bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA barcoding echinoderms from the East Coast of South Africa. The challenge to maintain DNA data connected with taxonomy
Authors: Sonet Gontran , Smitz Nathalie , Vangestel Carl , Samyn Yves
Published: October 2022

Echinoderms are marine water invertebrates that are represented by more than 7000 extant species, grouped in five classes and showing diverse morphologies (starfish, sea lilies, feather stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle and basket stars). In an effort to further study their diversity, DNA barcodes (DNA fragments of the 5’ end of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, COI) have been used to complement morphological examination in identifying evolutionary lineages. Although divergent clusters of COI sequences were reported to generally match morphological species delineations, they also revealed some discrepancies, suggesting overlooked species, ecophenotypic variation or multiple COI lineages within one species. Here, we sequenced COI fragments of 312 shallow-water echinoderms of the East Coast of South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal Province) and compared morphological identifications with species delimitations obtained with four methods that are exclusively based on COI sequences. We identified a total of 103 morphospecies including 18 that did not exactly match described species. We also report 46 COI sequences that showed large divergences (>5% p-distances) with those available to date and publish the first COI sequences for 30 species. Our analyses also identified discordances between morphological identifications and COI-based species delimitations for a considerable proportion of the morphospecies studied here (49/103). For most of them, further investigation is necessary to keep a sound connection between taxonomy and the growing importance of DNA-based research.
Level of dietary adherence and determinants among type 2 diabetes population in Ethiopian: A systemic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Abate Teshager Weldegiorgis , Tareke Minale , Abate Selam , Tegenaw Abebu , Birhanu Minyichil , Yirga Alemshet , Tirfie Mulat , Genanew Ashenafi , Gedamu Haileyesus , Ayalew Emiru
Published: October 2022

Background

The beneficial effect of the dietary practice is significant reduction in the risk of developing diabetes related complication. Dietary practice among type 2 diabetes is not well-implemented in Ethiopia. Up to now, in the nation, several primary observational studies have been done on dietary adherence level and its determinants among type 2 diabetes. However, a comprehensive review that would have a lot of strong evidence for designing intervention is lacking. So, this review with a meta-analysis was conducted to bridge this gap.

Methods

A systematic review of an observational study is conducted following the PRISMA checklist. Three reviewers have been searched and extracted from the World Health Organization- Hinari portal (SCOPUS, African Index Medicus, and African Journals Online databases), PubMed, Google Scholar and EMBASE. Articles’ quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale by two independent reviewers, and only studies with low and moderate risk were included in the final analysis. The review presented the pooled proportion dietary adherence among type2 diabetes and the odds ratios of risk factors favor to dietary adherence after checking for heterogeneity and publication bias. The review has been registered in PROSPERO with protocol number CRD42020149475.

Results

We included 19 primary studies (with 6, 308 participants) in this meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of dietary adherence in the type 2 diabetes population was 41.05% (95% CI: 34.86–47.24, I2 = 93.1%). Educational level (Pooled Odds Ratio (POR): 3.29; 95%CI: 1.41–5.16; I2 = 91.1%), monthly income (POR: 2.50; 95%CI: 1.41–3.52; I2 = 0.0%), and who had dietary knowledge (POR: 2.19; 95%CI: 1.59–2.79; I2 = 0.0%) were statistically significant factors of dietary adherence.

Conclusion

The overall pooled proportion of dietary adherence among type 2 diabetes in Ethiopia was below half. Further works would be needed to improve dietary adherence in the type 2 diabetes population. So, factors that were identified might help to revise the plan set by the country, and further research might be required to health facility fidelity and dietary education according to diabetes recommended dietary guideline.
Disaggregating Asian American and Pacific Islander Risk of Fatal Police Violence
Authors: Schwartz Gabriel L. , Jahn Jaquelyn L.
Published: October 2022

High rates and racial inequities in U.S. fatal police violence are an urgent area of public health concern and policy attention. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have been described as experiencing low rates of fatal police violence, yet AAPI subgroups vary widely on nearly every demographic and economic metric. Here, we calculate fatal police violence rates by AAPI regional and national/ethnic background, finding wide variation. We compile a list of AAPI people killed in interactions with police in 2013–2019, then use web searches and surname algorithms to identify decedents’ backgrounds. Rates are then calculated by combining this numerator data with population denominators from the American Community Survey and fitting Poisson models. Excluding 18% of deaths with missing regional backgrounds, East and South Asian Americans died at a rate of 0.05 and 0.04 deaths per 100,000 (95% CI: 0.04–0.06 and 0.02–0.08), respectively, less than a third of Southeast Asian Americans’ rate (0.16, CI: 0.13–0.19). Pacific Islanders suffered higher rates (0.88, CI: 0.65–1.19), on par with Native and Black Americans. More granularly, Southeast Asian American groups displaced by US war in Southeast Asia suffered higher rates than others from the same region. Traditional racial classifications thus obscure high risks of fatal police violence for AAPI subgroups. Disaggregation is needed to improve responses to fatal police violence and its racial/ethnic inequities.
Household characteristics associated with surface contamination of SARS-CoV-2 and frequency of RT-PCR and viral culture positivity–California and Colorado, 2021
Authors: Shragai Talya , Pratt Caroline , Castro Georgi Joaudimir , Donnelly Marisa A. P. , Schwartz Noah G. , Soto Raymond , Chuey Meagan , Chu Victoria T. , Marcenac Perrine , Park Geun Woo , Ahmad Ausaf , Albanese Bernadette , Totten Sarah Elizabeth , Austin Brett , Bunkley Paige , Cherney Blake , Dietrich Elizabeth A. , Figueroa Erica , Folster Jennifer M. , Godino Claire , Herzegh Owen , Lindell Kristine , Relja Boris , Sheldon Sarah W. , Tong Suxiang , Vinjé Jan , Thornburg Natalie J. , Matanock Almea M. , Hughes Laura J. , Stringer Ginger , Hudziec Meghan , Beatty Mark E. , Tate Jacqueline E. , Kirking Hannah L. , Hsu Christopher H. ,   the COVID-19 Household Transmission Team
Published: October 2022

