bacteria isolated from green honey included Lysinibacillus macrolides, Lysinibacillus boronitolerans, Paenibacillus cineris, Paenibacillus favisporus, and Bacillus oleronius, none of which were pathogenic. This study identified important microorganisms present in green honey, which have the potential to provide beneficial effects without posing any harm to human health.
The Effect of VP3 Biofertilizer and Compost Application on Red Spinach (Amaranthus dubius) and Green Spinach (Amaranthus viridis) Yield and Quality
Authors:   Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, UniversitasIslam Malang,Malang65144, Indonesia, Arfarita Novi , Masyhuri Masyhuri ,   Agribusiness Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, UniversitasIslam Malang,Malang65144, Indonesia, Sugiarto Sugiarto ,   Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, UniversitasIslam Malang,Malang65144, Indonesia, Higuchi Takaya ,   Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan
Published: April 2024

VP3 biofertilizer is a biological agent that has been formulated in previous research. It was applied once with compost and has been tested on red spinach and green spinach in the greenhouse to see its effect on yield and quality (chlorophyll content, anthocyanins, and shelf life at room temperature). Red spinach and green spinach had shown a significantly different growth response to applying biological fertilizers. VP3 biofertilizer with compost had the highest yield effect but was not significantly different from the recommended Nitrogen Phosphate Potassium (NPK) and Effective Microorganism4(EM4) treatment with compost. The application of VP3 Biofertilizer with NPK fertilizer showed a darker color (higher chlorophyll and anthocyanin content) than the application of biological fertilizers, but the values ​​were not significantly different. The application of VP3 biofertilizer with compost affected the shelf life of both red spinach and green spinach. Spinach plants remained fresh at room temperature for three days of storage, while the other treatments lost freshness on the 3rd day after harvesting and even loosened the leaf on the 4th day after harvesting. Therefore, VP3 biofertilizer has potential to increase the yield and quality of spinach and other vegetable crops. The addition of the application period of VP3 biofertilizer needs to be carried out and observed to increase the yield and quality of plants further. Canonical Variate Analyses (CVA) can distinguish the grouping of treatments based on the selected parameter. Biplot assessment provides information on the strong relationship between the yield of green spinach and red spinach and a number of leaves, leaf area, and plant height. The application of VP3 biofertilizer with compost had a significant effect on the yield and quality and produced different effects between treatments, both in the case of green spinach and red spinach.
The Cytotoxic Activity of Marine Sponge-Derived Fungus Aspergillus nomius NC06 Against HT29 Colon Cancer Cells
Authors:   Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Malang, Ma-lang 65145, Indonesia, Artasasta Muh. Ade , Djamaan Akmal ,   Laboratory of Sumatran Biota, Faculty of Pharmacy, Andalas University, Padang 25163, Indonesia, Yanwirasti Yanwirasti ,   Department of Biomedical, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, Padang 25163, Indonesia, Taher Muhammad ,   Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan 25200, Malaysia, Djamaludin Heder ,   Fish Product Technology Study Program, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Ma-lang 65145, Indonesia, Siswanto Siswanto ,   Department of Statistic, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar 90245, Indonesia, Handayan Dian ,   Laboratory of Sumatran Biota, Faculty of Pharmacy, Andalas University, Padang 25163, Indonesia
Published: April 2024

