bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical and free radical scavenging activity of Adansonia digitata seed oil
Authors: Halilu Emmanuel Mshelia , Muhammad Nafisa Kudu
Published: May 2023

Adansonia digitata is used in folk medicine as antipyretic, analgesic and as an antioxidant. The aim of the research was to study the physicochemical, antioxidant and acute toxicity profiles of the oil extracted from the seed nuts. Standard methods were used to ascertain the physicochemical parameters, antioxidant properties and the oral acute toxicity. The moisture content (MC), total ash (TA), acid insoluble ash (AIA), alcohol soluble extractive (ASE) and the water-soluble extractive (WSE) were: 4 %, 4 %, 0.33 %, 22 % and 20.67 % respectively. The oil yielded 15.29 %. The GC-MS revealed some fatty acids/esters. The oil was soluble in varieties organic solvents including petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and others. Steroids were detected in the oil through qualitative phytochemical screening. The saponification value (SV) of 30.86 mgKOH/g, acid value (AV) of 140.25 mgKOH/g, Ester value (EV) of 109.39 mgKOH/g, iodine value (IV) of 104.05 gI2/100 g and specific gravity (SG) of 0.92 were obtained. The oil was safe up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg per body weight via the oral route at one dose level. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the oil showed the highest inhibition (92.3 %) at 3.30 mg/mL and the least inhibition of 86.6 % at 0.12 mg/mL. Therefore, this research has revealed that Adansonia digitata oil contain phytochemicals with free radical scavenging properties and the oil is not toxic.
Rapid and one-step mechanochemical ligand exchange of Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped NaGdF4 upconversion nanoparticles for efficient MR and CT imaging
Authors: Jayamole Anjusha A. , Ganeshan Jagan E. , Sundaram Thirunavukkarasu , Vaippully Rahul , Roy Basudev , Mohan Pandi , Swaminathan Dhanapandian , Narendran Krishnakumar
Published: May 2023

Upconversion nanoparticles possess the ability to convert low energy photons to high energy photons, with the advantages of no autofluorescence, reduced photodamage, deeper tissue penetration, and extended photostability. Therefore, upconversion nanoparticles are considered ideal probes for framing potential theranostic agents. Generally, oleic acid has been used as a capping agent to fabricate high-quality upconversion nanoparticles. However, the hydrophobic oleic acid ligands on the surface of the nanoparticles continue to be a barrier when used in biological applications. Herein, we modified the surface of oleic acid coated upconversion (OA-NaGdF4:Yb/Er) nanoparticles to be hydrophilic using a novel one-step solvent assisted mechanochemical (SAM) milling ligand exchange strategy. Normal ligand exchange processes are tedious and take one to two days to complete, but the SAM ligand exchange strategy presented here is facile, rapid, and takes less than 1 h. This surface modified citric acid coated upconversion (CA-NaGdF4:Yb/Er) nanoparticles further ensures dispersibility in water and good biocompatibility, as revealed by electron microscopy, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, zeta potential measurement, upconversion luminescence studies, and cytotoxicity assessment. Besides, the size and shape of the nanoparticles were retained after surface modification. Moreover, the monodispersed CA-NaGdF4:Yb/Er nanoparticles exhibit intrinsic paramagnetic behavior which makes them suitable to be used as a contrast enhancer for T
1-weighted MRI. In addition, the measured CT numbers (in HU) increased linearly with increasing the concentration of the surface modified CA-NaGdF4:Yb/Er nanoparticles, indicating their plausibility as a CT contrast agent. The current findings suggest that the SAM ligand exchange strategy could be used to fabricate hydrophilic and biocompatible upconversion nanoparticles for bioimaging applications.
Fenntartható élelmiszer-fogyasztással kapcsolatos fogyasztói megítélés feltárása netnográfiával
Authors: Balsa-Budai Nikolett , Szakály Zoltán
Published: May 2023

A TANULMÁNY CÉLJA:

Jelen kutatás célja, hogy feltárja a hazai online fogyasztók fenntartható táplálkozással kapcsolatos attitűdjeit. Vajon a fogyasztók aktív szereplőként tekintenek-e magukra a probléma megoldásában, vagy inkább megfigyelőként az élelmiszeripart képviselő cégektől várják a megoldást? Melyek azok a lépések, amiket az elmúlt időszakban a fogyasztók megtettek a fenntartható élelmiszer-fogyasztás megvalósulásáért? Hogyan vélekednek a közelmúltban bevezetett vagy a jövőben tervezett élelmiszer-fogyasztáshoz kapcsolódó változásokról (pl. újféle csomagolóanyagok, csomagolásmentesség, egyszerhasználatos műanyag eszközök kivezetése, fenntarthatóbb étrend megvalósítása)?

ALKALMAZOTT MÓDSZERTAN:

A vizsgálat netnográfia segítségével került lebonyolításra, amely során az egyes, Magyarországon jelen levő és magyar Facebook-oldallal rendelkező cégek fenntartható táplálkozás kapcsán közzétett tartalmai és az ehhez kapcsolódó hozzászólások kerültek elemzésre.