While risk of fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is considered low, there is limited environmental data within households. This January—April 2021 investigation describes frequency and types of surfaces positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) among residences with ≥1 SARS-CoV-2 infection, and associations of household characteristics with surface RT-PCR and viable virus positivity. Of 1232 samples from 124 households, 27.8% (n = 342) were RT-PCR positive with nightstands (44.1%) and pillows (40.9%) most frequently positive. SARS-CoV-2 lineage, documented household transmission, greater number of infected persons, shorter interval between illness onset and sampling, total household symptoms, proportion of infected persons ≤12 years old, and persons exhibiting upper respiratory symptoms or diarrhea were associated with more positive surfaces. Viable virus was isolated from 0.2% (n = 3 samples from one household) of all samples. This investigation suggests that while SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces is common, fomite transmission risk in households is low.
The mAB 13A4 monoclonal antibody to the mouse PROM1 protein recognizes a structural epitope
Authors: Matalkah Fatimah , Rhodes Scott , Ramamurthy Visvanathan , Stoilov Peter
Published: October 2022

PROM1 (CD133, AC133) is a protein that is required for the maintenance of primary cilia. Mutation in the Prom1 gene in humans and animal models are associated with several forms of retinal degeneration. mAB 13A4 is the main reagent used to detect the mouse PROM1 protein. We endeavored to map the epitope of the rat monoclonal antibody mAB 13A4 to the mouse PROM1 protein. Deletion mutagenesis demonstrated that mAB 13A4 recognizes a structural epitope that is stabilized by two of the extracellular domains of PROM1. Furthermore, the affinity of mAB 13A4 to the major PROM1 isoform in photoreceptor cells is significantly reduced due to the inclusion of a photoreceptor-specific alternative exon in the third extracellular domain. Interestingly, a deletion in the photoreceptor specific isoform of six amino acids adjacent to the alternative exon restored the affinity of mAB 13A4 to PROM1. The results of the mutagenesis are consistent with the computationally predicted helical bundle structure of PROM1 and point to the utility of mAB 13A4 for evaluating the effect of mutations on the PROM1 structure. Our results show that the PROM1 isoform composition needs to be considered when interpreting tissue and developmental expression data produced by mAB 13A4.
New insights into disordered proteins and regions according to the FOD-M model
Authors: Roterman Irena , Stapor Katarzyna , Fabian Piotr , Konieczny Leszek
Published: October 2022

A collection ofintrinsically disordered proteins(IDPs) having regions with the status ofintrinsically disordered(IDR) according to the Disprot database was analyzed from the point of view of the structure of hydrophobic core in the structural unit (chain / domain). The analysis includes all theHomo Sapiensas well asMus Musculusproteins present in the DisProt database for which the structure is available. In the analysis, the fuzzy oil drop modified model (FOD-M) was used, taking into account the external force field, modified by the presence of other factors apart from polar water, influencing protein structuring. The paper presents an alternative to secondary-structure-based classification ofintrinsically disordered regions(IDR). The basis of our classification is the ordering of hydrophobic core as calculated by the FOD-M model resulting inFOD-orderedorFOD-unorderedIDRs.
Postural-respiratory function of the diaphragm assessed by M-mode ultrasonography
Authors: Sembera Martin , Busch Andrew , Kobesova Alena , Hanychova Barbora , Sulc Jan , Kolar Pavel
Published: October 2022

Objectives

The diaphragm changes position and respiratory excursions during postural loading. However, it is unclear how it reacts to lifting a load while breath-holding or breathing with simultaneous voluntary contraction of the abdominal muscles (VCAM). This study analyzed diaphragm motion in healthy individuals during various postural-respiratory situations.

Methods

31 healthy participants underwent examination of the diaphragm using M-mode ultrasonography, spirometry, and abdominal wall tension (AWT) measurements. All recordings were performed simultaneously during three consecutive scenarios, i.e., 1. Lifting a load without breathing; 2. Lifting a load and breathing naturally; 3. Lifting a load and breathing with simultaneous VCAM.

