bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peningkatan Pemahaman tentang Komitmen Melayani Karyawan Gereja-gereja Kristen Jawa (GKJ) Klasis Jakarta Bagian Timur
Authors: Sianipar Desi , Rini Wahyu A. , Jura Demsy
Published: March 2021

Karyawan yang bekerja di gereja perlu mendapatkan pembinaan secara berkala, khususnya menyangkut komitmen mereka dalam melayani di lingkungan gereja. Dengan adanya pembinaan mengenai hal ini, semangat dan produktivitas mereka dapat ditingkatkan. Untuk itu, kegiatan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (PkM) ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pengetahuan tentang komitmen melayani berdasarkan ajaran dalam Alkitab pada karyawan Kristen di lingkungan Gereja-gereja Kristen Jawa (GKJ) klasis Jakarta Bagian Timur. Metode yang digunakan adalah seminar dan kemudian dilanjutkan dengan tanya jawab dan diskusi. Hasil dari kegiatan ini adalah karyawan merasakan bahwa seminar ini sangat bermanfaat untuk meningkatkan pemahaman mereka mengenai makna komitmen melayani menurut iman Kristen, dan mereka termotivasi untuk melakukan pelayanan yang lebih baik lagi. Hal ini terlihat dari antusiasme mereka dalam sesi tanya jawab, diskusi, dan hasil angket yang mereka isi setelah selesai kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat. Mereka juga mengusulkan supaya kegiatan pembinaan yang bertujuan meningkatkan komitmen mereka dalam melayani  diadakan secara berkala oleh GKJ Klasis Jakarta Bagian Timur.

 

Kata Kunci: komitmen melayani

 Abstract Employees who work in the church need to get regular guidance, especially regarding their commitment to serving in the church environment. With the guidance on this matter, their enthusiasm and productivity can be improved. For this reason, Community Service activities (PkM) aim to provide knowledge about the commitment to serve based on the teachings in the Bible to Christian employees in the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) East Jakarta area. The method used is a seminar and then followed by question and answer and discussion. The results of this activity are that employees feel that this seminar is very useful to improve their understanding of the meaning of commitment to serve according to the Christian faith, and they are motivated to do better service. This can be seen from their enthusiasm in the question and answer session, discussion, and the results of the questionnaire they filled in after the community service activities were completed. They also proposed that coaching activities aimed at increasing their commitment in service be held regularly by GKJ Klasis Timur Jakarta.

 

Keywords: commitment to serve
IPTEKS BAGI MASYARAKAT: PEMBERDAYAAN UKM MELALUI KEMITRAAN DENGAN PEMERINTAH KABUPATEN SERANG DALAM KEGIATAN SOSIALISASI E-COMMERCE
Authors: Suadhana Rai I Nyoman Aji , Putri Sindy Yulia , Astuti Wiwiek Rukmi Dwi
Published: March 2021

Abstrak

Usaha Kecil Menengah di Kabupaten Serang merupakan salah satu faktor penunjang pertumbuhan ekonomi rakyat. Namun UKM Serang masih menghadapi berbagai masalah. Sentralitas UKM dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi tidak berbanding lurus dengan kapasitas SDM/tenaga kerja UKM dalam memanfaatkan teknologi, terlebih lagi di era revolusi industri 4.0 saat ini. Tenaga kerja masih belum memahami sepenuhnya bagaimana memanfaatkan teknologi untuk meningkatkan penetrasi pasar dan promosi produk. Padahal, melalui e-commerce, UKM dapat menyebarkan informasi lebih luas kepada masyarakat, sehingga masyarakat dapat mengetahui deskripsi produk-produk UKM. Produk-produk tersebut memiliki kualitas yang baik, namun karena rendahnya promosi dengan memanfaatkan teknologi dan media sosial, penjualan produk menjadi kurang maksimal. Maka dari itu, program Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (PkM) ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan minat dan pemahaman pelaku usaha UKM dalam memanfaatkan teknologi e-commerce untuk berniaga. Melalui program PkM akan diupayakan transfer of knowledge mengenai pemanfaatan e-commerce untuk meningkatkan potensi UKM Kabupaten Serang. Metode yang digunakan adalah sosialisasi dan tanya jawab/diskusi dengan mengimplementasikan pendekatan cooperative learning untuk para peserta. Hasil dari program PkM ini adalah adanya peningkatan minat dan pemahaman pelaku usaha UKM dalam mengoperasionalisasi gawai untuk meningkatkan intensitas promosi produk UKM agar lebih dikenal di masyarakat dunia nyata maupun dunia maya.

 Kata Kunci: E-commerce; Pemerintah Kabupaten Serang; UKM

Abstract

UKM needs to prepare itself to be involved in production chains of regional scale. UKM in Serang Regency is one of the factors supporting people’s economic growth. But in reality, the centrality of UKM is not directly proportional to the human resources capacity of UKM in utilizing the technology, especially in the current era of industrial revolution 4.0. Workers still do not fully understand how to use technology to increase market penetration and product promotion. They also do not understand, how e-commerce runs. In fact, through e-commerce, UKM can disseminate information more widely to the public, so that people can find out descriptions of UKM products. These products have good quality, but the low promotion is still happening. Workers of UKM have minim access and capability to use technology and social media, so that product sales are not optimal. Through this program Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (PkM), our team have been sharing how UKM internet and social media use could. Also, they can understand the knowledge transfer and technology transfer in industrial world. This PkM have partnership with Dinas Koperasi, Perindustrian, dan Perdagangan (Diskoperindag) Serang.

