Control Cultures Research Articles

Culturally adaptive healthcare for people with a learning disability from an ethnic minority background: A qualitative synthesis

AbstractBackgroundPeople with a learning disability face health inequality. Those from ethnic minority backgrounds with a learning disability face ‘double discrimination’ as members of two marginalised groups.MethodsThis codesigned review consolidated the evidence on the healthcare experiences of individuals and their carers from ethnic minority backgrounds with a learning disability. Three electronic databases were searched for UK studies from January 1990 to June 2022. Qualitative data from 28 studies were analysed using thematic framework analysis.FindingsThere was an overarching theme of ‘culture, choice and conflicts of control’, which related to the variable preferences for involvement in healthcare decisions. Cultural and individual factors impacted upon experience, with themes relating to ‘misunderstanding and mistrust’, ‘discrimination and stigma’, ‘isolation’, ‘feelings of shame and blame’, ‘burdens of care’ and ‘carer wellbeing’. Factors associated with healthcare‐seeking and care provision are described in the themes ‘triangles of care’, ‘community networks’ and ‘adaptive communication’.ConclusionsPeople from ethnic minority backgrounds with learning disability experience complex barriers which influence their healthcare experiences. Recognising and understanding discrimination can be difficult for people with a learning disability. Carers face challenges which influence their own wellbeing. Services need to be responsive to individual cultural contexts, while addressing potential conflicts of control.

Histological investigation of the liver of freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio after intoxication with Ibuprofen

Water contamination has a detrimental impact on streams and rivers, leading to a reduction in the diversity of terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial species. Furthermore, it disrupts the intricate equilibrium of existence. Pharmaceuticals are artificial compounds that belong to several chemical families and exhibit a diverse array of environmental biochemical responses, rendering them the most recent group of pollutants in all aquatic environments. The present study investigated the impact of Ibuprofen on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio by determining the LC50 value of Ibuprofen during exposure to various concentrations for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours in sets of aquariums at a concentration of 0.23ml/L. To investigate the impact of Ibuprofen on fish C. carpio, the study evaluates the effects of a sublethal concentration of 1/10th (0.023ml/L) of Ibuprofen LC50 on fish liver histology over a period of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in both control and treatment aquarium cultures. Following exposure to a sublethal dose of Ibuprofen, significant changes in the behavior of fish and disruption of normal physiology were observed. These changes were clearly displayed through nuclear degeneration, cellular edema, cytoplasmic degeneration, altered hepatocytes, formation of vacuole, increased sinusoidal space, altered central vein, and degeneration of sinusoid. These results indicated that the release of pharmaceuticals had a significant negative impact on fish health and highlighted deterioration in water quality and the ecology of water resources .

Wastewater treatment using a microalgae consortium mainly composed of chlorella, in Mexico

The bioremediation capacity of microalgae found in the wastewater channels in Irrigation District 03 (DR03) in Mexico was studied. The study evaluated the effect of pH, aeration, light intensity, and water source on the productivity, culture time, and composition of the microalgal biomass, predominantly made up of Chlorella vulgaris spp. Parameters such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), total solids (TS), and turbidity were monitored to assess the efficiency and bioremediation capacity of the microbial consortium. The yield production of microalgal biomass was measured to evaluate the amount produced per unit volume of treated water. Two culture conditions were assessed: uncontrolled and controlled conditions of aeration and lighting. Under controlled culture conditions, a productivity of 0.031 g L−1 d−1 biomass with 17% lipidic fraction and 37.65% ash content was observed, along with a reduction in COD and turbidity by 57 and 85%, respectively. A biomass productivity of 0.024 g L−1 d−1 was obtained.