Results

Using paired-samples t-tests, lifting a load without breathing displaced the diaphragm’s expiratory position more caudally (P < .001), with no change noted in the inspiratory position (P = .373). During lifting a load breathing naturally, caudal displacement of the diaphragm’s inspiratory position was presented (P < .001), with no change noted in the expiratory position (P = 0.20) compared to tidal breathing. Total diaphragm excursion was greater when loaded (P = .002). Lifting a load and breathing with VCAM demonstrated no significant changes in diaphragm position for inspiration, expiration, or total excursion compared to natural loaded breathing. For all scenarios, AWT measures were greater when lifting a load (P < .001).

Conclusion

In healthy individuals, caudal displacement and greater excursions of the diaphragm occurred when lifting a load. The postural function of the diaphragm is independent of its respiratory activity and is not reduced by the increase in AWT.
HIV-related challenges and women’s self-response: A qualitative study with women living with HIV in Indonesia
Authors: Fauk Nelsensius Klau , Gesesew Hailay Abrha , Mwanri Lillian , Hawke Karen , Ward Paul Russell
Published: October 2022

HIV infection is a major public health concern, with a range of negative impacts on People Living with HIV (PLHIV). A qualitative study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, using in-depth interviews with 26 Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) was conducted to understand HIV risk factors and impact and their access to HIV care services. This paper describes the self-response of WLHIV towards negative HIV-related experiences facing them and adds to the existing literature which tends to focus on HIV impact only, as opposed to strategies that many WLHIV have used to empower and educate themselves and their family/community. Participants were recruited using the snowball sampling technique. Data analysis was guided by a qualitative data analysis framework. Our study highlighted that WLHIV experienced psychological challenges, stigma and discrimination. However, they demonstrated remarkable self-response and capacity in pursuing effective strategies and support to protect themselves, and educating themselves and others around them to rebuild trust and regain respect and acceptance. Our findings indicate that the needs of WLHIV should be addressed through policy and practice to help them cope with HIV-related psychological and social challenges effectively. Family and community members seem to play an important role in those negative challenges against WLHIV, thus there is also a need for HIV education programs for family and community members to enhance their HIV-health literacy and acceptance of PLHIV.
Exploring the development, evaluation and implementation of complex health interventions to prevent early childhood caries in preschool children: A scoping review protocol
Authors: van Spreuwel Peggy C. J. M. , Munk-Overkamp Milou L. C. , Smit Linda C. , Ziesemer Kirsten A. , van Loveren Cor , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G. , Bruers Josef J. M. , Jerković-Ćosić Katarina
Published: October 2022

Objective

This scoping review aims to identify complex health interventions (CHI’s) to prevent early childhood caries (ECC), explore the level of complexity of the identified CHI’s, and explore the details of their development, evaluation, and implementation.

Introduction

Many interventions to prevent ECC have multiple interacting components and can be seen as CHI’s. Recent reviews on these interventions have found inconclusive effects, which may be due to differences in the development, evaluation, and implementation of CHI’s.

Inclusion criteria

This scoping review will consider clinical trials reporting CHI’s to prevent ECC that starts during pregnancy or in the first year of life. Studies in the English language will be included regardless of the country of origin, sociocultural setting, or context.

Methods

This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. An initial search of PubMed identified keywords and Medical Subject Headings terms. A second search of PubMed, Embase, Clarivate Analytics/Web of Science Core Collection, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Wiley/Cochrane Library will follow. Two independent reviewers will perform title and abstract screening, retrieve and review full-text studies, and extract data. The reference lists of all included sources will be screened for additional CHI’s or relevant publications about a specific CHI. Data charting will be utilised based on study characteristics and intervention complexity. A 39-item instrument will be used to explore the details in the description of the CHI’s development, evaluation, and implementation. The results will be presented in tables, visual outputs, and a narrative summary in response to the review questions.

Discussion

The proposed review will generate evidence which may provide a direction for the future design of studies on CHI’s to prevent ECC and more complete information for those who want to adopt successful interventions to prevent ECC.
Nickel contamination after minimally-invasive repair of pectus excavatum persists after bar removal
Authors: Fortmann Caroline , Goeen Thomas , Zinne Norman , Wiesner Soeren , Ure Benno M. , Petersen Claus , Kuebler Joachim F.
Published: October 2022

Background

Minimally-invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has been shown to be associated with high release of trace metals into patient’s body. The aim of our study was to analyze the kinetics of metal contamination after MIRPE and after bar removal.

Methods

We prospectively assessed nickel and chromium changes in blood, urine, and local tissue in patients undergoing MIRPE with stainless-steel bar(s). Baseline samples were taken prior to surgery, further samples were taken at six defined time points until 30 months after bar removal. Clinical symptoms were evaluated at the time of every sample collection.

Results

28 patients were included (mean age 16.4 years). At four weeks after MIRPE and persisting up to bar removal, we found significantly elevated trace metal levels in blood and urine. Tissue nickel and chromium levels were significantly elevated at the time of bar removal. After bar removal, the concentration of trace metal in urine and the concentration of chromium in plasma decreased gradually. In contrast, nickel levels in blood further increased. Five patients showed irritative symptoms after MIRPE, all symptomatic patients had elevated metal levels.

