bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular Graft Infections: An Overview of Novel Treatments Using Nanoparticles and Nanofibers
Authors: He Emma , Serpelloni Stefano , Alvear Phillip , Rahimi Maham , Taraballi Francesca
Published: February 2022

Vascular disease in elderly patients is a growing health concern, with an estimated prevalence of 15–20% in patients above 70 years old. Current treatment for vascular diseases requires the use of a vascular graft (VG) to revascularize lower or upper extremities, create dialysis access, treat aortic aneurysms, and repair dissection. However, postoperative infection is a major complication associated with the use of these VG, often necessitating several operations to achieve complete or partial graft excision, vascular coverage, and extra-anatomical revascularization. There is also a high risk of morbidity, mortality, and limb loss. Therefore, it is important to develop a method to prevent or reduce the incidence of these infections. Numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of antibiotic- and antiseptic-impregnated grafts. In comparison to these traditional methods of creating antimicrobial grafts, nanotechnology enables researchers to design more efficient VG. Nanofibers and nanoparticles have a greater surface area compared to bulk materials, allowing for more efficient encapsulation of antibiotics and better control over their temporo-spatial release. The disruptive potential of nanofibers and nanoparticles is exceptional, and they could pave the way for a new generation of prosthetic VG. This review aims to discuss how nanotechnology is shaping the future of cardiovascular-related infection management.
Moringa oleifera Hot Water Extract Protects Vero Cells from Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress by Regulating Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptotic Pathway and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling
Authors: Kirindage Kirinde Gedara Isuru Sandanuwan , Fernando Ilekuttige Priyan Shanura , Jayasinghe Arachchige Maheshika Kumari , Han Eui-Jeong , Dias Mawalle Kankanamge Hasitha Madhawa , Kang Kyung-Pil , Moon Sung-Ig , Shin Tai-Sun , Ma Ayeong , Ahn Ginnae
Published: February 2022

The present study discloses the identification of phenolic compounds in Moringa oleifera hot water extract (MOH) and the evaluation of its antioxidant activity on H2O2-induced oxidative stress in Vero cells. Upon analysis, MOH was found to contain phenolic compounds and indicated 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS+) radical scavenging with IC50 values of 102.52 and 122.55 µg/mL, respectively. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of MOH indicated a dose-dependent increase with a maximum absorbance at 125 μg/mL and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of MOH was 1004.95 µmol TE/mg. Results showed that MOH dose-dependently reduced intracellular ROS generation in H2O2-stimulated Vero cells while increasing the cell viability. Fluorescence microscopy and flowcytometric analyses have supported the above findings. MOH markedly suppressed the H2O2-induced mitochondrial depolarization and apoptosis through suppression of the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway by possibly involving H2O2 generation in cell media. Findings of western blot were supported by immunocytochemistry of Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Thus, MOH bioactivity would potentiate its applications in manufacturing functional food.
Distinctive Traits of Four Apulian Traditional Agri-Food Product (TAP) Cheeses Manufactured at the Same Dairy Plant
Authors: Celano Giuseppe , Costantino Giuseppe , Calasso Maria , Randazzo Cinzia , Minervini Fabio
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to highlight the distinctive features of four Traditional Agri-food Products (TAP), namely, Caprino, Pecorino, Vaccino, and Cacioricotta cheeses produced at the same dairy plant to reveal any possible relationships between their microbiological and biochemical characteristics. Two distinct natural whey starter (NWS) cultures were used during Caprino and Vaccino cheesemaking, whereas no starter was used for the other cheeses. Cacioricotta retained the highest concentrations of salt and residual carbohydrates. Lactic acid bacteria dominated the microbiota of the cheeses. Furthermore, staphylococci represented an additional dominant microbial population in Cacioricotta. Although culture-dependent analysis showed that the use of NWS cultures only slightly affected the microbial community of cheeses, 16S metagenetic analysis showed that Lactobacillus helveticus dominated both the NWS cultures and the corresponding Caprino and Vaccino cheeses. This analysis indicated that Staphylococcus equorum and Streptococcus thermophilus dominated Cacioricotta and Pecorino cheeses, respectively. The highest peptidase activities were found in either Caprino or Vaccino. Enzymes involved in the catabolism of free amino acids and esterase showed the highest activity in Pecorino cheese. Each cheese showed a distinct profile of volatile organic compounds, with Pecorino being the richest cheese in carboxylic acids, ketones, and esters, related to lipolysis. The results of this study contribute to valorizing and safeguarding these TAP cheeses, sustaining local farming.
Numerical Study of Caputo Fractional-Order Differential Equations by Developing New Operational Matrices of Vieta–Lucas Polynomials
Authors: Noor Zulfiqar Ahmad , Talib Imran , Abdeljawad Thabet , Alqudah Manar A.
Published: February 2022

In this article, we develop a numerical method based on the operational matrices of shifted Vieta–Lucas polynomials (VLPs) for solving Caputo fractional-order differential equations (FDEs). We derive a new operational matrix of the fractional-order derivatives in the Caputo sense, which is then used with spectral tau and spectral collocation methods to reduce the FDEs to a system of algebraic equations. Several numerical examples are given to show the accuracy of this method. These examples show that the obtained results have good agreement with the analytical solutions in both linear and non-linear FDEs. In addition to this, the numerical results obtained by using our method are compared with the numerical results obtained otherwise in the literature.
Exact Controllability Results for Sobolev-Type Hilfer Fractional Neutral Delay Volterra-Fredholm Integro-Differential Systems
Authors: Vijayakumar Velusamy , Aldosary Saud Fahad , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: February 2022

