bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TÜKETİCİLERİN MARKA ALGISI ve MARKA SADAKATİ İLİŞKİSİ: PERAKENDECİ MAĞAZALAR ÜZERİNE BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: DEMİRAĞ Fatma
Published: January 2023

Marka sadakati işletmelerin mevcut ve potansiyel müşterileri ile ilgili uzun vadeli başarının anahtarıdır. Günümüz pazarlama dünyasında marka sadakatinin öncülleri, ilişkili olduğu kavramlar veya marka sadakatini arttırabilecek değişkenler oldukça karmaşık ve önemli bir konudur. Bu çalışma, tüketicilerin perakende marka algısı ve marka sadakati arasındaki nedensel ilişkileri açıklamak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Bu çalışmada, nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden biri olan nedensel araştırma deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak anket yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Anket 414 katılımcıya online olarak uygulanmıştır. Araştırma hipotezlerinin test edilmesinde yapısal eşitlik modelinden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucuna göre, marka güveni ve markaya bağlanmanın marka sadakati üzerinde etkisi olmadığı, marka imajının marka sadakati üzerinde pozitif etkisi olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Bu çalışma, perakendeci markalara yönelik marka algısının marka sadakati üzerinde etkili olabilecek unsurları tartışarak teorik ve pratik açıdan farklı bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır. Çalışma, marka ve marka sadakati teorisine yönelik boşluğu doldurmaya çalışmaktadır. Uygulayıcılara yönelik ise perakendeci mağazaların marka sadakatini etkileyen marka algılarının belirlenmesi uygulayıcıların doğru stratejilerin uygulanması açısından önemlidir.
Nabo forrageiro: potencialidades da espécie como descompactador do solo, reciclador de nutrientes e produtor de biomassa
Authors: Hansen Pedro Henrique , Silva Danni Maisa da , Lanzanova Luciane Sippert , Guerra Divanilde , Lanzanova Mastrângello Enívar , Souza Eduardo Lorensi de , Bohrer Robson Evaldo Gehlen
Published: January 2023

As plantas de cobertura participam das dinâmicas que ocorrem nas áreas de cultivo agrícolas, principalmente, favorecendo a implantação das culturas posteriores, além de servirem como auxiliadoras na estruturação do solo, nas relações biológicas, físicas e químicas do sistema, auxiliando a formação e manutenção do equilíbrio do meio agrícola. Neste sentido, este trabalho tem por objetivo descrever e avaliar a cultura do nabo forrageiro como descompactador do solo, reciclador de nutrientes e produtor de biomassa. Como metodologia foi realizada uma revisão narrativa. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de livros e artigos disponíveis na Base de dados dos Periódicos Capes e Google Acadêmico. Como principais resultados destaca-se que o nabo forrageiro se apresenta como uma planta de cobertura de inverno com grande capacidade de descompactação e estruturação de solos, bem como auxiliar na reciclagem e disponibilização de nutrientes às culturas, além de, produzir biomassa vegetal para cobertura e proteção do solo. As inúmeras pesquisas referentes ao tema de plantas de cobertura, auxiliam na produção de uma vasta literatura, onde profissionais e produtores podem fazer uso e suscitar conhecimentos para práticas mais sustentáveis para a agricultura e que agridam menos o meio ambiente. O uso de plantas como forma de cobertura, é uma alternativa que contribui para o aumento da sustentabilidade nos sistemas agrícolas, devido à capacidade de promover a cobertura do solo, absorver nutrientes das camadas sub-superficiais e liberá-los de forma lenta pela decomposição dos seus resíduos.
Manejo em Cuidados Paliativos
Authors: Santos Leifa Naiane , Rigo Rosângela Silva , Almeida Julia Sezara
Published: January 2023

O manejo em cuidados paliativos contempla vários aspectos importantes, desde a sua identificação, implantação e acolhimento do paciente com a família, buscando esclarecer dúvidas, ampliando a atenção em cuidados, dentro dos princípios de atuação em cuidados paliativos com reforço da vida, sua qualidade, até o transcorrer da morte. O estudo objetiva auxiliar na aplicabilidade dos planos de cuidados paliativos em diversos níveis de atendimento médico, propiciando uma redução de danos e internações/intervenções, amenizando a dor, sofrimentos ao paciente e sua rede de apoio. Os planos em cuidados paliativos representam grande relevância na atenção em saúde, apresentada através de uma revisão bibliográfica narrativa, com base em dados científicos, desde UpToDate, PubMed, Scielo, BVS e Google Acadêmico, identificando e evidenciando alguns desafios que desestimulam a colaboração de uma assistência com qualidade, por uma política pública ineficiente, dessensibilização dos gestores em saúde, uma medicina predominantemente paternalista/curativa, a ausência na rede de saúde pública de profissionais multidisciplinares capacitados para atuação em cuidados paliativos, verificando a necessidade de desenvolver uma educação permanente e social, implementando a medicina centrada no paciente e nos seus aspectos psicossociais.
HUKUM TAKLIF/MUKALLAF DALAM BISNIS
Authors: Holle Mohammad
Published: January 2023