Conclusions

Following MIRPE, we found a rapid systemic increase of nickel and chromium. Our data indicate that trace metal release could cause irritative symptoms. The prolonged elevated systemic nickel levels beyond bar removal necessitate further investigations of the long-term side effects of MIRPE.
Surveillance, contact tracing and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in educational settings in Northern Italy, September 2020 to April 2021
Authors: Djuric Olivera , Larosa Elisabetta , Cassinadri Mariateresa , Cilloni Silvia , Bisaccia Eufemia , Pepe Davide , Vicentini Massimo , Venturelli Francesco , Bonvicini Laura , Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Pezzotti Patrizio , Mateo Urdiales Alberto , Bedeschi Emanuela ,   The Reggio Emilia Covid-19 Working Group
Published: October 2022

Background

The role of school contacts in the spread of the virus and the effectiveness of school closures in controlling the epidemic is still debated. We aimed to quantify the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the school setting by type of school, characteristics of the index case and calendar period in the Province of Reggio Emilia (RE), Italy. The secondary aim was to estimate the speed of implementation of contact tracing.

Methods

A population-based analysis of surveillance data on all COVID-19 cases occurring in RE, Italy, from 1 September 2020, to 4 April 2021, for which a school contact and/or exposure was suspected. An indicator of the delay in contact tracing was calculated as the time elapsed since the index case was determined to be positive and the date on which the swab test for classmates was scheduled (or most were scheduled).

Results

Overall, 30,184 and 13,608 contacts among classmates and teachers/staff, respectively, were identified and were recommended for testing, and 43,214 (98.7%) underwent the test. Secondary transmission occurred in about 40% of the investigated classes, and the overall secondary case attack rate was 4%. This rate was slightly higher when the index case was a teacher but with almost no differences by type of school, and was stable during the study period. Speed of implementation of contact tracing increased during the study period, with the time from index case identification to testing of contacts being reduced from seven to three days. The ability to identify the possible source of infection in the index case also increased.

Conclusions

Despite the spread of the Alpha variant during the study period in RE, the secondary case attack rate remained stable from school reopening in September 2020 until the beginning of April 2021.
Comparison of vaccination efficacy using live or ultraviolet-inactivated influenza viruses introduced by different routes in a mouse model
Authors: Baek Kyeongbin , Maharjan Sony , Akauliya Madhav , Thapa Bikash , Kim Dongbum , Kim Jinsoo , Kim Minyoung , Kang Mijeong , Kim Suyeon , Bae Joon-Yong , Lee Keun-Wook , Park Man-Seong , Lee Younghee , Kwon Hyung-Joo
Published: October 2022

Influenza is a major cause of highly contagious respiratory illness resulting in high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Annual vaccination is an effective way to prevent infection and complication from constantly mutating influenza strains. Vaccination utilizes preemptive inoculation with live virus, live attenuated virus, inactivated virus, or virus segments for optimal immune activation. The route of administration also affects the efficacy of the vaccination. Here, we evaluated the effects of inoculation with ultraviolet (UV)-inactivated or live influenza A virus strains and compared their effectiveness and cross protection when intraperitoneal and intramuscular routes of administration were used in mice. Intramuscular or intraperitoneal inoculation with UV-inactivated Influenza A/WSN/1933 provided some protection against intranasal challenge with a lethal dose of live Influenza A/WSN/1933 but only when a high dose of the virus was used in the inoculation. By contrast, inoculation with a low dose of live virus via either route provided complete protection against the same intranasal challenge. Intraperitoneal inoculation with live or UV-inactivated Influenza A/Philippines/2/1982 and intramuscular inoculation with UV-inactivated Influenza A/Philippines/2/1982 failed to produce cross-reactive antibodies against Influenza A/WSN/1933. Intramuscular inoculation with live Influenza A/Philippines/2/1982 induced small amounts of cross-reactive antibodies but could not suppress the cytokine storm produced upon intranasal challenge with Influenza A/WSN/1993. None of the tested inoculation conditions provided observable cross protection against intranasal challenge with a different influenza strain. Taken together, vaccination efficacy was affected by the state and dose of the vaccine virus and the route of administration. These results provide practical data for the development of effective vaccines against influenza virus.
Effective antibiotic dosing in the presence of resistant strains
Authors: Ali Asgher , Imran Mudassar , Sial Sultan , Khan Adnan
Published: October 2022

