bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serotype diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolated in Italian pig farms from 2015 to 2022
Authors: Guarneri Flavia , Romeo Claudia , Scali Federico , Zoppi Simona , Formenti Nicoletta , Maisano Antonio Marco , Catania Salvatore , Gottschalk Marcelo , Alborali G. Loris
Published: April 2024

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is a bacterium frequently associated with porcine pleuropneumonia. The acute form of the disease is highly contagious and often fatal, resulting in significant economic losses for pig farmers. Serotype diversity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of APP strains circulating in north Italian farms from 2015 to 2022 were evaluated retrospectively to investigate APP epidemiology in the area. A total of 572 strains isolated from outbreaks occurring in 337 different swine farms were analysed. The majority of isolates belonged to serotypes 9/11 (39.2%) and 2 (28.1%) and serotype diversity increased during the study period, up to nine different serotypes isolated in 2022. The most common resistances were against tetracycline (53% of isolates) and ampicillin (33%), followed by enrofloxacin, florfenicol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (23% each). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was common, with a third of isolates showing resistance to more than three antimicrobial classes. Resistance to the different classes and MDR varied significantly depending on the serotype. In particular, the widespread serotype 9/11 was strongly associated with florfenicol and enrofloxacin resistance and showed the highest proportion of MDR isolates. Serotype 5, although less common, showed instead a concerning proportion of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistance. Our results highlight how the typing of circulating serotypes and the analysis of their antimicrobial susceptibility profile are crucial to effectively manage APP infection and improve antimicrobial stewardship.
Purine salvage promotes treatment resistance in H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Peterson Erik R. , Sajjakulnukit Peter , Scott Andrew J. , Heaslip Caleb , Andren Anthony , Wilder-Romans Kari , Zhou Weihua , Palavalasa Sravya , Korimerla Navyateja , Lin Angelica , O’Brien Alexandra , Kothari Ayesha , Zhao Zitong , Zhang Li , Morgan Meredith A. , Venneti Sriram , Koschmann Carl , Jabado Nada , Lyssiotis Costas A. , Castro Maria G. , Wahl Daniel R.
Published: April 2024

Background

Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs), are a fatal form of brain cancer. These tumors often carry a driver mutation on histone H3 converting lysine 27 to methionine (H3K27M). DMG-H3K27M are characterized by altered metabolism and resistance to standard of care radiation (RT) but how the H3K27M mediates the metabolic response to radiation and consequent treatment resistance is uncertain.

Methods

We performed metabolomics on irradiated and untreated H3K27M isogenic DMG cell lines and observed an H3K27M-specific enrichment for purine synthesis pathways. We profiled the expression of purine synthesis enzymes in publicly available patient data and our models, quantified purine synthesis using stable isotope tracing, and characterized the in vitro and in vivo response to de novo and salvage purine synthesis inhibition in combination with RT.

Results

DMG-H3K27M cells activate purine metabolism in an H3K27M-specific fashion. In the absence of genotoxic treatment, H3K27M-expressing cells have higher relative activity of de novo synthesis and apparent lower activity of purine salvage demonstrated via stable isotope tracing of key metabolites in purine synthesis and by lower expression of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), the rate-limiting enzyme of purine salvage into IMP and GMP. Inhibition of de novo guanylate synthesis radiosensitized DMG-H3K27M cells in vitro and in vivo. Irradiated H3K27M cells upregulated HGPRT expression and hypoxanthine-derived guanylate salvage but maintained high levels of guanine-derived salvage. Exogenous guanine supplementation decreased radiosensitization in cells treated with combination RT and de novo purine synthesis inhibition. Silencing HGPRT combined with RT markedly suppressed DMG-H3K27M tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that DMG-H3K27M cells rely on highly active purine synthesis, both from the de novo and salvage synthesis pathways. However, highly active salvage of free purine bases into mature guanylates can bypass inhibition of the de novo synthetic pathway. We conclude that inhibiting purine salvage may be a promising strategy to overcome treatment resistance in DMG-H3K27M tumors.
Post-midnight purple arc and patches appeared on the high latitude part of the auroral oval: Dawnside counterpart of STEVE?
Authors: Nanjo Sota , Hofstra Gabriel Arne , Shiokawa Kazuo , Shinbori Atsuki , Nozawa Satonori , Hosokawa Keisuke
Published: April 2024

The phenomenon known as strong thermal emission velocity enhancement (STEVE) is a purple/mauve arc-shaped atmospheric glow observed at lower latitudes of the auroral oval on the duskside. Simultaneous observations using a ground-based camera and a low-altitude satellite have shown that STEVE is accompanied by rapid westward ion flows. Such fast ion flows are termed the subauroral ion drift (SAID) or subauroral polarization stream (SAPS). Similarly, an eastward fast ion flow known as the dawnside auroral polarization stream (DAPS) is observed within the Region 1 current on the dawnside. If the optical phenomenon triggered by SAID/SAPS corresponds to STEVE, a comparable optical phenomenon should be driven by DAPS. Thus far, however, such a phenomenon has not been reported. This study discovers, for the first time, a purple-colored optical phenomenon characterized by the fast eastward ion flows, a possible signature of DAPS, occurring poleward of the bright green arc in the post-midnight sector. We present color all-sky images obtained by a ground-based commercial digital camera, along with wide-coverage optical measurements and in-situ data from low-altitude satellites. The results imply that this glow requires not only a high-speed ion flow but also its sharp latitudinal gradient at the boundary between the Region 1 and 2.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of respiratory cycle during mechanical ventilation on beat-to-beat right ventricle stroke volume estimation by pulmonary artery pulse wave analysis
Authors: Santos Arnoldo , Monge-García M. Ignacio , Borges João Batista , Retamal Jaime , Tusman Gerardo , Larsson Anders , Suarez-Sipmann Fernando
Published: April 2024