Anticandidal activity of a wild Bacillus subtilis NAM against clinical isolates of pathogenic Candida albicans

BackgroundResistance to antifungal medications poses a significant obstacle in combating fungal infections. The development of novel therapeutics for Candida albicans is necessary due to the increasing resistance of candidiasis to the existing medications. The utilization of biological control is seen as a more advantageous and less hazardous strategy therefore the objective of this study is to identify the antifungal properties of Bacillus subtilis against pathogenic C. albicans.ResultsWe conducted a study to evaluate the antifungal properties of three bacterial isolates against the human pathogen Candida albicans. One of the bacterial isolates exhibited a potent antifungal activity against this fungal pathogen. This bacterium was identified as Bacillus subtilis based on the 16Sr RNA gene sequence. It exhibited inhibitory efficacy ranging from 33.5 to 44.4% against 15 Candida isolates. The optimal incubation duration for achieving the maximum antifungal activity was determined to be 48 h, resulting in a mean inhibition zone diameter of 29 ± 0.39 mm. The Potato Dextrose agar (PDA) medium was the best medium for the most effective antifungal activity. Incubation temperature of 25oC and medium pH value of 8.0 were the most favorable conditions for maximum antagonistic activity that resulted fungal growth inhibition of 40 ± 0.16 and 36 ± 0.94 mm respectively. Furthermore, the addition of 10.5 mg/ml of bacterial filtrate to C. albicans colonies resulted in 86.51%. decrease in the number of germinated cells. The fungal cell ultrastructural responses due to exposure to B. subtilis filtrate after 48 h were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It revealed primary a drastic abnormality that lead to cellular disintegration including folding and lysis of the cell wall, total collapse of the yeast cells, and malformed germ tube following the exposure to the filtrate. However, the control culture treatment had a characteristic morphology of the normal fungal cells featuring a consistently dense central region, a well-organized nucleus, and a cytoplasm containing several components of the endomembrane system. The cells were surrounded by a uniform and intact cell wall.ConclusionThe current study demonstrates a notable antifungal properties of B. subtilis against C. albicans as a result of production of bioactive components of the bacterial exudate. This finding could be a promising natural antifungal agent that could be utilized to combat C. albicans.

The 3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4'-dihydroxy-stilbene Triazole (STT) Inhibits Liver Cancer Cell Growth by Targeting Akt/mTOR Pathway.

The present study was aimed to investigate the proliferation inhibitory ability of 3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4'-dihydroxy-stilbene triazole (STT) on SNU449 and Huh7 cells. Moreover, the mechanism associated with the suppression of liver cancer cell proliferation by STT was also studied. The results revealed that STT suppresses proliferation of SNU449 and Huh7 cells to 28 and 21%, respectively treatment with 20 µM. The clonogenic survival of SNU449 and Huh7 cells was also significantly reduced after incubation with STT compared to the control cultures. In comparison to the control, STT treatment significantly decreased the invasive potential of SNU449 cells. Treatment with STT led to a prominent suppression in p62 and increase in LC3B protein expression in SNU449 cells compared to the control cells. The STT treatment dramatically decreased p-Akt and p-mTOR protein expression in SNU449 cells. Docking study revealed that STT interacts via traditional hydrogen bonding with the glutamine, phenylalanine, leucine, serine, arginine, aspartic acid, and lysine residues of Akt protein. In summary, the current study demonstrates that STT effectively suppresses the viability of SNU449 and Huh7 liver cancer cells. Moreover, STT treatment of the liver cancer cells also significantly reduces the clonogenic survival and invasive potential of SNU449 cells. Treatment of liver cancer cells with STT increases the expression of autophagic, targets anti-autophagic protein expression and down-regulates Akt/mTOR pathway to inhibit cancer growth and proliferation. Thus, STT exhibits prominent anticancer effect and needs to be investigated further as a potential candidate for the treatment of liver cancer.

Biocompatibility, bioactivity and immunomodulatory properties of three calcium silicate-based sealers: an in vitro study on hPDLSCs

