Initial Culture Research Articles

Concomitant Interstitial Pneumonia and Disseminated BCG Infection after Intravesical BCG Therapy: A Case Report.

An 83-year-old man presented with persistent fever after intravesical BCG therapy for bladder cancer. Chest computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy revealed diffuse ground-glass opacities with multiple micronodules and lymphocyte-predominant bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with a high CD4/CD8 ratio, respectively. Therefore, corticotherapy for interstitial pneumonia was initiated. Anti-fast staining of the respiratory specimens was negative; however, anti-tuberculosis treatment was added based on CT findings suggesting disseminated BCG infection. Fifty days post-admission, Mycobacterium bovis BCG was identified in the initial sputum cultures. Concomitant interstitial pneumonia and BCG infection should be considered in patients with abnormal chest imaging following intravesical BCG therapy.

FORMULATION AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY FACE MIST KOMBUCHA OF TELANG FLOWER (Clitoria ternatea L.) WITH DPPH METHOD (2,2 Difenyl-1-Piksryhidrazil)

Telang flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) contains anthocyanins that are efficacious as natural antioxidants. Face mist with synthetic materials, such as tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), has side effects that are carcinogenic and can cause tumors if used for a long time. Currently, many studies haveeinvestigated the conventional biotechnology product kombucha,, which is a drink made from tea fermented by bacteria and yeast (Scoby/Symbiotic Colony (Culture) Bacteria &Yeast,), as the initial culture of the tea produces an aroma or sour taste. Kombucha has various anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities of certain strains, which are expected to provide good antioxidant activity when combined with the natural ingredients of Telang flowers. In this study, telang flower simplicia was fermented for 6 days until telang flower kombucha tea was obtained, and face mist preparations in three concentrations (5%, 7,5%, and 10%) were prepared to determine the antioxidant activity using the DPPH method measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometry by looking at the % inhibition and IC50 values. Based on the results of the evaluation with the parameters of organoleptic testing, pH, homogeneity, spray dispersion, specific weight, viscosity, and drying time met the requirements. The result of the antioxidant activity test of vitamin C of 4,36 ppm, kombucha of telang flower of 14,19 ppm, and face mist of kombucha of telang flower with concentrations of 5%, 7,5% and 10% produced IC50 values of 21,19 ppm, 19,62 ppm, and 17,52 ppm and were included in the very strong category. Keywords: Antioxidant, Telang flower, Face mist, DPPH, Kombucha

Pericardial Abscess Due to Salmonella Typhi Infection

Typhoid fever is a human-specific disease caused by subspecies of Salmonella enterica (Salmonella Typhi). It spreads through ingestion of contaminated food or water and is diagnosed through blood culture or bone marrow culture. It typically presents as an intestinal infection, with a few patients developing severe disseminated infections. Here, we report a rare case of purulent pericarditis secondary to S. Typhi infection. A 67-year-old elderly male suffered from recurrent fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain for 7 days. Initial blood and stool cultures were positive for Salmonella, and a follow-up blood culture confirmed S. Typhi. Magnetic resonance imaging showed pericardial abscess and hepatic abscess. After pericardiocentesis, the pericardial fluid culture grew S. Typhi, confirming the diagnosis of pericardial abscess secondary to S. Typhi infection. After percutaneous drainage of the pericardial abscess and administration of effective antibiotics, the patient’s symptoms improved significantly. He subsequently recovered and was discharged from the hospital. During follow-up, there were no further recurrences. Disseminated infection secondary to Salmonella Typhi is extremely rare but can lead to serious life-threatening conditions. Our patient was found to have pericardial abscess caused by S. Typhi. Effective and adequate antibiotics, along with pericardial abscess drainage, can improve symptoms, assist in diagnosis, and enhance quality of life.