ABSTRAK Semua tindakan, perilaku, dan kata-kata manusia terkait erat dengan persyaratan hukum syariah, baik itu hukum Al-Qur'an maupun sunnah, atau sumber lain yang diakui oleh Syariat. Keputusan tentang syaa' adalah esensi dari ilmu fiqih dan ushul fiqihi, menurut Imam al-Ghazali. Tujuan dari kedua disiplin ilmu ini adalah untuk memahami kegiatan mukallaf. Manusia ditekankan dari segi tuntutan hukum Taklif untuk dikerjakan atau tuntutan untuk ditinggalkan, yang pastinya tuntutan untuk dikerjakan yang disebut wajib dan anjuran untuk dikerjakan disebut sunnah. Sedangkan tuntutan untuk ditinggalkan yaitu berupa pasti untuk ditinggalkan disebut haram dan anjuran untuk ditinggalkan disebut makruh. Tuntutan hukum inilah yang menekankan kepada manusia untuk bertindak dalam aspek kehidupan termasuk dalam konteks berbisnis.  Kata kunci: Mukallaf, Taklif dan Bisnis
Analisis Jual Beli Dengan Model Technopreneurship Di Masa Pandemi Perspektif Bisnis Islam
Authors: Lifmangau Nurya , Amin Darwis
Published: January 2023

AbstrakTujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui jual beli model technopreneurship di masa pandemi dan untuk mengetahui jual beli model technopreneurship di masa pandemi ditinjau dari perspektif bisnis islam.Untuk mengungkapkan persoalan tersebut secara mendalam dan menyeluruh, penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Sumber data yang digunakan ada dua jenis yaitu data primer dan sekunder. Data primer diperoleh dari hasil wawancara dengan pedagang pakaian di maluku City Mall  Ambon. Dari hasil penelitian bahwa Jual beli dengan model technopreneurship yang dilakukan pada masa pandemi sangat membantu penjual dalam mendagangkan barang yang dijual, karena penjualan model ini cukup efektif dalam meningkatkan pendapatan hasil penjualan. Penjualan model technopreneurship yang digunakan menggunakan media teknologi heandphone dengan memanfaatkan fitur aplikasi-aplikasi sosial media seperti facebook, instagram, dan whatsApp. Dalam Tinjauan perspektif bisnis islam terhadap jual beli dengan model technopreunership bisa tidak sah akadnya dan bisa sah. Tidak sah manakala informasi barang yang diberikan penjual pada saat mempromosikan di sosial media berbeda dengan kenyataan saat suatu barang itu diterima oleh pembeli, sehingga pembeli merasa kecewa. Karena hal ini mengandung unsur penipuan. Akan tetapi, jika informasi barang diberikan penjual sama dengan kenyataan barang yang diterima oleh pembeli, maka akad jual beli belinya menjadi sah. Kata Kunci : Jual Beli, Technopreneurship, Bisnis Islam
Pengaruh Lingkungan Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Konsumen Pada Café Pelangi Perspektif Manajemen Bisnis Syariah
Authors: Putri Sarasidya Tritono , Holle Mohammad Hanafi
Published: January 2023

AbstrakPenelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan menganalisis: (1) pengaruh lingkungan terhadap keputusan pembelian konsumen Cafe Pelangi (2) kondisi sekitar terhadap keputusan pembelian konsumen Cafe Pelangi perspektif Manajemen Bisnis Syariah. Pada penelitian ini peneliti menggunakan metode kuantitatif, data primer yang digunakan yaitu data yang disebarkan melalui kuesioner kepada 30 responden yang sesuai dengan karakteristik yang ditentukan. Populasi pada penelitian ini adalah konsumen Cafe Pelangi yang sudah berkunjung minimal 1 kali dan tidak diketahui berapa banyak jumlah konsumen Cafe Pelangi Kota Ambon. Metode pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik sampling insedental  yaitu teknik penentuan sampel berdasarkan kebetulan. Teknik analisis data dalam penelitian ini yaitu analisis regresi linear sederhana. Dari hasil pengolahan data yang dilakukan mendapat kesimpulan bahwa dari uji t (parsial), bahwa variabel kondisi sekitar (X)  berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian (Y) dengan nilai Sig sebesar (0,011 < 0,05), sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh kondisi sekitar (X) terhadap keputusan pembelian (Y).  Koefisien determinasi nilai adjuster R square sebesar 0,183 hal ini mengandung arti bahwa pengaruh variabel kondisi sekitar (X) dapat menjelaskan variabel keputusan pembelian sebesar 18,3% dan sisanya 81,7% dipengaruhi oleh variabel lainnya yang tidak diteliti dalam penelitian ini.Kata Kunci : Kondisi Sekitar, Keputusan Pembelian Konsumen Cafe Pelangi
Imaging During Transcatheter Interventions for Valvular Heart Disease
Authors: González-Gómez Ariana , Zamorano José L.
Published: January 2023

