Biological Modifiers Research Articles

Faculty perceptions of a professional development program for developing CUREs and promoting inclusive and equitable teaching.

The Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) model can be used to explore how faculty prioritize learning about and adopting new pedagogical approaches. Here, we use the DOI framework to contextualize biology faculty perceptions of a professional development (PD) program designed to help them create a full semester course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) class at a large, public comprehensive university. PD sessions included exploring self-reflexive identity while fostering inclusive classroom spaces through understanding and interrupting implicit bias and microaggressions. This qualitative study sought to determine 11 biology faculty members' beliefs about the influence of their year-long PD on their CURE development and teaching practices. Findings suggest that faculty were motivated to teach CUREs for a variety of reasons. A common incentive was integrating research into a CURE to bring their passion into their classroom and to engage more students in research. This may be particularly important at institutions where faculty have a heavy teaching load. Faculty also reported modifying their teaching in their CUREs and other courses to be more inclusive and equitable. The importance of peer interactions in the PD was emphasized repeatedly as faculty learned from experts, the literature, and faculty who had already developed a CURE. Our results illustrate that a community of practice structure can enhance the learning aspect of the community, helping faculty consider their implementation of inclusive, equitable, and high-impact practices as an ongoing educational process for themselves and emphasizing the importance of reflection and iteration in a DOI framework.

Graph-Theoretical Prediction and Analysis of Biologically Relevant Substructures in an Open and Closed Conformation of Respiratory Complex I.

Protein complexes are functional modules within the hierarchy of the cellular organization. Large protein complexes often consist of smaller functional modules, which are biologically relevant substructures with specific functions. The first protein complex of the respiratory chain, complex I, consists of functional modules for the electron transfer from NADH to quinone and the translocation of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Complex I is well-characterized and biological modules have been experimentally assigned. Nevertheless, there is an ongoing discussion about the coupling of the electron transfer and the proton translocation, and about the proton translocation pathways.We modelled a mammalian complex I in open and closed conformations as complex graphs, with vertices representing protein chains and edges representing chain-chain contacts. Using a graph-theoretical method, we computed the structural modules of complex I, which indicated functional, biological substructures. We described characteristic structural features of complex I and observed a rearrangement of the structural modules. The changes in the structural modules indicated the formation of a functional module in the membrane arm of complex I during the conformational change.

Initial Assessment the Effects of Polyethylene Microplastics on the Growth of Zebrafish Embryos Danio rerio

The aim of this study to evaluate the effect of polyethylene (PE) microplastics to mortality rates and morphological changes of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos by determining the mortality ratio of embryos and changes in embryo morphological structure after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure. Zebrafish were obtained from the Faculty of Biology - Hanoi University of Science. 24-hour-old fish embryos were exposed to PE microplastic concentrations of 5; 10; 20; 50 and 100 µg/mL. The results showed that when exposed to microplastics at concentrations of 10 µg/mL or higher, only about 5-10% of mortality embryos and the ratio did not increase with increasing concentration. These embryos died in the first 24 h and the number of dead embryos did not increase throughout the experiment. A similar trend was also observed when evaluating the ratio of morphologically abnormal embryos, embryos with abnormal pericardial edema were observed throughout the experiment at the highest concentration of 100 µg/mL. The results showed the potential risk in the using plastic products for the ecological environment.

In Memoriam: Cytogeneticist Dr. Sc. Ninel A. Petrova (1940–2024) — life and scientific heritage

The article is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Sc. Ninel A. Petrova, who passed away on 18 April 2024, and to her scientific heritage. Ninel was born on 28 March 1940 in Leningrad, the former Soviet Union. From 1959 to 1964, she studied at the Faculty of Biology and Soil Science of the Leningrad State University. After graduating from the university, Ninel joined the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where she worked for almost 60 years, rising from a research assistant to a leading researcher. Her scientific research focused on the structure and evolution of polytene chromosomes of two families of Diptera, black flies (Simuliidae) and non-biting midges (Chironomidae). Ninel has published nearly 200 scientific articles, three monographs and one monograph chapter and has become one of the leading experts in her field. Along with scientific activities, Ninel worked for 25 years as the Scientific Secretary of the Specialized Scientific Council for the Defense of Dissertations at the Zoological Institute.

Characterizing full-time, non-tenure-track teaching faculty in biology.