This manuscript mainly focuses on the exact controllability of Sobolev-type Hilfer fractional neutral delay Volterra-Fredholm integro-differential systems. The principal findings of this discussion are established by using the theories on fractional calculus, the measure of noncompactness and Mönch fixed point technique. Initially, the exact controllability of the system is presented and then we improve the discussion to the system with nonlocal conditions. Finally, abstract and filter systems are provided for the illustration.
A Prospective, Longitudinal Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Exposure, Use of Protective Equipment and Social Distancing in a Group of Community Physicians
Authors: Ehrenpreis Eli D. , Hallmeyer Sigrun , Kruchko David H. , Resner Alexea A. , Dang Nhan , Shah Natasha , Mayer Nancy , Rivelli Anne
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Healthcare workers experience a significant risk of exposure to and infection from SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19. Nonetheless, little research has focused on physicians’ use of personal protective equipment (PPE), their concerns about becoming infected and their social distancing maneuvers. Methods: All staff physicians at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital were invited to participate. Their COVID-19 IgG antibody level was measured and an online questionnaire was completed. The questionnaire assessed the risk of COVID-19 exposure, PPE usage, concern for contracting COVID-19, the performance of high-risk procedures, work in high-risk settings, and social distancing practices. Testing was performed in September (T0), and December 2020 (T1) at the height of the global pandemic. Results: A total of 481 (26.7%) of 1800 AGLH physicians were enrolled at T0 and 458 (95% of the original group) at T1. A total of 21 (4.3%) and 39 (8.5%) participants had antibodies at T0 and T1. A total of 63 (13.8%) worked in high-risk settings and 111 (24.2%) performed high-risk procedures. Participants working in high-risk settings had increased exposure to COVID-19 infected patients (OR = 4.464 CI = 2.522–8.459, p < 0.001). Participants were highly adherent to the use of PPE and social distancing practices including mask-wearing in public (86%, 82.1%), avoiding crowds (85.1%, 85.6%), six feet distancing (83.8%, 83.4%), and avoiding public transportation (78%, 83.8%). A total of 251 (55.4%) participants expressed moderate to extreme concern about becoming infected with COVID-19. Conclusions and Relevance: Among a group of community physicians, consistent PPE use and social distancing practices were common. These practices were associated with a low level of initial acquisition of COVID-19 infections and a relatively low longitudinal risk of infection.
Sedation with Intranasal Dexmedetomidine in the Pediatric Population for Auditory Brainstem Response Testing: Review of the Existing Literature
Authors: Marra Pasquale , Di Stadio Arianna , Colacurcio Vito , Scarpa Alfonso , La Mantia Ignazio , Salzano Francesco Antonio , De Luca Pietro
Published: February 2022

Background: Intranasal dexmedetomidine (IN DEX) is a relatively new sedative agent with supporting evidence on its efficacy and safety, which can be used for procedural sedation in children, and could have a major role in auditory brainstem response testing, especially in the case of non-cooperative children. The goal of this systematic review is to assess the role of IN DEX in ABR testing, evaluating the reported protocol, potential, and limits. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search strategy on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, including studies in English on the pediatric population, without time restrictions. Results: Six articles, published between 2016 and 2021, were included in the systematic review. Sedation effectiveness was high across the studies, except for one study; 3 μg/kg was the dosing most often used. A comparison group was present in three studies, with oral chloral hydrate as the drug of comparison. Adverse effects were rarely reported. Conclusion: This systematic review showed how IN DEX can represent an adequate sedative for children undergoing ABR testing; larger and more rigorous trials are warranted in order to recommend its systematic utilization.
Magnesium Homeostasis in Myogenic Differentiation—A Focus on the Regulation of TRPM7, MagT1 and SLC41A1 Transporters
Authors: Zocchi Monica , Locatelli Laura , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo , Mazur André , Béchet Daniel , Maier Jeanette A. , Castiglioni Sara
Published: February 2022

Magnesium (Mg) is essential for skeletal muscle health, but little is known about the modulation of Mg and its transporters in myogenic differentiation. Here, we show in C2C12 murine myoblasts that Mg concentration fluctuates during their differentiation to myotubes, declining early in the process and reverting to basal levels once the cells are differentiated. The level of the Mg transporter MagT1 decreases at early time points and is restored at the end of the process, suggesting a possible role in the regulation of intracellular Mg concentration. In contrast, TRPM7 is rapidly downregulated and remains undetectable in myotubes. The reduced amounts of TRPM7 and MagT1 are due to autophagy, one of the proteolytic systems activated during myogenesis and essential for the membrane fusion process. Moreover, we investigated the levels of SLC41A1, which increase once cells are differentiated, mainly through transcriptional regulation. In conclusion, myogenesis is associated with alterations of Mg homeostasis finely tuned through the modulation of MagT1, TRPM7 and SLC41A1.
Effect of Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Conditioned Media on an LPS-Induced Mouse Model of Preeclampsia
Authors: Nuzzo Anna Maria , Moretti Laura , Mele Paolo , Todros Tullia , Eva Carola , Rolfo Alessandro
Published: February 2022