Organisational culture based on ESG standards and knowledge management – premises for implementation for the mining industry

This article aims to examine the level of ESG culture in Polish enterprises and indicate premises for implementation in the mining industry. The publication conducts a multi-criteria analysis of literature regarding companies’ approaches to ESG standards. The study focuses on shaping organisational culture by utilising knowledge management tools. The actual level of ESG culture among respondents was obtained through a survey. Survey results for individual groups are presented in comprehensive and averaged radar charts. The sample included employees from small, medium, and large companies, considering their tenure and the industry in which the enterprise operates. The pilot study enabled drawing many constructive conclusions. However, noticeable significant gaps in ESG-compliant organisational culture were observed. Companies primarily focus on their core activities, neglecting socially significant values and building additional employee bonds. Through the analysis of survey data, guidelines for implementing ESG reporting in specific areas were developed. Potential solutions to problematic issues for enterprises were also identified. The research has significant potential, and expanding the scope could directly impact the quality of reporting and the development of enterprises including entities in the mining industry.

The Impact of The Financial Culture of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Budgetary Bodies on Financial Planning

Objective : Formulating my objectives: an analysis of the elements of financial culture and their impact on economic actors, based on the literature on the subject. To explore the existence and the role of financial culture in the life of domestic small and medium-sized enterprises and public sector organisations. To examine the existence and the consequences of inadequately thought-out, often ad hoc, formulated and applied corporate financial planning. Furthermore, the study explores how integrating circular economy principles can enhance financial culture and planning processes by promoting resource efficiency and sustainability. Theoretical Framework: Following the literature review, I formulated my hypotheses in close connection with the objectives. H1: The combined effect of the elements of financial culture determines the financial culture of an organisation. H2:Poorly considered financial decisions, lack of financial planning implies a lower financial culture. Method: For my thesis I used both secondary and primary research methods. During the secondary research, I tried to use studies, scientific articles, surveys of research institutions, national and international statistics, reports and data from governmental websites, surveys of universities and educational institutions, or parts of them, related to my own topic. The hypotheses were formulated through a review and in-depth study of the literature on the subject. Taking into account the results of the literature research, by comparing the findings of the different studies and on the basis of additional information obtained during the analysis of the interviews, the hypotheses formulated were answered, accepted or rejected. For my secondary research I used relevant databases (KSH, OECD,) and the Collection of Legislation in force for the cited legal sources. Among the journals I used the Financial Review published by Corvinus University of Budapest and the Economic Review, a journal of the Committee of Economic Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. From the research data of the literature consulted and interpreted during the secondary research, I present the figures relevant to my thesis with the help of figures I have edited myself and adopted. Evaluation of results: In my thesis, I examined the topic of financial culture and the impact of the presence and nature of financial culture, including the issue of financial planning in relation to budgetary organizations and enterprises (SMEs). First of all, I have to say that the area I have chosen to study is very diverse and complex, but also very interesting. In our study of the literature and research material, I had to take care to look for answers and formulate possible correlations by focusing on the questions and hypotheses formulated in my thesis.

Measurement of Bacterial Headspaces by FT-IR Spectroscopy Reveals Distinct Volatile Organic Compound Signatures.

Ensuring prompt and precise identification of bacterial pathogens is essential for initiating appropriate antibiotic therapy and combating severe bacterial infections effectively. Traditional microbiological diagnostics, involving initial culturing and subsequent pathogen detection, are often laborious and time-consuming. Even though modern techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF, and 16S rRNA PCR have significantly expedited this process, new methods are required for the accurate and fast detection of bacterial pathogens. In this context, using bacterial metabolites for detection is promising as a future diagnostic approach. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was employed in our study to analyze the biochemical composition of gas phases of bacterial isolates. We can characterize individual bacterial strains and identify specific bacteria within mixtures by utilizing volatile-metabolite-based infrared detection techniques. This approach enables rapid identification by discerning distinctive spectral features and intensities for different bacteria, offering new perspectives for bacterial pathogen diagnostics. This technique holds innovative potential to accelerate progress in the field, providing a faster and potentially more precise alternative to conventional diagnostic methods.