Institutions of higher education play a major role in teaching undergraduate students. Historically, most courses have been taught by tenure-track (TT) faculty who may also be responsible for research or scholarly activities. However, a recent shift from "teaching-intensive" TT faculty to "teaching-only" contingent faculty off the tenure track has highlighted the importance of understanding the experiences of contingent faculty. While there have been an increasing number of studies examining the experiences of part-time contingent faculty, few studies have directly surveyed the increasing number of full-time, non-tenure-track (NTT) teaching faculty in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to capture their experiences, nor are we aware of any study that has examined the roles of NTT teaching faculty within one discipline to examine any potential disciplinary differences that may arise across STEM fields. Here, we focus on the experiences of full-time, non-tenure-track faculty in biology whose primary responsibility is teaching. We conducted a random stratified sampling of institutions using the Carnegie classifications to identify potential full-time NTT teaching faculty at over 10% of all institutions in the United States. Our results from surveying these faculty found both positive and negative themes, including (i) NTT teaching faculty being less diverse than the STEM professoriate at large; (ii) NTT teaching faculty reporting mixed feelings on institutional support, identifying a range of opportunities to better support NTT teaching faculty; (iii) NTT teaching faculty often having limited participation in voting for department and institutional matters and reporting mixed feelings of belonging and value; and (iv) NTT teaching faculty having high amounts of autonomy over their teaching but still struggling in key areas. We end with specific implications and recommendations for our field to better support NTT teaching faculty in biology.

Ultrasensitive Organic Photoelectrochemical Transistor Biosensor Based on DNA as Nanocarrier for Efficient Immobilization of Signal Probe with Pimping Background.

Organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) assays are mainly focused on the improvement of photoactive materials at the gating interface, which leads to an enhanced initial signal alongside significant background noise. This phenomenon can cause considerable deviations and impose limits on target detection. In this study, we achieved sensitive and low-background detection of alkaline phospholipase (ALP) activity using single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as a nanocarrier to effectively immobilizing CdS quantum dots (QDs) sensitizing UiO-66. Specifically, ssDNA-labeled CdS QDs could be connected to UiO-66 via Zr-O-P bonds, while sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) interfered with the binding of CdS QD-ssDNA to UiO-66 due to an occupancy effect. The hydrolysis of STPP, catalyzed by ALP, diminished this occupancy effect, allowing for increased binding of CdS QDs-ssDNA to UiO-66 and thereby enhancing the responsive signal. The competitive dynamic between STPP and ssDNA allowed for controlled binding of CdS QDs-ssDNA photosensitizers on UiO-66, thus realizing sensitive detection of ALP. This organic integration of biological modulation and signal amplification in OPECT has led to the creation of a novel sensing platform for detecting ALP concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 100 U·L-1, and the detection limit is 0.0012 U·L-1, thus paving the way for innovative approaches to sensitively monitor ALP activity.

History of Biology in the Moldovan SSR (1947-1991): Chronological Dimension

Institutionalization of academic and university biological sciences in the Moldovan SSR had started 75 years ago. They have been evolving within the Botany Section and the Zoology Section of the Moldovan Base of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1947), as well as the Faculty of Biology of Chişinau State University (1947). Following the Base was transformation into the Moldovan Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, biological sciences were developing in the Institute of Biology, the Microbiology Section and the Botanical Gardens Institute. With the establishing of the Academy of Sciences of Moldovan SSR (1961), new academic institutions have been created: Institute of Zoology, Institute of Plants Physiology and Biochemistry, Section of Plant Genetics. Scientific schools were founded in the field of genetics and melioration (academician A. Kovarski), parasitology (academician A. Spassky), hydrobiology (academician M. Iaroshenko), ornithology (academician I. Ganea), mycology and phytopathology (academician I. Popushoi), fodder plants biology (academician M. Lupashcu), cytoembryology (academician A. Ciubotaru), stress physiology (academician T. Furdui), cellular and vegetal tissue biology (academic. B. Matienco), etc.

Мирон Пилипович Деркач (1931–2012). Той, що почав розмовляти з комп’ютером…

Myron Derkach is a world-class scientist in the field of biophysics and informational aspects of speech communication – analysis, synthesis and recognition of speech signals. He is the founder of the scientific direction, who formulated the principles of the deductive strategy of auditory language perception. In 1976, he created one of the first biophysics departments in Ukraine on the basis of the biological faculty of Ivan Franko University of Lviv. Dr. Myron Derkach is the author of the first university textbooks in Ukrainian on biophysics and mathematical methods in biology, which have not lost their relevance to this day.

