bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Psychological Science in the Spiritual and Moral Development of Students
Authors: Ковальчук И.А.
Published: June 2024

Раскрывается роль духовно-нравственной психологии в духовно-нравственном развитии студентов. Подчеркивается важность нравственного развития студентов технических вузов. Анализируются некоторые психологические характеристики юношеского возраста. Определяется основное содержание духовно-нравственной психологии как нового направления отечественной психологической науки. Характеризуются внутренние и внешние факторы развития человека и их влияние на нравственное становление личности. К внутренним относят биологические, наследственные факторы; к внешним – окружающую индивида социальную среду. Перечисляются традиционные российские духовно-нравственные ценности, высокие нравственные идеалы нашего народа. Акцентируется внимание на целомудрии как комплексе качеств, объединяемых мудростью и цельностью, внутренней красотой. Определен комплекс форм и методов духовно-нравственного развития студентов в системе вузовского образования.

The role of spiritual and moral psychology in the spiritual and moral development of students is revealed. The importance of moral development of students of technical universities is emphasized. Some psychological characteristics of adolescence are analyzed. The main content of spiritual and moral psychology as a new direction of domestic psychological science is determined. The internal and external factors of human development and their influence on the moral development of the individual are characterized. Internal factors include biological, hereditary factors; to external – the social environment surrounding the individual. Traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, high moral ideals of our people are listed. Attention is focused on chastity as a complex of qualities united by wisdom and integrity, inner beauty. A set of forms and methods for the spiritual and moral development of students in the university education system has been defined.
Experience in Developing Creative Thinking among Private School Students
Authors: Храпаль Л.Р. , Залялиева Д.Р.
Published: June 2024

Показано, что частные школы более активно продвигают идеи креативного обучения, образовательный процесс направлен на творческое развитие личности, а не только на реализацию программ школьных дисциплин. Рассмотрена роль технологий креативного обучения в современном образовании, приводится их сравнение с традиционными подходами. Выявлены психолого-педагогические условия реализации подобных технологий.

It is shown that private schools are more actively promoting the ideas of creative learning; the educational process is aimed at the creative development of the individual, and not only at the implementation of school discipline programs. The role of creative learning technologies in modern education is considered, and their comparison with traditional approaches is provided. Psychological and pedagogical conditions for the implementation of such technologies have been identified.
Perfil clínico y epidemiológico de niños con diagnóstico de neoplasias del sistema nervioso central en un hospital de alto nivel
Authors: Soto Manzano Anggy Valentina , Martínez Sánchez Lina María , Arboleda Rojas Manuela , Pamplona Sierra Ana Paulina , Aránzazu Ceballos Andrés David
Published: June 2024

OBJETIVO: Determinar el perfil clínico y epidemiológico de la población infantil con diagnóstico de tumores del sistema nervioso central, atendida en un hospital de alta complejidad en Medellín, Colombia.
MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2020, con pacientes de 0 a 14 años con diagnóstico de tumores del sistema nervioso central. Las variables cualitativas se midieron mediante frecuencias relativas y absolutas, para las variables cuantitativas, medidas de tendencia central y rangos intercuartílicos como medidas de dispersión.
RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 70 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y/o imagenológico de tumores del sistema nervioso central, con una mediana de edad de 9 años (mínimo 0 – máximo 14 años). Predominó el sexo masculino con un 57.1% y el 74.3% de la población tenía procedencia urbana. Respecto a las características del tumor, la localización más común fue en fosa posterior con 24,2%, el comportamiento maligno del tumor predominó con 62.9% y el 55.7% de los tumores se encontraron en etapa inicial. El 87.1% (61) de los tumores fueron primarios, el 5.7% (4) presentaban metástasis y el 20% (14) de los pacientes tuvo un desenlace fatal.
CONCLUSIONES: Los principales síntomas reportados al diagnóstico fueron náuseas y/o vómitos, seguidos de signos y síntomas motores. La principal variante histológica identificada fue la neurofibromatosis tipo I (no maligna), seguida del meduloblastoma, dato que coincide con lo reportado en la literatura. Estas enfermedades oncológicas continúan teniendo un gran impacto en la mortalidad infantil, según han mostrado diversos estudios y también lo encontrado en esta investigación.
Cómo se calcula la fecha de caducidad de los medicamentos
Authors: Perusquia García José Eduardo
Published: June 2024

La fecha de caducidad se define como aquella que indica el fin del periodo de vida útil del medicamento o remedio herbolario  y es el último día en que el fabricante garantiza su potencia y seguridad. Ésta se calcula durante su desarrollo, una vez que se ha definido la fórmula final, a través de los llamados estudios de estabilidad.
Carta al editor con relación al artículo: “Síndrome de Alienación Parental: Un Concepto que Actualmente debe ser Considerado en Desuso”
Authors: Mendoza Amaro Alejandro
Published: June 2024

N/A
The Reparation Generation: Truth Telling in Pursuit of Racial Justice in the U.S.
Authors: Dybska Aneta
Published: June 2024