The study of natural products from marine-derived fungi has been interesting tense to researchers as drug discovery sources. Marine fungus from West Sumatera, Indonesia repeatedly showed their potential for cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. This study aims to determine the cytotoxic activity against HT29 colon cancer cells of each fraction of ethyl acetate extracts from Aspergillus nomius NC06 derived from marine sponge Neopetrosia chaliniformis. A. nomius was cultivated with rice as a growth medium and extracted with ethyl acetate solvent and evaporated in vacuo to obtain ethyl acetate extract. Furthermore, the compounds of ethyl acetate extract were separated with the VLC (Vacuum Liquide Chromatography) method. Five fractions were obtained, which further investigated their cytotoxic activity against HT29 colon cancer cells by using an MTT assay. The result showed that fractions I and III were categorized as potential fractions due to their IC50 value of 13.12 ± 0.39 μg/mL and 2.59 ± 0.19 μg/mL, respectively. It was also supported by ANOVA to measure the effect of each concentration (0.1; 1; 10; 100 μg/mL) of each fraction on the viability percentage of HT29 cells with p < 0.005.
Botanical Originand Extraction Methods of Philippine Stingless Bee (Tetragonula biroiFriese) Pollen and its Food Functionality: Phenolic and Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant Activity
Authors:   Biomedical Research Section, Atomic Research Division,Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Quezon City 1101, Philippines, Deocaris Custer C. , Salcedo Fernando ,   Department of Biology, Pace University, New YorkCity10038, United States, Sullivan Carly ,   Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New YorkCity10038,United States, Micor Jose Rene L. ,   nstitute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Philippines, Alinsug Malona V. ,   Biomedical Research Section, Atomic Research Division,Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Quezon City 1101, Philippines, Mojica Elmer-Rico E. ,   Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Philippines
Published: April 2024

With its high nutritional and bioactive content, bee pollen is recognized as a functional food. However, its composition is highly dependent on a range of factors, such as geographical location. In this research, we used DPPH to determine the antioxidant activity of several stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi) pollen samples sourced from five different areas in the Philippines and compare their phenolic and flavonoid content. Additionally, we compared two extraction methods: maceration (or soaking of samples) for three days and sonication for 30 minutes. Interestingly, our findings show that the phenolic content of bee pollen is weakly associated with antioxidant activity, indicating that other bioactive chemicals may play a more significant part in the antioxidant characteristics of bee pollen. Antioxidant properties based on the DPPH assay of pollen harvested from Calamba are higher compared to other samples from different geographic areas, i.e., Quezon Province, Sorsogon, Laguna, and Albay. When compared to the maceration approach, extracts generated from the sonication process had lower antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that Philippine stingless bee pollen is a potential source of bioactive compounds, and the choice of extraction method and geographic source are significant factors affecting its antioxidant activity.
The Correlation of Avifauna Diversity and Its Habitat: An Observation Study at Mount Kawi Slope Waterfall, East Java
Authors:   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia, Fitriana Lutfita , Kurniawan Nia ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia, Leksono Amin Setyo ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
Published: April 2024

Avifauna inhabiting mountain forest ecosystems on Java Island face severe threats from anthropogenic disturbances. Despite this, the diversity of avifauna in specific areas, such as the Hutan Lindung Pegunungan Putri Tidur (HLPPT) on the slopes of Mount Kawi, remains poorly monitored. This study focuses on assessing avifauna diversity and communities in the tourist area of Mount Kawi slope waterfalls, situated on both the southeast side in Malang Regency and the north side in Batu City. The research, conducted from January to March 2022, examined eight waterfall locations (Baung, Glotak, Luksongo, Parangtejo, Manten, Tengah, Rondo, and Sumberpitu) using the roaming method with Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and Audiovisual Encounter Survey (AES) techniques. Data analysis included considerations of conservation status, local distribution, feed specialists, diversity indices (Taxa Richness, Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’), Simpson Index (D), Evenness Index (E)), and Important Value Index (IVI) as an assessment of avifaunal diversity. Researchers employed Microsoft Excel and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine preferences for each character diversity index and abiotic factors in each location. Across the site, 84 species from 33 families were identified. Notably, seven species were classified as at risk (4 near-threatened, two vulnerable, and one endangered), and nine avifauna were protected. The correlation of avifauna diversity to biotic and abiotic factors was positive. These results provide essential data for further conservation management, emphasizing the protection of the forest area, tourists, waterfalls, and slopes of Mount Kawi. Additionally, studying spatial and temporal distribution is crucial for future avifauna species re-inventory efforts.
Soil Properties and Macrofauna Community in a Converted Intensive Rice Field into an Organic Polyculture in Malang Regency, Indonesia
Authors:   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Inayah Durrotul , Mustafa Irfan ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Arisoesilaningsih Endang ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya
Published: April 2024

