bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unleashing the full potential of digital outcome measures in clinical trials: eight questions that need attention
Authors: Tackney Mia S. , Carpenter James R. , Villar Sofía S.
Published: September 2024

The use of digital health technologies to measure outcomes in clinical trials opens new opportunities as well as methodological challenges. Digital outcome measures may provide more sensitive and higher-frequency measurements but pose vital statistical challenges around how such outcomes should be defined and validated and how trials incorporating digital outcome measures should be designed and analysed. This article presents eight methodological questions, exploring issues such as the length of measurement period, choice of summary statistic and definition and handling of missing data as well as the potential for new estimands and new analyses to leverage the time series data from digital devices. The impact of key issues highlighted by the eight questions on a primary analysis of a trial are illustrated through a simulation study based on the 2019 Bellerophon INOPulse trial which had time spent in MVPA as a digital outcome measure. These eight questions present broad areas where methodological guidance is needed to enable wider uptake of digital outcome measures in trials.
Estimating pneumococcal carriage dynamics in adults living with HIV in a mature infant pneumococcal conjugate vaccine programme in Malawi, a modelling study
Authors: Phiri Joseph , Sibale Lusako , Mlongoti Lukerensia , Mitole Ndaona , Kusakala Alice , Khwiya Mercy , Kayembe Thokozani , Lisimba Edwin , Kapwata Prosperina , Malisita Ken , Chaguza Chrispin , Ferreira Daniela M. , Thindwa Deus , Jambo Kondwani
Published: September 2024

Background

Adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (ALWHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) exhibit higher pneumococcal carriage prevalence than adults without HIV (HIV-). To assess factors influencing high pneumococcal carriage in ALWHIV, we estimated pneumococcal carriage acquisition and clearance rates in a high transmission and disease-burdened setting at least 10 years after introducing infant PCV13 in routine immunisation.

Methods

We collected longitudinal nasopharyngeal swabs from individuals aged 18–45 in Blantyre, Malawi. The study group included both HIV- individuals and those living with HIV, categorised based on ART duration as either exceeding 1 year (ART > 1y) or less than 3 months (ART < 3 m). Samples were collected at baseline and then weekly for 16 visits. To detect pneumococcal carriage, we used classical culture microbiology, and to determine pneumococcal serotypes, we used latex agglutination. We modelled trajectories of serotype colonisation using multi-state Markov models to capture pneumococcal carriage dynamics, adjusting for age, sex, number of under 5 year old (< 5y) children, social economic status (SES), and seasonality.

Results

We enrolled 195 adults, 65 adults in each of the study groups. 51.8% were females, 25.6% lived with more than one child under 5 years old, and 41.6% lived in low socioeconomic areas. The median age was 33 years (IQR 25–37 years). The baseline pneumococcal carriage prevalence of all serotypes was 31.3%, with non-PCV13 serotypes (NVT) at 26.2% and PCV13 serotypes (VT) at 5.1%. In a multivariate longitudinal analysis, pneumococcal carriage acquisition was higher in females than males (hazard ratio [HR], NVT [1.53]; VT [1.96]). It was also higher in low than high SES (NVT [1.38]; VT [2.06]), in adults living with 2 + than 1 child < 5y (VT [1.78]), and in ALWHIV on ART > 1y than HIV- adults (NVT [1.43]). Moreover, ALWHIV on ART > 1y cleared pneumococci slower than HIV- adults ([0.65]). Residual VT 19F and 3 were highly acquired, although NVT remained dominant.

Conclusions

The disproportionately high point prevalence of pneumococcal carriage in ALWHIV on ART > 1y is likely due to impaired nasopharyngeal clearance, which results in prolonged carriage. Our findings provide baseline estimates for comparing pneumococcal carriage dynamics after implementing new PCV strategies in ALWHIV.
Deoxyhypusine synthase deficiency syndrome zebrafish model: aberrant morphology, epileptiform activity, and reduced arborization of inhibitory interneurons
Authors: Shojaeinia Elham , Mastracci Teresa L. , Soliman Remon , Devinsky Orrin , Esguerra Camila V. , Crawford Alexander D.
Published: September 2024

DHPS deficiency syndrome is an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) which results from biallelic mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS). DHPS is essential to synthesize hypusine, a rare amino acid formed by post-translational modification of a conserved lysine in eukaryotic initiation factor 5 A (eIF5A). DHPS deficiency syndrome causes epilepsy, cognitive and motor impairments, and mild facial dysmorphology. In mice, a brain-specific genetic deletion of Dhps at birth impairs eIF5AHYP-dependent mRNA translation. This alters expression of proteins required for neuronal development and function, and phenotypically models features of human DHPS deficiency. We studied the role of DHPS in early brain development using a zebrafish loss-of-function model generated by knockdown of dhps expression with an antisense morpholino oligomer (MO) targeting the exon 2/intron 2 (E2I2) splice site of the dhps pre-mRNA. dhps knockdown embryos exhibited dose-dependent developmental delay and dysmorphology, including microcephaly, axis truncation, and body curvature. In dhps knockdown larvae, electrophysiological analysis showed increased epileptiform activity, and confocal microscopy analysis revealed reduced arborisation of GABAergic neurons. Our findings confirm that hypusination of eIF5A by DHPS is needed for early brain development, and zebrafish with an antisense knockdown of dhps model features of DHPS deficiency syndrome.
Impact of a transformative health literacy model for Thai older adults with hypertension
Authors: Sukcharoen Pilaiporn , Sakunpong Nanchatsan , Polruk Jidapa , Chumdaeng Sureeporn
Published: September 2024

Background

Hypertension is the important risk factor for cause disability and death, particularly if there is a loss of self-care knowledge. Health literacy encompasses the comprehension and awareness of health-related information, which is beneficial for managing the health of older adults with hypertension. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of a transformative health literacy model to develop the health literacy levels among Thai senior citizen with hypertension.