Valvular heart disease is a growing field, and the number of new approaches for percutaneous treatment is increasing rapidly. These procedures usually cannot be performed with fluoroscopy alone; allowing echocardiography to be an essential role inside the Cath Lab. Three-dimensional echocardiography, and the introduction of a novel imaging modality that integrates live echocardiography and live fluoroscopy imaging, has potential in facilitating procedure guidance and increasing procedure efficiency.
Premature Heart Attacks: Bad Lifestyle, Bad Luck, or Bad Genes?
Authors: Eastmond Medicomm Ltd.
Published: January 2023

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH), a rare inherited lipid disorder usually caused by bi-allelic defects in the LDLR gene, is characterised by marked elevation in low-density lipoprotein -cholesterol (LDL-C). Aggressive, early intervention with lipid-lowering therapy is warranted in patients with HoFH, and the recent introduction of new drug treatments including lomitapide and mipomersen has enabled physicians and their patients to achieve lower LDL-C levels than previously possible in this hard- to-treat condition. Understanding the overall impact of new interventions in HoFH requires a correct assessment of the true prevalence of the disease. Although it is rare, emerging studies suggest that HoFH may be more common than previously thought. We have reviewed data on the epidemiology and management of HoFH, with a focus on raising awareness on this condition so that clinicians can be made aware of the potential for genetic causes for presentation with premature cardiovascular disease. As classic clinical characteristics may be absent in HoFH patients, genetic status and/or family history should be part of the assessment of patients with significantly elevated LDL-C and premature atherosclerosis with a premature heart attack or clinical complications. As direct outcomes data for new treatments for HoFH are not yet available, intermediate phenotypes of arterial structure and function are being studied as endpoints in clinical trials. Novel therapies which enable lowering of LDL-C to levels that were, until recently, unachievable, have the potential to alter cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this high-risk group of patients.
Red Cell Distribution Width for Predicting Cardiovascular Disease: A Literature Review
Authors: Zöller Bengt , Melander Olle , Svensson Peter , Engström Gunnar
Published: January 2023

Although the classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are very important, identification of potential novel risk factors could help clarify CVD pathophysiology, offer novel targets for intervention, and lead to improved risk stratification. Erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), are constituents of clots and thrombi formed in vivo but little is known about whether inherent properties of RBCs could affect the risk for CVD. The red cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the size variation and an index of the heterogeneity of erythrocytes, i.e. anisocytosis. Recently, a large number of studies have found an independent association beyond traditional risk factors between increased RDW (anisocytosis) and CVD. For instance, increased RDW has been associated with different CVDs such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and venous thromboembolism. RDW has also been associated with overall and cardiovascular mortality in different populations. RDW is influenced by many factors including traditional risk factors for CVDs, and it remains to be determined whether RDW is only a biomarker or also a pathogenic mediator for certain CVDs. Future Mendelian randomisation studies may provide a method for assessing the causal nature of increased RDW. Still, RDW is an inexpensive test measured routinely by automated blood cell counters and could be a useful predictor for CVD. In this article we present an overview of the literature about RDW and its association with CVDs.
Quality of Life Evaluation in Psoriasis Patients Starting a Biological Treatment: The Importance of a More Comprehensive Assessment of Disease Burden
Authors: Talamonti Marina , Galluzzo Marco , Servoli Stella , Chimenti Sergio
Published: January 2023

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that has a significant negative impact on a patient’s quality of life (QoL). Measures of the clinical severity of psoriasis alone may not reflect patients’ perceptions of the impact of the disease on their lives. The aim of our study was to assess QoL in psoriasis patients who were candidates to receive one of the new biological treatments in order to obtain a more complete evaluation of the severity of the disease prior to treatment. A total of 180 patients were analysed, with all being affected by plaquetype psoriasis. The clinical severity of psoriasis was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, while QoL was assessed by three measures: the Dermatology Life Quality Index, the Skindex-29, and the Psoriasis Disability Index. Our results show how pervasive the impact of psoriasis is in patients who are candidates for the new biological treatments, and they further confirm the lack of a strong correlation between measures of clinical severity and QoL.
Real-World Challenges in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Why a Paradigm Shift Is Needed
Authors: Blumson Eve
Published: January 2023

Despite the increasing range of treatment options for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there are a number of real-world barriers that prevent many patients from achieving and maintaining glycaemic control. The objective of this symposium was to provide an overview of the challenges in T2DM treatment and to discuss novel strategies that may overcome these issues. The symposium started by exploring the key barriers that prevent patients from achieving glycaemic control, highlighting patient non-adherence to treatment as the major contributor to poor glycaemic control in a real-world setting. The speakers then explored the issue of non-adherence further, focussing on patient and physicianrelated contributing factors, including patient perceptions of treatment value and burden, fears of hypoglycaemia, and patient–physician interactions. The symposium ended with a presentation on potential strategies to improve treatment adherence and clinical outcomes in T2DM. Clinical evidence was presented suggesting that effective methods for helping patients to attain and maintain glycaemic control include both early treatment with intensive combination therapy and treatment with fixed-dose combinations of a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and a basal insulin analogue (iDegLira and iGlarLixi). Novel drug delivery methods were highlighted as a potential strategy for improving patient adherence and treatment success, with data presented on the efficacy and safety of ITCA 650 (Intarcia Therapeutics Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA), a subdermal osmotic mini-pump that provides continuous delivery of a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The symposium concluded with a summary of the main points, in which the need for new strategies to address the issue of non-adherence to therapy in T2DM was emphasised.
Diagnostic Methods in Eosinophilic Oesophagitis: From Endoscopy to the Future
Authors: Rodríguez-Sánchez Joaquín , López Viedma Bartolomé
Published: January 2023