LEGFONTOSABB EREDMÉNYEK:

Az eredmények egyrészről szemléltetik, hogy melyek a leggyakrabban felmerülő témakörök (növényi alapú étrend, élelmiszer-csomagolás) a fenntartható táplálkozás megvalósítása kapcsán. Emellett feltárásra került, hogyan vélekednek a hazai online fogyasztók a cégek által végzett, fenntarthatósággal kapcsolatos tevékenységekről, fejlesztésekről pl. új termékcsomagolás, innovatív (elsősorban vegán) élelmiszerek, környezetbarát megoldások. Továbbá melyek azok a vásárlást befolyásoló tényezők, amelyek valóban érvényesülnek az élelmiszer-fogyasztói magatartásban.

GYAKORLATI JAVASLATOK:

A szakirodalmi eredményekkel összhangban a netnográfia is igazolta, hogy a környezettudatos tényező az élelmiszerek esetében leginkább mint hozzáadott érték van jelen, a vásárlási döntést elsősorban az egészségtudatosság, a jó íz, a megbízható minőség és a megfelelő ár-érték arány befolyásolja. Így az élelmiszer-fogyasztás esetében a környezettudatosságot fontos, más tényezőkkel párosítani a marketingkommunikáció során, mint pl. az egészség, íz vagy az ár.
Agri-food firms’ attitude toward digital data exploitation in the product development
Authors: Frau Moreno , Keszey Tamara
Published: May 2023

THE AIMS OF THE PAPER
This paper explores digital data exploitation behaviours and shows how these conducts change according to the data sources used by agri-food firms when developing their products.
METHODOLOGY
We adopt an exploratory multiple-case study to provide a theoretical framework for agri-food firms utilising digital data for product development.
MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS
The article shows two prominent firms’ behaviours that we labelled data explorers and data receivers and a third behaviour which is a combination of the main ones.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This article offers guidelines to support agri-food firms to distinguish how such firms may benefit from the digital transformation by gaining competitiveness improving production efficiency and supporting the development of their products. 
Acknowledgments: This paper has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101030185. This article is an outcome of the project FooDization.
Társadalmi marketing a fenntarthatóság komplex rendszerében – kapcsolódó HR-kihívások
Authors: Klausmann-Dinya Anikó , Dinya László
Published: May 2023

A TANULMÁNY CÉLJA
A fenntarthatósági kihívások figyelembevételének igénye egyre inkább előtérbe kerül a projekt-, település- és térségi szintű fejlesztési programok során. Minden helyi fejlesztési programban számolni kell annak az egész térséget érintő társadalmi – gazdasági – természeti környezetre gyakorolt hatásaira. És értelemszerűen kalkulálni kell nemcsak a gazdasági tőke, hanem a rendelkezésre álló (vagy esetleg akadályokat képező) humán-, szociális- és természeti tőke kívánatos fejlesztésével is, ha egy projektet hosszabb távon terveznek fenntartani. Tipikusan ilyenek például a turisztikai, energetikai, élelmiszerlánc fejlesztési programok. Bemutatni kívánjuk azt az általunk kidolgozott, és a gyakorlatban is alkalmazott fejlesztési modellt, amely ehhez tapasztalatunk szerint hasznos segítséget képes nyújtani. Fontos alapelv, hogy a társadalmi marketing és a HR-megfontolások nem mellőzhetők, amikor gyakran a humán/tudás/tőke, és/vagy a közösségi (szociális) tőke képezi egy-egy térségben a fejlesztéseket akadályozni képes szűk keresztmetszetet.
ALKALMAZOTT MÓDSZERTAN
A kidolgozott modell átfogó szakirodalmi szintézisen alapul, amelynek során érvényesítettük a gyakorlati alkalmazhatóság követelményeit is. A fejlesztéseket megalapozó helyszíni diagnózis a helyi adottságok öt pillérhez tartozó, összesen húsz legfontosabb tényező értékelését jelenti. Az értékelés helyi szakértők széles körének fókuszcsoportos megkérdezésével történik kérdőív segítségével. Ezt mutatjuk be, esettanulmány jelleggel.
LEGFONTOSABB EREDMÉNYEK
A kidolgozott modell gyakorlati alkalmazásának tapasztalatai meggyőzően igazolták, hogy a „best practice” (legjobb gyakorlat) preferálása komplex fenntarthatóság megvalósítását célzó projektek esetében nem lehetséges. Csak a helyi adottságokhoz illeszkedő diagnózisokon alapuló „good practices” (jó gyakorlatok) vezethetnek eredményre. Projektjeink kapcsán igazolást nyert tapasztalati tény, hogy a társadalmi marketing nélkülözhetetlen minden helyi fejlesztés esetén, amelynek köze van a fenntarthatósághoz, és a közösség bevonása, meg a humán (tudás) tőke egyidejű fejlesztése nélkül nem lehet eredményes. Márpedig a projektek döntő többsége ilyen, a jövőben pedig kifejezetten ilyen lesz. 
GYAKORLATI JAVASLATOK
Az általunk kidolgozott és eredményesen alkalmazott modell hasznos segítséget nyújthat a helyi adottságok, lehetőségek és fenyegetések feltérképezéséhez fenntarthatóságot célzó helyi (térségi) fejlesztési projektek esetében. A társadalmi marketing és a HR-eszközök bevetése biztosíthatja, hogy a projekt nemcsak gazdaságilag, de társadalmilag és természeti környezeti szempontjából is hosszabb távon fenntartható lehet. Fontos feltétele, hogy a tervezésben, majd a megvalósításban ilyen szakértők is részt vegyenek.
A Dunning–Kruger-hatás megjelenése felsőoktatási marketing kurzusok számonkérésein
Authors: Kun András , Kontor Enikő , Kiss Marietta
Published: May 2023