The Black reparations movement in the U.S. is a broad, diverse, ‎multi-pronged approach to securing redress for historical injuries, including ‎slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and their enduring legacies in American society ‎today. While reparations activism and advocacy tends to be associated with ‎demands of restitution and compensation, non-material forms of redress have ‎become an important tool of building racial reconciliation and healing. My ‎paper discusses recent truth telling initiatives which are rooted in the ‎restorative justice process and draw on the experience of the 1990s South ‎African Truth and Reconciliation Commission which investigated the ‎apartheid-era human rights violations. This overview of emblematic truth ‎telling projects at the federal, civic, and grassroots levels shows a growing and ‎widespread willingness among European Americans to engage in honest yet ‎painful discussions about the nation’s collective past and persistent structures ‎of white privilege. Whether an individual or a community-based process, truth ‎telling entails intellectual and emotional work on one’s own racial bias and ‎prejudice, one’s entanglement in webs of power and privilege, and a ‎commitment to social transformation. These multiple and dispersed civic ‎initiatives have, over the last decade, laid the foundation for a national truth ‎telling process, which may be the most powerful reparative justice measure that ‎Americans as a nation can accept today.‎
From Decline to Becoming: Evolving Images of Aging Masculinities in Stephen King’s Mr Mercedes
Authors: Miquel-Baldellou Marta
Published: June 2024

The portrayal of the aging detective in King’s first novel of his trilogy of hard-boiled fiction, Mr Mercedes (2014), brings to the fore the interconnection between the discourses of gender and aging, while it also underscores contemporary reinterpretations that call into question the representation of the classic hard-boiled detective as a paradigm of dominant masculinity. Drawing on concepts from the field of age studies—such as Margaret Gullette’s decline and progress narratives, Hilde Lindemann Nelson’s counter-stories, and Pamela Gravagne’s narratives of becoming—this article analyses the way that old age determines the evolution from hegemonic to alternative masculinities in King’s contemporary portrayal of the hard-boiled detective.
Effectiveness of Self-Help Books for Improving Santris' Mental Health Literacy
Authors: Suryahadikusumah Ahmad Rofi , Alam Imam Nur , Triana Desi , Nurmalasari Yuli
Published: June 2024

Mental health literacy is needed so that Santris better understands the dynamics within themselves and knows the risk factors that can disrupt their mental health. The growth of Santri's psycho-social problems such as bullying, theft, and running away from the dormitory is not far from mental health literacy, especially in managing mood. The obstacles experienced by Islamic boarding schools are the density of education programs and the need for more human resources, such as guidance and counseling teachers in Islamic boarding schools. Therefore, researchers offer a solution through developing a self-help book. The research aims to test self-help books to increase mental health literacy. The method used was quasi-experimental with a sample of 58 santris at the Peradaban Islamic Boarding School. Sample selection was carried out using purposive sampling. Mental health literacy was measured using a Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire (MHLQ). The Self-Help book has been proven effective for developing Santris' mental health literacy, based on differences in mental health literacy scores before (x̄ =114) and after(x̄ =119) Santris read and follow guided exercises in self-help books (p = .000, p < .05). The change in the mental health literacy dimension that has increased the most is the resource dimension (ability to manage self and maintain mental health). The experience of reading and following the guidelines in self-help books makes Santris more capable of managing themselves, as well as having basic skills in coping strategies.
Unraveling Gender-related differences in Compliment exchanges: the case of Hijazi Speakers
Authors: Alosaimi Raya Saad , Alenizi Dr. Aied Mutlaq
Published: June 2024

This study examined the socio-pragmatic aspects of complimenting behavior among Hijazi speakers of Al Taif City, Saudi Arabia.  The study explored the effect of gender on complimenting behavior, in an attempt to foster the shortage of literature addressing issues related to complimenting behavior in Arabic societies, particularly Hijazi case. Trained investigators collected the naturally accruing data through spontaneous compliments and compliment responses via ethnographic fieldwork. Unlike similar previous studies, Hijazi men and women were found to offer nearly a similar number of compliments regardless of gender. However, a probable difference in the syntactic patterns of each gender was reported where males surpassed females in their use of implicit compliments lacking positive semantic carriers. Regardless of gender, the interlocutors were more inclined to agree with the compliments than disagree, and acceptance was the most opted-for agreement response strategy. The rapidly growing Western influence seemed to have an influence on complimenting behavior. The findings of this study were likely to fill a certain gap in the documentation of complimenting behavior among Saudi men and women, a society that has shown indications of being somewhat less conservative than before. This study can be extended to other cultures and replicated with inclusion of other sociocultural factors such as age and relationship.
Fuentes de las obligaciones, tipicidad progresiva y obligaciones de protección en el ordenamiento italiano
Authors: Nicolussi Andrea
Published: June 2024