Québec on the World Stage: Examining a Provincial Approach to Cultural Diplomacy

Cultural diplomacy is typically viewed as a state activity; however, substate actors shape the practice in significant ways. This article employs a neo-institutional policy analysis to explore how the provincial government of Québec advanced its cultural diplomacy, while engaging with the Canadian federal government, as well as international actors. Acknowledging overlapping claims on the cultural sector in Canada, we provide a chronological assessment of key cultural policy statements from Québec dating from the mid-twentieth century to present, placing these in context with federal developments. This assessment allows us to explore moments of friction when Québec’s efforts at global engagement challenged federal jurisdiction. Our examination argues for recognition of Québec’s mobilization of culture as a substate actor and asserts that the province benefits from both substate and state cultural diplomacy initiatives.

Study of Endophytic Bacteria in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Roots

Aims: The current investigation aims to isolate and identify the root endophytic bacteria from Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) variety MSH-1970, as well as evaluate the qualities that promote plant growth. Study Design: The study involves isolating endophytic bacteria, performing biochemical and molecular characterization, and evaluating their ability to stimulate plant development through biochemical tests. Place and Duration of Study: Departmentof Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk, Niwai, Rajasthan, 2022–2023. Methodology: Pearl millet MSH-1970 was planted in pots in the greenhouse of the Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology and endophytic bacterial strains were isolated. The isolates' morphological features were recorded using Bergey's Manual of Systemic Bacteriology, and biochemical testing was done. 16s rRNA gene PCR was used to do molecular characterization of the potential endophyte, and the PCR product was sequenced. Ammonia production, phosphate solubilization, and HCN production were used to identify the properties that promote plant development. Results: The initial culture of endophytic bacteria isolated from the pearl millet variety MSH-1970 yielded 14 colonies on Nutrient agar medium. One of the colonies, BVCA-16 could solubilize phosphate, and generate hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia. Using 16f-16r and 63f-1244r primers, a molecular analysis of BVCA16 revealed 99.92% similarity with Pseudomonas sp. AUS22.The sequence was submitted to Genebank NCBI as Pseudomonas sp. strain BVCA-16, accession number OR350932. Conclusion: In the Pearl millet variety MSH-1970, the endophytic bacteria Pseudomonas sp. strain BVCA-16 was identified and it showed potential to promote plant growth.

Mycoplasma hominis–Associated Septic Arthritis Masquerading as Gouty Arthritis

Abstract Septic arthritis caused by M. hominis is exceptionally rare. Here, we report on a 62-year-old man with a medical history of gout and renal cell carcinoma who presented with persistent knee pain and swelling following partial nephrectomy complicated by an abdominal abscess. Arthrocentesis revealed monosodium urate crystals, leading to the initial diagnosis and treatment of gouty arthritis using intra-articular steroid injections, allopurinol, and colchicine. Initial cultures yielded no growth. However, faint transparent colonies grew after discharge, which were eventually identified as M. hominis. Initial antibacterial therapy targeting suspect Mycoplasma spp. was begun with doxycycline, and the patient ultimately completed 12 weeks of doxycycline and clindamycin with cure. This case underscores the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion for fastidious organisms when faced with persistent clinical symptoms without an identifiable organism and highlights a rare clinical presentation of M. hominis.