Mathematical models can be very useful in determining efficient and successful antibiotic dosing regimens. In this study, we consider the problem of determining optimal antibiotic dosing when bacteria resistant to antibiotics are present in addition to susceptible bacteria. We consider two different models of resistance acquisition, both involve the horizontal transfer (HGT) of resistant genes from a resistant to a susceptible strain. Modeling studies on HGT and study of optimal antibiotic dosing protocols in the literature, have been mostly focused on transfer of resistant genes via conjugation, with few studies on HGT via transformation. We propose a deterministic ODE based model of resistance acquisition via transformation, followed by a model that takes into account resistance acquisition through conjugation. Using a numerical optimization algorithm to determine the ‘best’ antibiotic dosing strategy. To illustrate our optimization method, we first consider optimal dosing when all the bacteria are susceptible to the antibiotic. We then consider the case where resistant strains are present. We note that constant periodic dosing may not always succeed in eradicating the bacteria while an optimal dosing protocol is successful. We determine the optimal dosing strategy in two different scenarios: one where the total bacterial population is to be minimized, and the next where we want to minimize the bacterial population at the end of the dosing period. We observe that the optimal strategy in the first case involves high initial dosing with dose tapering as time goes on, while in the second case, the optimal dosing strategy is to increase the dosing at the beginning of the dose cycles followed by a possible dose tapering. As a follow up study we intend to look at models where ‘persistent’ bacteria may be present in additional to resistant and susceptible strain and determine the optimal dosing protocols in this case.
The COVID-19 pandemic effect on the prehospital Madrid stroke code metrics and diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Riera-López Nicolás , Gaetano-Gil Andrea , Martínez-Gómez José , Rodríguez-Rodil Nuria , Fernández-Félix Borja M. , Rodríguez-Pardo Jorge , Cuadrado-Hernández Carmen , Martínez-González Emmanuel Pelayo , Villar-Arias Alicia , Gutiérrez-Sánchez Fátima , Busca-Ostolaza Pablo , Montero-Ruiz Eduardo , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio , Zamora Javier , Fuentes-Gimeno Blanca ,   on behalf of the Madrid Stroke Network
Published: October 2022

Background

Only very few studies have investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pre-hospital stroke code protocol. During the first wave, Spain was one of the most affected countries by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease pandemic. This health catastrophe overshadowed other pathologies, such as acute stroke, the leading cause of death among women and the leading cause of disability among adults. Any interference in the stroke code protocol can delay the administration of reperfusion treatment for acute ischemic strokes, leading to a worse patient prognosis. We aimed to compare the performance of the stroke code during the first wave of the pandemic with the same period of the previous year.

Methods

This was a multicentre interrupted time-series observational study of the cohort of stroke codes of SUMMA 112 and of the ten hospitals with a stroke unit in the Community of Madrid. We established two groups according to the date on which they were attended: the first during the dates with the highest daily cumulative incidence of the first wave of the COVID-19 (from February 27 to June 15, 2020), and the second, the same period of the previous year (from February 27 to June 15, 2019). To assess the performance of the stroke code, we compared each of the pre-hospital emergency service time periods, the diagnostic accuracy (proportion of stroke codes with a final diagnosis of acute stroke out of the total), the proportion of patients treated with reperfusion therapies, and the in-hospital mortality.

Results

SUMMA 112 activated the stroke code in 966 patients (514 in the pre-pandemic group and 452 pandemic). The call management time increased by 9% (95% CI: -0.11; 0.91; p value = 0.02), and the time on scene increased by 12% (95% CI: 2.49; 5.93; p value = <0.01). Diagnostic accuracy, and the proportion of patients treated with reperfusion therapies remained stable. In-hospital mortality decreased by 4% (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

During the first wave, a prolongation of the time “on the scene” of the management of the 112 calls, and of the hospital admission was observed. Prehospital diagnostic accuracy and the proportion of patients treated at the hospital level with intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy were not altered with respect to the previous year, showing the resilience of the stroke network and the emergency medical service.
Immunomodulatory effects of chicken cathelicidin-2 on a primary hepatic cell co-culture model
Authors: Sebők Csilla , Walmsley Stephanie , Tráj Patrik , Mackei Máté , Vörösházi Júlia , Petrilla Janka , Kovács László , Kemény Ágnes , Neogrády Zsuzsanna , Mátis Gábor
Published: October 2022

Cathelicidin-2 is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) produced as part of the innate immune system of chickens and might be a new candidate to combat infection and inflammation within the gut-liver axis. Studying the hepatic immune response is of high importance as the liver is primarily exposed to gut-derived pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of chicken cathelicidin-2 alone or combined with lipoteichoic acid (LTA) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on cell viability, immune response and redox homeostasis in a primary hepatocyte—non-parenchymal cell co-culture of chicken origin. Both concentrations of cathelicidin-2 decreased the cellular metabolic activity and increased the extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity reflecting reduced membrane integrity. Neither LTA nor PMA affected these parameters, and when combined with LTA, cathelicidin-2 could not influence the LDH activity. Cathelicidin-2 had an increasing effect on the concentration of the proinflammatory CXCLi2 and interferon- (IFN-)γ, and on that of the anti-inflammatory IL-10. Meanwhile, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), playing a complex role in inflammation, was diminished by the AMP. LTA elevated IFN-γ and decreased M-CSF levels, while PMA only increased the concentration of M-CSF. Both concentrations of cathelicidin-2 increased the H2O2 release of the cells, but the concentration of malondialdehyde as a lipid peroxidation marker was not affected. Our findings give evidence that cathelicidin-2 can also possess anti-inflammatory effects, reflected by the alleviation of the LTA-triggered IFN-γ elevation, and by reducing the M-CSF production induced by PMA. Based on the present results, cathelicidin-2 plays a substantial role in modulating the hepatic immune response with a multifaceted mode of action. It was found to have dose-dependent effects on metabolic activity, membrane integrity, and reactive oxygen species production, indicating that using it in excessively high concentrations can contribute to cell damage. In conclusion, cathelicidin-2 seems to be a promising candidate for future immunomodulating drug development with an attempt to reduce the application of antibiotics.
Explicit and implicit attitudes toward smoking: Dissociation of attitudes and different characteristics for an implicit attitude in smokers and nonsmokers
Authors: Gao Xinyue , Sawamura Daisuke , Saito Ryuji , Murakami Yui , Yano Rika , Sakuraba Satoshi , Yoshida Susumu , Sakai Shinya , Yoshida Kazuki
Published: October 2022