El ensayo aborda el problema contemporáneo de las fuentes de la obligación a la luz del desarrollo del derecho que ha hecho emerger las obligaciones de protección –subespecie de obligaciones en el sentido clásico–. En particular, el artículo 1173 del Código Civil italiano, al prever como fuentes de las obligaciones los hechos o actos capaces de producirlas de conformidad con el ordenamiento jurídico, se abre a una tipicidad progresiva: el juez, aunque no pueda crear obligaciones atípicas en sentido estricto, puede reconocer otras nuevas aplicando principios y normas generales del ordenamiento jurídico. Desde esta perspectiva, la responsabilidad precontractual basada en la obligación de buena fe y otras disposiciones del código civil establecen un principio de protección de la confianza especialmente cuando se trata de actividades profesionales. De ahí una importante innovación que suma a los contratos y hechos ilícitos la confianza surgida de contactos sociales calificados, como fuentes de una responsabilidad que puede denominarse relacional.
La exceptio non adimpleti contractus en la Convención de Viena sobre compraventa internacional de mercaderías
Authors: Leal Barros Patricia
Published: June 2024

Parte de la doctrina y la jurisprudencia han señalado que la Convención de Viena sobre compraventa internacional de mercaderías contempla un derecho de retención general a partir de la interpretación de varios artículos de la Convención, entre ellos, el artículo 58 y el artículo 71. El presente trabajo analiza estos artículos para determinar si realmente se trata de supuestos de derecho de retención o si, más bien, establecen supuestos de excepción de contrato no cumplido en sus diversas modalidades.
El ejercicio de la acción judicial de disolución de la sociedad anónima cerrada por causa grave en el derecho chileno
Authors: Manterola Domínguez Pablo
Published: June 2024

Este trabajo analiza la acción de disolución judicial, prevista para la sociedad anónima cerrada chilena, desde un punto de vista procesal. Aunque la Ley sobre Sociedades Anónimas de 1981 ofrece algunas indicaciones, varios puntos relativos al ejercicio de este remedio no son regulados o lo son de forma indirecta, como el alcance de la discrecionalidad judicial o la arbitrabilidad del conflicto. Además de esos puntos, se estudia el objeto del proceso, que determina el carácter constitutivo de la sentencia estimatoria, a quiénes corresponde la legitimación activa y pasiva, y cómo se relacionan cumplimiento de la sentencia y liquidación societaria.
Presentación
Authors: Espaliú Carlos
Published: June 2024

It is my privilege to present to the reader this special issue of the Journal of International Security Studies (RESI) devoted to the consequences of the end of the conflict in Ukraine, provoked by the Russian invasion, for international security. It is common knowledge that the brave Ukrainian people have been fighting for their integrity and freedom since February 2022, with the help, in the exercise of collective self-defence, of mainly Western countries and their allies. I asked the magazine's editor to publish a special issue of this publication specialising in international security because, given its profile and quality, it seemed to me the best platform to delve into one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe since the Second World War and its repercussions on world security, understood in a broad sense. And more specifically on the legal, military and geopolitical aspects that will be generated by the outcome of the conflict, which will hopefully take place soon.
Prosecuting Russia’s Crime of Aggression: A critical reflection
Authors: Boulos Sonia
Published: June 2024

Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, international law has become a center piece in Ukraine’s war efforts. The Hyper response of legal and other international institutions have prompted some to call these developments as the “Ukraine moment”. The term suggests that the legal response to the war represents, potentially, a transformative moment for international law in its pursuit of justice. Focusing on the crime of aggression, the aim of this article is to answer the question whether the international response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine symbolizes genuinely a transformative international law moment.
Aprovechamiento de los residuos de construcción y demolición en ingeniería y arquitectura
Authors: Figueroa Infante Ana Sofía , Cifuentes Ruiz Paula Andrea , Fonseca Santanilla Elsa Beatriz , Uribe Celis Sandra Liliana , Molina Acosta Lizeth del Carmen
Published: June 2024

La obra presenta no solo el contexto teórico y normativo sino además las aplicaciones de los residuos de construcción y demolición (RCD) para su uso en espacios urbanos, vías y construcción. También incluye ejemplos y casos como el realizado con el apoyo de la Unidad Administrativa Especial de Rehabilitación y Mantenimiento Vial, en la construcción de una vía local en Bogotá, D. C. utilizando RCD en sus diferentes capas estructurales e instrumentada desde la subrasante hasta la capa de rodadura, para realizar un seguimiento del desempeño de estos materiales bajo cargas y efectos ambientales reales.
TRAINING ON TEMPLATE-BASED WRITING OF SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS IN KEDIRI AND BANYUWANGI
Authors: Khusyairi Johny A. , Riyanto Edi , Afdholi Nadya , Rosyida Us , Cahyo Pujo , Meyrasyawati Dewi
Published: June 2024

Writing scientific article becomes teachers obligation, because scientific publication is an important requirement for their promotion. In order to awaken and improve teachers' ability to write such publication, the Graduate Program of Literary and Cultural Studies (LCS) Universitas Airlangga conducted community service. This activity took form of training for writing scientific articles by using templates. This training was carried out in the form of delivering lectures and discussions. The team of trainers planned to expand the method in the form of workshop that is by writing practice and consultation at the next community service activity. The participants of this training were high school English teachers in Kediri and Banyuwangi. This activity was carried out separately in the two cities. By conducting this training, we found the enthusiasm of the teachers. The issues uttered for writing articles are also interesting and varied. Their hopes that the training can continue further and be carried out intensively shows that these teachers do need assistance in writing. Besides that, the training activities in these two cities indicates a snapshot of high school teachers in other areas who also need the same training and assistance.
BUILD CAPACITY FISHERMAN: IMPORTANCE OFF INCREASING FISHERMEN’S KNOWLEDGE IN PACKAGING FISH PRODUCTS
Authors: Siti Nuraini  , Nirmala Dwitha , Millati Izzato
Published: June 2024