 Keywords: E-commerce; Pemerintah Kabupaten Serang; UKM
Peningkatan Kesadaran Masyarakat terhadap Kerusakan Bangunan dan Lingkungan Pasca Gempa, Tsunami dan Likuifaksi di Palu Sulawesi Tengah
Authors: LE Hutabarat , P Simanjuntak , S Tampubolon
Published: March 2021

Abstrak

Kejadian Gempa Palu pada tanggal 28 September 2018 telah menimbulkan korban jiwa dan kerugian besar dengan kerusakan pada infrastruktur dan bangunan di tiga daerah Palu, Sigi  dan Donggala.  Tragedi ini diakibatkan oleh magnitudo gempa yang sangat kuat M 7.4 diikuti oleh tsunami dan peristiwa likuifaksi yang sangat dahsyat. Karena itulah perlu dilakukan survey berikut assesmen data kerusakan bangunan yang terjadi di Palu sekaligus penyuluhan terkait teknis bangunan rumah tinggal tahan gempa. Sesuai hasil survei, likuifaksi terjadi di tiga lokasi yaitu Petobo, Balaroa dan Sigi. Sedangkan tsunami terjadi di pesisir pantai Donggala akibat terjadinya keruntuhan massa tanah yang besar saat terjadi likuifaksi. Beberapa bangunan dan infrastruktur yang mengalami kerusakan disebabkan oleh sifat teknis bangunan yang tidak mampu menahan beban gempa. Secara umum para warga warga Palu dan Sekitarnya di Sulawesi Tengah  belum sepenuhnya memahami konsep bangunan tahan gempa khususnya untuk rumah tinggal sederhana.

Kata Kunci: likuifaksi, tsunami, kerusakan bangunan, survei, asessemen

Abstract

The Palu earthquake on 28 September 2018 caused heavy casualties and losses with damage to infrastructure and buildings in three areas which are Palu, Sigi and Donggala. This tragedy was an impact of a very strong earthquake magnitude 7.4 followed by a tsunami and a very terrible liquefaction. It was necessary to conduct a survey following the assessment of building damage data that occurred in Palu as well as technical assistance to understand the earthquake resistant residential buildings concept. Based on the survey results, liquefaction occurred in three locations namely Petobo, Balaroa and Sigi. While the tsunami occurred on the coast of Donggala due to large land mass collapse during liquefaction. Some buildings and infrastructure that were damaged due to the lack of technical requirement of the earthquake loads resistancy building. In general, the society of Palu and the surrounding areas were not having adequate knowledable for the concept of earthquake resistant buildings, especially for simple residential buildings.

Keywords:. liquefaction, tsunami, building damage, surveys, assessments
Penerapan Face Shield Bagi Tenaga Medis Untuk Menangani Pasien Covid-19 di Kota Batu Jawa Timur
Authors: Mochamad Arif Irfai1  , Muchlis Arif  , Nova Kristiana  , I Made Arsana4
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this activity is to assist the government in providing and distributing face shields for medical personnel at referral hospitals to treat covid-19 patients. At first we analyzed the problems with partners (hospitals and community health centers). The results of the analysis show that hospitals and health centers lack a helmet-face shield for medical personnel to treat covid-19 patients. Based on the results of discussions and requests from the partner. Then the design is carried out to manufacture a helmet-face shield. There are 2 PPE made, The first type is only a face shield and the second type is obtained a helmet design that is equipped with a face shield or can be called a helmet-face shield. At the end of the activity, questionnaires were distributed to respondents consisting of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. Respondents were selected randomly in health facilities in Batu, East Java. The response from medical personnel has generally been positive. This can be seen from the questionnaires distributed to respondents. More than 90% of the results of the questionnaire stated that helmet-face shield and face shield products could be accepted by health workers.
PENGEMBANGAN KUALITAS PRODUK SERAGAM SEKOLAH DENGAN METODE SIX SIGMA DI TPKU PP.TEBUIRENG
Authors: Sumarsono  , Nur Muflihah  , Sulung Rahmawan. W.G  , Andhika Mayasari  , Minto  , Fatma Ayu Nuning F.A
Published: March 2021