Smoking is a global health risk for premature death and disease. Recently, addictive behaviors, like smoking, were considered to be guided by explicit and implicit processes. The existence of a dissociation between the two attitudes in nonsmokers and the causes of the differences in implicit attitudes toward smoking have not been fully investigated. We investigated the explicit and implicit attitudes toward smoking via a self-reported scale and the single category implicit association test (SC-IAT), respectively, among undergraduate and graduate health sciences students. In addition, we applied the drift-diffusion model (DDM) on the SC-IAT and examined the behavioral characteristics that caused differences in implicit attitude toward smoking between smokers and nonsmokers. The results showed the existence of a dissociation between explicit and implicit attitudes toward smoking among nonsmokers. In addition, nonsmokers had a higher decision threshold than smokers and a higher drift rate in the condition where negative words were associated with smoking. Nonsmokers engaged in SC-IAT with more cautious attitudes and responded more easily in a negative condition since it was consistent with their true attitudes. Conversely, smokers did not show a significant difference in the drift rate between the conditions. These results suggested that the differences in an implicit attitude between smokers and nonsmokers were caused by differences in evidence accumulation speed between the positive and negative conditions. The existence of dissociation between implicit and explicit attitudes toward smoking may indicate the difficulty of measuring true attitude in nonsmokers in a questionnaire survey. Additionally, the DDM results explained the difference of implicit attitude between smokers and nonsmokers; it may provide information on the mechanisms of addictive behaviors and a basis for therapy. However, whether these results are affected by cultural differences requires further investigation.
Dance and Ethics: Moving Towards a More Humane Dance Culture
Authors:   Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Arizona State University, Jackson Naomi
Published: October 2022

Focuses on ethical issues confronting Western theatrical dance, from treatment of dancers to choreography, dance criticism, presenting and paradigm shifts in the dance field. It aims to equip dance artists with alternative frameworks and ethical decision-making skills for different stages of their careers and with dignity and respect.
Why Study Ethical Issues in Dance?
Authors:   Arizona State University, Jackson Naomi
Published: October 2022

Chapter 1 delineates the focus of the book on concert dance forms most commonly found in North America and Europe, including ballet, modern/postmodern dance and theatrical jazz, with references to hip hop, social dance, competition dance, and other styles. It introduces foundational ideas from ethics employed throughout the book and reveals the tendency of the dance field to engage poorly conceived arguments to tolerate otherwise largely unethical behaviour. It briefly explains the three main normative traditions in Western ethics – virtue ethics, deontological ethics, and consequentialist ethics – and how understanding these can illuminate problems with the dance field as well as offer perspectives to make it more humane. The chapter also traces recent developments in the professional, educational and social spheres seeking similar changes as a way to contextualize the study and illuminate how it contributes to these shifts in attitude and behaviour.
Dance, Decency and a Life Well-Lived
Authors:   Arizona State University, Jackson Naomi
Published: October 2022

This chapter focuses on how dance artists’ moral perspectives and values relate to their careers and especially their lives outside of the theatre. It considers the question: How should I act on stage as well as off-stage and how, or should they be, related? To what extent does it matter for dance artists to work toward, and hone, so-called virtuous habits and live a life of integrity, especially as defined by common decency and outlined by an ethics of care? The chapter examines debates related to the relationship between artists and art, and whether they should be viewed as separate or closely linked. It critiques more traditional views linking creative genius with immorality, and encourages readers to think about the value of striving towards being a decent, caring person, as they pursue a career in dance, with examples drawn from a variety of diverse perspectives across the dance field.
Ethics and Dance Making
Authors:   Arizona State University, Jackson Naomi
Published: October 2022

This chapter focuses on dance making that typically occurs in educational, community and professional theatre situations and the kinds of key ethical concerns that may arise during preliminary, rehearsal and even performing stages. More traditional guidelines are offered for responsible artistic practice as well as suggestions for how to approach work that is intentionally more provocative and purposely controversial. The chapter draws on established ethics protocols from the realms of higher education and community engagement to stress the importance of establishing clear guidelines and best practices. The author also considers approaches engaging collaboration and social contract theory or contractualism as a helpful source for developing mutually agreed upon ethical principles for a particular piece, event or company, especially with regards to work that is purposefully pushing boundaries in form and content.
‘Care’-fully Negotiating Change; Moving Towards a More Humane Dance Culture
Authors:   Arizona State University, Jackson Naomi
Published: October 2022