Community public service is one of the knowledge transfer activities between academics and community. One of the community service activities carried out in Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency provide solutions to fishermen's problems related to a lack of understanding of the packaging of fish caught by fishermen. For this reason, the solution to this problem is offer capacity building training with fish packaging. The results of the training showed that the fishing partner participants experienced increased knowledge in accordance with the targets and achievements of community service activities. It is hoped that after this activity there will be follow-up actions to strengthen institutions for fishing partners.
Food Matrix Influence on Phytochemicals Bioavailability
Authors: Dr. Archna Agrawal
Published: June 2024

Present review focuses on the impacts of different processing methods for meals and also effect of food matrix on absorption of nutrients, taking into account the paucity of research on these topics. There has been discussion of the role played by the matrixes of edibles on the ecosystem of gut micro-organisms, the absorption and corresponding bioavailability phytochemical including aspects related to their thermal stability. According to some research, the various mentioned interactions may lead to different physiological reactions and thereby different health advantages from phytochemicals. However, through many of these interactions, some dietary substrates may prevent absorption of phytochemicals. Furthermore, processing methods established can speed up the metabolism and thereby improve the release, availability of phytochemicals from herbal products. It is feasible to enhance food functional and sensory aspects by changing the matrix of meals. Additives are used in food items to increase the availability of the bioactive ingredients in food. Review also covers various negative and positive effects of processing dietary foods on different phytochemicals as well the ways to improve bioaccessibility of phytochemicals through the construction of food matrix.
Biological Effect of Oxalis per-carpes Extracts against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Authors: Ahmed A. Abdulrraziq  , Sami M. Salih  , Ibrahim Nusieba
Published: June 2024

Vancomycin is commonly used in hospitals as a trial drug for patients with MRSA, which developed its resistance through diverse and intriguing mechanisms. Therefore, this study was conducted as an attempt to find an alternative treatment to reduce the infection of MRSA by using leaf and flower extracts (methanolic and acetone) of Oxalis per-carpes at a concentration of 100mg/ml against two MRSA isolates: wound (W) and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). This was then compared with antibiotics (vancomycin and gentamicin) using test susceptibility, which was performed with the help of the disc diffusion technique. The results demonstrated that the methanolic extract of Oxalis per-carpes leaves can be developed as a new antibiotic against MRSA. Moreover, the study found that leaf extracts (methanolic and acetone) are more efficient than flower extracts in inhibiting test isolates by (26 and 16%) against MRSA (W), and (8 and 6%) against MRSA (DFU). The results also showed that MARSA (DFU) is the most resistant to antibiotics and extracts. Generally, vancomycin is effective in inhibiting MRSA. Therefore, as this supply may be important in bio-control against MRSA, it must be examined by physicians and pharmacists.
Single-fiber EMG in Migraine with or without Aura: Search for Correlations with Disability and Headache Intensity
Authors: Yetkin Ozgun , Gumusyayla Sadiye
Published: June 2024

Background. The idea of a neuromuscular defect in migraine relates to the emergence of mutations in the CACNA1A gene that encodes the subunit of P/Q-type calcium channels in the motor nerve terminals. This study used single-fibre electromyography (SFEMG) to investigate the potential impact of an underlying channelopathy on subclinical neuromuscular transmission at the motor end plate in different types of migraine. Additionally, we sought to validate previous findings, explore the pathophysiology, and examine any potential relationship between neuromuscular dysfunction and disease severity using the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Material and methods. We enrolled 25 healthy volunteers, 30 migraineurs with aura and 30 without aura diagnosed according to the 2018 criteria of the International Headache Society. Voluntary SFEMG was performed on the frontalis muscle. Jitter values were analysed, including the mean individual jitter values of the migraine group, the number of fibers with increased jitter, the mean Mean Consecutive Difference (MCD), and the lowest and highest jitter values, which were then compared with those of the control group. The intensity of the migraine attacks was assessed using the VAS, while disability was evaluated using the MIDAS.
Results. Our findings revealed that the highest jitter values in migraine patients were significantly higher than those observed in the control group. Furthermore, we conducted a subgroup analysis within the migraine group and found that individuals with aura had higher average MCD values compared to those without aura and the control group. Additionally, we examined the association between MIDAS and VAS scores with increased jitter values and neuromuscular transmission abnormalities, but no statistically significant correlation was found (p=0.327).
Conclusions. Our study supports the presence of motor endplate dysfunction in migraines, as indicated by previous literature, particularly in migraines with aura when compared to individuals without aura and controls. This finding aligns with the concept that this dysfunction may stem from a channelopathy associated with a genetic predisposition. Additionally, we found no clinical relationship between the neuromuscular disorder, the severity of the disease, and its disability.
Evaluating the Reliability of Health Portals’ Nutrition and Supplementation Advice for Pregnant Women: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Skowrońska Magdalena , Pawłowski Michał , Milewski Robert
Published: June 2024