TPKU PP.Tebuireng's business is engaged in school uniforms. The results of previous research, it was found that there were seven Critical to Quality (CTQ). The seven CTQs are button attachment, accessories installation, untidy stitching, loose overlock, uniform stain, slanted pocket, and sloping belt. Based on these findings, the objective of the activity is transforming knowledge to develop the quality of school uniform using the six sigma method. The six sigma method is improving quality, aiming 3-4 defects per million products or services. The results of the service activities have been delivery of material and the application of the six sigma method. The six sigma method stages include define, measure, analyze, improve, control. The results of the define application by check sheet, identified seven CTQs. The application of measure is 2.95 sigma level, is equivalent to 74,830 defective in a million productions. The analyze application with pareto and causal diagram shows two types of CTQ. That have dominant causes of defects, namely untidy seams and uniform stains. The implementation of improve is based on the analyze stage results. Implementation of control by means of documentation, disseminate all relevant sections. As a step to improve the performance of the next process.
PEMBENTUKAN RUANG BERSAMA DAN RUANG TERBUKA HIJAU DI LINGKUNGAN BABATAN PILANG RT. 003 RW. 005
Authors: Heristama Anugerah Putra  , Josephine Roosandriantini
Published: March 2021

The area of open land in the City of Surabaya is decreasing from year to year. This is influenced by the number of settlements and housing that have begun to emerge and develop, thus increasing the population level in an area. Humans are by nature social creatures. Can not be separated from other individuals and need each other. Individual someone indirectly lives together with the surrounding environment. This is what triggers that each individual must be social to one another. However, along with the times and technological advances today, many individuals often forget this and think more about their respective interests. Time to gather and meet face to face with neighbors, chat with each other directly or with the surrounding environment is also very minimal. Broadly speaking, the Babatan Pilang community is individual. The background to the problems that have been previously described is the basis for this community service to be able to provide input to the community of Babatan Pilang RT. 003 RW 005. The purpose of this community service is to help the community or housing residents to restore and create a social society. This community service program is carried out by creating and arranging common spaces for socializing.
Evaluation of the ex vivo Effects of Tamoxifen on Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: A Pilot Study
Authors: Boemi Ilena , Lisa Andrea Vittorio Emanuele , Vitali Eleonora , Liman Nurçin , Battistini Andrea , Barbera Federico , Maione Luca , Vinci Valeriano , Klinger Marco Ettore Attilio , Lania Andrea Gerardo Antonio
Published: March 2021

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is a safe and minimally invasive procedure to correct soft tissue defects. The benefit of AFG is attributed to adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in fat tissue graft. This technique is useful also in patients undergoing reconstructive surgery following quadrantectomy for breast cancer. However, these patients are frequently treated with tamoxifen. We evaluated the ex vivo effects of tamoxifen on ASCs to understand if cellular functions of ASCs are affected. We selected 24 female patients; 10 of which were breast cancer patients treated with quadrantectomy and tamoxifen. As control group, we selected 14 healthy female subjects (9 premenopausal and 5 menopausal). We found that tamoxifen has no effect on cellular proliferation, VEGF secretion or apoptosis of ASCs. The gene expression assessment demonstrated no impairment in differentiation capacity of ASCs. Our results showed that tamoxifen has no effect on cellular functions of ASCs for the first time in an ex vivo single-center study.
The Intraflagellar Transport Protein IFT20 Recruits ATG16L1 to Early Endosomes to Promote Autophagosome Formation in T Cells
Authors: Finetti Francesca , Cassioli Chiara , Cianfanelli Valentina , Zevolini Fabrizia , Onnis Anna , Gesualdo Monica , Brunetti Jlenia , Cecconi Francesco , Baldari Cosima T.
Published: March 2021

Lymphocyte homeostasis, activation and differentiation crucially rely on basal autophagy. The fine-tuning of this process depends on autophagy-related (ATG) proteins and their interaction with the trafficking machinery that orchestrates the membrane rearrangements leading to autophagosome biogenesis. The underlying mechanisms are as yet not fully understood. The intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, known for its role in cargo transport along the axonemal microtubules of the primary cilium, has emerged as a regulator of autophagy in ciliated cells. Growing evidence indicates that ciliogenesis proteins participate in cilia-independent processes, including autophagy, in the non-ciliated T cell. Here we investigate the mechanism by which IFT20, an integral component of the IFT system, regulates basal T cell autophagy. We show that IFT20 interacts with the core autophagy protein ATG16L1 and that its CC domain is essential for its pro-autophagic activity. We demonstrate that IFT20 is required for the association of ATG16L1 with the Golgi complex and early endosomes, both of which have been identified as membrane sources for phagophore elongation. This involves the ability of IFT20 to interact with proteins that are resident at these subcellular localizations, namely the golgin GMAP210 at the Golgi apparatus and Rab5 at early endosomes. GMAP210 depletion, while leading to a dispersion of ATG16L1 from the Golgi, did not affect basal autophagy. Conversely, IFT20 was found to recruit ATG16L1 to early endosomes tagged for autophagosome formation by the BECLIN 1/VPS34/Rab5 complex, which resulted in the local accumulation of LC3. Hence IFT20 participates in autophagosome biogenesis under basal conditions by regulating the localization of ATG16L1 at early endosomes to promote autophagosome biogenesis. These data identify IFT20 as a new regulator of an early step of basal autophagy in T cells.
Adiponectin Modified BMSCs Alleviate Heart Fibrosis via Inhibition TGF-beta1/Smad in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Meng Ke , Cai Huabo , Cai Simin , Hong Yucai , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: March 2021

Background: Accumulating evidence suggested that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have therapeutic potential for diabetes and heart diseases. However, the effects of BMSC on reducing myocardial fibrosis need to be optimized. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of adiponectin (APN) modified BMSCs on myocardial fibrosis in diabetic model in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: The high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection were used to induced diabetic rat model. H9c2 cells were cultured under a high glucose medium as in vitro model. The BMSCs were modified by APN plasmid or APN small interfering RNA (siRNA), then transplanted to the diabetic rats by a single tail-vein injection, or co-cultured with H9c2 cells.