ObjectivesTo assess the biocompatibility, bioactivity, and immunomodulatory properties of three new calcium silicate cement-based sealers: Ceraseal (CS), Totalfill BC Sealer (TFbc) and WellRoot ST (WR-ST) on human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).Materials and methodsHPDLSCs were isolated from extracted third molars from healthy patients. Eluates (1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 ratio) and sample discs of CS, TFbc and WR-ST after setting were prepared. A series of assays were performed: cell characterization, cell metabolic activity (MTT assay) cell attachment and morphology (SEM assay), cell migration (wound-healing assay), cytoskeleton organization (phaloidin-based assay); IL-6 and IL-8 release (ELISA); differentiation marker expression (RT-qPCR assay), and cell mineralization (Alizarin Red S staining). HPDLSCs cultured in unconditioned (negative control) or osteogenic (positive control) culture media were used as a comparison. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05.ResultsAll the tested sealers exhibited similar results in the cytocompatibility assays (cell metabolic activity, migration, attachment, morphology, and cytoskeleton organization) compared with a negative control group. CS and TFbc exhibited an upregulation of at least one osteo/cementogenic marker compared to the negative and positive control groups. CS and TFbc also showed a significantly higher calcified nodule formation than the negative and positive control groups. Both the marker expression and calcified nodule formation were significantly higher in CS-treated cells than TFbc treated cells. WR-ST exhibited similar results to the control group. CS and TFbc-treated cells exhibited a significant downregulation of IL-6 after 72 h of culture compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionAll the tested sealers exhibited an adequate cytocompatibility. CS significantly enhances cell differentiation by upregulating the expression of key genes associated with bone and cementum formation. Additionally, CS was observed to facilitate the mineralization of the extracellular matrix effectively. In contrast, the effects of TFbc and WR-ST on these processes were less pronounced compared to CS. Furthermore, both CS and TFbc exhibited an anti-inflammatory potential, contributing to their potential therapeutic benefits in regenerative endodontics.Clinical relevanceThis is the first study to compare the biological properties and immunomodulatory potential of Ceraseal, Totalfill BC Sealer, and WellRoot ST. The results act as supporting evidence for their use in root canal treatment.

Administrative Management, Internal Control and Organizational Culture in a Public Hospital Institution in San Juan de Lurigancho, 2023

Introduction: In the 2023 study, we sought to determine the relationship between administrative management (GA), internal control, and organizational culture in the health staff of a public hospital in San Juan de Lurigancho. It was theoretically grounded in the Theory of Human Relations and the theory of organizations as social systems. Methods: A non-experimental basic research study was carried out with a quantitative approach, using a cross-sectional correlational descriptive design. The sample included 278 healthcare workers from a population of 1000, to whom surveys validated by expert judgement were applied. Results: It was found that 61.2% of the staff perceived a regular level in GA, while 30.9% considered it efficient and 7.9% inefficient. Regarding internal control, 57.9% perceived a medium level, followed by 34.9% who considered it high and 7.2% low. Regarding organizational culture, 59.0% perceived it at a medium level, 34.5% considered it high and 6.5% low. Conclusions: It was concluded that administrative management is influenced by several factors, and the importance of maintaining a solid administrative planning, based on the mission and vision of the organization, as well as promoting transparent processes for institutional growth, was highlighted.

O-212 A need to standardize: the use and posterior recall of toxic consumables could be avoided with the appropriate testing protocols

