Response Of System Research Articles

Paternal zinc deficiency alters offspring metabolic status in Drosophila melanogaster

BackgroundThis study delves into the understudied yet potentially crucial role of paternal zinc deficiency in programming offspring metabolic outcomes. By examining paternal zinc deficiency, we aim to shed light on a previously unexplored avenue with the potential to significantly impact future generations. We investigated the intergenerational effects of paternal zinc deficiency on metabolic parameters in Drosophila melanogaster. MethodsDietary zinc deficiency was induced by supplementing the diet of Drosophila F0 male flies with TPEN (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine) from egg stage. The F0 male flies after eclosion were mated with age-matched virgin female flies from the control group, resulting in the F1 offspring generation. The F1 generation were then cultured on a standard diet for subsequent metabolic analyses, including assessments of body weight, locomotion, and levels of glucose, trehalose, glycogen, and triglycerides as well as the expression of related genes. ResultsWe observed an increase (p<0.05) in body weight in male parent flies and female offspring. Negative geotaxis performance was also impaired in the female offspring. Paternal zinc deficiency exerted distinct effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as evidenced by a significant (p<0.05) increase in trehalose and triglyceride levels in both parent and offspring. Additionally, zinc deficiency led to alterations in the expression of key metabolic genes, including significant (p<0.05) increase in DILP2 mRNA levels, highlighting potential links to insulin signaling. Also, there were reduced mRNA levels of SOD1 and CAT in both parental and offspring generations. Parental zinc deficiency also increased the expression of Eiger and UPD2 mRNA in the offspring, suggesting potential perturbations in the immune response system. ConclusionThese findings underscore the link between zinc status and various physiological and molecular processes, revealing both immediate and intergenerational impacts on metabolic, antioxidant, and inflammatory pathways and providing valuable insights on the implications of paternal zinc deficiency in Drosophila melanogaster.

Investigation of Advanced Nanoscale Biomaterials as Immune Modulators for Therapeutic Applications

Immunomodulatory agents play a crucial role in drug delivery by modulating the immune system's response to therapeutic agents, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and safety. These agents can either stimulate the immune system to improve drug effectiveness, particularly in cancer and infectious diseases, or suppress it to prevent adverse reactions in conditions like organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. The integration of immunomodulatory agents into drug delivery systems (DDS) enhances drug targeting, controls release, and optimizes pharmacokinetics. Advanced carriers such as nanoparticles and liposomes are employed to precisely deliver these agents, aligning with personalized medicine approaches to tailor treatments based on individual immune profiles. Despite their potential, challenges such as balancing immune modulation and addressing safety concerns remain. Ongoing research is focused on developing innovative DDS, improving targeting strategies, and identifying new immunomodulatory compounds to address these challenges. This abstract provides an overview of the role and impact of immunomodulatory agents in drug delivery systems and highlights the current trends and future directions in this evolving field.

Fat mass and obesity-mediated m6A modification modulates neuroinflammatory responses after traumatic brain injury.

The neuroinflammatory response mediated by microglial activation plays an important role in the secondary nerve injury of traumatic brain injury. The post-transcriptional modification of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is ubiquitous in the immune response of the central nervous system. The fat mass and obesity (FTO)-related protein catalyzes the demethylation of m6A modifications on mRNA and is widely expressed in various tissues, participating in the regulation of multiple diseases' biological processes. However, the role of FTO in microglial activation and the subsequent neuroinflammatory response after traumatic brain injury is unclear. In this study, we found that the expression of FTO was significantly down-regulated in both lipopolysaccharide-treated BV2 cells and a traumatic brain injury mouse model. After FTO interference, BV2 cells exhibited a pro-inflammatory phenotype as shown by the increased proportion of CD11b+/CD86+ cells and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. FTO-mediated m6A demethylation accelerated the degradation of ADAM17 mRNA, while silencing of FTO enhanced the stability of ADAM17 mRNA. Therefore, down-regulation of FTO expression leads to the abnormally high expression of ADAM17 in microglia. These results indicate that the activation of microglia and neuroinflammatory response regulated by FTO-related m6A modification plays an important role in the pro-inflammatory process of secondary injury following traumatic brain injury.