Method

This research employed an experiment. Thirty-six participants engaged in the transformative health literacy model. The instrument is the health literacy in hypertension scale, which had acceptable reliability and validity.

Results

The study revealed that the level of health literacy in the post-test and follow-up phases of the experimental group who received the health literacy promotion model was significantly higher than the pre-test level of health literacy at a significance level of 0.05.

Conclusion

The study outcomes create a new pathway to enhancements of health literacy in Thai older adults with hypertension.
A multi-view feature representation for predicting drugs combination synergy based on ensemble and multi-task attention models
Authors: Monem Samar , Hassanien Aboul Ella , Abdel-Hamid Alaa H.
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes a novel multi-view ensemble predictor model that is designed to address the challenge of determining synergistic drug combinations by predicting both the synergy score value values and synergy class label of drug combinations with cancer cell lines. The proposed methodology involves representing drug features through four distinct views: Simplified Molecular-Input Line-Entry System (SMILES) features, molecular graph features, fingerprint features, and drug-target features. On the other hand, cell line features are captured through four views: gene expression features, copy number features, mutation features, and proteomics features. To prevent overfitting of the model, two techniques are employed. First, each view feature of a drug is paired with each corresponding cell line view and input into a multi-task attention deep learning model. This multi-task model is trained to simultaneously predict both the synergy score value and synergy class label. This process results in sixteen input view features being fed into the multi-task model, producing sixteen prediction values. Subsequently, these prediction values are utilized as inputs for an ensemble model, which outputs the final prediction value. The ‘MVME’ model is assessed using the O’Neil dataset, which includes 38 distinct drugs combined across 39 distinct cancer cell lines to output 22,737 drug combination pairs. For the synergy score value, the proposed model scores a mean square error (MSE) of 206.57, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 14.30, and a Pearson score of 0.76. For the synergy class label, the model scores 0.90 for accuracy, 0.96 for precision, 0.57 for kappa, 0.96 for the area under the ROC curve (ROC-AUC), and 0.88 for the area under the precision-recall curve (PR-AUC).
RACK1 and NEK7 mediate GSDMD-dependent macrophage pyroptosis upon Streptococcus suis infection
Authors: Shen Xin , Ran Jinrong , Yang Qingqing , Li Bingjie , Lu Yi , Zheng Jiajia , Xu Liuyi , Jia Kaixiang , Li Zhiwei , Peng Lianci , Fang Rendong
Published: September 2024

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is an important zoonotic pathogen that induces an NLRP3-dependent cytokine storm. NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggers not only an inflammatory response but also pyroptosis. However, the exact mechanism underlying S. suis-induced macrophage pyroptosis is not clear. Our results showed that SS2 induced the expression of pyroptosis-associated factors, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, propidium iodide (PI) uptake and GSDMD-N expression, as well as NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion. However, GSDMD deficiency and NLRP3 inhibition using MCC950 attenuated the SS2-induced expression of pyroptosis-associated factors, suggesting that SS2 induces NLRP3-GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis. Furthermore, RACK1 knockdown also reduced the expression of pyroptosis-associated factors. In addition, RACK1 knockdown downregulated the expression of NLRP3 and Pro-IL-1β as well as the phosphorylation of P65. Surprisingly, the interaction between RACK1 and P65 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation, indicating that RACK1 induces macrophage pyroptosis by mediating the phosphorylation of P65 to promote the transcription of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β. Similarly, NEK7 knockdown decreased the expression of pyroptosis-associated factors and ASC oligomerization. Moreover, the results of co-immunoprecipitation revealed the interaction of NEK7-RACK1-NLRP3 during SS2 infection, demonstrating that NEK7 mediates SS2-induced pyroptosis via the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. These results demonstrate the important role of RACK1 and NEK7 in SS2-induced pyroptosis. Our study provides new insight into SS2-induced cell death.
Validation of Rosenberg self-esteem scale among Norwegian adolescents – psychometric properties across samples
Authors: Moksnes U.K , Espnes G.A , Eilertsen M.E.B , Bjørnsen H.N , Ringdal R , Haugan Gørill
Published: September 2024

Background

Self-esteem refers to the evaluative and affective dimensions of the self-concept and is important for positive mental health and overall functioning during adolescence. The Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (RSES) is one of the most frequently used and widely accepted instruments assessing self-esteem; however, the psychometric properties of the instrument have not been investigated in a Norwegian adolescent population. The present study’s aim is to investigate the factor structure, construct validity and reliability of the RSES among adolescents 14–21 years.

Methods

The study was based on two cross-sectional samples (n = 1,233/ n = 1,816) of adolescents from rural and urban areas in Mid-Norway. Concerning the dimensionality of the RSES, two measurement models were tested using Principal Component Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis: a one-factor model and a two-factor-model.

Results

The results show that a two-factor solution of positive and negative aspects of self-esteem representing “perceived personal competence” and “self-value” had the best fit across the two adolescent samples. The RSES also showed high reliability and correlated in expected directions with measures of life satisfaction, stress, and self-efficacy, supporting the convergent validity of the instrument.