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly prevalent disease in clinical practice. Nowadays it is the most frequent cause of dysphagia in young patients and the second leading cause of chronic oesophagitis. The gold standard technique for diagnosis and monitoring the disease is oesophagoscopy with biopsies, which is not without complications. Due to the lack of consensus on the monitoring of the disease, and the rise of dietary therapies, there has been a significant increase in the number of endoscopies per patient (up to ten). At the present time, non-invasive methods are being developed that make the management of these patients a less invasive and more sustainable strategy.
State-of-the-Art Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Recent Advances and Emerging Therapeutic Alternatives
Authors: Simrén Magnus
Published: January 2023

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent functional disorder characterised by chronic and recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habit. Numerous pharmacological and non pharmacological treatment options have proven to have some benefit in the condition, and a multidisciplinary approach should ensure that treatment is tailored to the individual. Recently, an enhanced understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying the condition has led to the development of new therapies, including prokinetic agents targeting serotonin (5-HT) pathways, and pro-secretory agents. Many are still at an early stage of clinical development, however, some have demonstrated improved outcomes in clinical trials and have gained regulatory approval. Lubiprostone, a calcium channel activator and linaclotide, a novel secretagogue that activates the guanylate cyclase C receptor, have demonstrated improvement of abdominal pain as well as improved bowel function in patients with IBS with constipation (IBS-C) in a series of randomised, placebo-controlled studies.
Non-Surgical Therapy for Unresectable Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Liberato Manuel , Canena Jorge
Published: January 2023

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) is characterised by late clinical symptoms. As a consequence, most patients will not undergo surgery, and palliation is the main goal of therapy. For the few patients that undergo potentially curative surgery, the need for preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) continues to be debated and remains controversial, as there are many reports with conflicting results. For the palliation of unresectable HCCA, endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic drainage (PTD) is typically preferred over surgical palliative resection. PTD can be useful in patients with altered anatomy, as a guide to endoscopic procedures (rendezvous technique), after failure of endotherapy or as a rescue
therapy for the drainage of segments that have been opacified by endoscopy. Endoscopic palliative bile duct drainage can be performed with plastic stents (PSs) or self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs). Several studies have compared PSs and SEMSs for the palliation of HCCA, and all have been in favour of SEMS placement, which is associated with a lower number of reinterventions, superior cumulative stent patency and even improved survival. The optimal technique for endoscopic palliative metal stent placement and the benefits of bilateral versus unilateral stenting remain controversial and highly debated. Drainage of only 25-30% of the liver volume may be sufficient to ameliorate jaundice in most cases of HCCA. However, reports of bilateral drainage are associated with longer stent patency, lower reintervention rates and, perhaps, a better quality of life for patients. Furthermore, newly available stents may be associated with higher rates of technical success and increasing successful reintervention rates in bilateral stenting.
The Role of CD49d in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: Microenvironmental Interactions and Clinical Relevance
Authors: Dal Bo Michele , Tissino Erika , Benedetti Dania , Caldana Chiara , Bomben Riccardo , Del Poeta Giovanni , Gaidano Gianluca , Rossi Francesca Maria , Zucchetto Antonella , Gattei Valter
Published: January 2023

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a clinically heterogeneous disease characterised by the accumulation/expansion of a clonal population of neoplastic cells with the morphological appearance of small mature B lymphocytes in blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid organs. Stimulation through the B cell receptor (BCR) plays a prominent role in the selection and expansion of the malignant clone in CLL. On the other hand, other external signals delivered by several cell types including T lymphocytes, macrophages, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and follicular dendritic cells, operating through either direct BCR-independent cell-cell contact or indirect production of paracrine soluble factors, synergistically cooperate in regulating proliferation and survival of CLL cells. In this context, CD49d is known to play a pivotal role in mediating both cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in CLL-involved tissues, eventually delivering pro-survival signals and protecting CLL cells from drug-induced damages. In the present review, we focused on functional and physical interactions of CD49d with other microenvironmental receptors, including CD38 and BCR, and other specific CD49d-dependent interactions in lymph node and bone marrow microenvironments responsible for growth and survival-supporting signals, eventually influencing CLL prognosis and therapeutic options.
The Standard of Care in Relapsed Refractory CD30+ Lymphoma
Authors: Hutchings Martin
Published: January 2023