A TANULMÁNY CÉLJA
Dunning–Kruger-hatásként (DKH) ismert az a jelenség, hogy a rosszabbul teljesítő egyének hajlamosabbak pontatlanabbul és felfelé torzítva becsülni saját teljesítményüket. Jelen kutatás e hatást kívánja mérni marketing kurzusok keretében a magyar felsőoktatásban, amivel bővíti a hazai szakirodalomban eddig, ilyen szempontból elemzett tantárgyak körét.
ALKALMAZOTT MÓDSZERTAN
Az adatgyűjtés 2021 májusában zajlott 3 alapképzéses szak marketing témájú kurzusain, online zárthelyi dolgozatok keretében (N=160). A hallgatók a dolgozat első és utolsó kérdéseként megbecsülhették az elért pontszámukat. A hatás definíciója alapján feltételeztük, hogy a magasabb pontszámot elérő hallgatók pontosabbak és kevésbé becsülik felül pontszámaikat a dolgozat megírása előtt és után egyaránt. További hipotézisünk szerint a jobb teljesítményűek több információt szereznek saját tudásukról a teszt alatt, ezért náluk a vizsga után átlagosan kisebb a pontszámok felülbecslése és a becslési hiba, mint előtte. Vizsgáltuk még, hogy a DKH egyformán jelenik-e meg a nőknél és a férfiaknál is. A kutatásban elsősorban többváltozós lineáris regressziós modelleket alkalmaztunk.
LEGFONTOSABB EREDMÉNYEK
Eredményeink alátámasztották, hogy minél gyengébb teljesítményt ért el egy hallgató, annál pontatlanabbul ítélte meg és egyben jobban felül is becsülte várható pontszámát. A jobban teljesítők becslései hajlamosabbak voltak a dolgozat végére optimistábbá és pontatlanabbá válni. Ugyanakkor a nemek nem mutattak összefüggést a vizsgált hatással.
GYAKORLATI JAVASLATOK
A kutatás eredményei alapján a gyengébben teljesítő hallgatók kevésbé vannak tisztában saját tudásukkal, így nem is érzik annyira szükségét a fokozottabb felkészülésnek. Ez az oktatók számára azt jelenti, hogy az oktatás során az ismeretátadáson túl e hatás csökkentésére, kiküszöbölésére is figyelmet kell fordítani, például a kijavított dolgozatok közös áttekintése révén, különösen, mivel a képzés során szerzett kudarcok a lemorzsolódás egyik okát jelentik.
A fiatalok szabadidős közösségválasztásainak háttere
Authors: Németh Péter , Csóka László , Törőcsik Mária
Published: May 2023

A TANULMÁNY CÉLJA
A fiatalok felé különös figyelem fordul a gazdasági döntéshozók, a társadalomkutatók irányából, különféle tanulmányok, elemzések készülnek, mégis nagyon nehéz ennek a sajátos, fordulatokkal bővelkedő életszakasz jellemzőinek meghatározása. Azért is találjuk érdekesnek ezt a szegmenst, mert ez jellemzően olyan életszakasz, amikor kisebb a másokért való felelősségvállalás érzése, ebből adódóan ez a vásárlásaikban, az életszervezésükben is megjelenik, így pedig a közösségi életükben is. Ezen felül természetesen rájuk is nehezedik nyomás, de az élet nagyobb megpróbáltatásai még előttük állnak.
Az egyes korcsoportok, generációk elhatárolása, annak módja régóta foglalkoztatja a kutatókat. Jelen tanulmányunkban a fiatalok, jelen esetben a 16-24 évesek világának egy szeletét, a szabadidős közösségeik, szcénáik működési sajátosságait fogalmazzuk meg két minta eredményeinek felhasználásával.
ALKALMAZOTT MÓDSZERTAN
2022 márciusában egy 600 fős, a célcsoportra országosan reprezentatív mintán (16-24 évesek), valamint egy 1000 fős, a közösségi média segítségével elért, a szcénákban érdekelt fiatalok mintáján végeztük a megkérdezést (12-24 évesek), ezek összehasonlítására választottunk ki témaköröket vizsgálatra. Kutatási kérdésünk az, hogy vajon a közösségekhez való szorosabb tartozás pozitív hatást eredményez-e. Munkánkban érintjük a fiatalok elégedettségét, értékeik egy részét, az online és az offline közösségekben való részvételüket, valamint vélelmezhető életstíluscsoportokhoz való tartozásukat.
LEGFONTOSABB EREDMÉNYEK
Megállapítottuk, hogy jelentős különbségek fedezhetők fel a két minta eredményeiben, alapvetően a közösségekhez tartozók javára. A szakma számára tanulságos eredmény, hogy a sztereotip fiatal generációs kép árnyalásra szorul, a vonzó és hightech csoportok mellett más magatartású, jellemzővel leírható csoportok is vannak, a realitást fontos a tervezésnél figyelembe venni.
GYAKORLATI JAVASLATOK
Azt is látjuk, hogy ennek a célcsoportnak a nehezebb elérhetősége miatt más módszerekkel való közelítésük, vizsgálatuk lehet javasolt, akár előtérbe állítva az újfajta, online megoldásokat.
Köszönetnyilvánítás: Az EFOP-3.6.3-VEKOP-16-2017-00007 számú „Tehetségből fiatal kutató - A kutatói életpályát támogató tevékenységek a felsőoktatásban" című projekt járult hozzá kutatási lehetőségünkhöz.
Novel Evoked Synaptic Activity Potentials (ESAPs) Elicited by Spinal Cord Stimulation
Authors: Sharma Mahima , Bhaskar Vividha , Yang Lillian , FallahRad Mohamad , Gebodh Nigel , Zhang Tianhe , Esteller Rosana , Martin John , Bikson Marom
Published: May 2023