Fearsome four- Fungal infections in renal transplant recipients

To study the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment and outcomes of Invasive Aspergillosis Cryptococcal infection, Mucormycosis and Histoplasmosis in renal transplant recipients. : We performed a retrospective analysis of renal transplant recipients with four major fungal infections from January 2000 until December 2022 at a tertiary care centre in Southern India. This study was approved by the institutional ethical committee. We have identified these cases from the electronic records of the microbiology department and renal transplant outpatient clinic. A total of 1970 patients underwent renal transplantation at this institute during study period. A total of 25 patients were diagnosed as having invasive Aspergillosis - 20 patients had pneumonia, three had right maxillary sinusitis, one each had left chronic suppurative otitis media, and skull base osteomyelitis). There were 20 patients with cryptococcal infection of which eight had disseminated infection, seven had meningitis, four had cutaneous cryptococcosis and one had pulmonary cryptococcosis. Mucormycosis was diagnosed in 14 patients, twelve of which had pulmonary mucormycosis, one had oculo-cerebral mucormycosis and one patient had acute invasive fungal maxillarysinusitis. Histoplasmosis was diagnosed in four patients, two of whom had disseminated histoplasmosis and two had cutaneous histoplasmosis. In this study, mortality was highest with mucormycosis (57%) followed by 33.3% with invasive Aspergillosis and 20% with Cryptococci infection. Currently, there is no standard serological test available for the routine identification of invasive fungal infections in patients. Initial cultures may yield negative results due to slow fungal growth and variations in colony appearance. Therefore, it is essential to pursue aggressive sampling methods when fungal infection is suspected. Invasive procedures such as bronchoscopic lavage and abscess aspiration play a crucial role in reaching a diagnosis. In summary, maintaining a high level of suspicion and employing thorough investigations in post-renal transplant recipients are vital for early diagnosis, prompt treatment initiation, prevention of disease spread, and reduction of mortality risk.

CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE OF MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES IN THE WARTIME PERIOD

The article is devoted to the study of the conceptual foundations of organizational culture of manufacturing enterprises in wartime. The author generalizes approaches to the concept of “organizational culture” and presents the author’s own definition, which is understood as an integrated system of values, norms and behavioral models, which in wartime acts as an adaptive and protective mechanism, providing the enterprise with the ability to quickly restructure and strengthening corporate solidarity by enhancing the socio-psychological stability of the team; as a strategic tool, it ensures cohesion and motivation of employees, activating their ability to dedication and support each other, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The article highlights the peculiarities of organizational culture in wartime, in particular: strategic direction; values that form a unique socio-psychological environment at an enterprise, thereby shaping its competitive advantages; specific components - implicit (socio-psychological) and explicit (regulatory and image elements). The characteristics of modern models of organizational culture are identified: spiritual, socio-psychological, and material. It is proved that the organizational culture of an enterprise is formed under the influence of external and internal factors, and the factors from each group are specified. The functions of the organizational culture of enterprises are studied and the functions of internal integration and functions of external adaptation are allocated. The functions of internal integration include organizational, integrating, regulatory, substitution, adaptive, educational and cognitive, motivating, communicative, quality management, and recreational. External adaptation is ensured by the following functions: innovation, formation of a positive image, customer orientation, management of partnership relations, and adaptation of the enterprise to the needs of society. The key aspects of the conceptual foundations of building the organizational culture of production enterprises are defined: process orientation; hierarchical organizational structure; physical work; safety and risks; innovation and adaptation; relationship with suppliers and consumers. New requirements for the formation of the organizational culture of enterprises during the war period were considered. The experience of foreign countries regarding the formation of organizational culture in conditions of war and constant armed conflicts, in particular Germany, South Korea, and Israel, is studied. It is proposed to introduce as elements of organizational culture specific for production enterprises under conditions of war, including: adaptability to risks and crises, support for safety and protection of personnel, patriotic aspect and values of sustainability, as well as humanitarian and social responsibility.

Culture initiation of Avicennia marina from Indonesia using two different culture media

The grey mangrove population faces overexploitation, pollution, and global warming. Traditional propagation is challenging due to the recalcitrant seeds. The issues with Avicennia marina tissue culture are the browning of the explants and endophytes, which can affect the explants at any growing phase. This study aimed to produce and maintain A. marina explants until they developed into healthy plantlets. MS medium and WPM were used along with 0.4% PPM. Improving the survival, 400, 450, and 450 ppm PVP was also applied. The treatment using MS medium and WPM were compared, and the media enriched with 0.5 ppm BA and 1 ppm kinetin and no cytokinins were compared. The result showed that WPM+400 ppm PVP was better than MS medium (in any kind of treatment) in inducing shoots in A. marina (27%), as well as longer survival in in vitro conditions. In the MS media, all explants died after week 11, whereas in the WPM medium, three explants survived until week 16. In addition, most of the explants cultured in WPM exhibited no contamination until week 8, whereas in all treatments using MS media, there was contamination in the same week observed.