Background

The same principle behind pulse wave analysis can be applied on the pulmonary artery (PA) pressure waveform to estimate right ventricle stroke volume (RVSV). However, the PA pressure waveform might be influenced by the direct transmission of the intrathoracic pressure changes throughout the respiratory cycle caused by mechanical ventilation (MV), potentially impacting the reliability of PA pulse wave analysis (PAPWA). We assessed a new method that minimizes the direct effect of the MV on continuous PA pressure measurements and enhances the reliability of PAPWA in tracking beat-to-beat RVSV.

Methods

Continuous PA pressure and flow were simultaneously measured for 2–3 min in 5 pigs using a high-fidelity micro-tip catheter and a transonic flow sensor around the PA trunk, both pre and post an experimental ARDS model. RVSV was estimated by PAPWA indexes such as pulse pressure (SVPP), systolic area (SVSystAUC) and standard deviation (SVSD) beat-to-beat from both corrected and non-corrected PA signals. The reference RVSV was derived from the PA flow signal (SVref).

Results

The reliability of PAPWA in tracking RVSV on a beat-to-beat basis was enhanced after accounting for the direct impact of intrathoracic pressure changes induced by MV throughout the respiratory cycle. This was evidenced by an increase in the correlation between SVref and RVSV estimated by PAPWA under healthy conditions: rho between SVref and non-corrected SVSD – 0.111 (0.342), corrected SVSD 0.876 (0.130), non-corrected SVSystAUC 0.543 (0.141) and corrected SVSystAUC 0.923 (0.050). Following ARDS, correlations were SVref and non-corrected SVSD – 0.033 (0.262), corrected SVSD 0.839 (0.077), non-corrected SVSystAUC 0.483 (0.114) and corrected SVSystAUC 0.928 (0.026). Correction also led to reduced limits of agreement between SVref and SVSD and SVSystAUC in the two evaluated conditions.

Conclusions

In our experimental model, we confirmed that correcting for mechanical ventilation induced changes during the respiratory cycle improves the performance of PAPWA for beat-to-beat estimation of RVSV compared to uncorrected measurements. This was demonstrated by a better correlation and agreement between the actual SV and the obtained from PAPWA.
Development and flight-test verification of two-dimensional rotational low-airspeed sensor for small helicopters
Authors: Fujiwara Daigo , Tonoike Takumi
Published: April 2024

This paper describes the development and the verification of flight test results of a differential pressure-based, two-dimensional low-airspeed sensor designed for the navigation or disturbance detection in small helicopters. The compact and lightweight sensor is integrated with the main rotor of a small helicopter and comprises two probes at both arm ends, a differential pressure sensor, rotary encoder with one magnet and two sensors, microcomputer, a wireless data link, and battery. It measures the differential pressure between the total pressures captured by two total-pressure probes at each rotor angle, instead of using static pressure probes. Thus, the airspeed of the fuselage can be evaluated from the low speed. Flight tests were conducted employing a reference ultrasonic two-dimensional airspeed sensor for comparison. The results demonstrated that the magnitude error of the airspeed is less than 2 m/s for low-airspeed flights ($$<\sim$$

<
∼

23 m/s) when utilizing Pitot-type probes. The error in wind angle approximated 30$$^\circ$$

∘

, and the delay was less than or equal to that observed with a global navigation satellite system sensor.
Quillaja saponin mitigates methotrexate-provoked renal injury; insight into Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway modulation with suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Abdel-Reheim Mustafa Ahmed , Ali Merhan E. , Gaafar Ahmed Gaafar A. , Ashour Ahmed Amine
Published: April 2024

Background

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic/immunosuppressive drug, whose clinical use is impeded owing to its serious adverse effects; one of which is acute kidney injury (AKI). Most of MTX complications emerged from the provoked pro-oxidant-, pro-inflammatory- and pro-apoptotic effects. Quillaja saponaria bark saponin (QBS) is a bioactive triterpene that has been traditionally used as an antitussive, anti-inflammatory supplement, and to boost the immune system due to its potent antioxidant- and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the protective/therapeutic potential of QBS against AKI has not been previously evaluated. This study aimed to assess the modulatory effect of QBS on MTX-induced reno-toxicity.