Conclusion

The psychometric properties of the RSES need to be further evaluated in Norwegian adolescent populations based on the dimensionality found in the present study; however overall, the results indicate that the instrument is appropriate for assessing self-esteem among Norwegian adolescents.
Reinforcement structure design and matrix model establishment of tubular 3D weaving based on ordinary loom
Authors: Wang Xu , Li Shaocong , Xiang Duowen
Published: September 2024

In order to optimize the design of three-dimensional tubular woven (3DTW), a design method and matrix model of 3DTW were proposed based on normal loom, where 3D woven was used as tube wall and the weaving method of tubular fabric was applied. Herein, 3D woven was used as the tube wall to obtain the face weave diagram, and the back weave diagram was subsequently obtained by the “negative flip” method. According to the method of layering weaving, the structure diagram of 3DTW could be determined. In order to obtain back weave matrix, the elements in the face weave matrix were replaced and reordered by MATLAB function, and Kronecker product operation was used to achieve the proportional embedding of the face and the back weave matrix and the assignment of the face warp by lifting point elements when weaving the back weft. Finally, the weave matrix of 3DTW was obtained. The proposed design method and matrix model can improve the design efficiency and reduce weaving cost of 3DTW, which could provide a reference for the design and preparation of 3DTW.
Ethanol extract of Nymphaea lotus Linn. inhibited hepatic fibrogenesis in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated Wistar rats
Authors: Oyeyemi Ifeoluwa Temitayo , Adesina Isaac Ayodeji , Sulaiman Kabirat Adedunmola , Ajayi Ifeoluwa Temitope , Nabofa Enivwenaye Egide Williams
Published: September 2024

Background

Nymphaea lotus is a plant used as food and to manage various ailments including liver diseases. Liver fibrosis is a pathological state which progresses to more chronic and fatal liver diseases but without any approved drug yet. This study thus aimed to investigate the anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of N. lotus.

Methodology

Liver fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4:Olive oil, 1:1 ip). Fibrotic animals were treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt. N. lotus extract. The activities of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), in the serum, and levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver, and histopathology of the liver were determined. The expression of fibrosis-related proteins namely alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen-4 (COL4A), Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (SMAD2), SMAD3 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) in the liver was also evaluated. Molecular docking and simulation analysis of N. lotus-derived phytochemicals to TGFβ1 and SMAD3 was also performed.

Results

The extract significantly reduced the levels of ALT, AST, and MDA, increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes namely; SOD and GSH, and downregulated the expression of fibrosis-related proteins namely α-SMA, COL4A, TGFβ1, SMAD3 and MMP2. It also ameliorated CCl4-induced hepatic lesions. N. lotus-derived phytochemicals also showed a good binding affinity and interaction with the active sites of TGFβ1 and SMAD3.

Conclusion

N. lotus inhibited liver fibrosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and the TGFβ/SMAD signalling pathway. This demonstrates its beneficial and protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatoxicity and thus supports its use for the traditional management of liver diseases.
Validity and reliability of the Chinese version of human–robot interaction self-efficacy scale in Chinese adults
Authors: Gao Huixin , Wang Wei , Huang Chengli , Xie Xinru , Wang Duming , Gao Wei , Cai Jie
Published: September 2024

Background

With the fast-paced advancements of robot technology, human–robot interaction (HRI) has become increasingly popular and complex, and self-efficacy in HRI has received extensive attention. Despite its popularity, this topic remains understudied in China.

Objective

In order to provide a psychometrically sound instrument in China, this study aimed to translate and validate the Self-Efficacy in Human–Robot Interaction Scale (SE-HRI) in two Chinese adult samples (N1 = 300, N2 = 500).

Methods

The data was analyzed by SPSS 26.0 and Amos 24.0. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were conducted using Sample 1 data. Confirmatory factor analysis, criterion-related validity analysis, and reliability analysis were then performed using Sample 2 data.

Results

The results revealed that the Chinese SE-HRI scale consisted of 13 items in a two-factor model, suggesting a good model fit. Moreover, general self-efficacy and willingness to accept the use of artificial intelligence (AI) were both positively correlated with self-efficacy in HRI, while negative attitudes toward robots showed an inverse correlation, proving the Chinese SE-HRI scale exhibited excellent criterion-related validity.

Conclusion

The Chinese SE-HRI scale is a reliable assessment tool for evaluating self-efficacy in HRI in China. The study discussed implications and limitations, and suggested future directions.
Psychometric properties of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form in a Peruvian sample
Authors: González-López Katlin T. , Vásquez-Chingay Sheyra N. , Rodrigo-Tintaya Raquel A. , Leiva-Colos Flor V. , Morales-García Wilter C. , Adriano-Rengifo Cristian E.
Published: September 2024

Background

The stress experienced by parents in fulfilling their parental role has consequences for couple dynamics, parent–child interactions, and the mental health of parents. However, studies on the psychometric properties of the PSI-SF, particularly among Latin American parents, are scarce. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF).

Methods

The participants were Peruvian mothers and fathers with children in early childhood and primary education, with a mean age of 34.4 years (SD = 6.8). The sample was obtained in two phases: 130 participants for the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and 791 participants for the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).