Abstract Study question Could the recall of toxic products have been avoided if the samples had been tested with a more sensitive Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA)? Summary answer Standardizing MEA protocols with sensitive methodologies could prevent the potential harm imparted on human embryos and avoid the need to recall initially unidentified toxic products. What is known already Dozens of consumables are used during an IVF cycle, with a potential effect on gametes/embryos in culture. Bioassays, such as the MEA, are commonly used to pinpoint embryo-toxic products/batches before their release. No strict regulations exist on how to perform these tests, although several variables have been described to play a major role on the assay’s sensitivity and its capacity to detect embryo-toxicity. Toxic products/batches that are not identified may need to be recalled. However, recalls are typically issued after the products/batches are suspected of hindering embryo development in clinical laboratories, with the loss of irreplaceable biological samples. Study design, size, duration Only in 2023, four important batch recalls have been issued by regulatory bodies or manufacturers, concerning such diverse products as oil, media, capillaries, or follicle aspiration needles (FAN). Reportedly, thousands of couples undergoing IVF cycles may have been affected by this undetected toxicity in samples that were already MEA-tested by the manufacturers or external testing laboratories, following an undisclosed methodology. Eight of these lots (2xmedia, 3xcapillaries, 2xFAN) were retested with a standardized sensitive MEA protocol. Participants/materials, setting, methods The samples were retested following a high-sensitivity and previously published protocol, using 1-cell stage embryos from a sensitive hybrid mouse strain (B6CBAF1), supplementing with 5mg/ml HSA, and maintaining a low embryo density per droplet. A total of 462 embryos were cultured, allocated to the different test groups (21 + 42 embryos for Medium 1 and 2; 63 + 84+147 embryos for Capillaries 1, 2 and 3; 42 + 42 embryos for FANs 1 and 2, respectively). Main results and the role of chance Embryos were cultured at 37.3oC, 6%CO2 and 7%O2 for 5 days (96h). The expanded blastocyst formation rate (BFR) in each group was assessed as the end-point of the assays, and an 80% was considered as the toxicity-marking threshold. When cultured in Medium 1 and Medium 2, supplemented with 5mg/ml HSA, only 0/21 (0%) and 7/63 (11.1%) of embryos reached the expanded blastocyst stage, respectively. Capillaries and FANs were tested with an indirect method, in which the samples were first incubated with a small volume of control culture medium, and the extract was used to culture the embryos. With this approach, Capillaries 1, 2 and 3 yielded a 23.8% (15/63), 22.6% (19/84) and 0.7% (1/147) BFR, respectively. Similarly, when testing FANs 1 and 2, only 66.7% (28/42) and 19.1% (8/42) of the embryos were able to form a blastocyst. Unfortunately, the recalled oil batches were not available for retest. In parallel to each test, a control group was cultured with standard culture medium without contact with any of the samples; the BFR in all control groups was above 80%. These surprisingly low results suggest that toxicity was present in these samples in high concentrations, evidencing the need for their recall. Limitations, reasons for caution The methodology used in this project successfully identified all the recalled samples as embryo-toxic. However, the same protocol might not prove equally sensitive when testing other products, as the sensitivity of the MEA has been shown to be highly dependent on numerous external factors and to vary between different toxins. Wider implications of the findings Recent events could lead to the belief that the MEA is an insensitive bioassay to assess embryo-toxicity. Far from true, attention should be paid to the specific methodology used in each case. The lack of regulations and standardization translates into huge differences in sensitivity, even leading to completely contrary results. Trial registration number not applicable

Modeling blood vessel dynamics: Effects of glucose variations on HUVECs in a hollow fiber bioreactor under laminar shear stress

This study aimed to establish a blood vessel model within a hollow fiber bioreactor to evaluate the impact of high and fluctuating glucose levels on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under laminar shear stress (LSS). HUVECs were cultured for 48 h in normal (5 mM), high (20 mM), and variable (20 mM / 5 mM alternating every 24 h) glucose concentrations under LSS of 0.66 Pa. An automated medium replacement system was developed. The control cultures remained static. The analysis included cell viability via cytometric analysis, glucose consumption, lactate production via electroenzymatic methods, and the expression of 21 genes via qPCR. The percentage of apoptotic cells did not significantly differ across glucose concentrations under LSS. HUVECs favor glycolysis for energy regardless of LSS. Under LSS, the IL1B, CCL2, and SELE genes were upregulated under high-glucose conditions and downregulated under variable-glucose conditions. A few other genes related to inflammation, oxidative stress, cell adhesion and apoptosis were upregulated under high-glucose conditions. In conclusion, using the blood vessel model we effectively examined the impact of glucose profiles on HUVECs under LSS in a device replicating the cylindrical geometry of blood vessels. LSS and tubular cell arrangement might mitigate the adverse effects of variable glucose on endothelial cells.

Countering the Hate Design - Facilitating Peace and Harmony

Communal riots generally happen due to the previous existence of a communal ideology in the society. The hard-core communalists are hate mongers who, by their fiery speeches and provocative statements create a situation which is very conducive for riots o break. The role of the police during communal riots has not been found to be very satisfactory. But, in spite of all odds, there have been people, bodies and organisations which have exhibited compassion and courage during riots and have saved the lives of people. Such people and organisations are role-models who need to be emulated. In riots, the leadership of the police is very crucial. The Indian Police Service officers need to exhibit more of courage, boldness and grit in helping the poor and the victims of riots. A new riot control culture has to develop. The responsibility of maintaining communal harmony lies with all sections of people and organisations. Each of us need to contribute our might to combat the design of Hate and facilitate Peace and Harmony.