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) evokes fast epidural evoked compound action potential (ECAP) that represent activity of dorsal column axons, but not necessarily a spinal circuit response. Using a multimodal approach, we identified and characterized a delayed and slower potential evoked by SCS that reflects synaptic activity within the spinal cord. Anesthetized female Sprague Dawley rats were implanted with an epidural SCS lead, epidural motor cortex stimulation electrodes, an epidural spinal cord recording lead, an intraspinal penetrating recording electrode array, and intramuscular electromyography (EMG) electrodes in the hindlimb and trunk. We stimulated the motor cortex or the epidural spinal cord and recorded epidural, intraspinal, and EMG responses. SCS pulses produced characteristic propagating ECAPs (composed of P1, N1, and P2 waves with latencies <2 ms) and an additional wave (“S1”) starting after the N2. We verified the S1-wave was not a stimulation artifact and was not a reflection of hindlimb/trunk EMG. The S1-wave has a distinct stimulation-intensity dose response and spatial profile compared with ECAPs. 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; a selective competitive antagonist of AMPA receptors (AMPARs)] significantly diminished the S1-wave, but not ECAPs. Furthermore, cortical stimulation, which did not evoke ECAPs, produced epidurally detectable and CNQX-sensitive responses at the same spinal sites, confirming epidural recording of an evoked synaptic response. Finally, applying 50-Hz SCS resulted in dampening of S1-wave but not ECAPs. Therefore, we hypothesize that the S1-wave is synaptic in origin, and we term the S1-wave type responses: evoked synaptic activity potentials (ESAPs). The identification and characterization of epidurally recorded ESAPs from the dorsal horn may elucidate SCS mechanisms.
Somatic Integration of Incoherent Dendritic Inputs in the Gerbil Medial Superior Olive
Authors: Mackenbach Yarmo , Borst J. Gerard G.
Published: May 2023

The medial superior olive (MSO) is a binaural nucleus that is specialized in detecting the relative arrival times of sounds at both ears. Excitatory inputs to its neurons originating from either ear are segregated to different dendrites. To study the integration of synaptic inputs both within and between dendrites, we made juxtacellular and whole-cell recordings from the MSO in anesthetized female gerbils, while presenting a “double zwuis” stimulus, in which each ear received its own set of tones, which were chosen in a way that all second-order distortion products (DP2s) could be uniquely identified. MSO neurons phase-locked to multiple tones within the multitone stimulus, and vector strength, a measure for spike phase-locking, generally depended linearly on the size of the average subthreshold response to a tone. Subthreshold responses to tones in one ear depended little on the presence of sound in the other ear, suggesting that inputs from different ears sum linearly without a substantial role for somatic inhibition. The “double zwuis” stimulus also evoked response components in the MSO neuron that were phase-locked to DP2s. Bidendritic subthreshold DP2s were quite rare compared with bidendritic suprathreshold DP2s. We observed that in a small subset of cells, the ability to trigger spikes differed substantially between both ears, which might be explained by a dendritic axonal origin. Some neurons that were driven monaurally by only one of the two ears nevertheless showed decent binaural tuning. We conclude that MSO neurons are remarkably good in finding binaural coincidences even among uncorrelated inputs.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNeurons in the medial superior olive are essential for precisely localizing low-frequency sounds in the horizontal plane. From their soma, only two dendrites emerge, which are innervated by inputs originating from different ears. Using a new sound stimulus, we studied the integration of inputs both within and between these dendrites in unprecedented detail. We found evidence that inputs from different dendrites add linearly at the soma, but that small increases in somatic potentials could lead to large increases in the probability of generating a spike. This basic scheme allowed the MSO neurons to detect the relative arrival time of inputs at both dendrites remarkably efficient, although the relative size of these inputs could differ considerably.
Race, History, and the Politics of the Local
Authors: Belanger Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

Detailing a collaboration between middle school students and undergraduate students to create a local civil rights public art/public history project, this essay explores the promises and pitfalls of public historians working in their communities. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Civil Rights curriculum unit was part of the more extensive People’s History of Geneva K–12 Curriculum Project, designed to bring the voices and experiences of underrepresented groups into the city’s history and its classrooms. This essay details the curriculum unit’s creation and implementation, paying particular attention to three contexts that served to center whiteness in the project’s development and implementation.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography during Pregnancy
Authors: Han Joung-Ho
Published: May 2023

