Local Administration Research Articles

Alpha-1-antitrypsin improves anastomotic healing in intestinal epithelial cells model.

Intestinal anastomosis is a routine procedure in pediatric surgery, with leakage being a significantcomplication. Human alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), whose physiological serum concentrations range from 0.9-2.0 mg/ml,is known to accelerate wound healing and stimulate the expression of cell proliferation-related genes. Wehypothesized that AAT might enhance anastomotic healing. In a monolayer of non-tumorigenic HIEC-6 epithelial cells derived from fetal intestine a scratch wascreated. Standard medium without (control) or with AAT (0.5 and 1 mg/ml) was added. Cells were observed using aLife-Cell Imaging System. Cell proliferation was assessed, and the expression of proliferation-related genes wasmeasured by qRT-PCR. In the presence of AAT, the scratch closed significantly faster. Cells treated with 1 mg/ml AAT showed 53%repopulation after 8 h and 97% after 18 h, while control cells showed 24% and 60% repopulation, respectively(p < 0.02). The treatment with AAT induced HIEC-6-cell proliferation and significantly increased the mRNA-expressionof CDKN1A, CDKN2A, ANGPTL4, WNT3 and COL3A1 genes. AAT did not change the mRNA-expression of CXCL8 butdecreased levels of IL-8 as compared to controls. At physiological concentrations AAT accelerates the confluence of intestinal cells and increases cellproliferation. The local administration of AAT may bear therapeutic potential to improve anastomotic healing.

Service Quality Perceived by Athletes: The Case of Local Government Youth Centre

Meeting the needs in social life is given to local governments by the state. Local governments are responsible for meeting the social needs of individuals. Today, youth center areas are built by local governments to meet the social needs of young people and to create social areas. These are areas opened by local governments to protect the mental and physical health of all young people, to provide socio -cultural support, to contribute to the education of young people in line with their interests and to develop their skills. Athletes mostly use these areas for their physical development. These explanations and expressions, in our research, athletes local administrations youth in the centers perceived service of the quality examination is intended. In our research, we used a 10-question personal information forum (Gender, Educational Status, Branch, Monthly Income Status, Age, Your Mother's Educational Status, Your Father's Educational Status, Your Mother's Profession, Your Father's Profession) created by the researchers. The "Perceived Service Quality Scale in Youth Centers" , whose validity and reliability study was conducted by Polat et al. (2013), consisting of 23 items and a 5-point Likert type consisting of three sub-dimensions ( Physical Environment Quality , Interaction Quality, Output Quality ) , was used. The sample of the research consists of 349 (n=145 Female, n=204 Male) volunteer athletes who are actively involved in three different sports branches (n=177 Athletics, n=116 Table Tennis, n=116 Cycling). The data of the research, which was designed as an analytical cross-sectional type, was collected face to face after receiving approval from the Siirt University Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee. The data obtained in the research were evaluated in the SPSS 25.0 package program. As a result of the normality analysis of the scale, it was seen that the significance values were greater than 0.05 and it was decided to use non-parametric analyzes in the analysis. In our research, Kruskal Wallis H Test and Man Witney U Test were applied. In the statistical analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in the variables of gender, education level, monthly income level, your mother's education level, your father's education level and the sub-dimensions of the perceived service quality scale in youth centers and the scale general scores. It was observed that there was no statistical difference in the sub-dimensions of the scale of perceived service quality in youth centers and the overall scores of the scale with the variables of profession, your father's profession. As a results;In line with the findings obtained in our research, athletes local administrations youth in the centers perceived service of the quality mom and father education status , gender , education status , monthly income status with statistical aspect difference it shows detection has been made .