Acclimated green microalgae consortium to treat sewage in an alternative urban WWTP in a coastal area of Central Italy

This study exposed a microalgal consortium formed by Auxenochlorella protothecoides, Tetradesmus obliquus, and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to six mixed wastewater media containing different proportions of primary (P) or secondary (S) effluents diluted in centrate (C). Algae could grow at centrate concentrations up to 50 %, showing no significant differences between effluents. After acclimation, microalgae cultivated in 50%P-50%C and 50%S-50%C grew at a rate similar to that of control cultures (0.59–0.66 d−1). These results suggest that the consortium acclimated to both sewage streams by modulating the proportion of the species and their metabolism. Acclimation also altered the photosynthetic activity of wastewater-grown samples compared to the control, probably due to partial photoinhibition, changes in consortium composition, and changes in metabolic activity. No major differences were observed between the two streams with respect to biochemical composition, biomass yield, or bioremediation capacity of the cultivated algae but algae grown in the secondary effluent showed qualitatively higher exopolysaccharides (EPS) production than algae grown in primary. Regarding wastewater remediation, microalgae grown in both WW media showed proficient nutrient removal efficiencies (close to 100 %); however, the final pH value (close to 11) would be controversial if the system were upscaled as it is over the legal limit and would cause phosphorus precipitation, so that CO2 addition would be required. The theoretical scale-up of the microalgae system could achieve water treatment costs of 0.109 €·m−3, which was significantly lower than the costs of typical activated sludge systems.

Plant Growth Promotion and Biological Control against Rhizoctonia solani in Thai Local Rice Variety "Chor Khing" Using Trichoderma breve Z2-03.

Several strains of Trichoderma are applied in the field to control plant diseases due to their capacity to suppress fungal pathogens and control plant diseases. Some Trichoderma strains also are able to promote plant growth through the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In southern Thailand, the local rice variety "Chor Khing" is mainly cultivated in the Songkhla province; it is characterized by slow growth and is susceptible to sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Therefore, this research aimed to screen Trichoderma species with the ability to promote plant growth in this rice variety and enact biological control against R. solani. A total of 21 Trichoderma isolates were screened for indole compound production using the Salkowski reagent. The Z2-03 isolate reacted positively to the Salkowski reagent, indicating the production of the indole compound. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPCL) confirmed that Z2-03 produced IAA at 35.58 ± 7.60 μg/mL. The cell-free culture filtrate of the potato dextrose broth (CF) of Z2-03 induced rice germination in rice seeds, yielding root and shoot lengths in cell-free CF-treated rice that were significantly higher than those of the control (distilled water and culture broth alone). Furthermore, inoculation with Trichoderma conidia promoted rice growth and induced a defense response against R. solani during the seedling stage. Trichoderma Z2-03 displayed an antifungal capacity against R. solani, achieving 74.17% inhibition (as measured through dual culture assay) and the production of siderophores on the CAS medium. The pot experiment revealed that inoculation with the Trichoderma sp. Z2-03 conidial suspension increased the number of tillers and the plant height in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, and suppressed the percentage of disease incidence (PDI). The Trichoderma isolate Z2-03 was identified, based on the morphology and molecular properties of ITS, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1-α), and RNA polymerase 2 (rpb2), as Trichoderma breve Z2-03. Our results reveal the ability of T. breve Z2-03 to act as a plant growth promoter, enhancing growth and development in the "Chor Khing" rice variety, as well as a biological control agent through its competition and defense induction mechanism in this rice variety.

Would three BMPs at low concentration be better than one at high concentration? An experimental study with rat osteoprogenitor cells.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are used in clinical practice for stimulation of bone formation, but often evoke serious complications. Recent studies demonstrated that BMPs involved in early stages of bone formation are species specific. In cattle dominate BMP7, growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) and NEL-like protein 1 (NELL1) while in rats BMP2, BMP5 and BMP6. The purpose of the study was to compare the action of the species specific BMPs on the osteoprogenitor cells. Thus, rat osteoprogenitor cells were exposed to one BMP in a high dose and three of them at 1/3 of the former. Isolated rat osteoprogenitor cells were treated in culture with different concentrations of BMP2, BMP5 and BMP6 or with lower concentration of combinations of these cytokines. Activity of alkaline phosphatase, calcium deposition and mRNA level for transcription factor SP7 (osterix) and tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) served as indicators of BMPs effect. BMPs stimulated all studied parameters in comparison with control cultures, but no statistically significant differences were observed between the action of a large dose of one cytokine and a combination of cytokines given at lower concentrations. Three BMPs used in a low dose exert similar effect as the one used at high dose. Since the BMPs stimulate different receptors and activate different signaling pathways the use of the mixture of properly chosen BMPs at low concentration may give better results than the single one at high concentration and may avoid untoward effects.