Physiological changes caused by pregnancy promote the formation of gallstones, increasing the risk of acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, and cholelithiasis that occur during pregnancy. Since these diseases can be fatal to both mother and fetus, active treatment is critical. Biliary gallstones are preferably treated using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), even during pregnancy. While there is no alternative, safer and easier treatment method, complications from ERCP are lethal; therefore, several risks and benefits must be considered. First, various tests should be conducted and considered to determine whether ERCP is necessary. The risk of congenital disabilities from radiation exposure to the fetus during ERCP should be considered and minimized. Furthermore, clinicians should be aware of and use safe anesthetic agents and antibiotics that are safe to use during pregnancy. Finally, ERCPists should be familiar with various technical methods, such as the recently introduced ERCP technique without radiation exposure, stent drainage without complete removal of gallstones in the case of large biliary stones, and removal of biliary stones after childbirth. Pregnancy is not a contraindication for ERCP; as a lifesaving procedure, it should be performed when necessary. Even though the safety of ERCP is considered an acceptable risk in pregnancy, clinicians should continue to try and find safer ways for pregnant women and fetuses being treated for cholelithiasis.
Catastrophic ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma: an uncommon and challenging entity with multifaceted presentation
Authors: Foppiani Luca , Poeta Maria Gabriella , Rutigliani Mariangela , Parodi Simona , Catrambone Ugo , Cavalleri Lorenzo , Antonucci Giancarlo , Del Monte Patrizia , Piccardo Arnoldo
Published: May 2023

Cushing’s syndrome due to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion (EAS) by a pheochromocytoma is a challenging condition. A woman with hypertension and an anamnestic report of a ‘non-secreting’ left adrenal mass developed uncontrolled blood pressure (BP), hyperglycaemia and severe hypokalaemia. ACTH-dependent severe hypercortisolism was ascertained in the absence of Cushingoid features, and a psycho-organic syndrome developed. Brain imaging revealed a splenial lesion of the corpus callosum and a pituitary microadenoma. The adrenal mass displayed high uptake on both 18F-FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT; urinary metanephrine levels were greatly increased. The combination of antihypertensive drugs, high-dose potassium infusion, insulin and steroidogenesis inhibitor normalized BP, metabolic parameters and cortisol levels; laparoscopic left adrenalectomy under intravenous hydrocortisone infusion was performed. On combined histology and immunohistochemistry, an ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma was diagnosed. The patient's clinical condition improved and remission of both hypercortisolism and catecholamine hypersecretion ensued. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a reduction of the splenial lesion. Off-therapy BP and metabolic parameters remained normal. The patient was discharged on cortisone replacement therapy for post-surgical hypocortisolism. EAS due to pheochromocytoma displays multifaceted clinical features and requires prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary management in order to overcome the related severe clinical derangements.

Learning points

A small but significant number of cases of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome are caused by ectopic ACTH secretion by neuroendocrine tumours, which is usually associated with severe hypercortisolism causing severe clinical and metabolic derangements.

Ectopic ACTH secretion by a pheochromocytoma is exceedingly rare but can be life-threatening, owing to the simultaneous excess of both cortisol and catecholamines.

The combination of biochemical and hormonal testing and imaging procedures is mandatory for the diagnosis of ectopic ACTH secretion, and in the presence of an adrenal mass, the possibility of an ACTH-secreting pheochromocytoma should be taken into account.

Immediate-acting steroidogenesis inhibitors are required for the treatment of hypercortisolism, and catecholamine excess should also be appropriately managed before surgical removal of the tumour.

A multidisciplinary approach is required for the treatment of this challenging entity.
PRB inhibited cell proliferation through let-7b-E2F1 in breast cancer
Authors: Asavasupreechar Teeranut , Saito-Koyama Ryoko , Miki Yasuhiro , Tamai Keiichi , Abe Jiro , Inoue Chihiro , Sato Ikuro , Boonyaratanakornkit Viroj , Sasano Hironobu
Published: May 2023

The presence of progesterone receptor (PR) and PR isoform B (PRB) in breast cancer is generally correlated with better clinical outcomes. Additionally, the significance of hormone-independent effects of PR/PRB correlated with better prognosis has been reported in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the detailed mechanism of that still remains unclear. In this study, we examined how microRNAs (miRNAs) could contribute to tumor inhibition via PR/PRB expression, in order to find miRNAs that have tumor-agnostic effects between breast cancer and NSCLC. We obtained miRNA data using human tissues of breast cancer and NSCLC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TGCA) database and PCR array from NSCLC patients of our cohort. Subsequently, we examined the function of the miRNA through in vitro study using breast cancer cell lines. As a result, only let-7b expression was significantly correlated with PR expression in both cancers. Additionally, the expression of let-7b significantly inhibited cell proliferation by inducing PR and PRB expression in breast cancer cell lines. However, the positive correlation of let-7b and PRB required a mediated factor, E2 promoter binding factor 1 (E2F1), obtained from TGCA database analysis. In vitro experiments showed that let-7b significantly inhibited E2F1, and E2F1 significantly inhibited PRB. This study revealed that PRB inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells by the let-7b-E2F1 interaction. In addition, the immunohistochemical analysis in NSCLC was also consistent with these in vitro data. Our results could contribute to developing novel therapeutic strategies for patients with PR/PRB-positive cancer by targeting let-7b or PRB expression in breast cancer and possibly NSCLC.
Intratumoral dendritic cells and T cells predict survival in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Werner Wiebke , Detjen Katharina , Bruneau Alix , Lurje Isabella , Nestel Natalie , Jann Henning , Tacke Frank , Wiedenmann Bertram , Roderburg Christoph , Hammerich Linda
Published: May 2023