Pulmonary Pharmacokinetics of Antibody and Antibody Fragments Following Systemic and Local Administration in Mice.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of molecular size on the pulmonary pharmacokinetics (PK) of proteins following systemic and local administration in wild-type mice. Methods: A non-cross-reactive antibody trastuzumab, and F(ab')2, Fab, and scFv fragments of this antibody were used for the investigation. Proteins were injected intravenously or via intratracheal instillation, and PK was measured in plasma, lungs, trachea, bronchi, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) using ELISA. Concentrations in BAL were urea normalized. Results: Following systemic administration, the biodistribution coefficient (BC) for lungs, trachea, bronchi, and BAL was 11%, 11%, 15%, and 2% for the antibody; 15%, 7%, 13%, and 8% for F(ab')2; 25%, 17%, 28%, and 46% for Fab; and 14%, 1%, 2%, and 50% for scFv. The antibody exposure in BAL was ~50-fold lower than plasma and ~5-7-fold lower than lung tissues. A tissue-dependent BC vs. molecular size relationship was observed, where distribution in tissues was the highest for Fab (50 kDa), and scFv demonstrated the highest distribution in the BAL. PK data generated following local administration were quite variable; however, local dosing resulted in BAL exposures that were 10-100-fold higher than those achieved after systemic dosing for all proteins. The BAL antibody concentrations were 100-1000-fold higher than plasma concentrations initially, which normalized by day 14. For most proteins, local dosing resulted in higher lung concentrations than trachea and bronchi, opposite to what was observed after systemic dosing. Conclusions: The PK data presented here provide an unprecedented quantitative insight into the effect of molecular size on the pulmonary disposition of proteins following systemic and local administration.

Efficacy of a single central injection of lignocaine at the scrotal neck on the behavioural response of lambs to castration

ObjectiveTo compare the behavioural responses of lambs to ring castration with or without local anaesthetic administration by single midline injection at the scrotal neck. Study designBlinded, randomized block design pen study. AnimalsA group of 60 male Merino lambs; 6–8 weeks of age; average body weight of 18.5 ± 0.33 (mean ± standard error of the mean) kg at the time of castration. MethodsLambs were randomly assigned to three groups of 20: 1) NUMNUTS – lamb placed in a marking cradle and ring castrated with 1.5 mL lignocaine 2%; 2) SHAM – lamb placed in marking cradle and the scrotum manipulated as though an elastrator castration ring were applied; and 3) RING – lamb placed in the marking cradle, ring castration performed using an elastrator. Pain-related behaviours annotated for 1 full minute every 5 minutes post-procedure, from video footage collected for 2 hours post-procedure, according to a defined ethogram. ResultsLignocaine administration led to significant (p < 0.05) reductions in restless behaviour at 5 and 10 minutes in NUMNUTS lambs compared with RING (mean = 0.2 ± 0.4 versus 1.0 ± 0.4, respectively) post castration. A significant (p = 0.01) reduction in foot stamping and kicking behaviour at 5 minutes post castration (mean = 1.5 ± 0.4, for RING versus 0.4 ± 0.4 for NUMNUTS) and significant (p = 0.001) reduction in the sum of all acute pain-related behaviours at 5 minutes post castration. Conclusion and clinical relevanceA single midline injection of local anaesthetic at the scrotal neck can alleviate the behavioural responses to ring castration in the immediate post-procedure period. However, the duration of effect was limited, which may be a result of the drug we used. Development of a longer-lasting local anaesthetic formulation is imperative to optimize pain mitigation for ring castration.

Assessment of water-use efficiency for enhancing urban wastewater reuse – a case of Bhopal, India

ABSTRACT Wastewater reuse, a known alternative, lacks strong policy and institutional framework in India. There are various non-potable uses in urban areas that can be supplemented with treated wastewater for reducing the pressure on freshwater resources. The current policies in India promote use of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation and industrial use, but they suggest no measures for reuse of the same in urban areas. The research aims to identify whether the water available in an urban area is used sufficiently and fulfils the needs of the city residents in a sustainable manner and advocates wastewater reuse as a possible option for improving its use efficiency. The study reviews the water-use efficiency of Bhopal city using performance indicators. The results suggest that Bhopal city receives enough supply for its needs; however, it is majorly dependent on its external resources. It is thus imperative that the city reuses its water efficiently and looks for wastewater as an alternative source. The research suggests a measurability framework for the local administration to set and identify targeted water use and reuse options within its periphery. The study also identifies certain shortcomings in existing policies and suggests measures to promote judicious reuse of wastewater in urban areas.