Reduced anti-Müllerian hormone action in cumulus-oocyte complexes is beneficial for oocyte maturation without affecting oocyte competence.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a key paracrine/autocrine factor regulating folliculogenesis in the postnatal ovary. As antral follicles mature to the preovulatory stage, AMH production tends to be limited to cumulus cells. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of cumulus cell-derived AMH in supporting maturation and competence of the enclosed oocyte. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were isolated from antral follicles of rhesus macaque ovaries for in vitro maturation with or without AMH depletion. Oocyte meiotic status and embryo cleavage after in vitro fertilization were assessed. In vitro maturation with AMH depletion was also performed using COCs from antral follicles of human ovarian tissue. Oocyte maturation and morphology were evaluated. The direct AMH action on mural granulosa cells of the preovulatory follicle was further assessed using human granulosa cells cultured with or without AMH supplementation. More macaque COCs produced metaphase II oocytes with AMH depletion than those of the control culture. However, preimplantation embryonic development after in vitro fertilization was comparable between oocytes derived from COCs cultured with AMH depletion and controls. Oocytes resumed meiosis in human COCs cultured with AMH depletion and exhibited a typical spindle structure. The confluency and cell number decreased in granulosa cells cultured with AMH supplementation relative to the control culture. AMH treatment did not induce cell death in cultured human granulosa cells. Data suggest that reduced AMH action in COCs could be beneficial for oocyte maturation. Cumulus cell-derived AMH is not essential for supporting oocyte competence or mural granulosa cell viability.

Factitious hosts for Goniozus omanensis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), a parasitoid of the lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae)

ABSTRACT The bethylid wasp Goniozus omanensis has been identified as a key natural enemy of Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae), an important pest of date palm. Efficient rearing of natural enemies can be an important part of biological pest control programmes but cultures of G. omanensis are challenging to maintain on B. amydraula. We evaluate two readily available species of Pyralid moths, Corcyra cephalonica and Galleria mellonella, as potential factitious hosts. We find that G. omanensis can develop on the larvae of either species, but the probability of failure is circa 75% overall. Both trialled host species were approximately equally suitable, but failures were typically during the early stages of brood production when presented with C. cephalonica and during the later stages when presented with G. mellonella. This suggests that C. cephalonica larvae may be more difficult to suppress and that G. mellonella larvae may be of lower nutritional value. The average production of adult parasitoids per host provided was approximately 1 and, given the observed female biased sex ratio, the average number of females was around 0.8. We suggest potential routes to improving the efficiency of rearing G. omanensis on these factitious hosts.

The Bureaucratization of the Romanian Education System from a Weberian Perspective

Abstract The study aims to identify the causes and effects of the bureaucratization of the Romanian education system, in relation to the Weberian theory of bureaucracy. The principles of bureaucracy, enunciated by Max Weber, are discussed and the way they are taken into account and perceived in the case of education in Romania is followed. The study also aims to compare Romania with other countries (Finland, Spain and the United Kingdom) in terms of the perception of bureaucracy. The main results of the other research show that the countries mentioned follow a pragmatic approach, while the Romanian education system prefers a bureaucratic approach. This difference results from the standards that are lacking in Romanian education, both at management level and in terms of educational activities themselves. In pre-university education in Romania, for example, there is a culture of control, without a clear picture of what a high-performing school means, school inspections become only a bureaucratic action, without really measuring the quality of teachers and education. In higher education, bureaucracy is confirmed by the permanent appointment of rectors or by other legislative decisions that burden universities with tasks that should be carried out by other institutions. The new education laws in Romania increase the bureaucracy already existing in the education system, and all this is the result of misunderstanding and misapplication of the principles of bureaucracy.