Dance and Ethics concludes by examining large-scale institutional and cultural changes and looking towards the future. It considers the challenges of navigating the moral dimension of major paradigm shifts, offering examples of how to preserve empathy and continue to treat people with dignity through the process. It draws inspiration from literature in ethical change management and leadership, as well as long-term collaborative studies addressing change in the dance field. The author advocates a model of transforming servant leadership, sensitive facilitation and ethics institutionalization that includes ethics training and co-created principles and/or codes of ethics. Virtue ethics, an embodied ethics of care and deontological ethics are invoked to stress the importance of shared values and procedural fairness in addressing change in a humane manner.
Anti-imperialism, ambiguity and the emergence of the sherwani-topi style in Hyderabad state, 1860–1900
Authors: Bamber William
Published: October 2022

In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the Indian ‘princely state’ of Hyderabad became strongly associated with a particular form of male dress based around the long sherwani coat and fez or rumi topi. Although often dismissed as a mere Indian frock coat by colonial commentators and historians, by 1890 the sherwani was widely recognized within India as a distinctively Hyderabadi garment, symbolizing the state’s continued autonomy and claims to civilized, modernizing legitimacy. Yet the sherwani encompassed many influences, from colonial European to Ottoman Turkish and regional Deccani, and was a product not of deliberate design, but gradual and often haphazard evolution within the specific social context of 1860–90s Hyderabad. Popular resentment of the soberly clad colonial and western-educated North Indian outsiders who predominantly staffed the newly reformed state administration, for example, drove a return to bright patterning, greater length and use of local fabrics like himroo. Using archives of photography, memoir and costume to trace the sherwani’s development, this article shows this era as one defined by a creative multiplicity of visions for identity and self-fashioning, engaging not only hegemonic-colonial constructs of civilized masculinity but also emergent North Indian reform movements and localized changes of sociopolitical structure, urban space and consumer opportunity.
Navigating ‘modernization’ in craft: Artisan-designers in Gujarat, India
Authors: Chauhan Megha
Published: October 2022

Discourses on traditional textile and craft practices, focusing on participatory and emancipatory approaches, disregard epistemologies and ontologies other than that of the researcher and invest in reformation, through new technology and modernization, of traditional practices. While these mainstream narratives have ignored the presence of non-western realities, this article takes the example of Somaiya Kala Vidya, a design institute based in Kutch, India, that provides traditional textile artisans with design education for capability-building, enabling sustenance in the current fashion paradigm: a product of systematic erasure of local systems by the West. Artisans exposed to design education display unique creative identities alongside their collective cultural identities. They challenge fashion hegemonies by navigating the tensions between ‘perceived’ local and global, modernity and tradition. The study brings forth the complexity of modernization processes; a by-product of design education, resulting in the deconstruction and reconstruction of traditional knowledge in the community. This examination of creative identities, aspirations and traditional knowledge of artisans demonstrates the need of decolonizing the fashion industry’s approach to the craft ecosystem, contributing to an essential discussion of pluralistic realities.
Jade kuro: Ditching ‘the ideal’ narrative
Authors: Olowo-Ake Oluwasola Kehinde
Published: October 2022

In 2019, I started an interdisciplinary, multi-media fashion project entitled If Slavery Were a Crown… It aimed to show people, through the lens of my Nigerian Yorùbá culture, what it would look like if the Black body was perceived as royalty. If Slavery Were a Crown… was part of my graduate project and it served as a response to my final year undergraduate dissertation. I was shocked when, during a tutorial session on the development of this project, a reviewer told me, ‘throw on a pair of jeans on’ (sic) my designs because ‘we need something more up-to-date and not archaic’. Sadly, throughout the development of my project I felt the colonial permanence in the fashion education system and this constant struggle between ‘the ideal’ and ‘the other’, as I often had to decentralize the Western-centric ideas that I came across in my design research. Decolonization begins to occur as we consciously work progressively outside these barriers in spaces we create ourselves and that are not bound to coloniality. In Yorùbá, we say jade kuro (‘exit’), which literally translates to ‘leave (jade) and take away (kuro)’ – we need to come out of this world where the West is dominant and move away from that position. Jade kuro is emphatic language that calls us to do so. In this article, I will explore the role jade kuro plays in decolonizing fashion through Yorùbá storytelling in relation to my graduate project If Slavery Were a Crown…, which depicts Black bodies as royal despite the experience of an oppressive past and complex present.
Pausing for thought: Lost and found
Authors: Cheang Sarah
Published: October 2022

Decolonizing debates have the potential to revitalize fashion studies by placing greater emphasis on the way we practise, and the conditions under which we see, hear and speak about fashion imagery. Decolonializing projects and anti-racist activism suggest new methodologies and transformational insights, which are riddled with contradictions and personal vulnerabilities. This article reflects on museums and fashion photography as spaces of decolonial reckoning and paradox. Understanding and coming to terms with positionality, a crucial factor in decolonial praxis, emerges as a continually unfolding process of action and compromise in which the researcher may ultimately ground herself.
A “Cátedra OIT” na FEUC: Palestras sobre o futuro do trabalho
Authors: Costa Hermes Augusto
Published: October 2022

Este livro reúne uma seleção de textos resultantes das primeiras três edições da “Cátedra OIT”, constituída na base de um protocolo celebrado entre a Universidade de Coimbra, através da Faculdade de Economia (FEUC), e a Organização Internacional do Trabalho (OIT), em 2017.