Vaginal Natural Oxygenation Device (VNOD) and Lichen: A Pilot Study on the Assessment of Effectiveness of the Simultaneous and Local Administration of High Concentration Oxygen and Hyaluronic Acid to treat Vulvar Lichen Scleroatrophicus

Background This is a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of simultaneous and local administration of high concentration oxygen and hyaluronic acid by a specific medical device (VNOD) to improve vulvar lichen symptoms healing vulvar lesions. Methods 17 women with histological diagnosis of vulvar lichen were included. Five weekly administrations of concomitant oxygen-hyaluronic acid therapy with VNOD were performed. The severity of the pathology was evaluated using the Vaginal Health Index (VHI). Patients’ symptoms were evaluated with two questionnaires: VAS and FSFI. VAS, FSFI and VHI were evaluated at the start and at the end of the therapy. The statistical analysis was performed according to the Kruskal-Wallis method and using the t-test calculator. Results The study has showed that each subsequent treatment determined a significant increase in all parameters, especially for VHI hydration index, VAS fluidity index and FSFI lubrication index, however all the patients reported a recovery of their sexuality at the end of the five treatment sessions. All the parameters maintain their value at six weeks of follow-up. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusions Combined topical oxygen therapy with hyaluronic acid by VNOD seems to be a valid and totally painless treatment for vulvar lichen scleroatrophicus, improving symptomatology, and sexual wellbeing.

Formulation Development of Mucoadhesive Vaginal Gel of Secnidazole and Voriconazole.

Purpose: Over the preceding decades, developing conventional drug delivery in to modified form has acquired importance in the pharmaceutical industry. Vaginal drug delivery system offers localized drug administration of drug and also avoids unwanted side effects of oral drug delivery. Vaginal drug delivery system has significant role in medical practice. Even though VDDS has a lot of advantages over the other routes of administration. The goal of developing the Mucoadhesive Vaginal Gel was to achieve the synergistic effect of voriconazole and secnidazole in the treatment of bacterial and fungal vaginal infections. Method: Mucoadhesive antimicrobial vaginal gel was optimised using Design expert software using Carbopol 934, HPMC K4M polymers. Result: Formulation was evaluated for various rheological parameters ,antimicrobial activity, invitro drug release and stability study. The spreadability and pH was found to be 5.5 to 7.4 cm and 4.12. Its compatible with vaginal pH. The selected optimized F8 formulation is the best formulation and the drug ratio is 2:1. and optimum gel viscosity is 1874 cps. antimicrobial study revealed that faster drug release of test formulation was compared to marketed product. It indicates as inhibition zone. Conclusion: The combination of drugs can serves as better option for treating vaginitis, compared to single drug formulation. Mucoadesion increases contact time of drug with affected area which rendered formulation more effective.

Memory-Guided Saccades and Non-Motor Symptoms Improve after Botulinum Toxin Therapy in Cervical Dystonia

Background/Objectives: Cervical dystonia (CD) is a condition characterized by involuntary activity of cervical muscles, which is often accompanied by various non-motor symptoms. Recent studies indicate impaired saccadic eye movements in CD. Local administration of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A), which causes temporary paralysis of the injected muscle, is the first-line treatment of focal dystonia, including CD. To our knowledge, concurrent observation of the effect of BoNT/A on smooth eye movements, voluntary saccades, memory-guided saccades, and antisaccades in CD has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of BoNT/A on eye movements and non-motor symptoms in patients with CD, which, when altered, could imply a central effect of BoNT/A. Methods: Thirty patients with CD performed smooth pursuit, prosaccadic expression, memory-guided saccades, and antisaccade tasks; eye movements were recorded by an eye tracker. Motor and non-motor symptoms, including depression, anxiety, pain, disability, and cognitive changes prior to and after BoNT/A administration, were also evaluated. Results: The number of correct onward counts (p &lt; 0.001), overall correct memory-guided saccades count (p = 0.005), motor symptoms (p = 0.001), and non-motor symptoms, i.e., anxiety (p = 0.04), depression (p = 0.02), and cognition (p &lt; 0.001) markedly improved after BoNT/A administration. Conclusions: Memory-guided saccades, depression, and anxiety improve after BoNT/A in CD.