Hemostasis correction in the treatment and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients

Background. It is well known that the severe course of a new coronavirus infection (NCI) is often accompanied by a significant risk of hemostasis system disorders. Virus-associated coagulopathy in COVID-19 differs from its other types. Apparently, it is directly related to inflammatory processes and an inadequate response from the immune system.Objective: to determine the main mechanisms of immune-mediated coagulopathy development in NCI patients and methods of correcting this pathological condition.Material and methods. The search for studies devoted to the specifics of coagulopathy course in COVID-19, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with this complication was carried out in international scientific research databases PubMed/ MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and scientific electronic library (eLibrary). The search depth was 20 years. The results of queries in search engines Yandex and Google were also taken. After selection of publications performed according to PRISMA recommendations, 73 articles were included in the review.Results. A “vicious circle” associated with cytokine storm underlies the pathogenetic mechanisms of immune-mediated thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. A significant role of endothelial dysfunction, extracellular neutrophil traps (NETs), thrombocytopathy and changes in complement system activity is assigned to coagulopathy development. The therapy of this complication is aimed primarily at pathogenetic process. The effectiveness of anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs, antiplatelet agents, drugs aimed at limiting the role of NETs and complement system in thrombosis development was shown. The expediency of preventive use of anticoagulants in COVID-19 patients was considered. Information was provided on the rehabilitation of NCI patients with coagulopathy. The effectiveness of combined anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant therapy in COVID-19 as a component of complex rehabilitation was indicated.Conslusion. Inflammatory processes and immune response play an crucial role in coagulopathy development in NCI patients. The combination of all pathogenetic changes on the part of immune system, inflammatory response and hemostasis system makes it difficult to carry out therapeutic measures. The general scheme of rehabilitation for COVID-19 patients should include three stages, and timely use of combined anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant therapy is also advisable.

A Study on Onboarding Employees and Solving Employees Queries of Amnex Infotechnologies in Ahmedabad

This study investigates the onboarding processes, employee query management, and data handling practices at Amnex Infotechnologies, highlighting key findings and offering actionable recommendations for improvement. The workforce at Amnex is predominantly below 25 years old and between 35-44 years old, with a slight male majority. Educational backgrounds are diverse, with postgraduates forming the largest group. Department representation varies, with HR and Finance departments having the highest participation. A significant majority of employees perceive the onboarding process as well-structured and feel adequately supported by the HR team. Data management practices are positively received, with most employees confident in the security of their data. However, there is potential for enhancing the onboarding experience through technology integration and structured programs. Improving query management by establishing a centralized knowledge base and responsive support systems is also recommended. Regular data audits and secure access channels can further strengthen data management practices. The study concludes that while Amnex has successfully created a supportive and engaging work environment, continuous improvements based on feedback and industry best practices can drive further organizational success and employee satisfaction

DNA BARCODING ANALYSIS OF THE ASTERACEAE SPECIES FROM KAZAKHSTAN

Asteraceae is the largest family of flowering plants in the world, containing more than 1.900 genera and more than 32.000 individual species. Many members of the Asteraceae family are important for medicinal, ornamental, and economic purposes. In Kazakhstan, the family is represented by 146 genera and 883 species. Many species of Asteraceae are currently being used for medicinal purposes in Kazakhstan. The species of this family including Artemisia dracunculus, Pentanema caspicum, Achillea nobilis, Leuzea altaica, Klasea cardunculus, and their derivatives are effective in the treatment of diseases, possess anti-fatigue, and anti-inflammatory properties. They also have immunomodulatory properties that can to reduce inflammation, speed up wound healing, and boost the immune system in response to bacterial or viral infection. Commercially important plants of the Asteraceae family include food crops, aside from consumption, the seeds, roots, etc. can be used to produce cooking oil and spices. Other commercially important species of the Asteraceae family are members of the Tanacetum genera, which have insecticidal properties. Given the many valuable members of the Asteraceae described above, a method to authenticate an Asteraceae species is essential to ensure drug and food safety. DNA barcoding is a method that uses a short piece of DNA sequence from a standard locus as a tool for species identification. In our study DNA was extracted from plant material using the CTAB method, followed by the selection of universal barcode primers (ITS, matK, rbcL) based on established literature. The result of PCR products were purified and subjected to Sanger sequencing. The assembled sequences were compared with existing DNA sequences using BLAST function of the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI), with outgroup sequences (Acicarpha tribuloides, Alseuosmia macrophylla) and were analyzed in MEGA 11. Maximum Likelihood analysis was conducted using 24 different nucleotide substitution models including ITS (K2+G), matK (GTR+G), rbcL (K2+G). Basic indicators of genetic diversity were evaluated, including nucleotide divergence (Pi), the proportion of conservative (C), polymorphic, and segregating (S) regions. The ITS regions showed the highest divergence (Pi = 0.127), with conservative regions accounting for 68.7% and polymorphic regions varying within 29.6%. The rbcL regions showed higher conservatism (Pi = 0.02), with 94.6% conservative regions and only 5.4% variable regions. The matK regions exhibited intermediate values (Pi = 0.052), with 87.5% conservative and 12.5% variable regions. The G+C content of the aligned sequences ranged from 34.9% to 55.0%. The effectiveness of the BLAST tool in identifying identical sequences in the NCBI database was limited at the species level for the chloroplast DNA markers rbcL and matK. However, using the ITS DNA marker, the search within the NCBI database successfully identified only the species Achillea millefolium and Achillea nobilis with 100% accuracy. Intra-specific discrepancies were observed for other species such as Psephellus sibiricus (99.37%), Scorzonera parviflora (99.37%), Klasea cardunculus (99.79%). All investigated DNA barcodes were tested successfully identified species at the genus level with 100% accuracy.