Methods

Thirty-two male rats were divided into 4-groups. Control rats received oral saline (group-I). In group-II, rats administered QBS orally for 10-days. In group-III, rats were injected with single i.p. MTX (20 mg/kg) on day-5. Rats in group-IV received QBS and MTX. Serum BUN/creatinine levels were measured, as kidney-damage-indicating biomarkers. Renal malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced-glutathione (GSH) and nitric-oxide (NOx) were determined, as oxidative-stress indices. Renal expression of TNF-α protein and Nrf-2/Keap-1 mRNAs were evaluated as regulators of inflammation. Renal Bcl-2/cleaved caspase-3 immunoreactivities were evaluated as apoptosis indicators.

Results

Exaggerated kidney injury upon MTX treatment was evidenced histologically and biochemically. QBS attenuated MTX-mediated renal degeneration, oxidant-burden enhancement, excessive inflammation, and proapoptotic induction. Histopathological analysis further confirmed the reno-protective microenvironment rendered by QBS.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our results suggest the prophylactic and/or therapeutic effects of QBS in treating MTX-induced AKI. Such reno-protection is most-likely mediated via Nrf-2 induction that interferes with oxidant load, inflammatory pathways, and proapoptotic signaling.

Graphical Abstract
Duration of maternally derived antibodies of porcine parvovirus in growing pigs and presence of antibodies in gilts and sows vaccinated with three different parvovirus vaccines
Authors: Renzhammer René , Truyen Uwe , Buchebner Birgit , Baumgartner Gertrude , Kobialka Rea Maja , El Wahed Ahmed Abd , Koch Michaela , Ladinig Andrea , Unterweger Christine
Published: April 2024

While gilts and sows are regularly vaccinated against the porcine parvovirus (PPV), little is known on the presence of antibodies in vaccinated sows nor the decline of maternally derived antibodies (MDA) in their offspring. On twelve farms serum samples were taken from 180 gilts and sows vaccinated at least twice with one of three different commercial PPV vaccines. On nine farms, additional 270 serum samples were collected from growing pigs of three different age categories. All 450 samples were examined for PPV antibodies (Abs) by ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. In total, 65% of all gilts vaccinated twice with either vaccine 1 or vaccine 3 were seronegative by HI assay. In each farm, there were at least three animals with high Ab titres (≥ 1:1280) indicating the presence of PPV in all twelve study farms. However, PPV DNA could not be detected in collected faecal samples. While low to moderately high Ab titres (1:10–1:640) were measured in 98% of twelve-weeks-old pigs, ELISA was only positive in 30% of the same pigs. Though, the statement on the duration of MDA may depend on the applied test, we could confirm an exponential decay of MDA. In addition, we could demonstrate that applied serological tools are insufficient for the confirmation of successful vaccination.
Efficacy of Ban-Qin-Fei-Re-Qing oral liquid on avian infectious bronchitis
Authors: Ma Danyang , Gao Xueyan , Wang Pingping , Yang Fenfang , Huang Tingting , Fan Yimeng , Xu Xiaoqin , Xie Huisheng , Hao Zhihui
Published: April 2024

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) can cause respiratory infections in animals that often lead to heavy losses for breeding industry. Ban-Qin-Fei-Re-Qing oral liquid (BQ), a Chinese herbal compound, has been used to treat infectious bronchitis (IB). This research aimed to assess the antiviral effect of BQ against IBV and elucidate the underlying mechanisms through bioinformatics analysis. The experiments designed in this study investigated how BQ inhibits IBV propagation in chicken embryos and enhances protective effects on chicken embryos. The findings indicated that, in comparison to the model group (untreated), the BQ-treated groups exhibited a significant protective effect on IBV-infected chicken embryos. Moreover, the groups administered medium or high doses of BQ demonstrated a superior protective effect compared to the group treated with a lower dose. In addition, even at a low dose (2.5 mL/L), BQ successfully treated IB in chickens. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in antiviral pathways, such as the JAK/STAT and type I interferon signaling pathways. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that BQ has antiviral activity and plays an antiviral role through the combined action of multiple antiviral pathways. These findings could lead to future research on identifying drugs to prevent and treat IB.
Billing for Electronic Patient-Physician Communications: An Ethical Analysis
Authors: Rhee Christopher H. , Brown Jacqueline T. , Lang Ayannah , Pentz Rebecca D. , Nazha Bassel
Published: April 2024

This review paper analyzes the ethical implications of billing patients for electronic communication with physicians through electronic health records, a practice already adopted by medical institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic. The analysis assesses how billing aligns with pillars of medical ethics which include beneficence, respect for persons, and justice. Although billing may enhance communication, improve patient care, and alleviate physician burnout, concerns arise over potential consequences on patient autonomy, trust, and health care disparities. The review delves into the intricate balance of these ethical principles by first considering the potential benefits of incentivizing concise questions and improving physician workload management through billing. By reducing messages, this approach can potentially mitigate burnout and enhance care. It also acknowledges potential drawbacks such as deterring patients because of financial constraints and eroding trust in physicians and the medical team. It emphasizes the necessity of thoroughly examining all aspects of this intricate ethical dilemma to formulate a nuanced solution that protects patient well-being while respecting physicians. We propose a middle-ground approach involving nominal and transparent billing on the basis of the question's complexity, urgency, and level of expertise required in the response. Transparent billing policies, up-front communication of costs, and potential fee waivers on the basis of socioeconomic status can address equity concerns and maintain patient trust. Striking a balance between the potential benefits and drawbacks of billing for patient questions is crucial in maintaining ethical patient-physician interactions and equitable health care provision. The analysis underscores the importance of aligning online patient-physician communication with ethical principles within the evolving digital health care landscape.
The Perception of Pain and Suffering of the Weak, the Innocent and the Marginalized from Evolution and from Christian Theology
Authors: Herce Rubén , Lumbreras Sara
Published: April 2024