Quality of institutions, rent-seeking, and inter-jurisdictional cooperation

AbstractThe differing fiscal needs of municipalities introduce bias into yardstick competition among local administrators driven by pure rent-seeking motives. The influence of institutional quality on this bias varies across cases, sometimes alleviating it, while in other instances exacerbating it. Inter-municipal cooperation provides incumbents with control over political yardstick competition. However, this alliance compromises the quality of public services when rent extraction is a priority. To address the issue of collusion and enhance accountability, the central government may find it counterproductive to uniformly improve institutional quality across all districts. Instead, a more effective approach may involve targeted policy interventions in specific districts, considering the varying levels of fiscal and institutional disparities. By doing so, the central government can disrupt the incentive for collusion and rent extraction among local incumbents.

Effect of Preemptive Analgesia on Pain Perception in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Efforts have been made to minimize pain, prevent the development of needle fear, and promote positive experiences for children. The present study is designed to evaluate the effect of premedication with Ibugesic Plus before the administration of local anesthesia and extraction in children. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of preemptive analgesia on pain perception during local anesthesia administration and extraction in pediatric patients. A total of 104 patients aged 7-10 years were selected who needed primary molar extraction. Group -Ibugesic Plus syrup was given 30 minutes prior to extraction. Group II-Placebo solution (B-Folcin syrup) was given 30 minutes prior to extraction. Pain level, pulse rate, and SpO2 were assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFS) and pulse oximeter after injection, after extraction, and postoperatively. The highest scores of pain were recorded after the time of injection and extraction. The patients who received preemptive analgesics (group I) reported significantly less pain than the placebo group (group II) at the time immediately after injection, after extraction, and 2 hours after extraction. The present study showed that preemptive analgesic administration may be considered a routine and rational pain management strategy in primary tooth extraction procedures in children. Preemptive analgesia can be given to patients prior to dental procedures to reduce postoperative pain. Virda M, Panda A, Kataria K. Effect of Preemptive Analgesia on Pain Perception in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(8):913-917.

PH-Triggered, Lymph Node Focused Immunodrug Release by Polymeric 2-Propionic-3-Methyl-maleic Anhydrides with Cholesteryl End Groups.

Gaining spatial control over innate immune activation is of great relevance during vaccine delivery and anticancer therapy, where one aims at activating immune cells at draining lymphoid tissue while avoiding systemic off-target innate immune activation. Lipid-polymer amphiphiles show high tendency to drain to lymphoid tissue upon local administration. Here, pH-sensitive, cholesteryl end group functionalized polymers as stimuli-responsive carriers are introduced for controlled immunoactivation of draining lymph nodes. Methacrylamide-based monomers bearing pendant 2-propionic-3-methylmaleic anhydride groups are polymerized by Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization using a cholesterol chain-transfer agent (chol-CTA). The amine-reactive anhydrides are conjugated with various amines, however, while primary amines afforded irreversible imides, secondary amines provided pH-responsive conjugates that are released upon acidification. This can be applied to fluorescent dyes for irreversibly carrier labeling or immunostimulatory Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonists as cargos for pH-responsive delivery. Hydrophilization of remaining anhydride repeating units with short PEG-chains yielded cholesteryl-polymer amphiphiles that showed efficient cellular uptake and increased drug release at endosomal pH. Moreover, reversibly conjugated TLR 7/8 agonist amphiphiles efficiently drained to lymph nodes and increased the number of effectively maturated antigen-presenting cells after subcutaneous injection in vivo. Consequently, cholesteryl-linked methacrylamide-based polymers with pH-sensitive 2-propionic-3-methylmaleic anhydride side groups provide ideal features for immunodrug delivery.