Giving a voice to “the silent killer”: a knowledge, attitude and practice study of diabetes among French Guiana’s Parikweneh people

BackgroundThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the French overseas department of French Guiana, South America, nearly doubles that in its European counterpart, Metropolitan France. This region is demographically diverse and includes several populations of Indigenous Peoples. Although such populations are at particular risk of developing T2D across the Americas, very little is known about their health status in French Guiana, and accurate numbers of diabetic patients do not exist.MethodsIn light of a potential public health crisis, an ethnomedicinal study of diabetes experienced by Indigenous Parikweneh was conducted to provide better insight into the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to this quickly emerging disease in French Guiana. Altogether, 75 interviews were conducted with community members and Elders, as well as healthcare professionals and administrators providing services to the Parikweneh population of Macouria and Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock.ResultsInterviews suggest a high incidence of T2D in this population, with cases that have risen quickly since the mid-twentieth century. Parikweneh participants linked the development of the illness to dietary changes, notably through the introduction of new and sweet foods. Recognizing the complexity of diabetes and its symptoms, diabetic patients highlighted the importance of biomedical treatments and follow-ups, though they frequently alternated or used them concomitantly with Parikweneh medicines. With the help of biomedical tools (i.e. glucometer), local medicinal practices mirrored biomedical approaches through dietary adaptation and the use of medicinal animals and plants for glycaemic control and the treatment of complications from the disease.ConclusionParikweneh are appropriating T2D into their knowledge system and adapting their health system in response to this relatively new health concern. A greater understanding of local practices and perceptions relating to T2D among medical staff may therefore be beneficial for meeting patients’ needs, providing greater autonomy in their health path, and improving treatment outcomes.

A smart system for student performance assessment (SPA)

The proposed smart system for Student Performance Assessment (SPA) is a system that evaluates students' knowledge and skill attainment in a specific course by measuring their achievements of the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs). The instructor defines the aspects, weights, and rating scale used by SPA to analyze each course. The system calculates the average of students' marks in each learning outcome and compares them with the CLO targets and scores to determine the effectiveness of the teaching and learning methods used. The system uses facts and rules extracted from the course syllabus and Bloom's Taxonomy to build its knowledge base. This paper presents the development of the SPA inference engine, which is used to find CLO targets based on the course level. The inference engine uses efficient procedures and a prediction process to determine the correct target and score, providing a reliable and understandable methodology for reasoning about the information in the knowledge base and formulating conclusions. SPA is a highly responsive and intelligent system that can be a valuable tool for measuring students' achievements. Its characteristics include high performance, reliability, and intelligibility, and its combination of cognitive systems and cognitive theory has led to remarkable progress in measuring student performance. Limitations include dependency on accurate course content and initial setup time, potential bias in CLO weight assignments, challenges in integrating SPA with existing institutional databases, the need for continuous updates to the knowledge base to reflect curriculum changes, and potential resistance from educators to adopt new technologies. Future improvements could involve adaptive learning integrations, enhanced user interfaces, and broader applicability across diverse educational settings.