CD30-positive (CD30+) lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies that share the same antigen. Over recent decades, advances in therapeutic management of these diseases have considerably improved clinical outcomes. Overall, the two main CD30+ lymphomas – Hodgkin’s lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma – are associated with a favourable prognosis after first-line therapy. Nevertheless, optimal therapeutic strategies are needed to manage relapsed or refractory CD30+ lymphomas. The introduction of novel targeted approaches, such as brentuximab vedotin (BV), expands the therapeutic armamentarium and provides new perspectives in terms of clinical efficacy despite heavily pretreated disease, with reasonable toxicity to patients whose quality of life is often impaired by the disease and repeated treatments. The standard of care (SoC) for these malignancies is being refined and will be clarified with results from ongoing and upcoming Phase II/III clinical trials. Clinical studies are currently assessing the use of BV in a broad range of CD30+ lymphomas. Over time, frontline strategies and SoC will be refined in order to improve outcomes for patients with relapsed disease, while allowing clinicians to expand patient selection and provide long-term remission in a wide variety of clinical settings.
Current Status And Future Perspectives On Drug-Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffolds: Will The Paradigm Of PCI Shift?
Authors: Ielasi Alfonso , Tespili Maurizio
Published: January 2023

Despite improvements in stent platform, polymer, and drug elution, the permanent metallic stents have significant limitations as they distort vessel physiology, predispose to late thrombosis, and may preclude surgical revascularisation. Bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) technology has evolved over the last few years to overcome these drawbacks. Actually, different BRS are either available or under clinical and preclinical investigation. However, the use of BRS has largely been restricted to patients recruited into clinical trials with a relatively small number of ‘real-world’ patients treated with these devices. Here, we highlight the potentialities of these devices, describe the evidence from the recent clinical trials, and discuss the potential advantages as well as challenges that this novel technology may face in routine clinical practice.
Doctor David Loza Fernández - Deja una gran huella, muy difícil de igualar (1935-2022)
Authors: Flores Mena Gabriel
Published: January 2023

Sin duda muy difícil escribir el In Memoriam de un MAESTRO como el Dr. David Loza Fernández, complicado encontrar las palabras correctas que describan la dimensión real de un personaje como él. En estas breves líneas trataré de expresar de la mejor manera su dimensión en la odontología nacional y extranjera, así como su productiva vida personal, profesional y académica.
La tuberculosis en el Perú y los cambios debido a la pandemia COVID-19
Authors: Somocurcio-Vílchez José Gabriel
Published: January 2023

La tuberculosis (TB) tiene una larga historia. Estaba presente desde antes del comienzo de la historia registrada y ha dejado su huella en la creatividad humana, la música, el arte y la literatura; y ha influido en el avance de las ciencias biomédicas y el cuidado de la salud. Su agente causal, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, puede haber matado a más personas que cualquier otro patógeno microbiano.
Liberal Arts Synchronous Online Learning Under Covid-19: Reflections and Lessons Learned
Authors: Majewska Izabela , Zvobgo Varaidzo
Published: January 2023

During the Covid-19 pandemic, American institutions of higher learning moved educational programs to electronic online modes. Some disciplines and areas of study may be better equipped for this change than others. Liberal arts and sciences are believed to be more reliant on face-to-face interaction and thus can be argued to have been more negatively affected by the required move to online learning There is little literature to date about the perceived quality of instruction among liberal arts and sciences students who have taken synchronous online classes. Furthermore, most available research data on synchronous online learning was conducted before COVID-19. This study was exploratory in nature having the intention of filling a gap in the literature by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between liberal arts and sciences students’ interaction with the virtual platform, peers, as well as instructor, and their satisfaction with the quality of instruction during Covid-19 in America.
Polymeric microcarriers for minimally-invasive cell delivery
Authors: Duan Chunyan , Yu Mingjia , Hu Changji , Xia Hongying , Kankala Ranjith Kumar
Published: January 2023

Tissue engineering (TE) aims at restoring tissue defects by applying the three-dimensional (3D) biomimetic pre-formed scaffolds to restore, maintain, and enhance tissue growth. Broadly speaking, this approach has created a potential impact in anticipating organ-building, which could reduce the need for organ replacement therapy. However, the implantation of such cell-laden biomimetic constructs based on substantial open surgeries often results in severe inflammatory reactions at the incision site, leading to the generation of a harsh adverse environment where cell survival is low. To overcome such limitations, micro-sized injectable modularized units based on various biofabrication approaches as ideal delivery vehicles for cells and various growth factors have garnered compelling interest owing to their minimally-invasive nature, ease of packing cells, and improved cell retention efficacy. Several advancements have been made in fabricating various 3D biomimetic microscale carriers for cell delivery applications. In this review, we explicitly discuss the progress of the microscale cell carriers that potentially pushed the borders of TE, highlighting their design, ability to deliver cells and substantial tissue growth in situ and in vivo from different viewpoints of materials chemistry and biology. Finally, we summarize the perspectives highlighting current challenges and expanding opportunities of these innovative carriers.
Blockchain feasibility assessment: A quantitative approach
Authors: Spencer-Hicken Scott , Schutte C. S. L. , Vlok P. J.
Published: January 2023