THE CONCEPT OF THE FORMATION THE ELECTRONIC DEMOCRACY AS A TOOL OF REGIONAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The article proposes a conceptual model of regional electronic democracy as a cognitive scheme for the analysis of this tool of local public administration in Ukraine. It is noted that the local levels of the implementation of electronic democracy are theoretically capable of demonstrating the greatest effectiveness of using this tool, as they are related to the immediate environment of everyday life of citizens and relate to solving urgent problems of community residents. The author emphasizes the predominant research interest in e-democracy at the national level and insufficient attention to regional features of e-democracy. The key role of digital participation in the formation and development of electronic democracy is argued. The author examines various scientific approaches to considering the forms and levels of public participation in regional public administration and supports the conclusion that there is a tendency to expand the meaningful characteristics of participation in administration and the arsenal of electronic tools for its implementation Using the analytical method and the method of theoretical generalization, the author analyzes the functioning of electronic democracy at the local level. For formulating her own concept, the author relies on the theoretical work of foreign e-democracy researchers, in particular, the concept of invited and invented public space and the classification of types of e-democracy. The model of regional e-democracy is defined as a set of types of electronic participation of the citizens in governance and e-democracy tools as electronic means of implementing this participation. Forms of participation and their corresponding e-tools are grouped into three blocks: transparent e-democracy, deliberative e-democracy and participatory e-democracy. The author draws attention to the heterogeneity of the public sphere as a place for the implementation of local electronic democracy and claims that the identification of the invented space as a place for the implementation of civil self-organization contributes to a deeper understanding of the modern processes of transformation of public administration under the influence of information and communication technologies. The importance of taking into account the social context and the possibilities of technological support for evaluating the effectiveness of the processes of local democracy is emphasized.

Role of Adjuvants in Enhancing the Efficacy and Duration of Anesthesia Blocks: A Comprehensive Review.

Anesthesia blocks are integral to modern pain management, offering targeted and effective relief for various surgical and procedural interventions. These techniques, including regional and peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), involve the administration of local anesthetics to specific body areas, either through epidural, spinal, or direct nerve injections. While effective, incorporating adjuvants, substances added to local anesthetics, can significantly enhance their efficacy and prolong their duration. Adjuvants such as opioids, corticosteroids, alpha-2 agonists, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to amplify analgesic effects, reduce the need for general anesthesia, and improve postoperative outcomes. This review explores the role of adjuvants in optimizing anesthesia blocks, examining their mechanisms of action, clinical benefits, and safety considerations. Adding adjuvants can lead to enhanced pain control, reduced dosage of local anesthetics, and fewer systemic side effects. By integrating adjuvants into anesthesia practice, clinicians can achieve more precise and sustained pain management, tailoring approaches to individual patient needs and specific procedural demands. This comprehensive review highlights current evidence on using adjuvants, their impact on anesthesia block effectiveness, and future research directions. Understanding the role of adjuvants is crucial for improving patient outcomes and advancing pain management techniques in various surgical settings.

Mesenchymal stem cells for perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (systematic review and meta-analysis)

AIM: to compare the efficacy (fistulas healing rate) and safety (morbidity rate) of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and placebo in patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (PFCD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials, comparing the results of treatment of PFCD with single local administration of MSCs or placebo was performed. The meta-analysis included 5 randomized clinical trials and the results of treatment of 289 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: the meta-analysis demonstrates the high efficacy of a single local administration of MSCs for PFCD compared with placebo (OR = 2.10, CI 1.28–3.46, p = 0.003). The most common postoperative complications — abscesses and fistulas — are probably associated with the natural course of the disease and do not differ significantly between the groups. The results of surgery may be affected by the type, source and concentration of MSCs, the method of delivery and the number of injections. CONCLUSION: local administration of mesenchymal stem cells is an effective and safe method for perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease, however, the presence of significant limitations in the meta-analysis makes it cautious about the results obtained and requires further randomized trials.

Strengthening China’s National Essential Public Health Services Package for hypertension and diabetes care: protocol for an interrupted time series study with mixed-methods process evaluation and health economic evaluation