Farmers in Malang cultivated rice intensively since 2019 due to water availability but reduce yields. It might also reduce soil productivity and increase pest attacks, so the conversion field to organic polyculture was needed using sorghum and legumes. The research aims were to evaluate soil fauna dynamics and soil properties in the three, six, and 12 months after converting (mac) into organic polyculture. Soil and micro-climate factors were recorded including air temperature (°C), day length (hours), rainfall (mm), water content (%), organic matter content (%), electrical conductivity (mS.m-1), pH, and soil bulk density (g.cm-3). Soil macrofauna was sampled using hand sorting (20 x 20 x 10 cm) with five plots at each field. Identified soil macrofauna was used to determine the density, frequency, Important Value Index (IVI), Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H'), Evenness Index (E), Simpson Dominance Index (D), Diversity t-test, and Indicator Species. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to analyze the interaction among abiotic factors and macrofauna using PAST 4.05. Results showed that the improvement of soil properties including soil organic matter and soil macrofauna was recorded at 6 mac compared to the intensive rice field, and continuously at 12 mac. The richness, diversity, and evenness of soil macrofauna taxa were higher in the converted field than in the intensive one due to organic polyculture. Moreover, we recorded a better proportion of detritivores and predators in the converted field after 12 months. Based on Indicator Species analysis, the dominant fire ants (Solenopsis sp.) in the intensive rice field might be considered as a potential indicator of unhealthy soil in the intensive rice fields. Whereas in the converted field the dominancy of these ants greatly decreased. We concluded that within 6 months conversion using the organic polyculture improved soil properties.
Natural Product Testing: Selecting in vivo Anticancer Assay Model
Authors:   UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory (CANRES), Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Saad Norazalina , Chia Suet Lin ,   Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Abdullah Che Azurahanim Che ,   Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, Sulaiman Fadzil ,   Natural Medicine and Product Research Laboratory (NaturMeds), Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: April 2024

Phytochemicals and other natural products have been suggested to be effective adjuvants to conventional therapy to reduce potential side effects that arise from cancer treatments. Various natural compounds and synthetic analogues have been studied for their potential anti-cancer properties in the last decade. Prior to administering them to patients in a clinical setting, drug development necessitates a sequence of preclinical testing, beginning with in vitro and progressing to in vivo studies. While numerous drugs and plant extracts were reported to be active in vitro, only several of them had reproducible activity at the tested doses in vivo. Furthermore, breakthroughs in manipulating gene editing have aided scientists in accurately replicating human diseases in animal models. Therefore, during drug development, in vivo studies are of tremendous help in evaluating a drug candidate's safety, toxicity, and efficacy in complex physiological and biochemical states. Hence, for this purpose, it is crucial to apply and select the animal model that is the most suitable to represent the studied disease or biological process. The current review summarizes various animal models that have been considered for in vivo testing, their advantages and disadvantages, and the experimental guidelines for conducting animal studies.
Therapeutic Potential of Malaysian Stingless Bee Propolis Extract Targeting Macrophages in Atherogenesis: A Review
Authors:   Department of Toxicology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia, Aziz Mohd Yusmaidie , Omar Eshaifol Azam ,   Department of Toxicology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia, Zulkafli Nor Effa Syazuli ,   Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia, Mohamed Rafeezul ,   Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
Published: April 2024