Results

The study results show a modified three-factor structure of the PSI-SF scale, with adequate fit indices (GFI = .99, AGFI = .99, SRMR = .024, CFI = .98, TLI = .98, RMSEA = .074) and loadings above 0.40. Additionally, the three factors of the scale demonstrated high reliability, with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values for Parental Distress (α = .94; ω = .95), Parent–Child Dysfunctional Interaction (α = .97; ω = .97), and Difficult Child (α = .94; ω = .94). The scale was also found to be invariant with respect to gender.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study results suggest that the modified PSI-SF has adequate psychometric properties and is invariant for assessing parental stress in Peruvian fathers and mothers with children in early childhood and primary education.
Role of photosensitizer in control of mealybug and scale insects (Homoptera: Margarodidae and Diaspididae), in comparison with conventional insecticide
Authors: Salem Hamdy Abdel-Naby , Sabry Al-kazafy Hassan , El-den Aref Noeman Bahaa
Published: September 2024

Background

Two photosensitizer agents were used: rose bengal and eosin alone and mixed with soap. Two other chemical compounds were used: active cable oil and soap. All these materials were compared with malathion as a conventional insecticide. The Egyptian mealybug Icerya aegyptiaca attacking ornamental–medicinal plants (acalypha and rose shrubs) and the black Parlatoria scale Parlatoria ziziphus attacking sour orange were evaluated against the tested materials.

Results

The results obtained suggest that soap, rose bengal mixed, eosin mixed, malathion and active cable oil revealed potency in reducing the population of I. aegyptiaca by 57.24, 87.25, 75.62, 98.71 and 59.91%, respectively, on rose; and by 54.91, 82.64, 62.48, 96.67 and 48.13%, respectively, on acalypha shrubs; their potency on insects showed a significant difference on infested rose than on infested acalypha. The tested compounds revealed lower potency in reducing the population of P. ziziphus than malathion. Reduction percentages were 35.43, 40.39, 34.25, 91.81 and 28.21%, respectively. The accumulation potency of the tested compounds on two insects collectively, without regard to insect species, stages or infested plant species, was assessed at 51.49, 66.18, 55.86, 94.37 and 44.69, respectively. The obtained results confirmed that malathion was the most effective agent against both tested insects, followed by rose bengal mixed with soap, eosin mixed with soap, soap alone and active cable oil.

Conclusions

The obtained results showed that rose bengal (as a photosensitizers) mixed with soap can be used as a promising agent against all tested insects.
Shear wave elastography as a diagnostic tool in biliary atresia and liver fibrosis
Authors: Elzayat Wessam Abdelrahman , Hussien Aya Bahaa , Adel Noha , Emad-Eldin Sally
Published: September 2024

Background

The study aims to investigate Shear Wave Elastography's accuracy in assessing pediatric cholestasis and differentiating biliary atresia from other causes. The early diagnosis of cholestasis in newborns, when caused by true liver disease and not physiological or transient jaundice is usually eluded. To maximize the diagnostic reliability of ultrasound as an initial imaging modality to diagnose biliary atresia, ultrasound elastography has been introduced as a quantitative non-invasive sonographic technique to measure liver stiffness which is presumed to be different in biliary atresia from other cholestasis as well as follow-up liver stiffness post-Kasai operation.

Results

Ten patients (34.48%) were diagnosed with cholestasis with normal/low GGT. Five patients (17.24%) were diagnosed with hepatitis, and 2 patients had syndromes (10.34%). Other causes were found in 11 patients (37.93%). Major bile duct obstruction with fibrosis/cirrhosis was the majority of findings found in biliary atresia patients (100%), most of them with mild fibrosis (40%), followed by moderate (36.67%), then marked fibrosis (13.33%) and secondary cirrhosis (10%). ROC curve analysis shows that the best cut-off value for SWE = 1.97 with a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 83.5%, with positive and negative predictive values were 82.8% and 74.1%, respectively. Mean shear wave elastography was significantly higher among the biliary atresia group (median 2.86) than in non-biliary atresia (median 1.81) and control groups (median 1.64) (P < 0.001) The best cut-off value of shear wear elastography for predicting outcome in pediatric patients post-Kasai procedure was 3.55, with a sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 64.7%, positive and negative predictive values were 25% and 91.7% respectively, with accuracy 65%.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that shear-wave elastography is a useful diagnostic tool for differentiating biliary atresia from other causes of cholestasis in pediatric patients, with a high sensitivity and specificity. Further studies are needed to validate the findings and determine the optimal cut-off value for shear wear elastography in clinical practice.
Neuropathic pain, antidepressant drugs, and inflammation: a narrative review
Authors: Catalisano Giulia , Campione Gioacchina Martina , Spurio Giulia , Galvano Alberto Nicolò , di Villalba Cesira Palmeri , Giarratano Antonino , Alongi Antonietta , Ippolito Mariachiara , Cortegiani Andrea
Published: September 2024

Background

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic and disabling condition, caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system, characterized by a systemic inflammatory state. Signs and associated symptoms are rarely recognized, and response to usual analgesic drugs is poor. Antidepressant drugs are first-line agents for the treatment of NP. This narrative review aims to summarize the role of antidepressant drugs in treating NP and their mechanism of action, focusing on the effects on inflammatory cytokines.

Main text.

Peripheral nerve injury leads to a local inflammatory response and to the disruption of the blood-medullary barrier, allowing the influx of peripheral immune cells into the central nervous system. Antidepressants have antinociceptive effects because they recruit long-term neuronal plasticity. Amitriptyline modulates the inflammatory response due to the reduction of the mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines acting as an adenosine agonist and leading to the activation of the A3AR receptor. Through toll-like receptors, local inflammation determines the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) that drives and stimulates the hyperflammation in NP. Nortriptyline has an important antiallodynic effect in NP as it determines the recruitment of norepinephrine in the dorsal root ganglia. By modulating the β2-adrenoreceptors expressed by non-neuronal satellite cells, it inhibits the local production of TNF-α and determines a reduction of NP symptoms. Following the administration of antidepressants, there is a reduction in the production of TNF-α in the brain which in turn transforms the function of the α2-adrenergic receptor from an inhibitor to an activator of the release of norepinephrine. This is important to prevent the development of chronic pain.