We tested the pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hPDMSCs)-derived conditioned media (CM) on a mouse model of preeclampsia (PE), a severe human pregnancy-related syndrome characterized by maternal hypertension, proteinuria, endothelial damage, inflammation, often associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). At d11 of pregnancy, PE was induced in pregnant C57BL/6N mice by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intravenous injection. At d12, 300 μL of unconditioned media (control group) or 300 μL PDMSCs-CM (CM group) were injected. Maternal systolic blood pressure was measured from 9 to 18 days of pregnancy. Urine protein content were analyzed at days 12, 13, and 17 of pregnancy. At d19, mice were sacrificed. Number of fetuses, FGR, fetal reabsorption, and placental weight were evaluated. Placentae were analyzed for sFlt-1, IL-6, and TNF-α gene and protein expressions. No FGR and/or reabsorbed fetuses were delivered by PDMSCs-CM-treated PE mice, while five FGR fetuses were found in the control group accompanied by a lower placental weight. PDMSCs-CM injection significantly decreased maternal systolic blood pressure, proteinuria, sFlt-1, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in PE mice. Our data indicate that hPDMSCs-CM can reverse PE-like features during pregnancy, suggesting a therapeutic role for hPDMSCs for the treatment of preeclampsia.
Functional Characterization of Tomato Phytochrome A and B1B2 Mutants in Response to Heat Stress
Authors: Abdellatif Islam M. Y. , Yuan Shaoze , Na Renhu , Yoshihara Shizue , Hamada Haruyasu , Suzaki Takuya , Ezura Hiroshi , Miura Kenji
Published: February 2022

Heat stress (HS) is a prevalent negative factor affecting plant growth and development, as it is predominant worldwide and threatens agriculture on a large scale. PHYTOCHROMES (PHYs) are photoreceptors that control plant growth and development, and the stress signaling response partially interferes with their activity. PHYA, B1, and B2 are the most well-known PHY types in tomatoes. Our study aimed to identify the role of tomato ‘Money Maker’ phyA and phyB1B2 mutants in stable and fluctuating high temperatures at different growth stages. In the seed germination and vegetative growth stages, the phy mutants were HS tolerant, while during the flowering stage the phy mutants revealed two opposing roles depending on the HS exposure period. The response of the phy mutants to HS during the fruiting stage showed similarity to WT. The most obvious stage that demonstrated phy mutants’ tolerance was the vegetative growth stage, in which a high degree of membrane stability and enhanced water preservation were achieved by the regulation of stomatal closure. In addition, both mutants upregulated the expression of heat-responsive genes related to heat tolerance. In addition to lower malondialdehyde accumulation, the phyA mutant enhanced proline levels. These results clarified the response of tomato phyA and phyB1B2 mutants to HS.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Delivery in Individuals with Different Pathologies: Multimodal Tracking, Safety and Future Applications
Authors: Belmar-López Carolina , Vassaux Georges , Medel-Martinez Ana , Burnet Jerome , Quintanilla Miguel , Ramón y Cajal Santiago , Hernandez-Losa Javier , De la Vieja Antonio , Martin-Duque Pilar
Published: February 2022

Due to their ease of isolation and their properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely investigated. MSCs have been proved capable of migration towards areas of inflammation, including tumors. Therefore, they have been suggested as vectors to carry therapies, specifically to neoplasias. As most of the individuals joining clinical trials that use MSCs for cancer and other pathologies are carefully recruited and do not suffer from other diseases, here we decided to study the safety and application of iv-injected MSCs in animals simultaneously induced with different inflammatory pathologies (diabetes, wound healing and tumors). We studied this by in vitro and in vivo approaches using different gene reporters (GFP, hNIS, and f-Luc) and non-invasive techniques (PET, BLI, or fluorescence). Our results found that MSCs reached different organs depending on the previously induced pathology. Moreover, we evaluated the property of MSCs to target tumors as vectors to deliver adenoviruses, including the interaction between tumor microenvironment and MSCs on their arrival. Mechanisms such as transdifferentiation, MSC fusion with cells, or paracrine processes after MSCs homing were studied, increasing the knowledge and safety of this new therapy for cancer.
Modified Histone Peptides Linked to Magnetic Beads Reduce Binding Specificity
Authors: Meanor Jenna N. , Keung Albert J. , Rao Balaji M.
Published: February 2022

Histone post-translational modifications are small chemical changes to the histone protein structure that have cascading effects on diverse cellular functions. Detecting histone modifications and characterizing their binding partners are critical steps in understanding chromatin biochemistry and have been accessed using common reagents such as antibodies, recombinant assays, and FRET-based systems. High-throughput platforms could accelerate work in this field, and also could be used to engineer de novo histone affinity reagents; yet, published studies on their use with histones have been noticeably sparse. Here, we describe specific experimental conditions that affect binding specificities of post-translationally modified histones in classic protein engineering platforms and likely explain the relative difficulty with histone targets in these platforms. We also show that manipulating avidity of binding interactions may improve specificity of binding.
Imaging the Kidney with an Unconventional Scanning Electron Microscopy Technique: Analysis of the Subpodocyte Space in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Conti Sara , Remuzzi Giuseppe , Benigni Ariela , Tomasoni Susanna
Published: February 2022