This article evaluates the reliability and consistency of nutrition- and supplementation-related advice for pregnant women provided by ten selected health-related Internet portals. The portals were chosen based on their perceived reliability and prominence in Google searches, with representation from both English and Polish language sources. The evaluation criteria included the adherence of the presented information to official recommendations and its evidence-based character based on specific items representing dietary aspects important in pregnancy. While the overall reliability was deemed acceptable, significant variations existed both among the portals and specific evaluated items. Notably, HealthLine, Medline Plus, and NCEZ emerged as the most evidence-based, while WebMD and Medycyna Praktyczna were identified as less reliable. Despite a number of issues, the analysed portals remain valuable sources of nutritional information for pregnant women, offering user-friendly accessibility superior to alternatives such as social media, on the one hand, and scientific articles, on the other. Improved consistency and attention to detail, especially in relation to vitamin intake and supplementation, would improve the overall quality of health portals.
Quantum Cosmology: The Integration of Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics Part I
Authors: Kahan Dennis
Published: June 2024

“For me then this is the real problem with quantum theory: the apparently essential conflict between any sharp formulation and fundamental relativity. That is to say, we have an apparent incompatibility, at the deepest level, between the two fundamental pillars of contemporary theory...” J. S. Bell (2004, p. 171) The inability to delineate a unified physical ontology that accounts simultaneously for the laws of special relativity and the results of quantum experiments has been a defining problem in physics for more than 100 years. Although various primitive ontologies (including Bohmian pilot wave, spontaneous collapse, and objective collapse theories) along with wave function realism ontologies, many-worlds interpretations, and multi-field theories address the tension between special relativity and quantum mechanics, none has successfully resolved it. This analysis addresses the problem by positing an ontic, mixed ontology composed of a “discrete” 4D spacetime and a physical, ultra-high dimensional (3 x N) “Planck Space.” Together, Planck Space and the three spatial dimensions of 4D spacetime form a tightly integrated ((3 x N) + 3) hyperspace (the “Dual Ontology”). 4D spacetime’s three spatial dimensions and the N dimensions of Planck Space are composed of two substructures: discrete, three-dimensional, quantized units of space ("Planck Spheres") and an ontic State of Absolute Nothingness (the "SOAN") whose sole physical characteristic is onticness. Critically, the Dual Ontology’s structure replaces 1) the continuous, differentiable manifold of 4D spacetime with a discrete 4D spacetime and 2) mathematical 3N configuration spaces with a physical (3 x N) Planck Space. Moreover, structurally and dynamically, the Dual Ontology is predicated on the one-to-one mapping and identity between the Planck Spheres that simultaneously form 4D spacetime and Planck Space. The one-to-one mapping and identity physically and theoretically support an integrated quantum dynamics based upon the dynamic evolution of single and N-body quantum states in 4D spacetime in full compliance with the laws of special relativity and the instantaneous collapse of all quantum states in an ontic Planck Space, where special and general relativity and more generally, 4D spacetime’s laws of physics, do not apply.
Individual Human Climate Analysis Applying the New Clothing Resistance Model
Authors: Ács Ferenc , Kristóf Erzsébet
Published: June 2024

A new clothing resistance model is described and applied to characterize the human thermal and moisture climates. The climate was described by the thermal (rcl,t) and evap-orative (rcl,e) resistances of comfortable, imaginary clothing. The key input variable of the model is the rate of sweating (λEsw). Since sweating is an individual-specific process, the model applies to the individual. The observations were carried out by a single individual in Martonvásár (Hungarian lowland, Central Europe) in the summer of 2023 and the winter of 2024. During the observations, the observer walked at a speed of 1.1-1.7 ms-1 in weather-appropriate clothing. Among the results, we would highlight the following: Dur-ing large environmental heat surpluses, the rcl,t values were found to be between 0.1-0.5 clo-t (clo-t = 0.155 m2·℃·W-1), while the rcl,e values fell between 0.4-0.8 clo-e (clo-e = 0.155 m2·hPa·W-1). The values of the parameters close to 0 were caused by intense sweating (λEsw > 200 Wm-2). The applicability of the model is limited and largely depends on the rela-tionship between λEsw and the metabolic heat flux density.
Formulation and Evaluation of Bivalent Swine and Avian Lipid Nanoparticles mRNA Vaccine
Authors: Kassab Mohammed Mahmoud Shawky
Published: June 2024