Insights into the Identification of iPSC- and Monocyte-Derived Macrophage-Polarizing Compounds by AI-Fueled Cell Painting Analysis Tools.

Macrophage polarization critically contributes to a multitude of human pathologies. Hence, modulating macrophage polarization is a promising approach with enormous therapeutic potential. Macrophages are characterized by a remarkable functional and phenotypic plasticity, with pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) states at the extremes of a multidimensional polarization spectrum. Cell morphology is a major indicator for macrophage activation, describing M1(-like) (rounded) and M2(-like) (elongated) states by different cell shapes. Here, we introduced cell painting of macrophages to better reflect their multifaceted plasticity and associated phenotypes beyond the rigid dichotomous M1/M2 classification. Using high-content imaging, we established deep learning- and feature-based cell painting image analysis tools to elucidate cellular fingerprints that inform about subtle phenotypes of human blood monocyte-derived and iPSC-derived macrophages that are characterized as screening surrogate. Moreover, we show that cell painting feature profiling is suitable for identifying inter-donor variance to describe the relevance of the morphology feature 'cell roundness' and dissect distinct macrophage polarization signatures after stimulation with known biological or small-molecule modulators of macrophage (re-)polarization. Our novel established AI-fueled cell painting analysis tools provide a resource for high-content-based drug screening and candidate profiling, which set the stage for identifying novel modulators for macrophage (re-)polarization in health and disease.

Integrated proteomics and metabolomics analyses reveal new insights into the antitumor effects of valproic acid plus simvastatin combination in a prostate cancer xenograft model associated with downmodulation of YAP/TAZ signaling

BackgroundDespite advancements in therapeutic approaches, including taxane-based chemotherapy and androgen receptor-targeting agents, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains an incurable tumor, highlighting the need for novel strategies that can target the complexities of this disease and bypass the development of drug resistance mechanisms. We previously demonstrated the synergistic antitumor interaction of valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic agent with histone deacetylase inhibitory activity, with the lipid-lowering drug simvastatin (SIM). This combination sensitizes mCRPC cells to docetaxel treatment both in vitro and in vivo by targeting the cancer stem cell compartment via mevalonate pathway/YAP axis modulation.MethodsHere, using a combined proteomic and metabolomic/lipidomic approach, we characterized tumor samples derived from 22Rv1 mCRPC cell-xenografted mice treated with or without VPA/SIM and performed an in-depth bioinformatics analysis.ResultsWe confirmed the specific impact of VPA/SIM on the Hippo–YAP signaling pathway, which is functionally related to the modulation of cancer-related extracellular matrix biology and metabolic reprogramming, providing further insights into the molecular mechanism of the antitumor effects of VPA/SIM.ConclusionsIn this study, we present an in-depth exploration of the potential to repurpose two generic, safe drugs for mCRPC treatment, valproic acid (VPA) and simvastatin (SIM), which already show antitumor efficacy in combination, primarily affecting the cancer stem cell compartment via MVP/YAP axis modulation. Bioinformatics analysis of the LC‒MS/MS and 1H‒NMR metabolomics/lipidomics results confirmed the specific impact of VPA/SIM on Hippo–YAP.