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) remains the gold standard for renal histopathological diagnoses, given its higher resolving power, compared with light microscopy. However, it imposes several limitations on pathologists, including longer sample preparation time and a small observation area. To overcome these, we introduced a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique for imaging resin-embedded semi-thin sections of renal tissue. We developed a rapid tissue preparation protocol for experimental models and human biopsies which, alongside SEM digital imaging acquisition of secondary electrons (SE–SEM), enables fast electron microscopy examination, with a resolution similar to that achieved by TEM. We used this unconventional SEM imaging approach to investigate the subpodocyte space (SPS) in BTBR ob/ob mice with type 2 diabetes. Analysis of semi-thin sections with secondary electrons revealed that the SPS had expanded in volume and covered large areas of the glomerular basement membrane, forming wide spaces between the podocyte body and the underlying filtering membrane. Our results show that SE–SEM is a valuable tool for imaging the kidney at the ultrastructural level, filling the magnification gap between light microscopy and TEM, and reveal that in diabetic mice, the SPS is larger than in normal controls, which is associated with podocyte damage and impaired kidney function.
A Multi-Disulfide Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Expressed in E. coli Using a SEP-Tag Produces Antisera Interacting with the Mammalian Cell Expressed Spike (S1) Protein
Authors: Brindha Subbaian , Kuroda Yutaka
Published: February 2022

An Escherichia coli (E. coli) production of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 (isolate Wuhan-Hu-1) spike protein would significantly accelerate the search for anti-COVID-19 therapeutics because of its versatility and low cost. However, RBD contains four disulfide bonds and its expression in E. coli is limited by the formation of aberrant disulfide bonds resulting in inclusion bodies. Here, we show that a solubility-enhancing peptide (SEP) tag containing nine arginine residues (RBD-C9R) attached at the C-terminus can overcome this problem. The SEP-tag increased the expression in the soluble fraction and the final yield by five times (2 mg/L). The folding properties of the E. coli expressed RBD-C9R were demonstrated with biophysical characterization using RP-HPLC, circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, fluorescence, and light scattering. A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analysis confirmed the binding activity of RBD-C9R with ACE2, the host cell’s receptor. In addition, RBD-C9R elicited a Th-2 immune response with a high IgG titer in Jcl: ICR mice. The RBD-C9R antisera interacted with both itself and the mammalian-cell expressed spike protein (S1), as demonstrated by ELISA, indicating that the E. coli expressed RBD-C9R harbors native-like epitopes. Overall, these results emphasize the potential of our SEP-tag for the E. coli production of active multi-disulfide-bonded RBD.
Multichannel Time Synchronization Based on PTP through a High Voltage Isolation Buffer Network Interface for Thick-GEM Detectors
Authors: García Ordóñez Luis Guillermo , Crespo Maria Liz , Carrato Sergio , Cicuttin Andres , Florian Samayoa Werner Oswaldo , D’Ago Daniele , Levorato Stefano
Published: February 2022

Data logging and complex algorithm implementations acting on multichannel systems with independent devices require the use of time synchronization. In the case of Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) and Thick-GEM (THGEM) detectors, the biasing potential can be generated at the detector level via DC to DC converters operating at floating voltage. In this case, high voltage isolation buffers may be used to allow communication between the different channels. However, their use add non-negligible delays in the transmission channel, complicating the synchronization. Implementation of a simplified precise time protocol is presented for handling the synchronization on the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) side of a Xilinx SoC Zynq ZC7Z030. The synchronization is done through a high voltage isolated bidirectional network interface built on a custom board attached to a commercial CIAA_ACC carrier. The results of the synchronization are shown through oscilloscope captures measuring the time drift over long periods of time, achieving synchronization in the order of nanoseconds.
Perspective Shape-from-Shading Problem: A Unified Convergence Result for Several Non-Lambertian Models
Authors: Tozza Silvia
Published: February 2022

Shape-from-Shading represents the problem of computing the three-dimensional shape of a surface given a single gray-value image of it as input. In a recent paper, we showed that the introduction of an attenuation factor in the brightness equations related to various perspective Shape-from-Shading models allows us to ensure the well-posedness of the corresponding differential problems. Here, we propose a unified convergence result of a numerical scheme for several non-Lambertian reflectance models. This result is interesting since it can be easily extended to other non-Lambertian models in a unified and, therefore, powerful framework.
Observation of Near-Inertial Waves Induced by Typhoon Mitag (2019) on the Southwestern East China Sea Continental Slope
Authors: Ouyang Zhiling , Liu Ze , Sun Yunfei , Yang Bing , Hou Yijun
Published: February 2022

Based on horizontal velocity data recorded by a moored acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) deployed on the southwestern continental slope of the East China Sea (ECS), this study investigates the characteristics of near-inertial waves (NIWs) induced by typhoon Mitag in October 2019. The results indicated that Mitag-induced near-inertial kinetic energy (NIKE) was mainly concentrated above 290 m and was subsurface-intensified; both the maximum velocity and kinetic energy of the NIWs occurred at a depth of 100 m and were 0.21 m/s and 23.01 J/m3, respectively. The rotary vertical wavenumber spectra suggested that both downward and upward energy propagation existed. However, upward energy propagation was much smaller than downward energy propagation, mainly in the 0.007–0.014 cpm wavenumber band. The NIWs had an e-folding timescale of 9.5 days and were red-shifted as a result of the Doppler shift of the Kuroshio. Normal mode analysis suggested that the NIWs were dominated by the first and fourth baroclinic modes, which together accounted for 76.7% of the total NIKE. Spectral analysis showed that although the spectral density of the semidiurnal internal tide (M2) peak overwhelmed that of the NIWs by a factor of approximately 30, the shear strength generated by the NIWs was comparable to that of the semidiurnal internal tide (M2), which plays an important role in upper ocean mixing on the southwestern continental slope of the ECS. In addition, the bicoherence analysis suggested that a harmonic wave (M2–f) was generated via the nonlinear interaction between the NIWs and semidiurnal internal tide (M2), which reflects the energy dissipation mechanism of semidiurnal tides and NIWs on the southwestern continental slope of the ECS.
Identification and Functional Characterization of a Putative Alternative Oxidase (Aox) in Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae
Authors: Mendoza Hector , Culver Caroline D. , Lamb Emma A. , Schroeder Luke A. , Khanal Sunita , Müller Christian , Schirawski Jan , Perlin Michael H.
Published: February 2022