Clinical management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms remains challenging. We recently introduced the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3LG) as a possible biomarker for a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment. Here, we put a spotlight on the quantitative assessment of classical dendritic cells (cDC) and T cells in the context of FLT3LG mRNA levels in a retrospective study on neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G2/G3 and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of pancreatic and gastric origin. The abundance of cDC and T cells and their relevant subpopulations were determined by immunofluorescent staining and correlated with FLT3LG mRNA levels as well as clinical outcomes. Immune cell counts attested to highly variable infiltration densities. Samples with the presence of cDC or high numbers of T cells exhibited increased FLT3LG expression. Abundance of cDC, defined as HLA-DR+CD11c+ cells with CLEC9a (cDC1) or CD1c (cDC2), as well as T cells correlated with FLT3LG mRNA levels and predicted disease-specific survival. Combining FLT3LG and T cell counts further improved this prediction. Therefore, tumor-infiltrating cDC and T cells are prognostic markers in NET G2/G3 or NEC and FLT3LG mRNA may serve as a simple-to-use biomarker for a quantitative estimate of their abundance, mandating prospective evaluation in the context of immune-targeted therapies.
Paper industry's strategy for sustainable growth
Authors: Cho Sungmin
Published: May 2023

While paper as a medium of information is declining in demand, paper as a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging is gaining interest. In light of these changes, the paper industry is seeking new growth by developing highly-functional paper material that can replace plastics. To this end, the industry needs to develop paper with high-barrier and strength properties, as well as technologies that can improve recyclability of such material. Beyond paper, the industry is also developing novel wood-based chemicals that can replace traditional fossil-fuel derivatives. For these to become commercially viable, the industry needs to focus on achieving cost-competitiveness. Finally to reinforce these two initiatives, the government needs to engage in active dialogues with the industry leaders and provide related R&D support.
Agricultural residue-based bioplastics: Potential options for high-value agricultural residue utilization
Authors: Zhang Jinlong , Fu Shiyu , Lan Xingyu , Yang Xuedi
Published: May 2023

The extensive application of petroleum-based plastics has caused serious environmental pollution and ecological problems. Now, governments in the world are urgently aiming to develop biodegradable and renewable plastic alternatives. Agricultural waste, being widely available and affordable, may provide a resource of natural polymers to replace those from fossil sources for material manufacturing. However, there are still some non-negligible issues needing more attention. Herein, we briefly discuss the issues and challenges in the conversion of agricultural waste into bioplastics to provide a possible way for its further utilization.
Opportunities of using nanocellulose in construction materials
Authors: Alrubaie Murtada , Resan Sa’ad Fahad
Published: May 2023

Numerous efforts have been made to mitigate the negative impacts of the production of construction materials on the environment. A reduction in the usage of virgin raw materials and the utilization of the waste materials or the biobased materials are examples of these efforts. However, a potential threat to the environment persists. Bacterial nanocellulose shows promise as a further way to produce environment-friendly construction materials.
Molecularity and ‘Sobornost’ on the way to church unity: archpriest Sergey Bulgakov’s theological controversy on the question of eucharistic communion with the non-orthodox
Authors: Antipina Julia
Published: May 2023

The article examines the theological content of the controversy that unfolded between the leaders of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius in connection with the proposal of Archpriest Sergiy Bulgakov on the "partial intercommunion" – the Eucharistic communion of Anglicans and Orthodox, members of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius. The Fellowship was founded at the second Anglo-Orthodox Congress in St. Albans in 1928. Bulgakov put forward a proposal for communion at one of the annual conferences of the Fellowship in 1933, i.e. after five years of its existence. According to Bulgakov, partial intercommunion could not replace the whole reunion of churches, but could serve as its beginning. Bulgakov's proposal for communion caused a heated discussion that lasted for three years. Opinions were divided on both the Anglican and Orthodox sides. The discussion was preserved on the pages of the Journal of the Fellowship and in the confidential correspondence of the members of the Executive Committee and the Paris Group, which was conducted in English. The main exponents of the opposite positions were Archpriest Sergey Bulgakov and Archpriest George Florovsky. At the heart of these disagreements was a different idea of the nature of the Church. Both sides assumed that the Church is one and catholic ("sobornaya"), but they understood the content of these concepts differently. In Florovsky's understanding, "sobornost" should have a dogmatic basis, while Bulgakov believed that "sobornost" has a mysterious-charismatic basis. In practical terms, the discussion turned around two possible ways of the ecumenical movement and their combination: the "diplomatic" method of reunification and the "molecular" action. The translation of several documents from the correspondence of the members of the Executive Committee of the Fellowship and the Paris Group is published as an appendix for the first time: a confidential note by A.F. Dobbie-Bateman to the members of the Executive Committee, letters from A.V. Kartashev and Archpriest George Florovsky, as well as a letter from N. Zernov, which outlines the discussion of Bulgakov's project at a meeting of the Brotherhood of Saint Sophia on October 29, 1933 in Paris.
The emergence of the term "neoplatonism" and the historiographical clichés which it generates
Authors: Soloviev Roman
Published: May 2023