This article outlines the research and development of a blockchain assessment framework which enables the assessment of the technical suitability, high-level design, adoption approach, economic feasibility, and business value potential of a blockchain solution with a particular organization for a specific process. The framework is a comprehensive, high-level, and generic assessment approach that enables better decision-making regarding blockchain exploration. Blockchain is a novel technology with the potential to disrupt several industries through its possession of many desirable functional characteristics, including, but not limited to, immutability, transparency, decentralization, and secure. Cryptocurrencies and these desirable characteristics have created hype around blockchain, consequently leading to blockchain projects with minimal understanding of what the technology is capable of and beneficial for, resulting in excessively high failure rates. Attempts have been made by researchers to reduce these high failure rates by creating a better understanding of blockchain, as well as creating assessment approaches. However, these approaches tend to apply to specific narrow use cases, or the approach is not comprehensive and only considers one aspect of blockchain assessment. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and generic blockchain assessment approach to aid with better decision-making regarding blockchain within organizations. This article aims at addressing this need by creating a blockchain assessment framework to aids with deciding whether it is worthwhile investing more time, effort, and money into blockchain exploration. The context of the study is set in the introduction, this is then followed by a brief explanation of the blockchain technology. Thereafter, the blockchain assessment framework is presented, followed by a brief explanation of the demonstration and validation of the framework using a case study and expert analysis. The framework is most valuable during the initial stages of blockchain exploration and creates momentum for further blockchain exploration in an organization. The study concludes with the limitations and future research recommendations.
Exploring constraining factors for use of private sector finance in delivery of public sector infrastructure in Tanzania: A qualitative study
Authors: Kavishe Neema , Zulu Sambo Lyson , Luvara Valentine , Zulu Ephraim , Musonda Innocent , Moobela Cletus , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: January 2023

While governments remain accountable for the delivery of infrastructure services, given the paucity of public resources, studies have recommended the use of private sector finance (PSF) as an alternative approach to delivering sustainable infrastructure both in developed and developing economies. Despite the recommendation, there has been very little use of PSF in delivering public projects, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study explores the constraining factors for the use of PSF in the delivery of public infrastructure in Tanzania and proposes recommendations. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with different stakeholders delivering public infrastructure services. Interviewees were purposefully selected. Data were analyzed through conceptual content analysis. The findings reveal that the top five constraining factors were inadequate knowledge and skills, lack of policy to support or suffice PSF, bureaucracy or delays of approvals, lack of proper models for PSF, and lack of skilled people or existence of a big national skill gap. Thus, the identified constraints provided useful insights and were used as a road map for suggesting appropriate solutions to enhance the use of PSF. Furthermore, this is the first study to empirically explore the constraining factors for PSF in delivering infrastructure projects in the Tanzanian context.
An adaptive and versatile method to quantitate and characterize collective cell migration behaviors on complex surfaces
Authors: Loesel Kristen E. , Hiraki Harrison L. , Baker Brendon M. , Parent Carole A.
Published: January 2023

Collective cell migration is critical for proper embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer cell invasion. However, much of our knowledge of cell migration has been performed using flat surfaces that lack topographical features and do not recapitulate the complex fibrous architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The recent availability of synthetic fibrous networks designed to mimic in vivo ECM has been key to identify the topological features that dictate cell migration patterns as well as to determine the underlying mechanisms that regulate topography-sensing. Recent studies have underscored the prevalence of collective cell migration during cancer invasion, and these observations present a compelling need to understand the mechanisms controlling contact guidance within migratory, multicellular groups. Therefore, we designed an integrated migration analysis platform combining tunable electrospun fibers that recapitulate aspects of the biophysical properties of the ECM, and computational approaches to investigate collective cell migration. To quantitatively assess migration as a function of matrix topography, we developed an automated MATLAB code that quantifies cell migration dynamics, including speed, directionality, and the number of detached cells. This platform enables live cell imaging while providing enough cells for biochemical, proteomic, and genomic analyses, making our system highly adaptable to multiple experimental investigations.
A targeted multi-proteomics approach generates a blueprint of the ciliary ubiquitinome
Authors: Aslanyan Mariam G. , Doornbos Cenna , Diwan Gaurav D. , Anvarian Zeinab , Beyer Tina , Junger Katrin , van Beersum Sylvia E. C. , Russell Robert B. , Ueffing Marius , Ludwig Alexander , Boldt Karsten , Pedersen Lotte B. , Roepman Ronald
Published: January 2023