Abstract IA007: Modulating cfDNA biology to enhance liquid biopsies

Abstract Liquid biopsies could transform cancer care but require higher sensitivity to detect early-stage tumors and minimal residual disease (MRD) and to enable tumor molecular profiling and therapy response monitoring for most patients. In this talk, I will focus on the significant biological bottlenecks upstream of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing. I will posit that in many circumstances, insufficient circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) drawn in a blood tube cannot be overcome by assay technology alone, and that in vivo modulation of cfDNA biology may also be required to enhance liquid biopsies. Inspired by widespread use of diagnostic drugs in other areas of medicine, we sought to create the first “priming agents” for liquid biopsies that could be administered before a blood draw to recover more ctDNA. I will describe two such approaches—a monoclonal antibody against double-stranded DNA and a liposome nanoparticle—that briefly attenuate cfDNA clearance by shielding it from nuclease digestion and cellular uptake. These enabled >10x more ctDNA to be collected when administered within 1-2 hours of a blood draw in mice. This improved the analytical limit of detection for ctDNA testing by >10-fold, provided more complete representation of the tumor genome in each blood sample, and increased the sensitivity for detection of small tumors from <10% to >75% in mice. Envisioning a future where liquid biopsies are optionally enhanced with priming, I will also explore a unique potential pairing with our tumor-informed, whole-genome, mutation enrichment sequencing MRD test called MAESTRO, and how it stands to enable routine ctDNA detection below 1 part per million. Citation Format: Viktor Adalsteinsson. Modulating cfDNA biology to enhance liquid biopsies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Liquid Biopsy: From Discovery to Clinical Implementation; 2024 Nov 13-16; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(21_Suppl):Abstract nr IA007.

Evaluation of Three Cucurbitaceae Cultivars Resistant against Begomoviruses Based on Morphological Symptoms and Molecular Analysis

Cucurbitaceae is a group of annual horticultural crops with high economic prospects and benefits. The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada has developed several new cultivars within the Cucurbitaceae family, such as the melon cultivar 'Hikapel', watermelon 'Citra Jingga', and butternut squash 'Citra Laga'. However, development of these cultivars has been hindered by yellow disease, typically triggered by Begomovirus infection. This study aimed to determine the morphological symptoms of yellow disease, to detect Begomovirus infection using molecular approach, and assess resistance levels of the three Cucurbitaceae cultivars. The method involved observing morphological symptoms in plants and measuring plant height. The degree of symptom severity was then converted into a vulnerability index (VI). The symptomatic leaf samples were tested using Krusty and Homer primer to confirm the symptoms caused by Begomovirus. The PCR results were sequenced and analyzed using Maximum Likelihood method in MEGA 11. The results showed that symptoms included curling tip of leaves, yellow mosaic on the leaves, and stunted growth in some plants, which were suggested as Begomovirus infection. Based on the Vulnerability Index (VI), the watermelon cultivar 'Hikapel' was considered susceptible to Begomovirus infection (VI = 85%), while the yellow squash 'Citra Laga' was moderately susceptible (VI = 57.5%). However, the watermelon 'Citra Jingga' was considered moderately resistant to this infection (VI = 50%). The presence of DNA the Begomovirus at three species Cucurbitaceae were characterized by a 550 bp band. The 'Hikapel' melon and 'Citra Laga' butternut were infected with Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), while the ‘Citra Jingga’ watermelon were infected with Squash leaf curl Philippine virus (SLCuPV).

Programmable protein degraders enable selective knockdown of pathogenic β-catenin subpopulations in vitro and in vivo.

Aberrant activation of Wnt signaling results in unregulated accumulation of cytosolic β-catenin, which subsequently enters the nucleus and promotes transcription of genes that contribute to cellular proliferation and malignancy. Here, we sought to eliminate pathogenic β-catenin from the cytosol using designer ubiquibodies (uAbs), chimeric proteins composed of an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a target-binding domain that redirect intracellular proteins to the proteasome for degradation. To accelerate uAb development, we leveraged a protein language model (pLM)-driven algorithm called SaLT&PepPr to computationally design "guide" peptides with affinity for β-catenin, which were subsequently fused to the catalytic domain of a human E3 called C-terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP). Expression of the resulting peptide-guided uAbs in colorectal cancer cells led to the identification of several designs that significantly reduced the abnormally stable pool of free β-catenin in the cytosol and nucleus while preserving the normal membrane-associated subpopulation. This selective knockdown of pathogenic β-catenin suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling and impaired tumor cell survival and proliferation. Furthermore, one of the best degraders selectively decreased cytosolic but not membrane-associated β-catenin levels in livers of BALB/c mice following delivery as a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA. Collectively, these findings reveal the unique ability of uAbs to selectively eradicate abnormal proteins in vitro and in vivo and open the door to peptide-programmable biologic modulators of other disease-causing proteins.

Genomic Comparisons Revealed the Key Genotypes of Streptomyces sp. CB03234-GS26 to Optimize Its Growth and Relevant Production of Tiancimycins.