Propolis is a sticky substance that originates from the collection of plant saps and resins by stingless bees. The bees blend this material with pollen and wax flakes, and their salivary fluids combine with the mixture to produce a potent compound that contains various chemical constituents, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Numerous studies have revealed that propolis from stingless bees displays anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and cardioprotective properties. Geniotrigona thoracica is one of the Malaysian stingless bee species, and propolis from this species is composed of a wide array of biochemical compounds and antioxidant properties that may have an anti-atherogenic effect. This review highlights the possible role of propolis from the Malaysian stingless bee G. thoracica as a macrophage-targeted therapeutic in atherogenesis, as macrophage-derived foam cell formation is integral to the development of atherosclerosis. The review first describes the characteristics, chemical content, and antioxidant properties of propolis from G. thoracica. It then discusses the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, with a focus on macrophage-derived foam cell formation. Subsequently, the anti-atherosclerotic effects of propolis from G. thoracica are presented, and recent studies on the anti-atherosclerotic effects of propolis from honeybees worldwide are summarized for comparison. Finally, future perspectives are emphasized, highlighting the knowledge gaps that need to be investigated by researchers in this field.
Characterization of Starch Granaule of Local Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) from Lermatang, Tanimbar Island District, Maluku
Authors:   Biology Education Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education University of Pattimura, Sinay Hermalina , Karuwal Ritha Lusian ,   Biology Education Program Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Pattimura, Ambon 97233, Indonesia, Fauziah Fauziah ,   Plant Conservation Research Center, Botanical Gardens and Forestry, National Institute for Research and Innovation Indonesia, Purwodadi, Indonesia, Anaktototy Helena ,   Undergraduate Program, Biology Education Program Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Pattimura, Ambon 97233, Indonesia
Published: April 2024

Most tuberous crops, for instance, the yam, whose scientific name is Dioscorea alata, have food reserves in the form of starch in tubers. Characterization of starch grains of a plant species is pertinent to uncover information on plant taxonomic traits and identify their potential use as food and industrial raw materials. The study aimed to determine the characteristics of starch grains of water yam from Lermatang village, Tanimbar Islands Regency. This study isolated and submitted six accessions of water yam in Lermatang Village. The morphological inspection of the plants used the Descriptor for Yam from IPGRI, and sample preparation for observing starch grains employed the fresh section method. The six accessions of D. alata found in Lermatang village, Tanimbar Islands, were Uwi Merah, Uwi Gula, Uwi Pingingsian, Uwi Babulu, Uwi Akiakab, and Uwi Petatas. These yam varieties show differences in their tubers' shape and colors. The study found that starch granules of D. alata in each accession varied in terms of granule shape and hilus type. The starch granules revealed dominant triangular, oval, and elliptical shapes and eccentric and concentric hilus types. The starch grain diameter in the six accessions of Uwi was categorically large (44.88 – 57.5 µm), with Uwi Petatas being the largest. Previous reports have shown that accessions having large starch granule types could be further developed into an array of foods, thus conveying the promising use of the Uwi Petatas for such a purpose.
Alterations in Blaood Profiles and Spleen Tissue Following Purple Sweet Pota-to Anthocyanin Extract Treatment in Restraint-Stressed Mice
Authors:   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, Indonesia Smart Molecule and Natural Genetic Resources Research Centre, Universitas Brawijaya Malang, 65145, Indonesia, Kurnianingsih Nia , Artamevia Dian ,   Bachelor Program of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, 65145, Indonesia, Hasanah Dian ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, 65145, Indonesia, Harbiyanti Novita Titis ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, 65145, Indonesia, Ratnawati Retty ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, 65145, Indonesia
Published: April 2024

Stress is associated with broad changes in blood and immune cell dysfunction, which are correlated with the spleen as a secondary lymphoid organ. Anthocyanin, a plant bioactive compound from purple sweet potatoes, has previously been reported to have a beneficial effect on stress response behavior. However, the limited studies evaluated anthocyanin's effect on blood profiles and spleen tissue under stress. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of total anthocyanin extract (ANC) from purple sweet potatoes (PSP) on the blood profiles and spleen tissue of restraint stressed mice. A total of 20 male adult BALB/c mice were divided into control (CTRL), stress (STR), stress + ANC 10 mg/kgBW (STR+ANC10), stress + ANC 20 mg/kgBW (STR+ANC20), and stress + ANC 40 mg/kgBW (STR+ANC10). Restraint stress was applied two hours/day for 14 days. An automatic blood analyzer was used for blood profiling. Immunoblotting of caspase-3 and hematoxylin-eosin-stained histological slides were observed for spleen tissue analysis. Combination of STR and ANC treatment reduced the erythrocyte count, hemoglobin level, and leucocyte count. The ANC-treated groups had a higher percentage of lymphocytes and a lower percentage of granulocytes. The expression of caspase-3 declined among ANC-treated groups. Spleen extramedullary erythropoiesis, vacuolization, and white pulp involution were demonstrated in stress and ANC-treated animals. In summary, restraint stress modified the blood cell profiles and spleen tissue in the mice model. Further research is necessary to evaluate the mechanism of ANC during stress on blood cells and splenic tissue repair enhancement
Indigeneity at the 1948 Bogotá Conference
Authors: Lixinski Lucas
Published: April 2024