Background:
Worldwide, Swine and Avian influenza, or the H1N1 and H5N1 serotypes of the Influenza A virus, is a highly contagious illness. In recent years, the global incidence of mortality rate has surpassed 284,000 fatalities.
Aim of the study:
The production of mRNA vaccine lipid nanoparticles (LNP) to combat the deadly strains of Avian and Swine influenza (H1N1 and H5N1 of the influenza A serotype).
Methodology:
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to clone genes of interest encoding Haemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) of Influenza A virus strains (H5N1 and H1N1) known as Avian flu and Swine flu, respectively. The genes were then inusing the EcoR1, BAM Hind II restriction endonuclease type II, and Ligase enzyme into the pET-21(+) transcription vector plasmid. On the other hand, the hybrid transcription vectors were mixed with T7 RNA polymerase and ribonucleotides within a test tube after being linearized using EcoR II. Following their purification via reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), the mRNAs of the HA and NA were encased in 70 nm LNPs and subjected to reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Lastly, immunogenicity studies were performed in stages 1/2 of randomized human and preclinical clinical trials.
Results:
The bivalent vaccination had around 63% efficacy in preclinical studies and approximately 60% in randomized human clinical trials. The ELISA test showed strong neutralizing antibodies against HA were prevalent.
Conclusion:
The current study is a promising effort because of the development of the novel LNP-mRNA vaccine, which could lower the incidence of Avian and Swine flu infectious disorders.
Vaginal Microbiome and Pregnancy Complications: A review
Authors: Gerede Angeliki , Nikolettos Konstantinos , Vavoulidis Eleftherios , Margioula-Siarkou Chrysoula , Petousis Stamatios , Giourga Maria , Fotinopoulos Panagiotis , Salagianni Maria , Stavrou Sofoklis , Dinas Konstantinos , Nikolettos Nikolaos , Domali Ekaterini
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Background/Objectives: There are indications that the microbial composition of the maternal mucosal surfaces is associated with adverse events during pregnancy. The aim of this review is to investigate the link between vaginal microbiome alterations and gestational com-plications risk. Methods: This comprehensive literature review was performed using Medline and Scopus databases. The following search algorithm was used "Pregnancy Complications"[Mesh] AND (Vagin*) and after literature screening 44 studies were included in the final review. Results: The studies that were included investigated the association between vaginal microbial composi-tion and preterm birth, miscarriage, preeclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, chorioamnionitis and preterm premature rupture of membranes. In most of the studies, it was well established that increased microbial diversity is associated with these conditions. Also, the depletion of Lactobacillus species is linked to most of the gestational complication, while the increased relative abundance and especially L. crispatus may exerts a protective effect in favor of the pregnant woman. Several pathogenic taxa including Gardnerella, Prevotella, Sneathia, Bac-terial Vaginosis-Associated Bacteria-2, Atopobium and Megasphera seem to be correlated to higher maternal morbidity. Conclusions: Vaginal microbiome aberrations seem to have an as-sociation with pregnancy related adverse events, but more high-quality homogenous studies are necessary to reliably verify this link.
Endoscopic Features of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Patients with Gastoesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Sagandykova Kalamkas , Papulova Nataliya , Azhenov Talapbek , Darbekova Aliya , Aigozhina Bayan , Lechien Jerome R.
Published: June 2024

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex inflammatory condition affecting the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been implicated as a potential exacerbating factor in CRS, but the specific endoscopic features of nasopharyngeal pathology in this context remain poorly understood. Background and Objectives: CRS is a multifactorial disease with various underlying etiologies, including inflammation, anatomical factors, and environmental triggers. While GERD has been suggested as a potential contributor to CRS, the specific endoscopic features indicative of nasopharyngeal pathology in CRS patients with GERD symptoms have not been clearly elucidated. Our aim is to identify specific endoscopic features of nasopharyngeal pathology in patients with CRS associated with GERD symptoms, and to propose a method for assessing the influence of GERD on the mucosal layer of the nose and nasopharynx. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 521 adult patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of CRS. From this cohort, 95 patients with the highest scores on the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Symptom Score-12 (RSS-12) questionnaires were selected as the main group. Endoscopic examinations were performed to assess the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa. Results: Our study revealed significant alterations in the nasopharyngeal mucosa of patients with CRS associated with GERD symptoms. Increased vascularity of the nasopharyngeal mucosa was observed in 91 patients (95.7%), while hypertrophy was noted in 83 patients (87.4%). Mucus was present in the nasopharynx of 77 patients (81.1%), exhibiting varying characteristics of color and consistency. Asymmetric hypertrophy of the oropharyngeal mucosa was noted in 62 patients (65.3%). Conclusions: We propose a method for assessing the influence of GERD on the mucosal layer of the nose and nasopharynx, which may aid in diagnostic and management decisions. Further research is warranted to explore the potential impact of GERD symptoms on the course and severity of CRS exacerbations.
Downregulation of miRNA-26a by HIV-1 Enhances CD59 Expression and Packaging Impacting Virus Susceptibility to Antibody-Dependent Complement-Mediated Lysis
Authors: Bellini Nicolas , Ye Chengyu , Ajibola Oluwaseun , Murooka Thomas T , Lodge Robert , Cohen Eric A
Published: June 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the control of HIV-1 infection. Here, we performed RNAseq profilings of miRNAs and mRNAs expressed in CD4+ T-lymphocytes upon HIV-1 infection. Our results reveal significant alterations of miRNAs and mRNAs expression profiles in infected relative to uninfected cells. One of the miRNAs markedly downregulated in infected cells is miRNA-26a. Among the putative targets of miRNA-26a are CD59 receptor transcripts, which are significantly upregulated in infected CD4+ T-cells. Addition of miRNA-26a mimics to CD4+ T-cells reduces CD59 at both mRNA and surface protein levels, validating CD59 as a miRNA-26a target. Consistent with the reported inhibitory role of CD59 in complement-mediated lysis (CML), knocking-out CD59 in CD4+ T-cells renders both HIV-1 infected cells and progeny virions more prone to antibody-dependent CML (ADCML). Addition of miRNA-26a mimics to infected cells leads to enhanced sensitivity of progeny virions to ADCML, a condition linked to a reduction of CD59 packaging into released virions. Lastly, HIV-1-mediated downregulation of miRNA-26a expression is shown to be dependent on integrated HIV-1 expression but does not involve viral accessory proteins. Overall, these results highlight a novel mechanism by which HIV-1 limits ADCML by upregulating CD59 expression via miRNA-26a downmodulation.
Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Lacosamide Combined with NOACs in Post-Stroke Epilepsy and Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mangiardi Marilena , PEZZELLA FRANCESCA ROMANA , CRUCIANI ALESSANDRO , ALESSIANI MICHELE , ANTICOLI SABRINA
Published: June 2024