A machine learning-based approach for improving plasmid DNA production in Escherichia coli fed-batch fermentations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is spearheading a new industrial revolution, which provides ample opportunities for the transformational development of traditional fermentation processes. During plasmid fermentation, traditional subjective process control leads to highly unstable plasmid yields. In this study, a multi-parameter correlation analysis was first performed to discover a dynamic metabolic balance among the oxygen uptake rate, temperature, and plasmid yield, whilst revealing the heating rate and timing as the most important optimization factor for balanced cell growth and plasmid production. Then, based on the acquired on-line parameters as well as outputs of kinetic models constructed for describing process dynamics of biomass concentration, plasmid yield, and substrate concentration, a machine learning (ML) model with Random Forest (RF) as the best machine learning algorithm was established to predict the optimal heating strategy. Finally, the highest plasmid yield and specific productivity of 1167.74mg L-1 and 8.87mg L-1/OD600 were achieved with the optimal heating strategy predicted by the RF model in the 50 L bioreactor, respectively, which was 71% and 21% higher than those obtained in the control cultures where a traditional one-step temperature upshift strategy was applied. In addition, this study transformed empirical fermentation process optimization into a more efficient and rational self-optimization method. The methodology employed in this study is equally applicable to predict the regulation of process dynamics for other products, thereby facilitating the potential for furthering the intelligent automation of fermentation processes.

Systematic optimization of culture media for maintenance of human induced pluripotent stem cells using the response surface methodology

The application of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provides tremendous opportunities in cell therapy. However, culturing these cells faces many practical challenges, including costs associated with cell culture media and the optimization of cell culture conditions. Providing an optimized culture platform for hiPSCs to maintain pluripotency and self-renewal and generate cost-effective and robust therapeutics is an immediate requirement. This study used the design of experiments and the response surface methodology, a powerful statistical tool, to generate empirical models for predicting the optimal culture conditions of the hiPSCs. Pluripotency and cell proliferation were applied as read-outs to determine the optimal concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and cell density. One model was defined to predict pluripotency and cell proliferation in terms of the predictor variables of the bFGF concentration and cell seeding density. Predicted culture conditions to maximize maintaining cell pluripotency were successfully validated. The present study's findings provide a novel approach that can potentially allow controllable hiPSC culture routine in translational research.

Major generation route of cytotoxic protein adducts derived from acetaldehyde, a metabolite of alcohol

The habitual excessive consumption of alcohol has been implicated in the onset and/or progression of alcoholic-associated liver/brain diseases (ALD/ABD), lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiac tissue injury. Alcohol (ethanol) is metabolized to acetaldehyde (AA), a two-carbon carbonyl compound that reacts with proteins to form covalent AA-protein adducts (AAPAs). We herein propose that AA reacts with liver and/or brain proteins to generate AAPAs, which contribute to alcohol-induced liver injury and neurotoxicity in vivo, respectively. The viability of hepatocytes was significantly lower in a culture treated with AAPAs than in a culture treated with Nε-(ethyl)lysine (NEL), the reduced form of Schiff bases, or a control culture. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between staining for AAPA and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in the liver and the severity of ALD in both rats and humans. The chronic consumption of alcohol produces AAPAs and reactive oxygen species, both of which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ALD. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in neuronal cell death was noted in cortical neurons incubated with AAPAs, the neurotoxicity of which was completely suppressed by an anti-AAPA antibody, but not an anti-NEL antibody. AAPA epitopes have been detected in the brains of individuals withalcohol-related brain damage. AAPAs have also been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of ABD. The hypothesis proposed herein is that strongly cytotoxic AAPAs are iminobutane structures, which differ from the known structures of NEL. We suggest the importance of structural epitope AAPAs as toxic moieties for hepatocytes and neuronal cells in alcoholism.

Frontex: Transcending the EU Borders

ABSTRACT Does the work of Frontex transform borderlands? The article aims to explore the role of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) beyond the EU borders. Challenging the dominant portrayal of Frontex as a technical border control “tool” deployed at the EU borders, this article unpacks Frontex’s impact outside the EU geographic space. Applying the “cultures of border control” analytical framework and analyzing Frontex’s cooperation with third countries, it casts light on Frontex’s cultural impact in the Western Balkan region, using Albania and Serbia as case studies. The article argues that Frontex is expanding and diffusing the EU border control culture beyond the EU borders. This transcends Frontex’s institutional mandate set by its creators and the technical nature of cooperation agreed by its third partners. Actually, through its cultural impact, it both solidifies and expands its role and salience in border control, escaping the EU geographic limits.