The article traces the history of the division of Platonic tradition into Middle and New Platonism, as well as the origin and usage of the term "Neoplatonism". The division of Platonism into the periods of Ancient Academy, Middle Platonism and New Platonism, which had been useful in the past, nowadays hinders the formation of a reliable historical view, as it turns out to be not strict at all for such authors as Longinus, Chalcidius, Numenius, Amelius and Porphyry, and also creates an impression of the closed nature of the mentioned periods in both diachronic and synchronic dimensions. The term "Neoplatonism" was introduced in German historiography by J. Brucker and initially conveyed a sharply negative assessment. The distaste for a specific type of philosophizing led Brucker's followers to make a clear distinction between the original Platonism and the subsequent 'distortions'. An analysis of Brucker's use of the term shows its biased character, distorting the representation of late Platonism and creating a strain according to which the terminological break represents a valid break in late Antique Platonism. This approach has caused among scholars a marginalization of Neoplatonism, presented as a self-sufficient and closed school, impervious to the influence of other philosophical schools, including Christianity (an approach shared by H. Dörrie, L. Brisson, A. Segon, Ph. Offmann and C. de Vogel). The author has identified the reasons of the pejorative attitude to the late Platonists in the science of XVIIIth – first half of XXth centuries, which did not take into account the self-perception of Platonists and their method of treatment of philosophical material, and also analyses modern attempts to reassess the established classification (L. Katana, L. Gerson, T. Rodriguez). The examples of interschool interaction (Celsus, Numenius, St. Justin, Amelius and Porphyry) given in the article not only in diachronic, but also in synchronic aspect, have allowed us to question the necessity of retaining the term "Neoplatonism", as well as the cliché about the closedness of the Roman Neoplatonic school of the third century.
The Four Pillars of Choral Music Education
Authors: Setness Joanna
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates how the philosophy of several key choral music educators influenced their working methods and the principles that they emphasized in their teaching. Lowell Mason, named the “Father of Music Education”, and the first public school music teacher in Boston, spearheaded the school singing movement in the mid 1800’s. F. Melius Christiansen, teaching at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN left a legacy of the “ideal” choral sound and elevated the choir to a prestigious position in schools. John Finley Williamson, with the Westminster Choir, blended “sung-speech” and the quality of individual sound to produce an entirely different measurement of choral success. Finally, Robert Shaw, a highly acclaimed choral director, used Rhythmic-Diction and awareness of stylistic authenticity to drive his choir of professional adult singers to new heights. The philosophy of each of these choral educators directly influenced all of their working methods and choices, even their choice of singers. This project will briefly unearth the roots of choral music in music education followed by a comparative study of the director’s philosophies that drove their educational methods. The study will conclude with an assessment of the significance of these directors’ contributions to contemporary choral music education.
Regulation and Supervision of Food Irradiation
Authors: Natividade Mariana Alonso , Alonso Thessa Cristina , Mesquita Amir Zacarias
Published: May 2023

Food irradiation consists of a physical process that subjects food to doses of ionizing radiation, which are high enough energy to eliminate or neutralize harmful microbial contaminants without changing the taste or texture of food and without leaving residues. With this irradiation process we can prevent diseases transmitted by food, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli, prolong the shelf life of foods, control pests that harm fruits by delaying germination and ripening, and finally sterilization, which allows their storage for years without refrigeration. The use of ionizing radiation for food preservation has been studied for several decades and is regulated in the USA by the Food and Drug Administration –FDA. In 1997, the World Health Organization - WHO released the use of the technique for all types of food. In Brazil, the first studies on food irradiation were carried out by the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture - Cena, in the 50's. Currently, Brazilian legislation follows the international recommendations suggested by the Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO, the International Atomic Energy Agency - IAEA and Codex Alimentarius. The scope of this work is a survey, analysis and evolution of national and international legislation related to ionizing irradiation practices in food. For the preparation of this research, bibliographical reviews were carried out, consultations in Brazilian and international legislation, Internet sites, and in the documentation of the Gamma Irradiation Laboratory of the Nuclear Technology Development Center - CDTN
Pathophysiological Changes in Response to the Pathogens Administered to Healthy Etroplus maculatus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) and Puntius ticto (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Nair S.G. , Lipton A.P. , Rajamma R. , Ibáñez-Arancibia E. , De los Ríos-Escalante P.R.
Published: May 2023

The pathogens in fish generate alterations in physiology of fish with consequences in life function decreasing and death. Objective. To analyzed the response of ornamental fish Etroplus maculatus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) and Puntius ticto (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA1) and Enterobacter cloacae (EMS1). Methods. Strains of bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA1) and Enterobacter cloacae (EMS1) were obtained from moribund individuals of Etroplus maculatus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) and Puntius ticto (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), also hemaglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte, and hemoglobin in an erythrocyte, oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion, and histological studies were measured. Results. Hematological parameters (hemaglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte, hemoglobin in an erythrocyte) denoted an inverse relation with bacterial infection for both species, which was supported by high oxygen consumption, high ammonium excretion, and cell damage showed using histological analysis. Conclusions. These results are similar to observations for inland water and marine fish under culture conditions. The artificial infection of two fish species with two pathogen bacteria generates effects in pathophysiology and can be used for the development of treatment approaches.
Probiotics Based on Lactic Acid Bacteria for Aquaculture
Authors: Vasyliuk O.M. , Skrotskyi S.O. , Khomenko L.A. , Babich T.V.
Published: May 2023