Background and Aims: Stroke is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in adults, but current guidelines lack strong recommendations for treating post-stroke seizures (PSE). This study aims to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of lacosamide combined with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with PSE and atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods: In this prospective longitudinal study, 53 patients with PSE and AF, admitted from 2022 to 2023, received NOACs for AF management and lacosamide for seizure control. A control group of 53 patients with cardioembolic stroke, receiving NOACs, was matched by age, sex, and NIHSS scores to ensure comparability.
Results: Over 24 months, 16 patients in the study group and 15 in the control group experienced new embolic events, with no significant difference between groups. Seizure control improved significantly in the study group, with reduced frequency and severity. No severe adverse effects from lacosamide were observed.
Conclusions: The combination of NOACs and lacosamide is a safe and effective treatment for patients with AF and PSE, not increasing the risk of recurrent ischemic or hemorrhagic events. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups are needed to confirm these findings and optimize treatment protocols.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Commensal Neisseria spp. in Parents and Their Children in Belgium: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Abdellati Said , Gestels Zina , Laumen Jolein , Van Dijck Christophe , De Baetselier Irith , de Block TEssa , Van den Bossche Dorien , Manoharan-Basil Sheeba Santhini , Kanesaka Izumo , Vanbaelen Thibaut , Kenyon Chris
Published: June 2024

Background: Commensal Neisseria species are part of the oropharyngeal microbiome and important for health, but also serve as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance. Little is known about the prevalence of these species in the general population, how this varies by age and how antimicrobial susceptibility varies between species. Methods: We assessed the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of commensal Neisseria species in the parents (n=38) and children (n=50) of 35 families in Belgium.Results: Various commensal Neisseria (n=5) could be isolated from the participants. Most abundant were N. subflava and N. mucosa. N. subflava was detected in 77 of 88 (87.5%) individuals and N. mucosa in 64 of 88 (72.7%). N. mucosa was more prevalent in children (41/50 [82%]) than parents (23/38 [60.5%]; P<0.05), while N. bacilliformis was more prevalent in parents (7/36 [19.4%]) than children (2/50 [4%]; P<0.05). N. bacilliformis showed high ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs; median MIC 0.5mg/L; IQR 0.38-0.75) and these high MICs explained the higher ceftriaxone MICs of all Neisseria isolates from the parents than the children. The median azithromycin MIC of all Neisseria isolates per individual was positively correlated with the median family MIC (rho=0.24; P=0.033). The same association was found for the analysis limited to N. subflava (rho=0.36; P=0.004) and N. mucosa (rho=0.30; P=0.027). Interpretation: The most abundant commensal Neisseria species found in this population were N. subflava and N. mucosa, of which the prevalence of N. mucosa varied by age. The prevalence of N. bacilliformis also varied by age and showed concerningly high ceftriaxone MICs which warrant further investigation. We found evidence of clustering of azithromycin, but not ceftriaxone, MIC by family.
Influence of Sonication on the Molecular Characteristics of Carbopol® and Its Rheological Behavior in Aqueous Dispersions and Microgels
Authors: Pérez-González José , Muñoz-Castro Yusef , Rodríguez-González Francisco , Marín-Santibáñez Benjamín M. , Medina-Bañuelos Esteban F.
Published: June 2024

The effect of sonication on the molecular characteristics of poliacrylic acid (Carbopol® Ultrez 10) and its rheological behavior in aqueous dispersions and microgels containing 0.25 wt. % of the polymer was analyzed in this work by rheometry, weight-average molecular weight (Mw) measurements via static light scattering (SLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and confocal microscopy. For this, the precursor dispersion and the microgels were sonicated in a commercial ultrasound bath at constant power and different times. We observed a softening of the microgel microstructure consisting of a systematic decrease in its shear modulus, yield stress and viscosity with increasing sonication time, while their overall Herschel-Bulkley (H-B) behavior was preserved. SLS measurements evidenced a reduction of Mw of polyacrylic acid with sonication time. Separately, FTIR measurements indicate that sonication produces scission in the C-C links of the Carbopol® backbone, which results in chains with the same chemistry but lower molecular weight. Finally, confocal microscopy measurements revealed a concomitant diminution of the size of the microsponge domains with sonication time, which is reflected in a softer microstructure resulting from reduction of the molecular weight of polyacrylic acid. The present results indicate that both the microstructure and the rheological behavior of Carbopol® microgels, in particular, and complex fluids in general, may be manipulated or tailored by high-power ultrasonication.
Optimizing Machine Learning Models for Urban Studies: A Comparative Analysis of Hyperparameter Tuning Methods
Authors: Kee Tris , Ho Winky K.O.
Published: June 2024