The topic of pain and suffering is complex and requires a holistic vision. This article begins by clarifying concepts to understand pain as a biological, psychological, and social phenomenon that has an evolutionary history whose maximum expression arises in humans. Established this common ground, it explores altruism and animal cooperation as incipient phenomena of care for the other, though contextual. Then it points out that the difference with humans is that they perceive caring for the weak, innocent, and marginalized as a moral duty and a path of personal flourishing. Finally, in the face of human weakness and from Christian theology, God shows with deeds a path of care for the weak by making himself weak, suffering and remaining innocent.
Natural Selection, Scarcity and Evil:
Authors: Wahlberg Mats
Published: April 2024

It is often claimed that our knowledge of the evolutionary process adds an extra dimension to the classical problem of natural evil and makes this problem worse. Especially the principle of natural selection is often portrayed as morally inappropriate or “unfitting” for a perfectly good God to use as a means for creating biological complexity. In this article, I argue that this common view is misconceived, and that natural selection is a wholly innocuous principle. The real source of evolutionary evils is the fact that resources in nature are scarce – a fact that was known long before Darwin. The problem of natural and evolutionary evil, therefore, is best construed as a question about why God permits scarcity in nature. I argue that recent research about the interrelation between competition and cooperation in the evolutionary process provides resources for answering this perennial question in a more satisfactory way than could be done before the advent of evolutionary theory.
Dark Poetry and the Anti-Elegiac: Approaching the Unspeakable
Authors: Miller Alyson , Atherton Cassandra , Hetherington Paul
Published: April 2024

Abstract: Dark Tourism is a term associated with pilgrimages to places associated with the famous dead. "Dark Poetry" attempts to imagine, explore, or reanimate a dark event. Using Charles Reznikoff's Holocaust poetry and Mariko Nagai's collection, Irradiated Cities (2017) as examples, we discuss dark poetry's use of an anti-elegiac mode, which focuses on historical particularities in refashioning and problematizing dark events while employing numerous gaps and fragmentations. This poetry, often written by second-generation and non-survivor poets, approaches notions of the ineffable while providing an important bridge between incomprehensible events and the human imagination, and challenging language's capacity to comprehend the "unspeakable."
Cosmetics as Tools of Resistance and Survival in Paul Bowles's The Sheltering Sky and George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four
Authors: Sadaka George
Published: April 2024

Abstract: Wearing makeup may not be merely a perfunctory beauty ritual in The Sheltering Sky and Nineteen Eighty-Four . This essay reads it as an act of defiance and emancipation that begins with the woman's face, using the very objects that putatively contribute to the objectification of women. In these novels—written by western white men in 1949—the restorative properties of makeup enunciate Kit and Julia's desire to restore their own existential image in a world that oppresses and dehumanizes women. Employing Lacan's gaze theory as its primary methodology, this study sheds light on how cosmetics are portrayed as front-line defenses of feminine identity—especially needed in hard times and dystopian contexts.
A Micro-Sociology of an Emerging Global City: Miami
Authors: Portes Alejandro , Bagwell Ryan
Published: April 2024

Abstract: This essay seeks to contribute to the contemporary literature on urbanization by focusing on the internal diversity existing in one emerging global city—Miami. We present first overall economic characteristics of this metropolitan area before discussing characteristics of three pairs of municipalities within it. These localities were deliberately selected to highlight contrasts and disparities in the history and present situation of specific places that tend to be ignored or bypassed in general descriptions of a given metropolitan area. A focus on these disparities provides a necessary tool to fully understand the dynamics of urbanization under contemporary capitalism.
Band gap engineering and controlling transport properties of single photons in periodic and disordered Jaynes–Cummings arrays
Authors: Berndsen Tiberius , Amgain Nishan , Mirza Imran
Published: April 2024