BackgroundDespite major primary health care (PHC) reforms in China with the 2009 launch of the National Essential Public Health Service Package, the country experiences many challenges in improving the management of non-communicable diseases in PHC facilities. “EMERALD” is a multifaceted implementation strategy to strengthen the management of hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in PHC facilities. The study aims to: (1) examine the effectiveness of EMERALD in improving hypertension and T2DM management; (2) evaluate the implementation of the interventions; and (3) use the study findings to model the long-term health economic impact of the interventions.MethodsThe EMERALD intervention components include: (1) empowerment for PHC providers through training and capacity building; (2) empowerment for patient communities through multi-media health education; and (3) empowerment for local health administrators through health data monitoring and strengthening governance of local PHC programs. An interrupted time series design will be used to determine the effectiveness of the interventions based on routinely collected health data extracted from local health information systems. The primary effectiveness outcome is the guideline-recommended treatment rates for people with hypertension and T2DM. Secondary effectiveness outcomes include hypertension and T2DM diagnosis and control rates, and enrolment and adherence rates to the recommended care processes in the National Essential Public Health Service Package. A mixed-methods process evaluation will be conducted to evaluate the implementation of the interventions, including the reach of the target population, adequacy of adoption, level of implementation fidelity, and maintenance. Qualitative interviews with policy makers, health administrators, PHC providers, and patients with hypertension and/or T2DM will be conducted to further identify factors influencing the implementation. In addition, health economic modelling will be performed to explore the long-term incremental costs and benefits of the interventions.DiscussionThis study is expected to generate important evidence on the effectiveness, implementation, and health economic impact of complex PHC interventions to strengthen the primary care sector’s contribution to addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in China.Trial registrationThe study has been registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry at https://www.chictr.org.cn/ (Registration number ChiCTR2400082036, on March 19th 2024).

Gender Pedagogy: Developing Champion Educational Leaders in East Africa

Purpose: This study explored the landscape of educational leadership development in East Africa. It investigated its ability to equip leaders with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote gender-responsive and inclusive practices. Methodology: Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study collected data through surveys, interviews, and document analysis across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The participants included educational leaders, local government authorities, and other stakeholders. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses were performed. Findings: The findings are as follows: Effective sensitization meetings foster shared understanding and ownership of gender-responsive initiatives, and teacher colleges can play a vital role by offering targeted training. Some knowledge gaps exist, necessitating targeted training of educational leaders and Local Government Administrators on gender responsiveness and inclusion. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: The study recommends establishing multi-stakeholder collaboration and dialogue platforms and designing context-specific sensitization meetings tailored to local communities and leaders. Furthermore, strengthening college support through targeted training and programs focused on gender-responsive leadership and pedagogy is necessary. Additionally, investment in training to address knowledge gaps and equip leaders with the necessary skills and tools to facilitate collaborative action research and knowledge sharing for continuous learning and improvement. By implementing these recommendations, East Africa can cultivate a generation of educational leaders who champion gender equality and inclusivity, creating more equitable and transformative learning environments.

Loading Round Wood in Forestry Trucks and Forestry Platforms: A Case Study for Romania

Wood, as the main product of the forest, must be brought from the forest to various beneficiaries by various vehicles. The choice of a particular type of vehicle should consider the characteristics of the area from which the wood is loaded, the wood-storage yard, and the availability of a certain model. Besides this, the assortments and quantities of wood to be transported influence, to a large extent, the type of vehicle, which has consequences for transport efficiency and productivity. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the wood-loading process in various types of transport vehicles in terms of time consumption for each working phase and the factors that can affect productivity. The research was carried out in four counties of Romania and addressed the loading of wood in different forestry trucks and platforms, with or without trailers. Transport distances were documented in Brasov County based on 200 transport documents. To evaluate the transport distances in the case of wood intended for contractors, field measurements were carried out in three different are as managed by the private Lignum Forest District (Bacău County). The study of the loading process and productivity estimation at loading was carried out in three locations, namely Bacău County, Sibiu County, and Caraș-Sever in County. To observe whether there are differences in the loading of tree lengths from the harvesting area in various types of vehicles (forestry trucks—ATF—and forestry platforms—APF), research was carried out in Caraș-Sever in County. After processing the data, it was found that in the forests managed by the state and in the forests owned by the local public administrations, the fuelwood reaches mainly locals, and the working wood reaches some wood processing companies. For forestry trucks (ATFs), the loading time was somewhat constant, while for forestry platforms (APF), it varied, with differences observed from the first to the last loading. Following the evaluation of the work-element phases specific to the operation of loading round wood into vehicles, it was found that, sometimes, significant importance is given to the working elements as phases of preparation of the wooden material that can be carried out before the loading process, in order to load it. To eliminate delays in the loading process, it is recommended that logs are prepared before loading, which will increase productivity and it will decrease the risk of accidents for workers who perform these tasks during the loading process.