Establishment and maintenance of the primary cilium as a signaling-competent organelle requires a high degree of fine tuning, which is at least in part achieved by a variety of post-translational modifications. One such modification is ubiquitination. The small and highly conserved ubiquitin protein possesses a unique versatility in regulating protein function via its ability to build mono and polyubiquitin chains onto target proteins. We aimed to take an unbiased approach to generate a comprehensive blueprint of the ciliary ubiquitinome by deploying a multi-proteomics approach using both ciliary-targeted ubiquitin affinity proteomics, as well as ubiquitin-binding domain-based proximity labelling in two different mammalian cell lines. This resulted in the identification of several key proteins involved in signaling, cytoskeletal remodeling and membrane and protein trafficking. Interestingly, using two different approaches in IMCD3 and RPE1 cells, respectively, we uncovered several novel mechanisms that regulate cilia function. In our IMCD3 proximity labeling cell line model, we found a highly enriched group of ESCRT-dependent clathrin-mediated endocytosis-related proteins, suggesting an important and novel role for this pathway in the regulation of ciliary homeostasis and function. In contrast, in RPE1 cells we found that several structural components of caveolae (CAV1, CAVIN1, and EHD2) were highly enriched in our cilia affinity proteomics screen. Consistently, the presence of caveolae at the ciliary pocket and ubiquitination of CAV1 specifically, were found likely to play a role in the regulation of ciliary length in these cells. Cilia length measurements demonstrated increased ciliary length in RPE1 cells stably expressing a ubiquitination impaired CAV1 mutant protein. Furthermore, live cell imaging in the same cells revealed decreased CAV1 protein turnover at the cilium as the possible cause for this phenotype. In conclusion, we have generated a comprehensive list of cilia-specific proteins that are subject to regulation via ubiquitination which can serve to further our understanding of cilia biology in health and disease.
Functional interactions between NADPH oxidase 5 and actin
Authors: Richter Samantha M. , Massman Lilyanna C. , Stuehr Dennis J. , Sweeny Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2023

NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) is a transmembrane oxidative signaling enzyme which produces superoxide in response to intracellular calcium flux. Increasing evidence indicates that NOX5 is involved in a variety of physiological processes as well as human disease, however, details of NOX5 signaling pathways and targets of NOX5 mediated oxidative modifications remain poorly resolved. Actin dynamics have previously been shown to be modulated by oxidative modification, however, a direct connection to NOX5 expression and activity has not been fully explored. Here we show that NOX5 and actin interact in the cell, and each modulate the activity of the other. Using actin effector molecules jasplakinolide, cytochalasin D and latrunculin A, we show that changes in actin dynamics affect NOX5 superoxide production. In tandem, NOX5 oxidatively modifies actin, and shifts the ratio of filamentous to monomeric actin. Finally, we show that knockdown of NOX5 in the pancreatic cancer cell line PSN-1 impairs cell migration. Together our findings indicate an important link between actin dynamics and oxidative signaling through NOX5.
Nematode homologs of the sour taste receptor Otopetrin1 are evolutionarily conserved acid-sensitive proton channels
Authors: Li Shitian , Al-Sheikh Umar , Chen Yili , Kang Lijun
Published: January 2023

Numerous taste receptors and related molecules have been identified in vertebrates and invertebrates. Otopetrin1 has recently been identified as mammalian sour taste receptor which is essential for acid sensation. However, whether other Otopetrin proteins are involved in PH-sensing remains unknown. In C. elegans, there are eight otopetrin homologous genes but their expression patterns and functions have not been reported so far. Through heterologous expression in HEK293T cells, we found that ceOTOP1a can be activated by acid in NMDG+ solution without conventional cations, which generated inward currents and can be blocked by zinc ions. Moreover, we found that Otopetrin channels are widely expressed in numerous tissues, especially in sensory neurons in the nematode. These results suggest that the biophysical characteristics of the Otopetrin channels in nematodes are generally conserved. However, a series of single gene mutations of otopetrins, which were constructed by CRISPR-Cas9 method, did not affect either calcium responses in ASH polymodal sensory neurons to acid stimulation or acid avoidance behaviors, suggesting that Otopetrin channels might have diverse functions among species. This study reveals that nematode Otopetrins are evolutionarily conserved acid-sensitive proton channels, and provides a framework for further revealing the function and mechanisms of Otopetrin channels in both invertebrates and vertebrates.
Life in plastic, it’s fantastic! How Leishmania exploit genome instability to shape gene expression
Authors: Black Jennifer A. , Reis-Cunha João Luís , Cruz Angela. K. , Tosi Luiz. R.O.
Published: January 2023

Leishmania are kinetoplastid pathogens that cause leishmaniasis, a debilitating and potentially life-threatening infection if untreated. Unusually, Leishmania regulate their gene expression largely post-transcriptionally due to the arrangement of their coding genes into polycistronic transcription units that may contain 100s of functionally unrelated genes. Yet, Leishmania are capable of rapid and responsive changes in gene expression to challenging environments, often instead correlating with dynamic changes in their genome composition, ranging from chromosome and gene copy number variations to the generation of extrachromosomal DNA and the accumulation of point mutations. Typically, such events indicate genome instability in other eukaryotes, coinciding with genetic abnormalities, but for Leishmania, exploiting these products of genome instability can provide selectable substrates to catalyse necessary gene expression changes by modifying gene copy number. Unorthodox DNA replication, DNA repair, replication stress factors and DNA repeats are recognised in Leishmania as contributors to this intrinsic instability, but how Leishmania regulate genome plasticity to enhance fitness whilst limiting toxic under- or over-expression of co-amplified and co-transcribed genes is unclear. Herein, we focus on fresh, and detailed insights that improve our understanding of genome plasticity in Leishmania. Furthermore, we discuss emerging models and factors that potentially circumvent regulatory issues arising from polycistronic transcription. Lastly, we highlight key gaps in our understanding of Leishmania genome plasticity and discuss future studies to define, in higher resolution, these complex regulatory interactions.
Co-infection of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) gut bacteria with Leishmania major exacerbates the pathological responses of BALB/c mice
Authors: Amni Fariba , Maleki-Ravasan Naseh , Nateghi-Rostami Mahmoud , Hadighi Ramtin , Karimian Fateh , Meamar Ahmad Reza , Badirzadeh Alireza , Parvizi Parviz
Published: January 2023