The mitochondrial electron transport chain consists of the classical protein complexes (I–IV) that facilitate the flow of electrons and coupled oxidative phosphorylation to produce metabolic energy. The canonical route of electron transport may diverge by the presence of alternative components to the electron transport chain. The following study comprises the bioinformatic identification and functional characterization of a putative alternative oxidase in the smut fungus Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae. This alternative respiratory component has been previously identified in other eukaryotes and is essential for alternative respiration as a response to environmental and chemical stressors, as well as for developmental transitionaoxs during the life cycle of an organism. A growth inhibition assay, using specific mitochondrial inhibitors, functionally confirmed the presence of an antimycin-resistant/salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)-sensitive alternative oxidase in the respirasome of S. reilianum. Gene disruption experiments revealed that this enzyme is involved in the pathogenic stage of the fungus, with its absence effectively reducing overall disease incidence in infected maize plants. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed that alternative oxidase plays a prominent role in the teliospore developmental stage, in agreement with favoring alternative respiration during quiescent stages of an organism’s life cycle.
Monitoring of Host Suitability and Defense-Related Genes in Wheat to Bipolaris sorokiniana
Authors: Alkan Mehtap , Bayraktar Harun , İmren Mustafa , Özdemir Fatih , Lahlali Rachid , Mokrini Fouad , Paulitz Timothy , Dababat Abdelfattah A. , Özer Göksel
Published: February 2022

Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is a destructive disease of wheat worldwide. This study investigated the aggressiveness of B. sorokiniana isolates from different wheat-growing areas of Bolu province in Turkey on the cultivar Seri-82. Host susceptibility of 55 wheat cultivars was evaluated against the most aggressive isolate. Our results indicated that the cultivars Anafarta and Koç-2015 were the most resistant. A specific and sensitive qPCR assay was developed for detecting the pathogen in plant tissues and evaluating wheat plants with different resistance levels. Three primer sets, BsGAPDHF/BsGAPDHR, BsITSF/BsITSR, and BsSSUF/BsSSUR, were designed based on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, internal transcribed spacers, and 18S rRNA loci of B. sorokiniana with detection limits of 1, 0.1, and 0.1 pg of pathogen DNA, respectively. The qPCR assay was highly sensitive and did not amplify DNA from the other closely related fungal species and host plants. The protocol differentiated wheat plants with varying degrees of resistance. The assay developed a useful tool for the quantification of the pathogen in the early stages of infection and may provide a significant contribution to a more efficient selection of wheat genotypes in breeding studies. In the present study, expression levels of PR proteins, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes were upregulated in Anafarta (resistant) and Nenehatun (susceptible) cultivars at different post-infection time points, but more induced in the susceptible cultivar. The results showed considerable variation in the expression levels and timing of defense genes in both cultivars.
Assessment of Microplastics Distribution in a Biological Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Castelluccio Stefano , Alvim Clara Bretas , Bes-Piá María Amparo , Mendoza-Roca José Antonio , Fiore Silvia
Published: February 2022

Full-scale wastewater treatment facilities are not able to prevent microplastics (MPs) from discharging into natural waters and they are also associated with the land application of the sludge. This study evaluates the distribution of microfibers (MFs) in a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed by synthetic wastewater (SW) for 93 days. The MFs were analyzed through optical microscopy in the mixed liquor (ML) and the effluent, and sulfuric acid digestion was applied to discriminate between natural and synthetic MFs (i.e., MPs). The results of the optical microscopy analyses were further validated through FTIR spectroscopy. A model describing the evolution over time of the MF concentration in the ML was created, accounting for the MFs entering the system through the SW and atmospheric deposition. The ratio between the MF concentration in the ML and the effluent was 1409 ± 781, demonstrating that MFs settle with the sludge. Consistently, in the ML, 64.9% of the recovered MFs were smaller than 1000 µm (average size 968 µm), while in the effluent, 76.1% of MFs were smaller than 1000 µm (average size 772 µm). Overall, 72% of MFs recovered from the ML were natural fibers and sulfuric acid digestion was successful in eliminating the natural MFs.
Dwa poselstwa oboźnego litewskiego Ignacego Ogińskiego na dwor petersburski. Rola Litwinow w kontaktach dyplomatycznych z Rosją w latach 1711–1763
Authors: Ciesielski Tomasz
Published: February 2022