The advancement of urban scholarship and the effective addressing of urban environment challenges necessitate the adoption of sophisticated analytical methods. Urban scholars and policymakers need advanced analytical methods to tackle issues like gentrification, housing affordability, and urban sprawl. Predictive models are crucial in the realm of urban studies, and hyperparameter tuning methods can significantly improve their accuracy and efficiency. Our study compares three such methods — Optuna, Random Search, and Grid Search — using a housing transaction dataset. We find that Optuna is not only 4 to 6 times faster than the other two methods when applied to Gradient Boosting Machine and Random Forest algorithms, but also achieves lower error values in key evaluation metrics on the test set, such as mean absolute error, mean squared error, mean absolute percentage error and root mean squared error.
Elucidation of the Gemcitabine Transporters of Escherichia coli K-12 and Gamma-Proteobacteria Linked to Gemcitabine-Related Chemoresistance
Authors: Iosifidou Nikoleta , Anagnostopoulou Eleni , Botou Maria , Kalfa Eirini , Tatsaki Ekaterini , Frillingos Stathis
Published: June 2024

Gemcitabine (2',2'-difluoro-2'-deoxycytidine), a widely used anticancer drug, is considered as a gold standard in treating aggressive pancreatic cancers. Gamma-proteobacteria that colonize the pancreatic tumors contribute to chemoresistance against gemcitabine by metabolizing the drug to a less active, deaminated, form. The gemcitabine transporters of these bacteria are unknown to date. Furthermore, there is no complete knowledge on the gemcitabine transporters in Escherichia coli or any other related proteobacteria. In this study, we investigate the complement of gemcitabine transporters in E. coli K-12 and two common chemoresistance-related bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii). We find that E. coli K-12 has two high-affinity gemcitabine transporters with distinct specificity properties, namely NupC and NupG, whereas the gemcitabine transporters of C. freundii and K. pneumoniae include the NupC and NupG orthologs, indistinguishable functionally from their counterparts, and, in K. pneumoniae, one additional NupC variant, designated KpNupC2. All these bacterial transporters have higher affinity for gemcitabine than their human counterparts. The highest affinity (KM 2.5-3.0 μΜ) is exhibited by NupGs of the Bacteria-specific Nucleoside-H+ Symporter (NHS) family followed by NupCs (KM 10-13 μΜ) of the Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter (CNT) family, 15-100 times higher than the affinities reported for the human gemcitabine transporter hENT1/SLC29A1 which is primarily associated with gemcitabine uptake in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. Our results offer a basis for further insight into the role of specific bacteria in drug availability within tumors and understanding the structure-function differences of bacterial and human drug transporters.
A Novel Method for the Preparation of Casein-Fucoidan Compo-Site Nanostructures
Authors: Pilicheva Bissera , Zahariev Nikolay
Published: June 2024

The aim of the study was to develop casein-fucoidan composite nanostructures through the method of polyelectrolyte complexation and subsequent spray drying. To determine the optimal parameters for the preparation of the composite structures and to investigate the influence of the production and technological parameters on the main structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained structures, 3(k-p) fractional factorial design was applied. The independent variables (casein to fucoidan ration, glutaraldehyde concentration and spray intensity) were varied at three levels (low, medium, and high) and their effect on the yield, the average particle size and the zeta potential were evaluated statistically. Based on the obtained results, models C1F1G1Sp.30, C1F1G2Sp.40, and C1F1G3Sp.50, which have an average particle size ranging from (265 ± 32) nm to (357 ± 25) nm, production yield in the range (48.9 ± 2.9) % to (66.4 ± 2.2) % and zeta potential varying from ( −20.12 ± 0.9) mV to (−25.71 ± 1.0) mV were selected as optimal for further use as drug delivery systems.
Pediatric Chikungunya-Associated Encephalitis in Itacoatiara, Brazilian Amazon: A Case Report
Authors: Oliveira Samuel Benjamin Aguiar de , Chaves Bárbara Aparecida , Lima Maurício Teixeira , Silva-Neto Alexandre Vilhena , Cordeiro Jady Shayenne Mota , Monteiro Wuelton Marcelo , Bastos Michele de Souza , Sampaio Vanderson de Souza
Published: June 2024

A 9-year-old male child with autism and epilepsy presented with a sudden headache, fever, and seizures. A sequence of tests with clinical congruence determined chikungunya-associated encephalitis. He eventually recovered after medical intervention and physiotherapy.