Conclusion

Inflammatory cytokines are the main players in a bidirectional communication between the central and peripheral nervous system and the immune system in NP. Antidepressants have an important role in NP. Further research should explore the interaction between neuroinflammation in NP, the effects of antidepressants and the clinical relevance of this interaction.
Bending the “Iron Triangle”
Authors: Sheingate Adam
Published: September 2024

The “iron triangle” concept originated in a set of debates about power and influence in the US political system. Applied to agriculture, the iron triangle described a set of political relationships in which farmers and their representatives enjoyed a privileged position in the policy process. Although the contemporary reality is much messier than the triangle metaphor implies, agricultural policy in the United States continues to reflect the power and influence of large-scale commercial farmers and their allies in adjacent sectors such as insurance and banking. This continued dominance reflects an ongoing process of political and policy adaptation that enables the productivist core of the farm sector to retain much of its power despite broader changes in the political and economic context of US agriculture.
The Marginalization of the Environment in Agricultural Policy
Authors: Secchi Silvia
Published: September 2024

From its inception, US settler agriculture has used extractive and unsustainable practices. Farm bill agricultural conservation policy since the 1930s has been based on largely ineffective approaches unable to address the environmental problems caused by agriculture. Conservation policies have consistently had both income support and environmental purposes, and have been largely countercyclical: conservation funding decreases when crop and livestock prices are higher, as income support becomes less important. This happens even though higher prices typically cause environmental stressors to get worse, indicating that conservation is ancillary to productivist goals. This is also apparent from the repeated funding of production-enhancing practices under the guise of conservation. In parallel terms, environmental concerns were and remain peripheral to the “iron triangle” conceptualization. The still-marginal role that environmental issues play in agricultural policy is a huge problem, particularly as climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation become more crucial in the farm sector.
Ending Neoliberalism
Authors: Vallelly Neil
Published: September 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new round of obituaries for neoliberalism, with some declaring that we have entered the stage of “postneoliberalism.” Rather than weighing in on the debates about whether neoliberalism has or has not ended, this article reflects on the theoretical framework in which neoliberalism's end has come to be posited. The article calls this framework “ending,” which allows the theorist to make “imaginative investments in coherent patterns” (Frank Kermode) with beginnings, middles, and ends. By drawing on Kermode's literary theory, the article lays out three key features of ending as a theoretical framework: a teleological vision of history; a Euro- and Anglocentric view of neoliberalism; and a distinction between a neoliberal policy paradigm and modes of subjectification. The article then goes on to explore the political limitations of ending, especially for the left, through a reading of Gary Gerstle's The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order (2022). To finish, the article seeks to resurrect ending as a metatheoretical device in which ending as a framework becomes the subject of theorization. Doing so, the article proposes, helps the left to reflect on the position from which it analyzes neoliberalism, as well as to better connect such reflection to concrete political projects that seek to actively end neoliberalism.
Public Discourse and Socially Responsible Market Behavior
Authors: Bartling Björn , Valero Vanessa , Weber Roberto A. , Yao Lan
Published: September 2024

We investigate the causal impact of public discourse on socially responsible market behavior. Across three laboratory experiments, having market participants engage in public discourse generally increases market social responsibility. These positive impacts are robust to variation in several characteristics of the discourse. We provide evidence that discourse strengthens beliefs that others support socially responsible exchange. However, relaxing requirements to engage in discourse sharply reduces its effectiveness. Our findings suggest that campaigns encouraging discussion of appropriate market behavior can have sizable impacts on addressing inefficiencies due to market failures but that policies encouraging broad public engagement may be important. (JEL C92, D62, D83, D91, P36, M14, Z13)
Sufficient Statistics for Nonlinear Tax Systems with General Across-Income Heterogeneity
Authors: Ferey Antoine , Lockwood Benjamin B. , Taubinsky Dmitry
Published: September 2024

This paper provides empirically implementable sufficient statistics formulas for optimal nonlinear tax systems in the presence of across-income heterogeneity in preferences, inheritances, income-shifting capabilities, and other sources. We characterize optimal smooth tax systems on income and savings (or other commodities), as well as simpler tax systems. We use familiar elasticity concepts and a novel sufficient statistic for heterogeneity correlated with earnings ability: the difference between across-income variation in savings and the causal effect of income on savings. We apply these formulas to the United States and find that the optimal savings tax is mostly positive and progressive. (JEL E21, G51, H21, H24)
Rising Top, Falling Bottom: Industries and Rising Wage Inequality
Authors: Haltiwanger John , Hyatt Henry R. , Spletzer James R.
Published: September 2024

Most of the rise in overall earnings inequality from 1996 to 2018 is accounted for by rising between-industry dispersion. The contribution of industries is right-skewed with the top 10 percent of four-digit NAICS industries dominating. The top 10 percent are clustered in high-paying high-tech and low-paying retail sectors. In the top industries, high-wage workers are increasingly sorted to high-wage industries with rising industry premia. In the bottom industries, low-wage workers are increasingly sorted into lowwage industries, with rising employment and falling industry wage premia. (JEL J23, J24, J31, L25, M52)
Παραγωγή φορέων FV για τη δημιουργία iPSC και κυττάρων CAR-T προερχόμενων από αιμοποιητικά κύτταρα
Authors: Σημαντηράκης Εμμανουήλ
Published: September 2024