Aquaculture (especially fish farming) provides billions of people with nutrients: amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Aquaculture of commercial species (rainbow trout, common carp, grass carp, pacific white-legged shrimp, etc.) are growing rapidly and accounts for about a third of the global fish production. It is a major alternative to reducing wild populations that are unable to meet growing food demand. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of the genera Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactiplantibacillus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Streptococcus, Carnobacterium, and Weissella belong to the normobiota of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of most fish. They play an important role as they stimulate the synthesis of digestive enzymes, prevent intestinal disorders, improve the immune response of the macroorganism, increase the barrier capacity of the mucous membrane due to the colonization of the fish GI tract, activate the resistance to the development of bacterial and viral infections due to the production of a wide range of antimicrobial substances (bacteriocins, organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, etc.). Therefore, Lactobacilli are classified as potential probiotic strains for aquaculture. The combined use of lactic acid bacteria with feed increases their nutritional value, as microorganisms produce a wide range of digestive enzymes that actively participate in the process of digestion and decomposition of feed, as well as positively affect the growth of individuals and stimulate their reproductive activity, which undoubtedly contributes to the active introduction of commercial probiotics based on LAB strains. As a result of growing aquaculture, there are many problems such as stocking density, infectious diseases, excessive use of antibiotics, water pollution, which can be solved with the help of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Therefore, the review presents current literature data on the use of lactic acid bacteria strains as probiotic preparations for aquaculture, their species composition, probiotic effect on the host, the mechanism of action of probiotics on aquaculture, and the methods for delivery to the macroorganism.
Urogenital Infection as a Factor of Development of Male Infertility
Authors: Melnyk O.V. , Vorobets M.Z. , Fafula R.V. , Kovalenko I.V. , Vorobets Z.D.
Published: May 2023

To date, according to statistics, in Ukraine there is an increase in the number of infertile marriages. Many studies have emphasized the male factor of infertility Often, male infertility is the result of a previous infectious disease or an acute genital inflammation. Microorganisms that infect sperm usually persist in the urinary tract as a monoinfection or form associations. Microorganisms in biofilms are able to acquire new, not yet studied, properties. Persistence of pathogens in the urogenital tract of men triggers several mechanisms of the pathological action on sperm, the first of which is the infectious factor, directly related to the adhesion and resulting in a complete or partial decrease in the mobility and deformation of sperm. On the other hand, the development of the inflammatory process as a trigger of an immune response directed simultaneously against the infectious agent and the affected sperm. The increase in the number of leukocytes at the site of inflammation activates the secretion of biological substances which also have a damaging effect on sperm. The generalized data allow drawing a conclusion about the significant influence of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms as part of associations or monoinfection on the morphofunctional state of spermatozoa.
Fish waste silage, a green process for low feedstock availability. A Review
Authors: Libonatti Claudia Carina , Agüería Daniela Alejandra , Breccia Javier
Published: May 2023

Introduction. Different fishing activities generate a waste volume related to the processing species (viscera, heads and bones), the discards of the companion fauna, species of low commercial value and the losses related to handling problems. Fish meal production is the most common process for recovery nutrients from these fish processing byproducts. However, those places with reduced infrastructure or where the volume of wastes produced do not justified the economic equation for conversion into fish meal or oil, the biological silage could be the technology of choice to promote a sustainable waste management. Objective. To compilate, organize and summarize literature related to biological fermentation of fish waste and its applications. Development. A bibliographic review was carried out (January 1994 - December 2020) referring to the comprehensive use of fishing residues mainly focused on the use of lactic acid bacteria in fish waste fermentation. The information was organized in different sections: fish silage, lactic acid bacteria and carbohydrate sources for biological silage. Conclusions. The studies analyzed in this review highlight the possibility of using a wide variety of carbohydrate sources, biological starters and fish waste fermentation conditions. The satisfactory results show the potential use of fish waste in different applications. This work could contribute to the fisheries that decide to adopt this kind technology in order to provide an innovative and viable recycling bioeconomy.
Experimentos agrícolas con medidas repetidas en el tiempo: comparación entre estrategias de análisis
Authors: Vargas-Rojas Jorge Claudio , Vargas-Martínez Alejandro , Corrales-Brenes Eduardo
Published: May 2023

Introducción. Diversas técnicas de modelación se han utilizado para analizar experimentos con medidas repetidas en el tiempo; no obstante, algunas de estas no son pertinentes en la actualidad. Objetivo. Comparar cuatro estrategias de análisis que se usan para analizar experimentos agrícolas con evaluaciones a través del tiempo. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron datos de un experimento donde se evaluó el efecto de distintas fuentes de fertilizante nitrogenado sobre el contenido de clorofila en un pasto forrajero a diferentes edades de cosecha. Estos datos se analizaron con cuatro estrategias: índice de área bajo la curva (IABC), análisis de la varianza multivariado (MANOVA), efecto aleatorio de la unidad experimental y modelación de la correlación temporal. Las dos últimas estrategias se realizaron bajo la teoría de modelos lineales mixtos; en estas se ajustaron diferentes modelos, todos con la misma estructura de efectos fijos, pero con diferentes efectos aleatorios, estructura de correlación residual o estructura de varianza residual. Mediante criterios de verosimilitud penalizada [criterio de información de Akaike (AIC) y criterio de información Bayesiano (BIC)] se eligió el modelo de mejor ajuste, con este se realizaron inferencias acerca de las medias de los efectos fijos que fueron significativos y se comparó con los resultados obtenidos de las estrategias IABC y MANOVA. Resultados. El modelo lineal mixto de mejor ajuste tuvo una estructura de correlación de simetría compuesta y varianza heterocedástica. Este modelo permitió analizar la interacción tratamiento × tiempo; por el contrario, tanto el MANOVA como el IABC, no permitieron analizar las tendencias temporales de los tratamientos. Conclusión. El modelo lineal mixto de mejor ajuste posibilitó seleccionar el mejor tratamiento en función del tiempo de evaluación. Por el contrario, tanto el MANOVA como el IABC condujeron a la selección de tratamientos que no fueron los mejores en todos los tiempos de evaluación.