We theoretically study the single-photon transport properties in periodic and position-disordered Jaynes–Cummings (or JC) arrays of waveguide-coupled microtoroidal ring resonators, each interacting with a single two-level quantum emitter. Employing the real-space formalism of quantum optics, we focus on various parameter regimes of cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED) to gain better control of single-photon propagation in such a many-body quantum optical setting. As for some of the key findings, we observe that the periodic setting leads to the formation of the band structure in the photon transmission spectra, which is most evident in the strong coupling regime of cQED. However, under resonant conditions with no losses, the application of Bloch’s theorem indicates that the width of forbidden gaps can be altered by tuning the emitter-cavity coupling to small values. Moreover, in the disordered case, we find that the single-photon transmission curves show the disappearance of band formation. However, spectral features originating from cQED interactions observed for the single atom-cavity problem remain robust against weak-disordered conditions. The results of this work may find application in the study of quantum many-body effects in the optical domain as well as in different areas of quantum computation and quantum networking.
Overexpression of RAD54L attenuates osteoarthritis by suppressing the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway: Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation
Authors: Li Zhengnan , Xie Lifeng , Zou Longqiang , Xiao Shiliang , Tao Jun
Published: April 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread chronic, progressive, degenerative joint disease that causes pain and disability. Current treatments for OA have limited effectiveness and new biomarkers need to be identified. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore differentially expressed genes and DNA repair/recombination protein 54 L (RAD54L) was selected. We firstly overexpressed RAD54L in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced human articular chondrocytes or in OA rats to investigate its effect on OA. Chondrocyte viability and apoptotic rate were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Then we evaluated OA severity in vivo by Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Osteoarthritis Research Society International standards. The expression of inflammatory mediators was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, western blot was performed to determine the relative expression level of hypoxia-inducible factors 1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Overexpression of RAD54L promoted cell viability and attenuated apoptosis in IL-1β-induced human chondrocytes. A lower Osteoarthritis Research Society International score and a remarkable alleviation of chondrocyte disordering and infiltration of inflammatory cells were found in cartilage tissues of OA rats after overexpressing RAD54L. The inflammatory response induced by OA was decreased by RAD54L overexpression in vitro and in vivo. In addition, RAD54L overexpression decreased the relative expression level of HIF-1α and VEGF. Overexpression of RAD54L could attenuate OA by suppressing the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway, indicating that RAD54L may be a potential treatment target for OA.
Shape variation in modern human upper premolars
Authors: Šimková Petra G. , Wurm Lisa , Fornai Cinzia , Krenn Viktoria A. , Weber Gerhard W.
Published: April 2024

Morphological variation in modern human dentition is still an open field of study. The understanding of dental shape and metrics is relevant for the advancement of human biology and evolution and is thus of interest in the fields of dental anthropology, as well as human anatomy and medicine. Of concern is also the variation of the inner aspects of the crown which can be investigated using the tools and methods of virtual anthropology. In this study, we explored inter- and intra-population morphometric variation of modern humans’ upper third and fourth premolars (P3s and P4s, respectively) considering both the inner and outer aspects of the crown, and discrete traits. We worked by means of geometric morphometrics on 3D image data from a geographically balanced sample of human populations from five continents, to analyse the shape of the dentinal crown, and the crown outline in 78 P3s and 76 P4s from 85 individuals. For the study of dental traits, we referred to the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System integrated with more recent classification systems. The 3D shape variation of upper premolar crowns varied between short and mesio-distally broad, and tall and mesio-distally narrow. The observed shape variation was independent from the geographical origin of the populations, and resulted in extensive overlap. We noted a high pairwise correlation (r1 = 0.83) between upper P3s and P4s. We did not find any significant geographic differences in the analysed non-metric traits. Our outcomes thus suggest that geographical provenance does not play a determinant role in the shaping of the dental crown, whose genesis is under strict genetic control.
Pyrrole-based inhibitors of RND-type efflux pumps reverse antibiotic resistance and display anti-virulence potential
Authors: Mahey Nisha , Tambat Rushikesh , Kalia Ritu , Ingavale Rajnita , Kodesia Akriti , Chandal Nishtha , Kapoor Srajan , Verma Dipesh Kumar , Thakur Krishan Gopal , Jachak Sanjay , Nandanwar Hemraj
Published: April 2024

Efflux pumps of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) superfamily, particularly the AcrAB-TolC, and MexAB-OprM, besides mediating intrinsic and acquired resistance, also intervene in bacterial pathogenicity. Inhibitors of such pumps could restore the activities of antibiotics and curb bacterial virulence. Here, we identify pyrrole-based compounds that boost antibiotic activity in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by inhibiting their archetype RND transporters. Molecular docking and biophysical studies revealed that the EPIs bind to AcrB. The identified efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) inhibit the efflux of fluorescent probes, attenuate persister formation, extend post-antibiotic effect, and diminish resistant mutant development. The bacterial membranes remained intact upon exposure to the EPIs. EPIs also possess an anti-pathogenic potential and attenuate P. aeruginosa virulence in vivo. The intracellular invasion of E. coli and P. aeruginosa inside the macrophages was hampered upon treatment with the lead EPI. The excellent efficacy of the EPI-antibiotic combination was evidenced in animal lung infection and sepsis protection models. These findings indicate that EPIs discovered herein with negligible toxicity are potential antibiotic adjuvants to address life-threatening Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Enabling corporate immorality: Understanding administrative evil through Better Off Ted
Authors: Rocha James
Published: April 2024

Even where corporations actively engage in unquestionably immoral behaviour, the vast majority of their employees are often morally good people. When moral people produce significantly immoral results simply by doing their jobs, we call it ‘administrative evil’. Administrative evil is humorously, but revealingly presented in Better Off Ted (2009–10). Through Better Off Ted, we learn how administrative evil derives in large part from bureaucratic structures that facilitate moral employees into thinking of both their companies and their own identities in fashions that distance their labour from the products of their work. These bureaucratic systems encourage employees to view themselves as constructive and valuable workers, while seeing their companies as incompetent organizations that are merely performing immoral acts by mistake. Through realistic, fleshed-out examples, Better Off Ted enables us to understand how corporations use bureaucracy to constrain the moral senses of its employees, who follow seemingly dumb rules that just happen to lead to inherently immoral, but consistently profitable results.
Voicing a path to the afterlife: Rituals for the dead, transnational mobility and the changing soundspace of Islam among Mongolian Kazakhs
Authors: Daukeyeva Saida
Published: April 2024