Results: We demonstrated that diabetic rats showed typical diabetic symptoms, such as decreased cardiac function, accumulation of pathological lesions and collagen expression. However, these impairments were significantly prevented by the APN modified BMSCs treatment while no effects on APN siRNA modified BMSCs treated diabetic rats. Moreover, we confirmed that APN modified BMSCs could attenuate the expression of TGF-beta1/smad to suppress the myocardial fibrosis in the diabetic rats and high glucose induced H9c2 cells.

Conclusion: The present results for the first time showed that APN modified BMSCs exerted protection on cardiac fibrosis via inhibiting TGF-beta1/smad signal pathway in diabetic rats. Our findings suggested that APN modified BMSCs might be a novel and optimal therapy for the diabetic cardiomyopathy in future.
The Oral Microbiome in Periodontal Health
Authors: Lenartova Magdalena , Tesinska Barbora , Janatova Tatjana , Hrebicek Ondrej , Mysak Jaroslav , Janata Jiri , Najmanova Lucie
Published: March 2021

The estimation of oral microbiome (OM) taxonomic composition in periodontally healthy individuals can often be biased because the clinically periodontally healthy subjects for evaluation can already experience dysbiosis. Usually, they are included just based on the absence of clinical signs of periodontitis. Additionally, the age of subjects is used to be higher to correspond well with tested groups of patients with chronic periodontitis, a disorder typically associated with aging. However, the dysbiosis of the OM precedes the clinical signs of the disease by many months or even years. The absence of periodontal pockets thus does not necessarily mean also good periodontal health and the obtained image of “healthy OM” can be distorted.To overcome this bias, we taxonomically characterized the OM in almost a hundred young students of dentistry with precise oral hygiene and no signs of periodontal disease. We compared the results with the OM composition of older periodontally healthy individuals and also a group of patients with severe periodontitis (aggressive periodontitis according to former classification system). The clustering analysis revealed not only two compact clearly separated clusters corresponding to each state of health, but also a group of samples forming an overlap between both well-pronounced states. Additionally, in the cluster of periodontally healthy samples, few outliers with atypical OM and two major stomatotypes could be distinguished, differing in the prevalence and relative abundance of two main bacterial genera: Streptococcus and Veillonella. We hypothesize that the two stomatotypes could represent the microbial succession from periodontal health to starting dysbiosis. The old and young periodontally healthy subjects do not cluster separately but a trend of the OM in older subjects to periodontitis is visible. Several bacterial genera were identified to be typically more abundant in older periodontally healthy subjects.
Subunit Vaccine ESAT-6:c-di-AMP Delivered by Intranasal Route Elicits Immune Responses and Protects Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Ning Huanhuan , Zhang Wei , Kang Jian , Ding Tianbing , Liang Xuan , Lu Yanzhi , Guo Chengxuan , Sun Wenjie , Wang Huapeng , Bai Yinlan , Shen Lixin
Published: March 2021

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, remains the most common cause of death from a single infectious disease. More safe and effective vaccines are necessary for preventing the prevalence of TB. In this study, a subunit vaccine of ESAT-6 formulated with c-di-AMP (ESAT-6:c-di-AMP) promoted mucosal and systemic immune responses in spleen and lung. ESAT-6:c-di-AMP inhibited the differentiations of CD8+ T cells as well as macrophages, but promoted the differentiations of ILCs in lung. The co-stimulation also enhanced inflammatory cytokines production in MH-S cells. It was first revealed that ESAT-6 and c-di-AMP regulated autophagy of macrophages in different stages, which together resulted in the inhibition of Mtb growth in macrophages during early infection. After Mtb infection, the level of ESAT-6-specific immune responses induced by ESAT-6:c-di-AMP dropped sharply. Finally, inoculation of ESAT-6:c-di-AMP led to significant reduction of bacterial burdens in lungs and spleens of immunized mice. Our results demonstrated that subunit vaccine ESAT-6:c-di-AMP could elicit innate and adaptive immune responses which provided protection against Mtb challenge, and c-di-AMP as a mucosal adjuvant could enhance immunogenicity of antigen, especially for innate immunity, which might be used for new mucosal vaccine against TB.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Transcriptome-Wide m6A Methylome of Heart via MeRIP After Birth: Day 0 vs. Day 7
Authors: Yang Chuanxi , Zhao Kun , Zhang Jing , Wu Xiaoguang , Sun Wei , Kong Xiangqing , Shi Jing
Published: March 2021

Aim: To systematically classify the profile of the RNA m6A modification landscape of neonatal heart regeneration.

Materials and Methods: Cardiomyocyte proliferation markers were detected via immunostaining. The expression of m6A modification regulators was detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. Genome-wide profiling of methylation-modified transcripts was conducted with methylation-modified RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m6A-RIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) dataset was used to verify the hub genes.