Adnotacja. W artykule przedstawiona została problematyka funkcjonowania dyplomacji Rzeczypospolitej w stosunkach z Rosją w latach 1711–1763. Za dolną cezurę przyjęto poselstwo Marcjana Dominika Wołłowicza do cara Piotra I, które jednoznacznie zakończyło okres separatystycznych litewskich działań dyplomatycznych z pierwszej dekady XVIII wieku. Przywrócona została zasada prowadzenia wspólnej polityki zagranicznej Korony i Wielkiego Księstwa z uwzględnieniem większego zainteresowania Litwinów stosunkami z Rosją. Znajdowało to swój wyraz w przygotowywaniu instrukcji i innych dokumentów poselskich przez kancelarie litewskie, jak też w zwyczajowym udziale w każdej misji Litwina jako eksponowanego członka poselstwa. Od 1711 do
1763 roku starano się przestrzegać tej zasady, choć zdarzały się odstępstwa, jak w przypadku misji Jakuba Dunina, którą należałoby określić jako wyłącznie królewską i koronną. Potwierdzeniem natomiast zasady wspólnej polityki zagranicznej są obszernie omówione w artykule poselstwa Ignacego Ogińskiego z lat 1740 i 1743–1744. Choć przeprowadzone zostały przez Litwina, któremu nie towarzyszył Koroniarz, to dotyczyły wspólnych spraw Rzeczypospolitej. Cezurę końcową stanowi misja podkomorzego inflanckiego Jana Jędrzeja Borcha, który był ostatnim posłem do Rosji, związanym przynajmniej nominalnie z Wielkim Księstwem, jak też śmierć Augusta III w 1763 roku.

Słowa kluczowe: Dyplomacja Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów, Wielkie Księstwo
Litewskie, Imperium Rosyjskie, Księstwo Kurlandii i Semigalii, Ignacy Ogiński, spory
pograniczne, skutki wojny rosyjsko-osmańskiej 1736–1739, Kościół katolicki, Cerkiew
prawosławna.
„Ieškau jūsų mylistos pono po visas keturias pasaulio šalis…“ Antano Kazimiero Sapiegos laiškai Merkinės administratoriui Vaitiekui Kuževskiui
Authors: Sarcevičienė Jolita
Published: February 2022

“I AM LOOKING FOR YOUR GRACE IN ALL FOUR CORNERS OF
THE WORLD…” LETTERS OF ANTONI KAZIMIERZ SAPIEHA TO
ADMINISTRATOR OF MERKINĖ WOJCIECH KURZEWSKI (1720–1732)

Researchers have focused for decades on the epistolographic legacy of individuals
from various social groups. Letters are a valuable ‘complement’ for other sources,
serving as an ‘insight’, giving the narrative a multi-voice, and, depending on the author’s social position, can provide many valuable details unfelt in other types of sources. Correspondence of public officials usually receives most attention from the researchers, because it reveals the mechanisms of the functioning of power. However, letters of the social elite also reveal different aspects of everyday life, including administration of domains, which have gained importance.
The basis for this article became the letters by the elder of Merkinė, Antoni
Kazimierz Sapieha (1689–1739), to Wojciech Kurzewski, administrator of this domain,
kept in the Manuscript section of the Wroblewski Library of the Lithuanian
Academy of Sciences. Due to his humble duties and difficult financial situation
A. K. Sapieha cannot be considered one of the most prominent members of the
Sapiehas family, although his persistent ambition to stay out of the “margins” of
public life and, in particular, his involvement in 1733–1736 whirlwind of interregnum
events, indicates that he was an extraordinary person. This is evidenced
by his wide circle of correspondents, among whom we find not only close relatives
but also a number of state officials and top hierarchs of the Church. Aspirations
of the elder of Merkinė to participate in the political life of the state have already
been noticed by the researchers, however his daily economic activities have not
been researched at all.
Analysis of the letters from the 1720–1732 period by the elder of Merkinė
Antoni Kazimierz Sapieha to Wojciech Kurzewski, administrator of this domain,
reveal a significant part of A. K. Sapieha’s daily life, i.e. the nature of administration
of the domain, which required considerable effort, attention and time from
the elder of Merkinė. The article deals with the subject matter of letters, economic
activities carried out in the eldership of Merkinė, and requirements for the administrator.
All of this provides an opportunity not only to reconstruct the relationship between Sapieha and Kurzewski, but also to see the broader issues that each major
landowner has faced (or may have faced).

Keywords: eldership of Merkinė; Antoni Kazimierz Sapieha; Wojciech Kurzewski’s
correspondence; domain administration.
Samotna w miłości? Autokreacja epistolograficzna Anny z Mycielskich Radziwiłłowej
Authors: Manyś Bernadetta
Published: February 2022

Adnotacja. Uczucia i emocje kobiet żyjących w dobie wczesnonowożytnej budzą w
ostatnich latach duże zainteresowanie wśród badaczy różnych dziedzin. Na przykładzie
korespondencji Anny z Mycielskich Radziwiłłowej podjęto próbę udzielenia odpowiedzi
między innymi na pytania: jakie uczucie najczęściej towarzyszyło Annie z Mycielskich Radziwiłłowej w życiu, które wiodła u boku Michała Kazimierza Radziwiłła zw. „Rybeńko”;
czy była kobietą spełnioną, czy może wręcz przeciwnie, samotną w przeżywaniu miłości,
którą obdarzyła swojego męża.