Praktik Massompek Sebagai Prinsip Penyebaran dan Ketahanan Diaspora Bugis di Wilayah Maritim Indonesia-Malaysia

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago with a diversity of cultures that enrich its national identity. Among these cultures, the Bugis culture of South Sulawesi stands out for its rich traditions and deep maritime heritage. One of the major practice in Bugis identity is massompek, a centuries-old migration practice that reflects the Bugis ethos of resilience, self-reliance, courage and the search for a better life. Massompek brought Bugis communities to form influential diaspora networks in Indonesia and internationally, particularly in Malaysia. These diaspora communities contribute greatly to the local economy and trade, building strong social networks and encouraging cultural exchanges that reinforce their collective identity. This article examines massompek as a dynamic force shaping the Bugis diaspora, focusing on its cultural, economic and social impact in Malaysia. It also discusses the challenges of modernization and cultural preservation faced by younger generations of the Bugis diaspora and considers the role of the Indonesian and Malaysian governments in supporting the sustainability and integration of Bugis heritage through targeted cultural and economic initiatives.

Leadership Ethics as a Political Instrument – Normative Challenges of Global Chinese Expansion for Western Enterprise Cultures

Leadership Ethics as a Political Instrument – Normative Challenges of Global Chinese Expansion for Western Enterprise Cultures

Empowering lecturers: How culture, training, and rewards drive performance with Islamic work ethics as the key

This research aims to address the gap in understanding key factors influencing Lecturer Performance in Islamic-based higher education, particularly the roles of Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), Employee Engagement, and Islamic Work Ethic (IWE). The study explores how Cultural Change and Training impact Lecturer Performance through OCB and Employee Engagement as mediators, with IWE moderating these relationships. Using survey methodology, data were collected from lecturers in Islamic-based institutions in Aceh through structured questionnaires measuring these variables. The analysis, conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS, highlights the significant roles of OCB, Employee Engagement, and IWE in enhancing performance. The findings also reveal how Islamic values influence the interplay between management practices and performance outcomes. While the reliance on self-reported data and focus on specific variables may limit the study, it contributes valuable insights into the importance of strategic Cultural Change and Training initiatives in fostering a supportive organizational culture, aligning employee behavior with institutional goals, and advancing lecturer development and institutional success.

Palestinian Music and the Potential for the Nation Branding of Palestine

This article explores the potential for Palestine, a nation that has long fought for visibility, recognition, and independence, to use music for identifying itself within the broader contexts of nation branding and soft power. For Palestine, nation branding initiatives have been largely organic, driven by the cultural and artistic expressions of its people rather than a cohesive and strategic approach from the authorities. This article investigates how Palestinian musicians contribute to their nation branding. We use interpretive analysis to examine four documentaries and five feature stories produced by global mainstream media organizations, including Al Jazeera English, BBC, CNN, AFP, France 24 English, and PBS. The findings show that Palestinian musicians can add substantial value to the branding of Palestine. Their focus on identity, resistance, and freedom allows them to use music effectively to connect with and communicate a positive image to a global audience. The challenges for Palestinian musicians remain the capacity to break through the digital noise in the ever-increasing competition for online attention, and the capacity of the Palestinian authorities and civil society to allocate resources to support and promote Palestinian cultural initiatives within a long-term nation branding strategy.