Strain robustness and titer improvement are major challenges faced in the industrial development of natural products from Streptomyces. Tiancimycins (TNMs) produced by Streptomyces sp. CB03234 are promising anticancer payloads for antibody-drug conjugates, but further development is severely limited by the low titer of TNMs. Despite many efforts to generate various TNMs overproducers, the mechanisms underlying high TNMs production remain to be explored. Herein, genome resequencing and genomic comparisons of different TNMs overproducers were conducted to explore the unique genotypes in CB03234-GS26. Four target genes were selected for further bioinformatic analyses and genetic validations. The results indicated that the inactivation of histidine ammonia-lyase (HAL) showed the most significant effect by blocking the intracellular degradation of histidine to facilitate relevant enzymatic catalysis and thus improve the production of TNMs. Additionally, the potassium/proton antiporter (P/PA) was crucial for intracellular pH homeostasis, and its deficiency severely impaired the alkaline tolerance of the cells. Subsequent pan-genomic analysis suggested that HAL and P/PA are core enzymes that are highly conserved in Streptomyces. Therefore, HAL and P/PA represented novel targets to regulate secondary metabolism and enhance strain robustness and could become potential synthetic biological modules to facilitate development of natural products and strain improvement in Streptomyces.

Insights into Catechin-Copper Complex Structure and Biologic Activity Modulation.

Compounds of natural origin found in varying quantities in plant-based products constitute a highly significant category, possessing structural significance as well as the capacity to regulate oxidative processes. The activity of these compounds may be modulated by the composition of the biological environment in which they operate, the pH of the environment, or the presence of metal cations in plants or plant extracts. A successful complexation reaction was mainly confirmed by FT-IR, observing the shift from the original transmittance of catechin bonds, especially O-H ones. This work shows the synthetic methodology and the optimization process that took place to synthesize a catechin-copper complex, which demonstrated antioxidant activity. It was tested for iron chelation ability, hydroxyl radicals, and the inhibition of lipoxygenase (15-LOX). An antidiabetic assay was performed by determining the inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, finding that the synthesized complex had similar inhibitory potential as pure catechin. The antibacterial tests showed results against Staphylococcus aureus and the antifungal properties of the complex against Candida albicans.

Enhancing mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt with olive kernel ash: A sustainable modifier

The use of agricultural waste as a sustainable modifier with functional and environmental advantages has grown appealing. While conventional modifiers offer several benefits, utilizing biological modifiers generated from agricultural resources like ash can be more effective in both technical and economic aspects. This study examines the performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) containing modified bitumen with olive kernel ash (OKA) collected from an olive canning factory. To accomplish this goal, the modified bitumen was subjected to kinematic viscosity testing and Fourier-transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to assess its chemical characteristics. Additionally, the following tests were performed on HMA: Marshall, resilient modulus, indirect tensile strength, repeated load axial creep, and semicircular bending test. Research findings reveal that the addition of 20 % OKA increases the resistance to rutting by more than 1.3 times. This is attributed to the stiffening capabilities and high density of OKA within the bitumen mixture. Reducing the moisture sensitivity of the modified mixtures, especially in the samples containing 10 % OKA, is attributed to the reduction of air voids and the improved bonding between the bitumen and aggregate. This is due to the OKA's more absorbent and reactive surface. Furthermore, fatigue analysis at intermediate temperatures showed that limiting the OKA dosage to 5–10 % can increase resistance to fatigue cracking by 11 %. Additionally, incorporating OKA at 5 % and 10 % doses into modified asphalt mixtures significantly improves fracture energy and stress intensity factors by up to 24 %. However, when the OKA dosage exceeds 10 %, a decline in performance is observed at low temperatures. In summary, according to the desired performance and workability, OKA is considered a viable alternative for bitumen modification with technical, economic, and environmental goals.

Exploring the Potential Mechanisms of Danshen for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis based on Serum Pharmacochemistry, Gene Expression Profiling, and Network Pharmacology: Regulation of Cell Apoptosis and Inflammatory Response.