This article explores the role of sound and space in the negotiation of Muslim identity within rituals for the dead among the Kazakhs of Mongolia, a Turkic-speaking community that forms the majority population in the west of the country. Mobile pastoralists practising a syncretic form of Islam that integrates ancestor-spirit worship, Mongolian Kazakhs traditionally commemorated the dead at funeral and memorial feasts conducted in the portable nomadic yurt, and involving men’s recitation of the Qur’an and women’s performance of laments. The political and social transformations of the post-Soviet period, however, have wrought changes in the architectonics of the rituals. Increased transnational mobility in the wake of Kazakhstan’s independence has led to memorial feasts being held in venues ranging from mud-brick houses in western Mongolia to urban apartments, restaurants or mosques in Kazakhstan. The emergence of revivalist trends in Islam has prompted debates around the legitimacy and correct performance of female lamentation. Based on ethnography in Mongolia and Kazakhstan, the article examines how changes in the spatial and sonic configuration of the rituals reflect and shape evolving concepts of religiosity and gendered relations among the transnational community of Mongolian Kazakhs. The author introduces the concept of ‘soundspace’ to underscore the significance of spatiality, embodiment and emplacement in the production of sonic religious expression and experience.
I cartulari duecenteschi dei vescovi di Città di Castello
Authors: Carbonetti Vendittelli Cristina
Published: April 2024

Nel saggio si considerano i nove cartulari del vescovato di Città di Castello, la cui ricchezza e importanza sono state per la prima volta messe in luce da Robert Brentano nel 1960. Esso si focalizza sui fascicoli prodotti nel xiii secolo, sulla loro particolare struttura codicologica, sulla tradizione e organizzazione interna dei testi nonché sull’apparato ipertestuale, con lo scopo di far luce sulla cronologia e le modalità con le quali, a partire dagli inizi del Duecento, i vescovi di Città di Castello attuarono la loro «rivoluzione documentaria», e di illustrare una tipologia di cartulari ecclesiastici diversa dalle compilazioni prodotte nei secoli precedenti e fino al xii inoltrato: nuova nelle forme, nelle modalità redazionali e, soprattutto, nelle funzioni assolte.
Impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on Black Sea trade: Geoeconomic challenges
Authors: Nate Silviu , Colibășanu Antonia , Stavytskyy Andriy , Kharlamova Ganna
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the strategic importance of the Black Sea region in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Focusing on trade dynamics, geopolitical actors, and regional cooperation, the study analyzes the region's transformation and the resulting implications for global trade. The paper examines how the conflict has redefined trade relationships among Black Sea nations and major powers. For this purpose, trend models are evaluated for three-time samples for the export and import of products of 7 countries of the Black Sea Basin in both nominal and relative dimensions. In total, the evaluation and analysis encompass 1764 econometric models. Noteworthy trends include the evolving roles of the EU, the Middle East, and Russia, the potential resurgence of Ukraine, and Turkey's mediating role. The post-conflict landscape could witness heightened Western influence and continued Chinese engagement.
Hospital distribution in Polish provinces as a factor of smart living
Authors: Wolniak Radosław
Published: April 2024

The primary aim of this research paper is to investigate the distribution of hospitals across different regions in Poland. It provides an in-depth analysis of hospital distribution in Poland, emphasizing the significance of taking into account factors such as population size and accessibility when assessing the quantity of hospitals as a determinant of quality of life in a smart city. This analysis is based on data concerning hospital operations in Poland spanning the years 2012 to 2021. It explores a range of indicators, including the number of hospitals per province, the ratio of hospitals per 1,000 square kilometers within a province's geographical area, and the relationship between the availability of hospitals and the GDP per capita. One noteworthy aspect of this paper is its utilization of cluster analysis to identify groups of provinces that exhibit similarities with respect to these indicators. Surprisingly, the research findings challenge the conventional division of regions into "Poland A" and "Poland B" based on wealth. Instead, the study reveals an unexpected outcome: a positive correlation of 0.81 between the number of hospitals and GDP per capita. This suggests that more prosperous provinces tend to have a greater number of hospitals available.
Effective implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies in the retail sector through theexample of service robots
Authors:   , Pistrui Bence László
Published: April 2024