O livro está organizado em 4 partes, cada uma delas composta por dois capítulos e remetendo para um agrupamento temático relevante sobre o futuro do trabalho: i) o legado histórico da OIT e seu contributo para o trabalho decente; ii) padrões de trabalho, empregos e desafios climáticos; iii) desigualdades, trabalho e clivagens de género; iv) trabalho, economia digital e direito à desconexão.
Cada um dos 8 capítulos é objeto de um comentário específico, elaborado em textos de coautoria por parte de docentes da FEUC e/ou investigadores dos seus principais centros de investigação (Centro de Estudos Sociais e Centre for Business and Economics Research). A partir de visões disciplinares distintas, que compõem a comunidade FEUC, são, assim, produzidos diálogos com a OIT sobre o futuro do trabalho.
«A Coroa de Portugal não deve ceder a de Castella consentindo-lhe algum género de precedencia». Exigências de reciprocidade na assinatura de tratados entre Portugal e Espanha do Congresso de Utreque ao Tratado de Madrid
Authors: Borges Sónia , Damião Rodrigues José
Published: October 2022

O objectivo principal deste artigo passa por analisar o modo como o formulário protocolar estabelecido no tratado luso-espanhol no congresso de Utreque em 1715 contribuiu para instituir um novo modelo de relacionamento entre as duas cortes ibéricas. Nas suas memórias, o embaixador de D. João V, D. Luís da Cunha, evidenciou o facto de ter conseguido, juntamente com o seu colega, o conde de Tarouca, que pela primeira vez num acordo com Espanha fosse redigido um exemplar em língua portuguesa, no qual precedeu a nomeação do rei de Portugal e as assinaturas dos seus representantes. O acaso, a distração ou a ignorância do diplomata de Filipe V naquela matéria ou a efectiva intencionalidade resultante dos vários esforços feitos nesse sentido pela diplomacia portuguesa ao longo daquele encontro internacional é algo que não ficou totalmente esclarecido. Contudo, interessa-nos mais a ênfase dada pelo embaixador a esta questão, por nos parecer revelar a necessidade de camuflar as derrotas políticas neste acordo ou até atenuar a perificidade portuguesa naquele congresso. Por outro lado, inaugura também aquele que foi um dos principais pilares da estratégia delineada por D. João V no sentido de garantir uma maior projecção no panorama das casas reinantes europeias utilizando a diplomacia para reclamar prerrogativas de natureza cerimonial relacionadas com o simbolismo e dignidade régia, o que estenderia, naturalmente, à monarquia vizinha. Provam-no as consecutivas vezes que a corte de Lisboa reivindicou a manutenção do «modelo de Utreque» junto da homóloga madrilena, nomeadamente nos acordos negociados em 1725 e 1727 no duplo matrimónio ibérico, no restabelecimento de paz em 1737 e, por fim, no Tratado de Madrid em 1750, ocasiões que analisaremos neste trabalho.
Tan mudada la Fortuna. Farinelli y el discurso visual en la ópera La Nitteti tras la caída de Ensenada
Authors: Gómez Urdáñez José Luis , Domínguez Rodríguez José María
Published: October 2022

La ópera Nitteti, regalo de Metastasio a Fernando VI y puesta en escena bajo la dirección de Farinelli en 1756, es una de las chiavi para interpretar el contexto histórico presidido por el gran acontecimiento que representó la caída de Ensenada en 1754. La ópera fue encargada a Metastasio en 1753 pero no pudo estrenarse hasta finales de 1756, con música de Niccolò Conforto. Farinelli tuvo que someterla a un proceso de resignificación tras la caída del ministro riojano —como se resignificó el cuadro de Amigoni de 1752 en el grabado de Flipart de 1757—.  Este proceso puede ser interpretado a la luz del turbulento periodo 1752-1757, al que se dedica este artículo. Se incide en los discursos visuales de ópera y pintura para intentar una nueva aproximación a la corte festiva de Fernando VI y Bárbara, entre la apoteosis de los años anteriores a 1754 —proclamada por la trompeta de la Fama— y la tragedia de la enfermedad y muerte de la reina —la Fortuna mudada—, con el consiguiente enmudecimiento de la Corte festiva del rey pacífico.
Decadència i transformació en els relats de l’economia valenciana. L’arrendament dels drets novíssims (1626-1649)
Authors: San Ruperto Albert Josep
Published: October 2022

L’objectiu d’aquest article és reflexionar sobre el context de decadència i crisi econòmica del País Valencià als anys centrals del segle XVII, tot en relació als esdeveniments que afecten a Catalunya i el context general del Mediterrani. Per això hem abordat una revisió de la historiografia sobre el comerç i les seues relacions, així com els projectes polítics i els discursos de les institucions al respecte. La nostra recerca s’ha centrat en el cas del dret novíssim del general d’entrada i el vi que ens il·lustra sobre diferents veus i contrasta un discurs sobre decadència per observar contextos d’emprenedoria, oportunitats i capacitat d’adaptabilitat dels agents econòmics i polítics valencians entre 1626 i 1645. En definitiva, s’han contraposat discursos i visions que fan valdre noves narratives sobre el Regne de València a partir de veus fins ara silenciades.