The article examines the history and legacy of the Bogotá diplomatic conference of 1948 in relation to Indigenous peoples. Indigenous voices were entirely absent from the Bogotá conference itself, and delegates relied instead on certain assumptions and narratives largely drawn from the Indigenismo movement in the Americas at the time. In considering Indigenous peoples as part of a broader social agenda, delegates confronted the legacies of colonialism and the ongoing exploitation and resistance of Indigenous peoples, invoking threads that we today might label a racial capitalism critique of international law. Their efforts, however salutary, culminated in an instrument, the Inter-American Charter of Social Guarantees, that was never ultimately adopted. Nevertheless, the debates at Bogotá are illuminating of the subsequent trajectory of Indigenous peoples’ rights in international law, and the alternative possibilities that can still be recovered to live up to the Bogotá conference delegates’ aspirations of Indigenous emancipation.
The Blood Brotherhood and Colonial Treaties and Alliances: Between Myth and Reality
Authors: Van Hulle Inge
Published: April 2024

This article examines the representation and use of the blood exchange between European expeditionary leaders, that worked in the service of king Leopold II, and African rulers in Central and East Africa during the late nineteenth century. While the blood brotherhood played a role in the appeasement of African rulers and the conclusion of treaties, the details and origins of the procedure are often unclear. Europeans believed that the blood brotherhood was an African legal custom, even though recent anthropological studies suggest it differed from the inter-African version of the blood brotherhood. Europeans styled the blood brotherhood as the African counterpart to the European treaty, which served to support the legality of the much-contested treaties that Leopold II’s representatives had concluded, often under dubious circumstances. While the blood brotherhood therefore functioned as a practical tool to establish European influence and sovereignty over African rulers, it was also as a means of glorifying the white European explorer as a pseudo-scientist and well-meaning broker of peace. This article complicates the traditional narrative of how treaties were concluded during the Scramble for Africa and highlights the need for a critical re-examination of the legal practices and representations of colonialism.
Locating the 1948 Economic Agreement of Bogotá: The Rise and Fall of Latin America’s International Economic Law Project
Authors: Perrone Nicolás M.
Published: April 2024

This article claims that Latin America developed a competing International Economic Law project in the 1940s. These ideas and practices served the region to imagine its economic development process. Through the work of economists and lawyers – especially international lawyers – Latin America envisioned a future of industrialization and designed a strategy to make it happen. In the 1940s, many Latin Americans were enthusiastic about the prospects of industrialization; however, the consensus was that this objective required regional cooperation to reshape international trade and foreign investment laws among themselves and, especially, vis-à-vis the United States. This article explores this regional momentum focusing on the 1948 Economic Agreement of Bogotá, one of the most important international economic law-making efforts in the Western Hemisphere. In Bogotá, many Latin American governments insisted that states, not markets or foreign investors, should plan the region’s economic future. The United States and the US business elite disagreed.
The (Latin) American Dream? Human Rights and the Construction of Inter-American Regional Organisation (1945–1948)
Authors: Quintana Francisco-José
Published: April 2024

The American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man is often cited as evidence of the longstanding centrality of human rights in Latin American approaches to international law. However, when the Declaration is brought into the history of inter-American regionalism, a more complex picture emerges. This article places the early codification efforts of regional human rights within the post-war construction of inter-American regional organisation. It argues that for Latin American and US elites, the priorities lay on institutional, collective security, and economic aspects. In this context, they instrumentally embraced the flexible language of human rights to advance broader regionalist visions. As a result, human rights gained ground, albeit as a contested idea. The article reveals that the post-war institutional settlement ultimately comprised a collective security apparatus, crucial for the United States, supplemented by the principle of non-intervention, vital to Latin American states, in which human rights were not central.
Organizing Peace in the Americas: Collective Security versus International Adjudication
Authors: Uriburu Justina
Published: April 2024