Results: METTL3 and the level of m6A modification in total RNA was lower in P7 rat hearts than in P0 ones. In all, 1,637 methylation peaks were differentially expressed using m6A-RIP-seq, with 84 upregulated and 1,553 downregulated. Furthermore, conjoint analyses of m6A-RIP-seq, RNA-seq, and GEO data generated eight potential hub genes with differentially expressed hypermethylated or hypomethylated m6A levels.

Conclusion: Our data provided novel information on m6A modification changes between Day 0 and Day 7 cardiomyocytes, which identified that increased METTL3 expression may enhance the proliferative capacity of neonatal cardiomyocytes, providing a theoretical basis for future clinical studies on the direct regulation of m6A in the proliferative capacity of cardiomyocytes.
A Crisis-Responsive Framework for Medical Device Development Applied to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Antonini Marc-Joseph , Plana Deborah , Srinivasan Shriya , Atta Lyla , Achanta Aditya , Yang Helen , Cramer Avilash K. , Freake Jacob , Sinha Michael S. , Yu Sherry H. , LeBoeuf Nicole R. , Linville-Engler Ben , Sorger Peter K.
Published: March 2021

The disruption of conventional manufacturing, supply, and distribution channels during the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies. These shortages catalyzed local efforts to use nontraditional, rapid manufacturing to meet urgent healthcare needs. Here we present a crisis-responsive design framework designed to assist with product development under pandemic conditions. The framework emphasizes stakeholder engagement, comprehensive but efficient needs assessment, rapid manufacturing, and modified product testing to enable accelerated development of healthcare products. We contrast this framework with traditional medical device manufacturing that proceeds at a more deliberate pace, discuss strengths and weakness of pandemic-responsive fabrication, and consider relevant regulatory policies. We highlight the use of the crisis-responsive framework in a case study of face shield design and production for a large US academic hospital. Finally, we make recommendations aimed at improving future resilience to pandemics and healthcare emergencies. These include continued development of open source designs suitable for rapid manufacturing, education of maker communities and hospital administrators about rapidly-manufactured medical devices, and changes in regulatory policy that help strike a balance between quality and innovation.
Should Pediatric Endocrinologists Consider More Carefully When to Perform a Stimulation Test?
Authors: Penco Arturo , Bossini Benedetta , Giangreco Manuela , Vidonis Viviana , Vittori Giada , Grassi Nicoletta , Pellegrin Maria Chiara , Faleschini Elena , Barbi Egidio , Tornese Gianluca
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Pediatric endocrinology rely greatly on hormone stimulation tests which demand time, money and effort. The knowledge of the pattern of pediatric endocrinology stimulation tests is therefore crucial to optimize resources and guide public health interventions. Aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of endocrine stimulation tests and the prevalence of pathological findings over a year and to explore whether single basal hormone concentrations could have saved unnecessary stimulation tests.

Methods

Retrospective study with data collection for pediatric endocrine stimulation tests performed in 2019 in a tertiary center.

Results

Overall, 278 tests were performed on 206 patients. The most performed test was arginine tolerance test (34%), followed by LHRH test (24%) and standard dose Synachthen test (19%), while the higher rate of pathological response was found in insulin tolerance test to detect growth hormone deficiency (81%), LHRH test to detect central precocious puberty (50%) and arginine tolerance test (41%). No cases of non-classical-congenital adrenal hyperplasia were diagnosed. While 29% of growth hormone deficient children who performed an insulin tolerance test had a pathological peak cortisol, none of them had central adrenal insufficiency confirmed at low dose Synacthen test. The use of basal hormone determinations could save up to 88% of standard dose Synachthen tests, 82% of arginine tolerance + GHRH test, 61% of LHRH test, 12% of tests for adrenal secretion.

Conclusion

The use of single basal hormone concentrations could spare up to half of the tests, saving from 32,000 to 79,000 euros in 1 year. Apart from basal cortisol level <108 nmol/L to detect adrenal insufficiency and IGF-1 <-1.5 SDS to detect growth hormone deficiency, all the other cut-off for basal hormone determinations were found valid in order to spare unnecessary stimulation tests.
Similar Is Not the Same – Mate Recognition in a Parasitoid Wasp
Authors: Jungwirth Stefan , Ruther Joachim , Pokorny Tamara
Published: March 2021