Η γονιδιακή θεραπεία (ΓΘ) στοχεύει στην θεραπεία μονογονιδιακών νόσων μέσω της γενετικής τροποποίησης οργανισμών ή κυττάρων. Οι ιικές μέθοδοι γονιδιακής μεταφοράς έχουν επικρατήσει στις εφαρμογές γονιδιακής θεραπείας λόγω της ευκολίας παραγωγής των φορέων και της αποδοτικότητας της γενετικής μεταφοράς. Εκτός από την εφαρμογή της ΓΘ στα μονογονιδιακά νοσήματα, μεγάλο πεδίο εφαρμογής έχει βρει η γονιδιακή μεταφορά στη δημιουργία των CΑR Τ κυττάρων κάτι που έφερε επανάσταση στην ανοσοθεραπεία του καρκίνου, καθώς επέτρεψε στα Τ λεμφοκύτταρα να στοχεύουν αντιγόνα του όγκου ανεξάρτητα του Μείζονος συμπλέγματος ιστοσυμβατότητας-Ι. Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν η παραγωγή iPSC κυττάρων μέσω ενός συστήματος φορέων FV για την ανεξάντλητη παραγωγή Τ-κυττάρων και CAR-Τ κυττάρων. Λόγω αδυναμιών του συστήματος να επιτύχει πλήρη επαναπρογραμματισμό, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν Τ-κύτταρα από μονάδες ομφαλοπλακουντιακού αίματος και από υγιείς δότες.Αναπτύχθηκαν Lenti- και Foamy Virus φορείς για την κατασκευή CAR T κυττάρων με ειδικότητα ενάντια στο CD19 αντιγόνο επιφανείας. Οι φορείς παρήγαγαν υψηλούς ιικούς τίτλους και χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για την κατασκευή αντι-CD19 CΑR Τ κυττάρων από Τ λεμφοκύτταρα που απομονώθηκαν από μονάδες ΟΠΑ ή από περιφερικό αίμα υγιών δοτών. Η ικανότητα μεταγωγής των FV φορέων για να παράγουν CAR T ήταν συγκρίσιμη με εκείνη των LV ανεξάρτητα από την προέλευση των Τ λεμφοκυττάρων. Η έκφραση των CAR στην επιφάνεια των κυττάρων ήταν υψηλή τόσο για τα FV CAR19 T όσο και για τα LV CAR 19 T κύτταρα. Λειτουργικά όσον αφορά τον κυτταροτοξικό μηχανισμό τα FV CAR19 T εμφάνιζαν συγκρίσιμη κυτταροτοξική δράση ενάντια στην CD19+ κυτταρική σειρά Raji με τα LV CAR 19 T. Η ανάλυση των θέσεων ενσωμάτωσης των FV φορέων στα FV CAR19 T από περιφερικό αίμα έδειξε να είναι τυχαία και πάνω από τις μισές θέσεις ενσωμάτωσης ταυτοποιήθηκαν σε διαγονιδιακές περιοχές. Εν κατακλείδι, αναπτύξαμε FV και LV φορείς για την παραγωγή antiCD19 CAR-T κυττάρων, πιστοποιήσαμε τη λειτουργικότητά τους και θέσαμε τη βάση για τη χρήση Τ-κυττάρων από μονάδες ΟΠΑ που ήταν προς απόρριψη συμβάλλοντας στη λειτουργική αξιολόγηση ενός ανθρώπινου προϊόντος σε μία νέα εφαρμογή.
Συνδυάζοντας Πολυγραμματισμούς με τη μεθοδολογία STEAM στο σύγχρονο σχολείο
Authors: Φώτη Παρασκευή
Published: September 2024

Οι Πολυγραμματισμοί αναγνωρίζουν τις ποικίλες μορφές γραμματισμού που απαιτούνται στον σημερινό πολύπλοκο και ταχέως μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο. Η έννοια των πολυγραμματισμών υπερβαίνει τις παραδοσιακές έννοιες της ανάγνωσης και της γραφής, ενσωματώνοντας ένα ευρύτερο φάσμα δεξιοτήτων, όπως ο ψηφιακός γραμματισμός, ο οπτικός γραμματισμός, η πολιτισμική επάρκεια και η κριτική σκέψη. Στο σύγχονο σχολείο, οι εκπαιδευτικοί στοχεύουν να εξοπλίσουν τους μαθητές με την ικανότητα να πλοηγούνται και να επικοινωνούν αποτελεσματικά με διάφορους τρόπους επικοινωνίας και μέσα. Αυτό περιλαμβάνει την κατανόηση και την παραγωγή γραπτών κειμένων, καθώς και την ενασχόληση με οπτικές, ηχητικές και ψηφιακές πληροφορίες προετοιμάζοντας τους μαθητές και μαθήτες για τις απαιτήσεις μιας παγκοσμιοποιημένης και τεχνολογικά καθοδηγούμενης κοινωνίας. Μέσα από την παρούσα εργασία, θα συνδυαστεί η συμβολή των πολυγραμματισμών με τη μεθοδολογία STEAM (Επιστήμες, Τεχνολογία, Μηχανική, Τέχνες, Μαθηματικά) με στόχο η συνδυασμένη χρήση αυτών των δύο προσεγγίσεων να ενισχύσει την εκπαίδευση με ενδιαφέρον και πολυπολιτισμικό περιεχόμενο μέσα από την παρουσίαση και αξιολόγηση από εκπαιδευτικούς σε όλη την επικράτεια, δύο εγκεκριμένων έργων STEAM στα πλαίσια Εργαστηρίων Δεξιοτήτων του Ινστιτούτου Εκπαιδευτικής Πολιτικής.
Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild animals from two zoological parks in Algiers, Algeria.
Authors: Cherif AM , Benfodil K , Khouchene N , Ansel S , Ait-Oudhia KH
Published: September 2024