Słowa kluczowe: Anna z Mycielskich Radziwiłłowa, kobieta, uczucia, emocje,
korespondencja.
Politinės ir geopolitinės Augustino Midletono refleksijos (1790–1792)
Authors: Šmigelskytė-Stukienė Ramunė
Published: February 2022

POLITICAL AND GEOPOLITICAL REFLECTIONS BY AUGUSTYN MIDDLETON (1790–1792)

The article presents personality and activities of Augustyn Middleton, nobleman from Kaunas powiat, with the main focus on assessing this person in the light of political events in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the geopolitical situation. At the centre of this research is the period from the reinstatement of the diplomatic mission of the Commonwealth in The Hague on 14 April 1790 to the end of activities of the Four-Year Sejm. The article reveals that Augustyn Middleton, assigned by Stanislaw August
to the diplomatic mission of the Commonwealth in the United Provinces of the Netherlands, was the agent of the King, who had to inform the King’s cabinet on activities of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Mihał Kleofas Ogiński and to promote the reforms by the Four-Year Sejm in the foreign press thus shaping a positive public opinion in Western Europe regarding changes in Poland and Lithuania. Due to benevolent circumstances A. Middleton was able to reach the rank of embassy resident, however the horizons of his diplomatic career were limited by available finances.
Political views of A. Middleton reflected aims declared by the fraction of Stanislaw August’s court: to create a strong and prospering monarchy, hoping that the state will be able to regain its glorious past. A. Middleton promoted constitutional monarchy, inheritable throne, regulation of activities of the Sejm and the dietines (sejmiki), granting of political rights to townspeople, and economic development of the country. While supporting the idea of a centralized state, A. Middleton did not reflect on the rights of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania or the topic of a binary state. In assessing economic changes in Europe A. Middleton opposed the physiocrats, emphasizing that the most powerful form of capital comes not from agriculture but from banking. However, he was not afraid to admit that his knowledge of economics was not sufficient to explain the processes of financial capital. Ideas of religious tolerance, promoted by A. Middleton, his cosmopolite view of collaboration between states and nations, active interest in political and social transformations in Europe through anonymous polemical publications in foreign press on the topics of revolution allow for bringing the nobleman from Kaunas
powiat A. Middleton into the circle of yet unknown people of the Enlightenment.

Keywords: reforms of the Four-Year Sejm (1788–1792), diplomatic service,
international relations, diplomatic mission of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth,
Augustyn Middleton.
Conservação de soro do leite integral bovino e sua influência na alimentação de leitões na fase de creche
Authors: Silva Milena Alves da , Dorásio Adryze Gabrielle , Valentim Jean Kaique , Mendes Janaína  Palermo , Oliveira Jeferson Eder  Ferreira  de , Monteiro Sabrina  Vargas , Ribeiro Bruna Pontara Villas Boas , Coutinho Juliano José de  Oliveira , Silva Ariadne  Freitas
Published: February 2022

Objetivou-se demonstrar a melhor forma de conservação do soro de leite e verificar o desempenho de suínos na fase de creche utilizando diferentes níveis de soro de leite em substituição a dieta basal. Foram utilizados 30 leitões machos da linhagem DanBred x Large White, com peso médio de 6 kg ± 0,200g com 23 dias de idade. Os animais foram distribuídos em cinco grupos com inclusão do soro do leite integral bovino. Estes tratamentos foram realizados de acordo com a inclusão do soro de leite na ração controle, com 6 repetições por tratamento em delineamento inteiramente casualizado:  D0- Dieta testemunha sem soro; D1 – substituição de 7% da dieta D0 por soro de leite; D2 – substituição de 14% da D0 por soro de leite; D3 – substituição de 21% da dieta D0 por soro de leite; D4 – substituição de 28% da dieta D0 por soro de leite. Os parâmetros avaliados quanto a qualidade do soro de leite foram a acidez em graus dornic (ºD)  e com relação ao desempenho animal foram, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, ganho de peso médio diário. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e realizado o teste de Tukey ao nível de 5 %. O melhor método de conservação do soro de leite é mantê-lo resfriado por até uma semana. A utilização do soro de leite integral em dietas de leitões na fase de creche é viável até 7%, pois apesar de aumentar o consumo de ração, melhora a conversão alimentar e consequentemente o desempenho animal.
Penguatan Manajemen dan Kepemimpinan Pesantren dalam Mewujudkan Lembaga Pendidikan Alternatif Ideal
Authors: Muis Abdul
Published: February 2022

Pesantren sebagai sebuah kultur ataupun sub kultur dalam penjalanannya mengalami perkembangan yang cukup signifikan, baik dalam sistem pengajaran maupun manjememen kelembagaan. Pada sistem pengajaran, pesantren mengalami perubahan selain karena menerapkan model salaf seperti sorogan dan wetonan tetapi juga karena mengadopsi model madrasi. Dengan menggunakan metodologi kepustakaan, tujuan penulisan artikel ini adalah untuk mengetahui penguatan manajemen pesantren dalam mewujudkan lembaga pendidikan alternatif ideal. Hasil dari penelitian ini menujukan bahwa pesantren menerapkan pengelo-laannya dengan pendekatan manajemen modern, karena pada awal-awal berdirinya pesantren, hampir seluruh pesantren di Indonesia menerapkan pola kepemimpinan karismatik yang terpusat pada sosok pengasuh (kiai), namun saat ini model kepemimpinan yang diterapkan mengalami perubahan karena pesantren menerapkan model kepemimpinan kolektif. Oleh kerena itu, banyak yayasan di dalam pesantren yang menerapkan kepemimpinan kolektif.
Kata Kunci: manajemen pesantren, kepemimpinan pesantren, lembaga pendidikan alternative
Pesantren as a culture or sub-culture, within its enactment, has developed quite significantly, both in the teaching system and institutional management. In the teaching system, pesantren have undergone changes not only for applying the salaf based learning model such as sorogan and wetonan but also for adopting the madrasi’s model. As it used Literature review based methodology, this study aims to strengthen the pesantren’s management in realizing an ideal alternative educational institutions. The results of this study indicate that pesantren or Islamic boarding schools utilizes modern based management approach, because in the early development of pesantren, it implemented a charismatic leadership pattern centered on the role-modeling figure of a caregiver (kiai). However, the leadership model itself has changed into a collective leadership model. Due to this reason, some educational foundations of pesantren apply such collective leadership.
Pelaksanaan Supervisi Akademik Pengawas Madrasah dalam Peningkatan Kompetensi Pedagogik Guru di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Tarbiyatussibyan Banyuwangi
Authors: Fanani Ahmad Aziz , Wahyono Imam
Published: February 2022