A kutatásom során kisebb-nagyobb környezeti változások befolyásolták a disszertáció végleges formáját, illetve kutatási irányát és ezen kutatások eredőjét is. A világunkban tomboló Covid19 pandémia más megvilágításba helyezte az eredeti kutatásomat. Eredetileg az ipari robotok Ipar 4.0 általi elterjedése és üzleti világban elfoglalt helye tette volna ki a disszertációm fő fókuszát. Ennek megfelelően kutatásom elején a témavezetőmmel, Czakó Erzsébettel közösen részt vettünk 2018-ban a „5th AIB-CEE Chapter Annual Conference on International Entrepreneurship as the bridge between international economics and international business” című konferencián egy a Visegrádi Négyek Ipar 4.0 felkészültségét elemző cikkel. Ez a munkánk nagyban formálta a szemléletemet, amelynek köszönhetően az Ipar 4.0 mint kiinduló elem megmaradt a gondolkodásomban és ebből eredeteztettem azt a technológiai fejlődést, amelynek köszönhetően a robotok egyre jobban elterjedtek a nemzetközi gyakorlatban.
Developing teachers’ cultural competencies through co-design of robot-coding mathematics activities for Latinx and Black elementary school students
Authors: Lyublinskaya Irina , Okita Sandra , Walker Erica , Yan Xiaoheng (Kitty)
Published: April 2024

This year-long case study involved the professional development of teachers in New York City elementary schools, who co-designed with researchers culturally relevant robot-coding mathematics activities to advance teachers’ understanding of culturally responsive mathematics pedagogy. Study findings indicated that co-designing culturally relevant robot-coding mathematics activities led to the development of teachers’ cultural competencies, deeper understanding of culturally responsive mathematics pedagogy and their students’ cultures, stronger agency, and ability to integrate culturally responsive pedagogy into their mathematics curriculum. Teachers also began to perceive the robot as a mathematical tool rather than a motivational add-on, and started to develop their own cultural lens while focusing less on school structure constraints. The study emphasises the importance of engaging teachers as active co-designers of culturally relevant coding curriculum in professional development programmes.
El ejercicio post mortem de los derechos de protección de datos personales en el ámbito sanitario
Authors: Landa Reza Idoia
Published: April 2024

La normativa de protección de datos no es clara a la hora de regular la diferencia entre el acceso a los datos personales del fallecido, y el acceso post mortem de cualquier contenido en formato digital de la persona fallecida. De la misma manera, hoy en día no existe ningún instrumento que permita reflejar la voluntad relativa al ejercicio futuro de los derechos del interesado.
The Quality Control of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells by in Vitro Testing of Their Immunomodulatory Effect on Allogeneic Lymphocytes
Authors: Lysák Daniel , Koutová L. , Holubová M. , Vlas T. , Miklíková M. , Jindra P.
Published: April 2024

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) represent a promising treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We performed co-cultivation experiments with non-specifically stimulated lymphocytes to characterize the immunosuppressive activity of MSC. MSC influenced expression of some activation antigens. CD25 expression was lower with MSC and reached 55.2 % vs. 84.9 % (CD4+, P = 0.0006) and 38.8 % vs. 86.6 % (CD8+, P = 0.0003) on day +4. Conversely, CD69 antigen expression remained higher with MSC (73.3 % vs. 56.8 %, P = 0.0009; 59.5 % vs. 49.7 %, ns) and its down-regulation along with the culture time was less pronounced. MSC reduced proliferation of the stimulated lymphocytes. The cell percentages detected in daughter generations were decreased (32.82 % vs. 10.68 % in generation 4, P = 0.0004 and 29.85 % vs. 10.09 % in generation 5, P = 0.0008), resulting in a lower proliferation index with MSC (1.84 vs. 3.65, P < 0.0001). The addition of MSC affected expression of some cytokines. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was decreased: IL-6 (19.5 vs. 16.3 MFI; P < 0.0001 in CD3+/CD4+ and 14.5 vs. 13.2 MFI; P = 0.0128 in CD3+/CD8+), IFN-γ (13.5 vs. 12.0 MFI; P = 0.0096 in CD3+/CD4+). Expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10 was only slightly increased after the addition of MSC (ns). The analysis confirmed the immunomodulatory activity of MSC. The functional tests have proved to be an important part of the quality control of the advanced therapy cellular product intended for GVHD treatment. Future research should focus on the interaction between MSC and the patient immune environment more closely.
Variation in oxidative defense system and physiological traits in Maize under drought stress
Authors: Shahimoghadam Monireh , Asghari Ali , Moharramnejad Sajjad , Dehghanian Zahra , Singh Sandeep Kumar , Sivalingam Krishna Moorthy , Marisennayya Senapathy
Published: April 2024

The study included the role of key metabolites involved in oxidative defense, and osmotic adjustment under water stress is still undiscovered. We have evaluated whether antioxidant potential could be nominated as a potential marker of drought resistance in three maize hybrids (SC01, SC703, and SC720). Underwater deficiency in all maize hybrids decreased significantly compared to control samples in grain yield, photosynthetic pigments, and phenolic compounds. In contrast, proline and glycine betaine (GB) significantly increased. In contrast, a significant increase (p<?0.05) was detected in the lipid peroxidation indicator of malondialdehyde (MDA). The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and total soluble proteins remained unaffected under drought stress in the three maize hybrids. Electrophoretic investigations attributed three, two, and one isoforms, respectively, to peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). In the studied maize hybrids, SOD isoforms, including Fe-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, and Mn-SOD, appeared on the 8% slab polyacrylamide gels. The water stress decreases Mn-SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, and Fe-SOD activities in all three hybrids. Further, POX1, POX2, and CAT activities decreased in SC01 and SC703, while they increased in SC720 under water deficit stress. In all maize hybrids, oxidative stress from water limitation leads to significant changes in the enzymatic/non-enzymatic antioxidants and main organic osmolytes. Based on the current study's findings, we believe that Cu/Zn-SOD activity, proline, and photosynthetic pigments might be used as biochemical indicators of water stress tolerance.
Taxonomy, traditional uses and biological activity of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae): A review
Authors: Dogara Abdulrahman Mahmoud , A Hama Harmand , Ozdemir Dogan
Published: April 2024

Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), a tree native to the tropics and subtropics that has been used traditionally in folk medicine. The crude extracts have been the focus of many studies due to its wide range of biological effects. Even though the species has been the subject of numerous pharmacologically based studies, very few studies have published on their findings. Attempts to bridge this knowledge gap are being made to enhance the species' utility in modern research. The following review looks at all research articles on anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, drugs, antiviral, traditional medicine, ethnopharmacology, toxicity, and cytotoxic activity. Therapeutically, some of the more fascinating impacts are on cancer prevention, liver diseases, blood sugar and antimicrobial activity. While the leaves, fruits and latex of the F. carica plant have been the primary focus of biological research, the stem and roots have got almost minimal attention. The results of this investigation indicate that extracts from all parts of F. carica are non-toxic. However, further well-planned clinical trials are required to confirm preclinical findings because the safety and effectiveness of F. carica have not been fully evaluated in humans. It is important to investigate the extract's mechanism of action. Establishing the standard dose and safety is necessary.
Analysis of thicknesses of blood collection needle by scanning electron microscopy reveals wide heterogeneity
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Harbatsevich Maksim , Zayats Vera
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The preanalytical phase in clinical laboratory diagnostics is currently receiving more and more attention. This term describes one part of actions and aspects of the “brain-to-brain cycle” of the medical laboratory diagnostic procedure that take place before the analytical phase. However, the preanalytical activities, the handling of unsuitable samples and the reporting procedures are neither fully standardized nor harmonized worldwide. The influence of the properties of the blood collection needle must be acknowledged. In this work, we focused on the investigation of the internal structure and size of standardized 21G blood collection needles.

Methods

All parameters were measured with a scanning electron microscope using a Jeol model JSM-6000PLUS. Our.

Results

The obtained data shows that the internal surfaces of the needles vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer (by around 35 %), and this may play an important role in influencing blood flow and even the risk of blood cell injury (especially hemolysis) during blood drawing.

Conclusions

The differential actual needle diameters can vary greatly between needle manufactures and this variety may have a significant impact on laboratory values and may also lead to specimen rejection.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of single-jet column and concrete column using double-jet grouting technique applied at Al-Rashdia site
Authors: Al-Khadaar Rana M. , Ahmed Mahmood D.
Published: April 2024

Progress in jet grouting technology has been focused on the cutting-edge observer of jets, which aims to generate large columns of jet grouting and increase the activity of construction sites. Since jet grouting techniques vary from conventional grouting methods to modern techniques, they can be used in a variety of soil types and their application areas are expanding quickly. So, grouting methods have become very popular methods for subsoil strengthening. This article includes finding the physical and mechanical properties of the soil of the AL-Rashdia site, using a single-jet grouting machine and a steel model to test concrete piles and jet piles, and a double-jet grouting machine to compare the results obtained from laboratory model of one-dimensional jet grouting column pile with those of a one-dimensional concrete pile. The comparison showed that the settlement of the jet pile was smaller than that of the concrete pile and the bearing load was higher with jet columns giving a high bearing capacity comparable with the concrete pile. Shen’s method is more adequate to find the ultimate bearing load and the settlement for this load. Also, the ultimate pile ratio was 115.63% for the jet column, and the ultimate pile ratio for the concrete column was 123.49%. The compressive strength of the core sample of jet columns was large which improved the bearing capacity of the foundation.
The comparative study of Ti-bearing oxides introduced by different methods
Authors: Zhao Yu-hao , Cheng Xiang , Li Hui , Kong Hui
Published: April 2024

The Ti-bearing oxides are introduced into HRB400 steel melt through external addition method (EAM, TiO2) and internal precipitation method (IPM, Ti alloy) using a vacuum induction furnace, respectively. For each experiment, the instantaneous evolution of oxide properties was investigated through the analysis of intermediate samples. For the EAM method, it was found that the titanium content gradually increased with increase in the treatment time. Similar increasing trend is also observed for Ti-bearing oxide properties, such as the number density and normalized titanium content. These phenomena are totally different from those in the IPM intermediate samples, in which both Ti content and Ti-bearing oxide features show rapid increase, reaching saturation at 1 min after the addition of Ti alloy, and remain relatively stable thereafter. This comparison hints that after TiO2 addition, they first dissolve in molten steel, then decompose, and finally again form Ti-bearing oxides. Furthermore, in the case of similar titanium content, EAM intermediate samples exhibit higher Ti-bearing oxide number density and higher normalized titanium content compared to IPM samples. After heat treatment, the intragranular ferrite nucleation was observed in cast sample of EAM, which was induced by the introduced Ti-bearing oxides.