Clinical features and severity of the leishmaniasis is extremely intricate and depend on several factors, especially sand fly-derived products. Bacteria in the sand fly’s gut are a perpetual companion of Leishmania parasites. However, consequences of the concomitance of these bacteria and Leishmania parasite outside the midgut environment have not been investigated in the infection process. Herein, a needle infection model was designed to mimic transmission by sand flies, to examine differences in the onset and progression of L. major infection initiated by inoculation with “low” or “high” doses of Enterobacter cloacae and Bacillus subtilis bacteria. The results showed an alteration in the local expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in mice receiving different inoculations of bacteria. Simultaneous injection of two bacteria with Leishmania parasites in the low-dose group caused greater thickness of ear pinna and enhanced tissue chronic inflammatory cells, as well as resulted in multifold increase in the expression of IL-4 and IL-1β and a decrease in the iNOS expression, without changing the L. major burden. Despite advances in scientific breakthroughs, scant survey has investigated the interaction between micro and macro levels of organization of leishmaniasis that ranges from the cellular to macro ecosystem levels, giving rise to the spread and persistence of the disease in a region. Our findings provide new insight into using the potential of the vector-derived microbiota in modulating the vertebrate immune system for the benefit of the host or recommend the use of appropriate antibiotics along with antileishmanial medicines.
Microbial characterization based on multifractal analysis of metagenomes
Authors: Xie Xian-hua , Huang Yu-jie , Han Guo-sheng , Yu Zu-guo , Ma Yuan-lin
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The species diversity of microbiomes is a cutting-edge concept in metagenomic research. In this study, we propose a multifractal analysis for metagenomic research.

Method and Results

Firstly, we visualized the chaotic game representation (CGR) of simulated metagenomes and real metagenomes. We find that metagenomes are visualized with self-similarity. Then we defined and calculated the multifractal dimension for the visualized plot of simulated and real metagenomes, respectively. By analyzing the Pearson correlation coefficients between the multifractal dimension and the traditional species diversity index, we obtain that the correlation coefficients between the multifractal dimension and the species richness index and Shannon diversity index reached the maximum value when q = 0, 1, and the correlation coefficient between the multifractal dimension and the Simpson diversity index reached the maximum value when q = 5. Finally, we apply our method to real metagenomes of the gut microbiota of 100 infants who are newborn and 4 and 12 months old. The results show that the multifractal dimensions of an infant's gut microbiomes can distinguish age differences.

Conclusion and Discussion

There is self-similarity among the CGRs of WGS of metagenomes, and the multifractal spectrum is an important characteristic for metagenomes. The traditional diversity indicators can be unified under the framework of multifractal analysis. These results coincided with similar results in macrobial ecology. The multifractal spectrum of infants’ gut microbiomes are related to the development of the infants.
Effects of direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin K antagonists on acute kidney injury in patients with atrial fibrillation: A systematic review
Authors: Ren Chengfa , Zhao Yudan , Liu Dehui
Published: January 2023

Background

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are routinely prescribed oral anticoagulants to prevent thromboembolism. Concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants, such as vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), arise for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) because of their widespread use in clinical practice. Even though there have been an abundance of studies on this topic, it is still not clear if DOAC users with NVAF have a lower risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) than warfarin users.

Methods and results

We conducted electronic searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies for this systematic review. We included randomized clinical trials and observational studies that reported on the incidence rate, hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of AKI in patients using oral anticoagulants. This systemic review included six observational studies and four randomized clinical trials (RCT). The overall results showed that DOACs were associated with a lower AKI risk than warfarin. However, for NVAF patients with severe renal dysfunction, DOACs may not have a reduced risk of AKI compared to warfarin.

Conclusion

The overall results suggest that, except for edoxaban, patients using DOACs may experience a reduced risk of AKI. However, it is uncertain whether this is also the case for patients with severe renal dysfunction. Further research is needed to confirm the effect of DOACs on this population.
Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs): Possible therapeutic targets in heart failure
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yao Jiayu , Zhang Mingming , Wang Yushan , Shi Xingjuan
Published: January 2023

Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) are formed by physical connections of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Over the past decades, great breakthroughs have been made in the study of ER-mitochondria communications. It has been identified that MAM compartments are pivotal in regulating neurological function. Accumulating studies indicated that MAMs participate in the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, the specific role of MAMs in heart failure remains to be fully understood. In this article, we first summarize the structural and functional properties of MAM and MAM-associated proteins. We then focus on the roles of MAMs in myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy and heart failure, and discuss the involvement of MAMs in disease progression and treatment. Elucidating these issues may provide important insights into therapeutic intervention of heart failure.