Toxoplasmosis is the most frequent parasitic diseases in the world. Caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, itcouldaffect most warm-blooded animals howeveronly felids are its definitive hosts. Eighty-sixblood samples were collected from different animal species raised in captivity withintwo Zoological Parksofthe Algiers urban area. Sera from eighteen birds and sixty eighty mammals were assayed for the presence of T. gondii antibodies by the ELISA test. The overall prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection was 58.1%. By ELISA, T. gondii antibodies were found in 38.9% of birds, in 75% of primates, in 75% of carnivores and in 56.8% of herbivores. All seropositive animals were apparently healthy. This contribution represents the first report ofT.gondiiseroprevalence in captive wild animals from Algiers zoological Parks. The obtained results indicate a widespread exposure of Algerianzoo animals in to T. gondii.
Redox Balance in Van Cats and It’s Association with Age, Gender and Eye Color
Authors: Bilgic B , Özkan C , Moscati L , Kaya A , Dokuzeylül B , Kayar A , Or ME
Published: September 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stress index and redox balance in healthy Van cats and to evaluate it’s association with gender, age and eye color.
Methods: 80 healthy Van cats from different eye color, gender and age were used in the study. All cats were grouped according to their age (A) as <12 months (A1, n=30), ≥1 and <3 years (A2, n= 22), ≥3 and <5 years (A3, n=12) ve ≥5 years (A4, n= 16); eye color (E) from left to right as blue-blue (E1, n=31), blue-amber (E2, n= 19), amber-blue (E3, n= 12), amber-amber (E4, n= 19) respectively and gender (G) as female (G1, n=43) and male (G2, n=37). Blood serum ROM (D-Roms test, Diacron; Grosseto, Italy) and PAO (Diacron, Grosseto, Italy) were analyzed and OSI was measured in all groups.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between age, gender and eye color regarding ROM, PAO and OSI in healthy Van cats. Mean ROM (H2O2/dL), PAO (HClO/ml) and OSI CarrU/(µmol HClO/ml)) were 1.79, 434.8 and 0.05, respectively ( P>0.05).
Conclusions: Since oxidative stress plays a critical role as a biomarker of various diseases, determination of redox balance may provide a useful tool in healthy Van cats. It was observed that ROM, PAO and OSI were not affected by age, gender and eye color in healthy Van cats. Breed differences among cat population may lead to dramatic changes in redox balance.
Effect of partial replacement of dimethyl sulfoxide with dextran, polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol on post-thaw drone semen quality and queen fertility
Authors: Nur Z , Şen H , Toker MB , Alcay S , Ustuner B , Gokce E , Onder NT , Çakmak İ , Çakmak SS , Soylu MK
Published: September 2024

The aim of this study was to elucidate the toxicity effect of widely used penetrating cryoprotective agent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on frozen drone semen and fertility. DMSO was replaced totally or partially with either dextran, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), or polyethylene gylchol (PEG), which are non-penetrating cryoprotectants. The freezing extender with 12%, 8%, 4% and 0% DMSO were supplemented with 0%, 4%, 8% and 12% of dextran, PVP, or PEG, respectively. For all treatment groups, the final cryoprotectant concentration was 12%. Dextran4, PVP4, and DMSO12 groups with good post-thaw motility, plasma membrane functional integrity that evaluated throughout the study and fresh semen were used for queen instrumental insemination (n=46). Two queen bees (4.4%) died due to manipulation. Alive queens [24 (60%) of 44] had been observed to survive after a week, and 17 (71%) of these queens continued to survive after three months. At the end of three months, 15 (88%) of the alive queens continued to produce worker bees. There were no differences among insemination groups (P>0.05) for the rate of survival for three months and presence of worker broods. After overwintering, there were two queens from the PVP4 and three queens from the Dextran4 group that survived and one queen from PVP4 and two queens from Dextran4 group that continued to produce worker bees. In conclusion, addition of 4% Dextran or PVP as an extender containing 8% DMSO solution improves queen bees' worker egg-laying period, but the same results were not observed for the PEG containing groups.
Isolation and culture of feline keratinocytes and fibroblasts for the generation of artificial skin equivalent
Authors: Lavrentiadou S , Angelou V , Chatzimisios K , Papazoglou L
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to isolate and culture keratinocytes and fibroblasts from feline skin to ultimately create an artificial engineered skin, including dermis and epidermis, that would be applied for the effective treatment of large cutaneous deficits in cats. To date, no data have been reported on the isolation and culture of feline skin cells. To exploit the potential to grow in vitro and cryopreserve epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, skin biopsies were obtained using a 6 mm biopsy punch, from 8 healthy cats that underwent ovariohysterectomy. Fibroblasts were isolated following collagenase digestion of the dermis and were grown in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS. Keratinocytes were isolated from the epidermis following digestion with trypsin solution. Keratinocytes were grown on a collagen type I matrix, in a growth medium consisting of DMEM: F12 (3:1) medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 1 μM hydrocortisone, 1 μM isoproterenol, and 0.1 μM insulin. Both fibroblasts and keratinocytes were grown in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2 at 37oC. The medium was changed twice a week and cells were grown up to 80-85% confluency for 4 passages. Cells at passages 1-2 were cryopreserved in a freezing medium at -80oC. Fibroblast freezing medium consisted of DMEM supplemented with 30% FBS and 10% DMSO, whereas keratinocytes were cryopreserved in a keratinocyte growth medium supplemented with 10% DMSO. Both cell types were recovered following cryopreservation and cultured as described above until passage 4. Therefore, we can create a bank of fibroblasts and keratinocytes to recover cells for further culture and for the generation of autologous or heterologous skin equivalent in vitro. This is the first study reporting isolation and culture of keratinocytes and fibroblasts from feline skin, setting the grounds for the development of engineered feline skin.
The effect of dietary supplementation with natural antioxidants on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and intestinal microbial counts of broiler
Authors: Gumus R , Ercan N , Özbilgin A , Moğulkoç MN , İmik H
Published: September 2024