Finding and recognizing a suitable mate is a key prerequisite to reproductive success. Insects often recognize prospective mates using chemical cues and signals. Among these, cuticular lipids commonly serve for mate recognition at close range. The lipid layer on the surface of insects is comprised predominantly of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), though more polar compounds may also be present. While the composition of the cuticular profile is typically species specific, many species additionally show differentiation between the sexes by sex specific compounds and/or compound ratios. It is often assumed that a clear sexual dimorphism of cuticular lipid profiles is a prerequisite for a potential function as sex pheromones. Both, sex specific single compounds or the profiles as a whole have been shown to serve as sex pheromones in parasitoid wasps. Here, we studied parasitoid wasps of the speciesTachinaephagus zealandicus(Encyrtidae, Hymenoptera). Chemical analyses revealed that this species presents a case where males and females produce the same set of CHCs in similar relative amounts. To test whether these wasps nonetheless can use the cuticular lipids for close range mate recognition, we tested the reaction of males toward freeze-killed conspecifics. Males showed copulation behavior exclusively toward dead females, but not toward dead males. Dead females from which the cuticular lipids had been removed did not elicit copulation behavior by tested males. Reapplication of female whole body extracts restored bioactivity, and males reacted with copulation attempts as often as toward the freeze-killed females. Bioassays with lipid fractions revealed that only the CHC fraction was bioactive on its own. Here, again, males reacted to female, but not to male CHCs. Our results indicate that these wasps are capable of using CHCs for close range sex recognition despite the similarity of male and female profiles.
Drosophila melanogaster as a Model System to Assess the Effect of Epstein-Barr Virus DNA on Inflammatory Gut Diseases
Authors: Madi Joelle R. , Outa Amani Al , Ghannam Mirna , Hussein Hadi M. , Shehab Marwa , Hasan Zeinab Al Kobra Haj , Fayad Antoine Abou , Shirinian Margret , Rahal Elias A.
Published: March 2021

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) commonly infects humans and is highly associated with different types of cancers and autoimmune diseases. EBV has also been detected in inflamed gastrointestinal mucosa of patients suffering from prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with no clear role identified yet for EBV in the pathology of such diseases. Since we have previously reported immune-stimulating capabilities of EBV DNA in various models, in this study we investigated whether EBV DNA may play a role in exacerbating intestinal inflammation through innate immune and regeneration responses using the Drosophila melanogaster model. We have generated inflamed gastrointestinal tracts in adult fruit flies through the administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), a sulfated polysaccharide that causes human ulcerative colitis- like pathologies due to its toxicity to intestinal cells. Intestinal damage induced by inflammation recruited plasmatocytes to the ileum in fly hindguts. EBV DNA aggravated inflammation by enhancing the immune deficiency (IMD) pathway as well as further increasing the cellular inflammatory responses manifested upon the administration of DSS. The study at hand proposes a possible immunostimulatory role of the viral DNA exerted specifically in the fly hindgut hence further developing our understanding of immune responses mounted against EBV DNA in the latter intestinal segment of the D. melanogaster gut. These findings suggest that EBV DNA may perpetuate proinflammatory processes initiated in an inflamed digestive system. Our findings indicate that D. melanogaster can serve as a model to further understand EBV-associated gastroinflammatory pathologies. Further studies employing mammalian models may validate the immunogenicity of EBV DNA in an IBD context and its role in exacerbating the disease through inflammatory mediators.
T Cells Plead for Rejuvenation and Amplification; With the Brain’s Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides We Can Make It Happen
Authors: Levite Mia
Published: March 2021

T cells are essential for eradicating microorganisms and cancer and for tissue repair, have a pro-cognitive role in the brain, and limit Central Nervous System (CNS) inflammation and damage upon injury and infection. However, in aging, chronic infections, acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, cancer, chronic stress, depression and major injury/trauma, T cells are often scarce, exhausted, senescent, impaired/biased and dysfunctional. People with impaired/dysfunctional T cells are at high risk of infections, cancer, other diseases, and eventually mortality, and become multi-level burden on other people, organizations and societies. It is suggested that “Nerve-Driven Immunity” and “Personalized Adoptive Neuro-Immunotherapy” may overcome this problem. Natural Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides: Glutamate, Dopamine, GnRH-II, CGRP, Neuropeptide Y, Somatostatin and others, bind their well-characterized receptors expressed on the cell surface of naïve/resting T cells and induce multiple direct, beneficial, and therapeutically relevant effects. These Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides can induce/increase: gene expression, cytokine secretion, integrin-mediated adhesion, chemotactic migration, extravasation, proliferation, and killing of cancer. Moreover, we recently found that some of these Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides also induce rapid and profound decrease of PD-1 in human T cells. By inducing these beneficial effects in naïve/resting T cells at different times after binding their receptors (i.e. NOT by single effect/mechanism/pathway), these Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides by themselves can activate, rejuvenate, and improve T cells. “Personalized Adaptive Neuro-Immunotherapy” is a novel method for rejuvenating and improving T cells safely and potently by Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides, consisting of personalized diagnostic and therapeutic protocols. The patient’s scarce and/or dysfunctional T cells are activatedex vivoonce by pre-selected Neurotransmitters and/or Neuropeptides, tested, and re-inoculated to the patient’s body. Neuro-Immunotherapy can be actionable and repeated whenever needed, and allows other treatments. This adoptive Neuro-Immunotherapy calls for testing its safety and efficacy in clinical trials.
Antigen-Specific Immune Tolerance in Multiple Sclerosis—Promising Approaches and How to Bring Them to Patients
Authors: Lutterotti Andreas , Hayward-Koennecke Helen , Sospedra Mireia , Martin Roland
Published: March 2021