American states concluded two treaties to organize peace in the postwar world: the Rio Treaty (1947) and the Pact of Bogotá (1948). At first sight, they appear to reflect a division of tasks: the Rio Treaty would address threats to the peace and security of the Americas, and the Pact of Bogotá would help solve the disputes between American states. However, the Rio Treaty’s dominance during the Cold War calls this division into question. This paper first argues that American states pursued two projects of peace. The Rio Treaty was a defence pact with an autonomous enforcement mechanism, to which the United States was strongly committed. The Pact of Bogotá reflected Latin American states’ thinking that a comprehensive framework for solving disputes would mitigate regional power asymmetries. Second, it claims that the Rio Treaty’s vague provisions and the US support it enjoyed facilitated its dominance during the Cold War.
The 2020 Revision of the Algerian Constitution and the Ḥirāk: Returning to Constitutional Order after the Institutional Disorders of 2019
Authors: Cherbi Massensen
Published: April 2024

The revision of the Algerian Constitution of 30 December 2020 presented the Constitutional response to the institutional roadblocks and incoherencies within the hierarchy of norms brought to light by the Ḥirāk in 2019. The procedure used to revise the Constitution — an initiative of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, rather than the election of a Constituent Assembly — has largely predetermined its content. The Army’s mission is now to defend “the country’s vital and strategic interests” (Article 30, para. 4), providing the retrospective legitimisation of its 2019 intervention to drive President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down. Furthermore, the amended Constitution makes it possible to pass legislation restricting fundamental rights and freedoms “for reasons linked to maintaining public order, security, and the protection of national constants” (Article 34, para. 2). This provision paves the way for the validation of oppressive laws applied or announced since 2019 with the aim of ending the Ḥirāk. This article argues that the Algerian Constitution no longer merely outlines a constitutionally ultra-Presidentialist regime, largely inherited from the 1976 Constitution, but an ultra-Presidentialist regime that is now also de jure militarised.
Gospel Truth in Gender Diversity Debates in Dutch Evangelical Churches
Authors: Dijkhuizen Laura
Published: April 2024

The inclusion of women in leadership navigates between the issues of unity and what is considered biblical. Recent empirical research in two evangelical churches in the Netherlands indicates that addressing female leadership as a secondary topic relative to the centrality of the gospel facilitates local churches to meet both values. The classification secondary is clarified as well as challenged by the evangelical definition of salvation. This article argues that a broader understanding of what is seen as the heart of the gospel might be beneficial in the approach to contemporary topics like gender roles in the church.
Matrix uncertainty in feeding-stuffs according to ISO 19036:2019
Authors: Wagner W. , Adler A. , Andreas B. , Breitenstein A. , Egert M. , Häger O. , Hahn A. , Neumann R. , Pickel B. , Strassgüttl J. , Weber M. , Wolf S. , Wolfram J. , Zecher K. , Zimmermann P. , Mietke H.
Published: April 2024

The combined measurement uncertainty of quantitative microbiological methods in the area of food and feed is calculated according to ISO 19036:2019 from the technical (intra-laboratory reproducibility standard deviation), the distributional and the matrix uncertainty (umatrix) of the respective sample type. The matrix uncertainty is a property of a certain sample type and independent of the individual laboratory and analysis, respectively. This study broadens the, so far, comparatively small data base on matrix uncertainties for feeding stuffs by investigating 20 representative feed types in 46 sample series. Thereby, difficulties and limitations arising from sample preparation, the selection of different microbial groups (bacteria and fungi) and the nature of different feed types are highlighted. In addition, the applicability with industrially added feed additives (e.g. probiotics) is discussed. In conclusion, the postulated independence and scope of the matrix uncertainty are limited in these respects.
The Islamic Principles of Legal Status Criteria according to the Qurʾan and Hadith in Fostering Ḥalāl Vaccine Certification in Malaysia
Authors: Ab Latiff Johari , Zakaria Zalina , Man Saadan
Published: April 2024