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Danshen shows potential efficacy for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the bioactive components and mode of action were unclear. This paper uses a combination of network pharmacology, serum medicinal chemistry, and gene expression profiling to clarify its possible molecular mechanism of action and material basis. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was utilized to analyze the herbal components and metabolites from the serum of Danshen-treated mice. Gene expression profiles were applied to construct a database of Danshen action targets. Then, active ingredient-target-biological functional module networks were constructed to analyze the mechanism of action. Molecular docking has further confirmed the possibility of its components to the targets. As a result, 193 common targets between 1684 Danshen-related DEGs and 1492 UC targets were determined as the potential targets for Danshen in treatment with UC. Serum pharmacochemistry and target prediction showed that 22 components in serum acted on 777 targets. Intersection with common targets yielded 46 core targets, and an active ingredienttarget- biological functional module network was constructed for analysis. Network prediction and molecular docking results showed that the main action modules were inflammatory response and cell apoptosis, which mainly acted on targets SRC, RELA, HSP90AA1, CTNNB1, STAT3, and CASP3. The main components of Danshen intervention in UC were predicted to include Catechol, 3,9-Dimethoxypterocarpan, 8-Prenylnaringenin, Isoferulic acid, Salvianolic acid C, and Danshensu. The present study provides a scientific foundation for further explicating the mechanisms of Danshen against UC.

Clinical outcomes of tocilizumab therapy in polyarticular and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a single-center analysis (2018-2022)

This single-center retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Tocilizumab (TOC) in children with polyarticular (pJIA) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) who exhibited inadequate responses to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological modifiers (bDMARDs). Conducted at the Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation in Warsaw, Poland, between 2018 and 2022, the study enrolled 29 patients diagnosed with JIA based on International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria. The cohort comprised 13 sJIA and 16 pJIA patients, aged 2-18 years, receiving TOC treatment for 24 months. Safety and efficacy assessments included analysis of medical documentation, laboratory tests (CRP, ESR, WBC), and Juvenile Disease Activity Score (JADAS) 71 at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-treatment initiation. Significant reductions in CRP and ESR levels were observed within three months, with sustained improvement in JADAS71 scores over the 24-month treatment period. A substantial majority, 73.07% of patients, achieved inactive disease status or low disease activity, highlighting T0C’s effectiveness. Adverse effects were manageable, predominantly involving mild to moderate infections, with no serious adverse events or instances of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The study also noted a steroid-sparing effect of TOC, with a reduction in glucocorticoid usage among the cohort. Tocilizumab demonstrates substantial efficacy in reducing disease activity and improving clinical outcomes in patients with pJIA and sJIA, coupled with a favorable safety profile. These findings reinforce the role of TOC as a critical component of the therapeutic arsenal for JIA, offering hope for improved quality of life and disease management in this patient population.

Plant-Based Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis Management: A Review

Dermatological issues pose a frequent challenge for small clinical practitioners, presenting a spectrum of conditions encompassing otitis, pyoderma, anal sac problems, flea allergy, and atopic dermatitis (AD). Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and recurring skin condition characterized by distributed skin lesions. In recent decades, researchers have shown a keen interest in AD due to its increased prevalence in developed countries. While various treatment strategies, including biological and immune modulators, are available for AD, each has certain limitations. Researchers have exhibited a significant interest in managing AD with herbal medicines. The use of herbal drugs for AD could potentially eliminate local and systemic adverse effects associated with long-term corticosteroid use, as well as reduce the high cost of therapy with biological drugs. This review discusses traditional East Asian herbal medicines as well as scientific data related to newer herbal extracts or compositions for the treatment of AD. The paper also delves into in vivo animal models and in vitro cell cultures that have been investigated with herbal medicines to establish a potential role in the treatment of AD. In conclusion, herbal medicines could serve as a better and safer complementary and alternative treatment option for AD.

Pengembangan Modul Pembelajaran Biologi Berbasis Hots (Higher Order Thinking Skills) pada Materi Sistem Reproduksi

This study aims to determine the level of validity, practicality and effectiveness of biology modules based on HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) on the material of the human reproductive system. This research is a 4-D model of R&D (Research and Development) (Define, Design, Development, and Disseminate). The subjects of the trial conducted in the study consisted of 20 students from class XI-MIA-2 at SMA Negeri 6 Medan. The results showed that the percentage of module validity scores from material experts was 84% ​​with a very valid category. and module experts by 100% with the "very valid" category. Meanwhile, the percentage of module practicality scores from biology teachers and students were 100% and 92%, respectively, in the "very practical" category. The effectiveness of the development module based on individual mastery of student learning outcomes has reached classical completeness of 85%. with an average value of 89. From the overall results, it has been included in the valid, practical and effective categories.