Antigen-specific tolerance induction aims at treating multiple sclerosis (MS) at the root of its pathogenesis and has the prospect of personalization. Several promising tolerization approaches using different technologies and modes of action have already advanced to clinical testing. The prerequisites for successful tolerance induction include the knowledge of target antigens, core pathomechanisms, and how to pursue a clinical development path that is distinct from conventional drug development. Key aspects including patient selection, outcome measures, demonstrating the mechanisms of action as well as the positioning in the rapidly growing spectrum of MS treatments have to be considered to bring this therapy to patients.
Case Report: Single Dose Anti-PD1 in a Patient With Metastatic Melanoma and Cardiac Allograft
Authors: Goodman Amy E. , Karapetyan Lilit , Pugliano-Mauro Melissa , Levenson Joshua E. , Luke Jason J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Immune-checkpoint inhibition has improved outcomes in metastatic melanoma. However, limited data describes the safety and efficacy of this treatment in the setting of cardiac allograft. Emerging translational and clinical evidence suggests that the majority of the benefit from these therapies is driven by the initial dose(s), and that attenuated dosing schedules may be as effective as continuous treatment.

Case presentation

We present a case vignette of a cardiac transplant recipient with metastatic melanoma who experienced six months of clinical benefit after one dose of pembrolizumab and did not suffer allograft rejection.

Conclusion

This case adds to the current available literature on the administration of checkpoint inhibitors in patients with cardiac allografts. Further, it explores potential markers of immunotherapy response and supports the potential of shorter or individualized immune-checkpoint blockade dosing strategies.
Fostering Spatial Efficiency in the Marine Space, in a Socially Sustainable Way: Lessons Learnt From a Soft Multi-Use Assessment in the Mediterranean
Authors: Kyvelou Stella Sofia I. , Ierapetritis Dimitrios G.
Published: March 2021

In a context of growing claim for marine space and in the pursuit of maritime “spatial efficiency,” Multi-use (MU) becomes necessary to assemble more or less compatible sea uses. In this paper, the potential of the soft MU involving small-scale fisheries (SSF), tourism, and nature conservation related to marine protected areas (MPAs), widely encountered in the Mediterranean Sea basin, is being assessed in Greece. Despite the fact that the MU concept is not yet included neither in maritime spatial planning (MSP) laws nor in strategic policy documents due mainly to the dominance of terrestrial spatial plans that favor exclusive rights of highly competitive and expansive maritime activities (e.g., aquaculture), the above MU is increasingly being practiced by local communities as a socio-economic instrument (fishing tourism), able to be also occasionally oriented to nature conservation. Following the Drivers, Added Values, Barriers and Negative Impacts (DABI) analysis, a spectrum of challenges/constraints and opportunities for the application of the MU under study was revealed, grouped in socio-economic, environmental, political–regulatory, and technological factors that can enable or undermine this MU in the Greek seas. The paper concludes that there is a huge potential for the said MU development in areas dependent on fisheries, consistently to the longstanding SSF tradition that despite its decline, continues to be one of the most important among those practiced in the coastal zone and in remote and insular communities, essentially defining their particular social and cultural identity. Besides, SSF have low environmental impact, and also tourists and the local communities are gradually becoming more conservation-oriented. Hence, the MU is highlighted as a tool for sustainable use of marine space supporting the Blue Growth Agenda and reconnecting natural and cultural capital at sea, thus redefining also the role of fishers that under equitable conditions may become defenders of marine biodiversity and key actors for the sustainable management of fish stocks and ecosystems in the protected areas.
Impact Assessment and Management Challenges of Key Rural Human Health Infrastructure Under Sea Level Rise
Authors: Mitchell Molly , Isdell Robert E. , Herman Julie , Tombleson Christine
Published: March 2021

Accelerating sea level rise in Virginia, United States, will significantly increase the flooding threat to low-lying roads, residences, and critical infrastructure as well as raise the water table, allowing saltwater intrusion into well water and threatening the function of septic fields. Although most of the adaptation work in Virginia has focused on urban economic centers, the majority of the coastline is rural and faces different threats and opportunities to address them compared to urban areas due to their reduced economic assets and their reliance on private infrastructure. In this case study, we assess the potential for geospatially quantifying impact to septic systems and adjacent water ways due to sea level rise. The case study found that the data necessary to reliably quantify these impacts on a state-wide scale are lacking and collection of that information needs to be prioritized given the potential for extensive sea level impacts.
3D Tissue Models as an Effective Tool for Studying Viruses and Vaccine Development
Authors: Lawko Nathan , Plaskasovitis Charlie , Stokes Carling , Abelseth Laila , Fraser Ian , Sharma Ruchi , Kirsch Rebecca , Hasan Misha , Abelseth Emily , Willerth Stephanie M.
Published: March 2021