In Malaysia, there is a need to provide ḥalāl certification for vaccine products. In 2019, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), together with other relevant government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry, improved and expanded the scope and standards of Malaysian Standard MS 2424 Halal Pharmaceuticals-General Requirements, which serves as a general reference for ḥalāl pharmaceutical and vaccine products. It is a step in the right direction. However, ḥalāl certification for vaccine products cannot be implemented due to the lack of a clear legal framework based on Islamic principles derived from Qurʾan, Hadith, and other related legal sources. Furthermore, before this, the status of vaccine products was established through fatwas issued by the authority and not through the ḥalāl certification process. This is because, if ḥalāl certification is given to vaccine products, there may be public rejection of vaccine products that do not have ḥalāl certification, and this could occur during a public health emergency. The objective of this study was to analyse the Islamic principles in determining the ḥalāl vaccine certification. To achieve this objective, qualitative approaches have been used in this research. Data were collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with individuals directly involved in the ḥalāl vaccines sector in Malaysia. The findings of this study show that, in implementing ḥalāl vaccine certification, there are several Islamic principles based on Qurʾan and Hadith that can be used in the certification of ḥalāl vaccine products. These include the Principle of Ḥalāl Substances, Ḍarūrah, Maṣlaḥah, Iḥtiyāṭ, Istiḥālah Tāmmah, Istiḥlāk and Fatwā.
The Depth Dimension of Ricoeur’s Philosophy of Imagination
Authors: Taylor George H.
Published: April 2024

Implicit in Paul Ricoeur’s Lectures on Imagination is a depth dimension of the productive imagination that unfolds its sources that transfigure reality. The first part of the present essay introduces the problematic of the imagination to which Ricoeur seeks to respond: imagination has been viewed as derivative from perception or the concept and so is merely reproductive. Part two addresses how for Ricoeur the intertwining of experience and meaning allows an opening for the productive imagination to function. This subtext in the Lectures is extended by reference to Ricoeur’s greater exposition elsewhere on the symbolic mediation of action. Part three returns to the Lectures and its appraisal of productive imagination as the “nowhere” and seeks to develop what this nowhere as a point of origin might comprise. Part four draws upon Ricoeur’s work on the religious imagination to extend the nature of the productive imagination and its inspirations.
Co-occurring psychological distress and alcohol or other drug use among Indigenous Australians: Data from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey
Authors: Hobden Breanne , Bryant Jamie , Davis Robert , Heard Todd , Rumbel Jenn , Newman Jamie , Rose Bron , Lambkin David , Sanson-Fisher Rob , Freund Megan
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence and demographic, social and health characteristics associated with co-occurring psychological distress symptoms, risky alcohol and/or substance use among a national sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years or older.

Methods:

This study uses secondary cross-sectional data from the 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS). Data were collected via face-to-face interviews with those living in private dwellings across Australia. Participants were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ( n = 10,579) aged 15 years or older. Data pertaining to psychological distress, alcohol and substance use were obtained and weighted to represent the total population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

Results:

A total of 20.3% participants were found to have co-occurring psychological distress, risky alcohol use and/or substance use, and 4.0% reported co-occurrence of all three conditions. Female participants in a registered marriage and fully engaged in study or employment had lower rates of co-occurring conditions. Poorer self-rated health, one or more chronic conditions and increased experiences of unfair treatment and physical harm in the past 12 months were associated with increased rates of co-occurring conditions.