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different doses of curcumin and resveratrol added to the diet of broilers on growth performance, antioxidant metabolism and intestinal microflora. A total of 200 male broilers at the age of 0 days were used in the study. Groups of the study was designed in 5 groups as Control (CONT), CRM250, CRM500, RSV250 and RSV500, and 0, 250 mg kg-1 curcumin, 500 mg kg-1 curcumin, 250 mg kg-1 resveratrol and 500 mg kg-1 resveratrol were added to diets of the groups, respectively. Body weight (BW), average daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) values were found to be statistically similar in all groups (P > 0.05) at the end of the study. Feed consumption (FI) values are decreased in the CRM250 and CRM500 groups 28-35 between days, the CRM500 group in 0-42 between days (P < 0.05). It was determined that glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in serum was significantly increased in the CRM250 group (P < 0.05), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in thigh tissue was significantly increased in the CRM500 group (P < 0.01). Escherichia coli (E. coli) colonization in the intestinal flora was significantly reduced in the RSV500 group (P < 0.01). As a result, according to the findings obtained, it was seen that the additives applied did not have a negative effect on performance parameters, also had curative effects on antioxidant metabolism and intestinal microflora.
Postexposure Pestes-des-petits-ruminants vaccination with oxytetracycline therapy mitigates severe disease and increases survivability in natural infections
Authors: Ezeasor C , Shoyinka S , Emikpe B , Ihedioha J
Published: September 2024

The potentials of post-exposure intranasal (IN)  and subcutaneous (SC)  Peste des petits ruminants vaccination (PPRVc) with concurrent oxytetracycline (oxytet.) treatment in the management of PPR outbreaks in goats were investigated. Twenty-eight (28) West African dwarf goats, were randomly assigned into 7 groups: A (Oxytet.), B  (IN - PPRVc), C  (IN-PPRVc + Oxytet.), D (SC-PPRVc), E (SC-PPRVc + Oxytet.), F (Infected, untreated control), and G (Normal control). Natural PPRV infection was induced by the co-habitation method and following the onset of pyrexia in 75% of the goats, the interventions were administered accordingly.  The leukocytic profiles were evaluated on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 post-intervention (p.in). The clinical scores (CS), mortality pattern, lung lesion scores (LLS) and pathology were also evaluated post-intervention. A survivabilty score of 50% was observed in groups C and E with clinical scores of  2.06 and 3.90, while 100% mortality was recorded in the other groups with clinical scores of 4.38, 5.89, 7.05 and 6.92, for groups A, B, D and F, respectively. A mild decrease in the total leukocyte counts  and absolute lymphocytes counts was observed in all the PPRV exposed groups by day 3 through 5 p.in but increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups C and E by day 14 p.in. Also, groups C and E showed the least mean (s.e.m) lung lesion scores of 0.61(0.12) and 0.64(0.15), respectively and also showed a relatively normal pulmonary, illeal, splenic and lymph node histomorphology, compared to the other groups.  Postexposure PPR vaccination with concurrent oxytetracycline therapy significantly altered the known clinicopathology of PPR in goats, mitigated the disease severity and resulted in higher survivability in natural PPR infection.
Cross-sectional survey on bacterial co-infections in Peste des Petits Ruminants virus-infected small ruminants in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Chukwudi IC , Ogbu KI , Ugochukwu IC , Daodu OB , Duile PE , Obiekwe UC , Nwankwo SE , Animoke PC , Ikenna-Ezeh NH , Oyeleye O , Ogunniran TM , Momoh-Abdulateef H
Published: September 2024

Small ruminant productivity in Nigeria has been hampered by the Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus (PPRV) and a subsequent bacterial infection. It is vital to understand the most prevalent bacteria that might exacerbate PPRV disease in order to enhance the prognosis and treatment of PPRV patients. Sheep and goats offered for sale at local markets in Nigeria's Enugu state were examined for typical clinical manifestations of PPR infection and selected for this study. Two hundred and ten ocular, nasal and oral swab samples were collected from 70 sheep and goats. An additional 70 nasal swabs were collected for molecular confirmation by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, while the remainder were used for bacterial isolation and identification. The detection rate of the PPRV gene was 25.7% (18/70), affecting three sheep (4.3%; 3/70) and 15 goats (21.4%; 15/70). Based on the PPRV-positive animals, 72 bacterial isolates consisting of eight genera and eleven species were obtained. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated gram-positive bacterium (31.9%; 23/72), while Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated gram-negative bacterium (19.44%; 14/72). Staphylococci were the most frequently isolated bacteria from all samples. This study found that small ruminants infected with PPRV were sold in the study area, providing a potential means of spreading the disease to other animals. In addition, it is highlighted that several bacteria, some of which might belong to the normal flora, might complicate and worsen the clinical presentation of PPRV cases.