Penelitian ini mengkaji tentang pelaksanaan supervisi pengawas madrasah dalam peningkatan kompetensi pedagogik guru. Penelitian ini secara spesifik membahas tentang pelaksanaan supervisi akademik yang dilakukan oleh pengawas madrasah yang terdiri dari perencanaan kegiatan supervisi, pelaksanaan supervisi hingga sampai tindak lanjut. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan pengamatan, wawancara, dan studi dokumen. Alat analisis data yang digunakan model interaktif yang terdiri dari pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan/verifikasi. Semenyara itu, keabsahan data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan trianggulasi sumber. Hasil penelitian ini pertama, perencanaan kegiatan supervisi akademik meliputi penyiapan instrumen supervisi, membuat rancangan pendekatan supervisi dan teknik supervisi dan penentuan waktu pelaksanaannya. Kedua, pelaksanaan kegiatan supervisi akademik dilakukan dengan pendekatan kolaboratif dan teknik individual dan kelompok. Teknik individual yakni pertemuan secara individu dengan guru, sedangkan teknik kelompok dengan cara menghadirkan seluruh guru untuk diskusi sebagai proses kelompok dan tukar-menukar pengalaman. Sebagai tindak lanjut dari pelaksanaan sepervisi, yakni pengawas memberikan pembinaan kepada guru dengan cara memberikan pelatihan.
Kata Kunci: supervisi akademik, pengawas madrasah, kompetensi pedagogik
Abstract
The study examined the execution of the madrassa supervisor's supervision in increased pedagogical teachers' competence. The study specifically discussed the implementation of academic supervisions carried out by madrassa supervisors of supervision activities, the administration of supervision down to follow-up. The approach used in this study is a qualitative approach. Data-collecting techniques use observation, interviews, and document study. The data analysis tool used by interactive models consists of data collection, data reduction, data presentation and deduction deduction. Incidentally, the validity of the data in this research uses source triulation. The results of this first study, the planning of the academic supervision activities included the preparation of supervision instruments, the design of supervision approaches and supervision techniques and the timing of the execution. Second, the performance of academic supervision is carried out with collaborative approaches and individual and group techniques. An individual technique of meeting individually with teachers, while a group technique presents all teachers to discussion as a group process and an experience swap. As a follow-up to the exercise of a sense, the supervisor gives coaching to the teachers by training them.
Strategi Pengajaran Bahasa Arab dii MI RAKHA Amuntai
Authors: Alfianor Alfianor
Published: February 2022

Untuk mencapai tujuan pembelajaran bahasa Arab pada materi mufradat tentunya tidak lepas dari perencanaan yang matang. Penggunaan strategi yang tepat akan memudahkan siswa menguasai mufradat. Tujuan riset ini adalah untuk mengeksplorasi tentang bagaimana strategi pengajaran bahasa Arab di MI Rakha Amuntai. Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif, dengan teknik observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi sebagai teknik pengumpulan data, dan teknik Miles dan Huberman yaitu reduksi data, display data dan verifikasi data sebagai teknik analisis datanya. Hasil penelitian ini adalah strategi pengajaran bahasa Arab pada materi mufradat di MI Rakha Amuntai sudah berjalan dengan baik. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan adanya penyusunan perencanaan pelaksanaan pembelajaran dengan baik, setidaknya sudah tersusun dan tergambarkan proses pembelajaran mulai dari pendahuluan, kegiatan inti dan penutup. Namun begitu, dalam perencanaan tersebut belum tergambarkan secara jelas terkait strategi apa yang digunakan, serta langkah-langkahnya juga belum tersusun secara terperinci, begitu juga dengan metode dan medianya. Namun guru terlihat menggunakan strategi bermain peran dan demonstrasi dalam mengajarkan bahasa Arab pada materi mufradat di MI Rakha Amuntai. Secara teoretis dan praktis penelitian ini diharapkan dapat berkontribusi bagi sekolah dan guru agar mempersiapkan rencana pembelajaran dengan sebaik-baiknya, melengkapai komponen-komponen pada perencanaan pelaksanaan pembelajaran, dan menentukan strategi, metode, pendekatan, dan media yang tepat untuk materi pelajaran yang akan disampaikan kepada siswa, sehingga materi menjadi lebih mudah diserap dan kuasai oleh siswa dan tujuan pembelajaran dapat tercapai dengan maksimal.