Conclusion:

A range of potential risk and protective factors were identified for co-occurring psychological distress, risky alcohol and/or substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This information is critical for planning effective holistic strategies to decrease the burden of suffering imposed upon the individual, family and community members impacted by co-occurring conditions.
The reality and power of international law: Georg Schwarzenberger’s forgotten theory of International Relations
Authors: Chas Carmen
Published: April 2024

Georg Schwarzenberger’s oeuvre has remained significantly underexplored in International Relations literature despite his status as one of the most important thinkers in International Relations and international law of the twentieth century. Ahead of their time, his works reveal a picture of law that transcends academic boundaries and challenges the traditional portrayal of both realist theory and international law. Through a detailed examination of the works of this theorist, this article offers an analysis of the fundamental aspects of his theory of International Relations and international law. It explores the elements at the heart of Schwarzenberger’s theory of International Relations, which, though examined infrequently and practically forgotten, retain their relevance in today’s international society. Through this exploration of Schwarzenberger’s works, this article argues that his theory of International Relations provides a powerful commentary on the fundamental structure, nature and problems of international law. It points to and reveals issues that have remained at the heart of international law until today, offering a sophisticated and self-conscious interrogation of the relationship between law, power and politics. In doing this, this article challenges our understanding of realism as a theory that is unable to account for international law and highlights Schwarzenberger’s continued relevance today.
Robust Kalman filter for fractional order systems with uncertain colored noise variance
Authors: Wang Guanran , Sun Xiaojun
Published: April 2024

For fractional order systems with colored process noise, the discretization fractional order system model is used to construct the augmented vector defined by the state vector and colored process noise vector. Based on the augmented equation of fractional order systems, the robust local Kalman filtering algorithm for fractional order systems with colored process noise is derived. The matrix weighted fusion, weighted measurement fusion and centralized fusion methods were used to fuse and estimate the state of multi-sensor fractional order system. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
A state estimation method based on CNN-LSTM for ball screw
Authors: Jianxin Lei , Zhinong Jiang , Zhilong Gao , Wenbo Zhang
Published: April 2024

Ball screw is widely used in the engineering field, and accurate estimation of their state is crucial for the reliability of system operation. However, existing methods often overlook the time series characteristics and spatial correlation of vibration signals, unable to provide complete degradation information and divide the degradation process, resulting in limited prediction accuracy. Therefore, a state estimation method for ball screw based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory Neural Networks (LSTM) is proposed. An experiment of ball screw transmission equipment was conducted to collect vibration signals throughout the entire life cycle and verify the proposed method. Firstly, the frequency domain amplitude signal of the transformed ball screw is normalized to eliminate scale differences, which serves as the input for CNN feature extraction. Then, these deep features are input into the LSTM network to capture the fault evolution patterns that reveal the degradation of ball screw performance, and achieve accurate estimation of ball screw state. The final prediction accuracy was 97.87%, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Concurrent effect of shear flow and CNT presence on crystallization behavior and electrical properties of polypropylene based nanocomposites: A comprehensive structure-property investigation
Authors: Alimoradi Younes , Nourisefat Maryam , Farzaneh Arman , Nazokdast Hossein
Published: April 2024

The loading of nanoparticle in the polymer matrix affects their response to shear flows applied during the fabrication process. With this in mind, in the present study, the concurrent effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) presence and shear application on the rheological and electrical properties as well as on the crystallization behavior of polypropylene (PP) based nanocomposites has been investigated. The results of rheological analyses showed that the solid-like behavior increases in proportion to the CNT content, and a remarkable increase in the solid-like behavior is obtained at a CNT content of 2 wt%. The isothermal crystallization results corroborated that crystallization temperature increases proportionally with the CNT content, however does not change with shearing. The non-isothermal crystallization findings confirmed that crystallization kinetics promotes with increasing CNT content, and this effect becomes more pronounced with shearing. The results of thermal analysis confirmed that the melting temperature decreases slightly, and the crystallinity remains almost unchanged with increasing CNT content up to 2%. However, when the CNT content rose up to 4%, the crystallinity decreased significantly due to confined crystallization. When this nanocomposite was subjected to shearing, the crystallinity increased. The results of electrical conductivity measurement revealed that the conductivity increases with increasing CNT content, while it decreases with shearing and the vulnerability of nanocomposites to shearing decreases with increasing CNT content.