The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has researchers working tirelessly to understand the virus' pathogenesis and develop an effective vaccine. The urgent need for rapid development and deployment of such a vaccine has illustrated the limitations of current practices, and it has highlighted the need for alternative models for early screening of such technologies. Traditional 2D cell culture does not accurately capture the effects of a physiologically relevant environment as they fail to promote appropriate cell-cell and cell-environment interactions. This inability to capture the intricacies of the in vivo microenvironment prevents 2D cell cultures from demonstrating the necessary properties of native tissues required for the standard infection mechanisms of the virus, thus contributing the high failure rate of drug discovery and vaccine development. 3D cell culture models can bridge the gap between conventional cell culture and in vivo models. Methods such as 3D bioprinting, spheroids, organoids, organ-on-chip platform, and rotating wall vessel bioreactors offer ways to produce physiologically relevant models by mimicking in vivo microarchitecture, chemical gradients, cell–cell interactions and cell–environment interactions. The field of viral biology currently uses 3D cell culture models to understand the interactions between viruses and host cells, which is crucial knowledge for vaccine development. In this review, we discuss how 3D cell culture models have been used to investigate disease pathologies for coronaviruses and other viruses such as Zika Virus, Hepatitis, and Influenza, and how they may apply to drug discovery and vaccine development.
Putative Extracellular Electron Transfer in Methanogenic Archaea
Authors: Gao Kailin , Lu Yahai
Published: March 2021

It has been suggested that a few methanogens are capable of extracellular electron transfers. For instance, Methanosarcina barkeri can directly capture electrons from the coexisting microbial cells of other species. Methanothrix harundinacea and Methanosarcina horonobensis retrieve electrons from Geobacter metallireducens via direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). Recently, Methanobacterium, designated strain YSL, has been found to grow via DIET in the co-culture with Geobacter metallireducens. Methanosarcina acetivorans can perform anaerobic methane oxidation and respiratory growth relying on Fe(III) reduction through the extracellular electron transfer. Methanosarcina mazei is capable of electromethanogenesis under the conditions where electron-transfer mediators like H2 or formate are limited. The membrane-bound multiheme c-type cytochromes (MHC) and electrically-conductive cellular appendages have been assumed to mediate the extracellular electron transfer in bacteria like Geobacter and Shewanella species. These molecules or structures are rare but have been recently identified in a few methanogens. Here, we review the current state of knowledge for the putative extracellular electron transfers in methanogens and highlight the opportunities and challenges for future research.
Single Molecule Study of the Polymerization of RecA on dsDNA: The Dynamics of Individual Domains
Authors: Maman Nitzan , Kumar Pramod , Yadav Amarjeet , Feingold Mario
Published: March 2021

In the Escherichia coli, RecA plays a central role in the recombination and repair of the DNA. For homologous recombination, RecA binds to ssDNA forming a nucleoprotein filament. The RecA-ssDNA filament searches for a homologous sequence on a dsDNA and, subsequently, RecA mediates strand exchange between the ssDNA and the dsDNA. In vitro, RecA binds to both ssDNA and dsDNA. Despite a wide range of studies of the polymerization of RecA on dsDNA, both at the single molecule level and by means of biochemical methods, important aspects of this process are still awaiting a better understanding. Specifically, a detailed, quantitative description of the nucleation and growth dynamics of the RecA-dsDNA filaments is still lacking. Here, we use Optical Tweezers together with a single molecule analysis approach to measure the dynamics of the individual RecA domains on dsDNA and the corresponding growth rates for each of their fronts. We focus on the regime where the nucleation and growth rate constants, kn and kg, are comparable, leading to a coverage of the dsDNA molecule that consists of a small number of RecA domains. For the case of essentially irreversible binding (using ATPγS instead of ATP), we find that domain growth is highly asymmetric with a ratio of about 10:1 between the fast and slow fronts growth rates.
Multidimensional Intersection of Nicotine, Gene Expression, and Behavior
Authors: Sherafat Yasmine , Bautista Malia , Fowler Christie D.
Published: March 2021

The cholinergic system plays a crucial role in nervous system function with important effects on developmental processes, cognition, attention, motivation, reward, learning, and memory. Nicotine, the reinforcing component of tobacco and e-cigarettes, directly acts on the cholinergic system by targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain. Activation of nAChRs leads to a multitude of immediate and long-lasting effects in specific cellular populations, thereby affecting the addictive properties of the drug. In addition to the direct actions of nicotine in binding to and opening nAChRs, the subsequent activation of circuits and downstream signaling cascades leads to a wide range of changes in gene expression, which can subsequently alter further behavioral expression. In this review, we provide an overview of the actions of nicotine that lead to changes in gene expression and further highlight evidence supporting how these changes can often be bidirectional, thereby inducing subsequent changes in behaviors associated with further drug intake.
Neurorobotic Models of Neurological Disorders: A Mini Review
Authors: Pronin Savva , Wellacott Liam , Pimentel Jhielson , Moioli Renan C. , Vargas Patricia A.
Published: March 2021

Modeling is widely used in biomedical research to gain insights into pathophysiology and treatment of neurological disorders but existing models, such as animal models and computational models, are limited in generalizability to humans and are restricted in the scope of possible experiments. Robotics offers a potential complementary modeling platform, with advantages such as embodiment and physical environmental interaction yet with easily monitored and adjustable parameters. In this review, we discuss the different types of models used in biomedical research and summarize the existing neurorobotics models of neurological disorders. We detail the pertinent findings of these robot models which would not have been possible through other modeling platforms. We also highlight the existing limitations in a wider uptake of robot models for neurological disorders and suggest future directions for the field.