INTRODUCTION

This special issue is interested in the processes of creating performing arts settings, including spaces for dance, arts festivals, and theatre performances, during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors explore the continuities and changes in the configurations of performing arts settings and ask about their transformative potential. The cultural initiatives in focus are located at the fringes of geo-political complexities: They take place in Cyprus’s Buffer Zone, around a palace in post-Prussian North Poland, within Russia’s Irish dance community, in Latvia’s theatrical community. This issue further ethnographically records and interrogates challenges and odds in making performing art settings during and beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic. It finds that different experiences of “losing touch” and detachment become inseparably linked with practices of entanglement, shaping the possibility of “taking place” in performing arts settings. Methodologically, the authors in this issue bridge the commonly upheld gap between research and practice in the fields they discuss, transgressing the boundaries between ethnography, socio-cultural analysis, and engaged research.

“Do not forget your pain”: identities, affect and emotions in Russian and EU cultural diplomacy in Armenia

ABSTRACT Scholarly attention on cultural diplomacy has focused predominantly on diplomatic agents’ projection efforts. Conversely, insights into how local audiences actively engage with such practices remain limited. To fill this gap, this article relies on scholarship on emotions in International Relations to examine cultural diplomacy as a practice that seeks to affectively bind subjects to projected identities. To grasp such processes, this framework is applied to Russia’s and the European Union’s (EU) cultural diplomacy in Armenia. Amidst a delicate security environment, this country case helps shed light on subjects’ engagement. To this end, the article draws on fieldwork conducted in Armenia and includes participant observation in cultural diplomatic events, 39 in-depth interviews with participants, cultural practitioners, policy experts and diplomatic agents, social media data, and cultural products. The article finds that both Russian and EU cultural initiatives in Armenia fail to affectively bind local audiences to the two actors’ projected identities.

The Occitan Latin Idea Between Tradition and Modernity, 1870s-1880s

This article discusses the dual facets of Latinity—traditionalism and modernity—within the Occitan context in the late nineteenth century. It investigates how cultural Occitanism, a movement dedicated to the promotion of the Occitan language and literature, played a crucial role in fostering pan-Latin networks. These networks were solidified through cultural and literary events, notably the Latin celebrations in Avignon (1874), Montpellier (1878), and Forcalquier and Gap (1882). The article examines the aspirations, shared values, and inherent contradictions that characterized the Occitan Latin idea in the 1870s and 1880s. Beginning with an overview of mid-nineteenth-century efforts to promote the Latin idea, the study places these initiatives within the wider context of modern pan-movements. It traces the origins of the Occitan Latin idea, from Víctor Balaguer’s exile in Provence to the Latin-themed events of the era. The focus then shifts to the contributions of three prominent félibres from Languedoc: Louis-Xavier de Ricard, Charles de Tourtoulon, and Alphonse Roque-Ferrier. These félibres championed the Latin idea and worked to build a pan-Latin community against the background of the political and intellectual debates about Latinity at the time. By examining the intersection of cultural Occitanism with these debates, the article underscores the role of literary and cultural initiatives in shaping and advancing Latinity, revealing the close interaction between tradition and modernity in its evolution.

Assessment of the impact of the Syrian conflict on archaeological sites in the Daraa region

To date, the attention of both local and global cultural heritage preservation initiatives in Daraa Province, southern Syria, have focused on the well-known Bosra World Heritage site. A comprehensive investigation of damage to Daraa’s many other archaeological sites, poorly studied in comparison to other parts of Syria, has until now, not been undertaken. This study, for the first time, attempts to remedy this, by detailing 1632 instances of damage across 196 archaeological sites surveyed using freely available high-resolution satellite images captured between 2004 and 2022. A key element of this dataset is that it indicates that while the types of damage to heritage sites identified are similar to those that have been documented elsewhere in Syria, the temporal and spatial patterning of this damage can be related to specific local conditions and events. This underscores the need for large-scale studies undertaken using remote sensing, to be grounded within an understanding of local circumstances, to maximize their information value.