Electroactive Nanomaterials for the Prevention and Treatment of Heart Failure: From Materials and Mechanisms to Applications.

Heart failure (HF) represents a cardiovascular disease that significantly threatens global well-being and quality of life. Electroactive nanomaterials, characterized by their distinctive physical and chemical properties, emerge as promising candidates for HF prevention and management. This review comprehensively examines electroactive nanomaterials and their applications in HF intervention. It presents the definition, classification, and intrinsic characteristics of conductive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric nanomaterials, emphasizing their mechanical robustness, electrical conductivity, and piezoelectric coefficients. The review elucidates their applications and mechanisms: 1) early detection and diagnosis, employing nanomaterial-based sensors for real-time cardiac health monitoring; 2) cardiac tissue repair and regeneration, providing mechanical, chemical, and electrical stimuli for tissue restoration; 3) localized administration of bioactive biomolecules, genes, or pharmacotherapeutic agents, using nanomaterials as advanced drug delivery systems; and 4) electrical stimulation therapies, leveraging their properties for innovative pacemaker and neurostimulation technologies. Challenges in clinical translation, such as biocompatibility, stability, and scalability, are discussed, along with future prospects and potential innovations, including multifunctional and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials for precise HF therapies. This review encapsulates current research and future directions concerning the use of electroactive nanomaterials in HF prevention and management, highlighting their potential to innovating in cardiovascular medicine.

Care at the centre of the post-pandemic sustainability of grassroots cultural centres and culture-led urban regeneration. A comparison of western and eastern perspectives

ABSTRACT The redevelopment and management of brownfield sites by grassroots cultural organizations have been shown to have a transformative role on communities and cities, implementing bottom-up culture-led urban regeneration rather than top-down models which often lead to gentrification. Based on analyses and interviews with actors from major grassroots cultural centres in Berlin (ufaFabrik) and Bratislava (Nová Cvernovka), this study challenges previous research on cultural brownfields focusing on temporary artistic interventions, arguing instead that long-term commitment, care, participation and cooperation between cultural organizations and local administrations can lead to more sustainable regeneration models in which cultural brownfields operate as commons-based ecosystems of care. The study also offers a unique insight into the “western” vs. “eastern” specifics, highlighting the fact that post-socialist administrations can serve as a barrier to a successful redevelopment through stigmatized public-NGO relationships, where artists and communities are often perceived as a “political opposition”.

Analyzing Fusion Pore Dynamics and Counting the Number of Acetylcholine Molecules Released by Exocytosis.

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a critical neurotransmitter influencing various neurophysiological functions. Despite its significance, quantitative methods with adequate spatiotemporal resolution for recording a single exocytotic ACh efflux are lacking. In this study, we introduce an ultrafast amperometric ACh biosensor that enables 50 kHz electrochemical recording of spontaneous single exocytosis events at axon terminals of differentiated cholinergic human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells with sub-millisecond temporal resolution. Characterization of the recorded amperometric traces revealed seven distinct current spike types, each displaying variations in shape, time scale, and ACh quantities released. This finding suggests that exocytotic release is governed by complex fusion pore dynamics in these cells. The absolute number of ACh molecules released during exocytosis was quantified by calibrating the sensor through the electroanalysis of liposomes preloaded with varying ACh concentrations. Notably, the largest quantal release involving approximately 8000 ACh molecules likely represents full exocytosis, while a smaller release of 5000 ACh molecules may indicate partial exocytosis. Following a local administration of bafilomycin A1, a V-ATPase inhibitor, the cholinergic cells exhibited both a larger quantity of ACh released and a higher frequency of exocytosis events. Therefore, this ACh sensor provides a means to monitor minute amounts of ACh and investigate regulatory release mechanisms at the single-cell level, which is vital for understanding healthy brain function and pathologies and optimizing drug treatment for disorders.