Generating Sonic Phantoms with Quadratic Difference Tone Spectrum Synthesis

Abstract Quadratic difference tones belong to a family of perceptual phenomena that arise from the neuromechanics of the auditory system in response to particular physical properties of sound. Long deployed as “ghost” or “phantom” tones by sound artists, improvisers, and computer musicians, in this article we address an entirely new topic: How to create a quadratic difference tone spectrum (QDTS) in which a target fundamental and harmonic overtone series are specified and in which the complex tone necessary to evoke it is synthesized. We propose a numerical algorithm that solves the problem of how to synthesize a QDTS for a target distribution of amplitudes. The algorithm aims to find a solution that matches the desired spectrum as closely as possible for an arbitrary number of target harmonics. Results from experiments using different parameter settings and target distributions show that the algorithm is effective in the majority of cases, with at least 99% of the cases being solvable in real time. An external object for the visual programming language Max is described. We discuss musical and perceptual considerations for using the external, and we describe a range of audio examples that demonstrate the synthesis of QDTSs across different cases. As we show, the method makes possible the matching of QDTSs to particular instrumental timbres with surprising efficiency. Also included is a discussion of a musical work by composer Marcin Pietruszewski that makes use of QDTS synthesis.

Investigating Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections, Characteristics and Microbiology in Pediatric Patients with Hydrocephalus: A Single-Center Experience in Tehran, Iran

Background: This study investigates the epidemiology of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus, using data from 39 cases admitted to Loghman Hakim Hospital over a five-year period. Methods: This study was a case series involving a retrospective analysis of medical records, with a focus on demographic characteristics, etiological factors, and clinical outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed to explore associations between VP shunt infections and various variables. Results: The study identified a significant association between VP shunt infections and the presence of fever (P &lt; 0.05) as well as the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from the VP shunt (P &lt; 0.01). This association may be explained by the release of cytokines during VP shunt infections, which can lead to the development of fever. Additionally, the stimulation of the immune system in response to the infection may cause an influx of WBCs into the CSF surrounding the VP shunt. Conclusions: This investigation offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of VP shunt infections in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. The observed associations between infection, fever, and WBC count enhance our understanding of the immunological responses triggered by VP shunt infections. These findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate these pathways, which could inform targeted interventions in the clinical management of VP shunt infections in pediatric populations.

Advanced Perturb and Observe Algorithm for Maximum Power Point Tracking in Photovoltaic Systems with Adaptive Step Size

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms are commonly used in photovoltaic (PV) systems to optimize the power output from the solar panels. Among the various MPPT algorithms, the perturb and observe (P&amp;O) algorithm is a popular choice due to its simplicity and effectiveness. However, the basic P&amp;O algorithm has some limitations such as oscillations and steady-state error under rapidly changing irradiance conditions. The enhanced algorithm includes a modified perturbation step and a dynamic step size adjustment scheme. This reduces the oscillations and improves the tracking accuracy. In the dynamic step size adjustment scheme, the step size is adjusted based on the rate of change of the PV output power. This improves the tracking performance under rapidly changing irradiance conditions. In order to prove the performance of the designed control algorithm, we will test it under simple climatic conditions of fixed temperature (30°C) and variable irradiation in the form of steps (500W/m² and 2000w/m²) and see the system response. The performance of the enhanced P&amp;O algorithm has been evaluated using MATLAB simulations.

Testing Algorithms for Controlling the Distributed Power Supply System of a Railway Signal Box

Trends in the use of renewable energy sources to power buildings do not bypass objects for which maintaining a power supply is critical. This also applies to railway signal boxes. The aim of the research work was to test the multisource power supply system for a railway signal box with power electronic converter systems and a DC bus, built as part of the research project. The assumption for powering the railway signal box building was to use renewable sources, energy storage devices, and a 3 kV DC traction network as the second required power supply grid. Both power grids were connected by power electronic converters, and the power values of the converters were set based on the calculated power balance values using the values measured at the system nodes and the set constraints. The tests primarily tested the response of the power supply system to changes in load power and power generated by the photovoltaic source, as well as the charge level of the energy storage devices. The correctness of the control algorithm’s operation was assessed based on the recorded power values in the power supply system nodes. The tests were carried out for 60 scenarios that covered all normal and emergency operating conditions. During the tests, delays in response to changes in the power supplied to the converters and the values of circular power flow between the power grid connections were recorded. The recorded delays ranged from 2 to about 50 s and the circular power flows did not exceed 1500 W. Based on the results of the tests, it was found necessary to improve the power measurement system in the power supply system nodes and to improve the quality of communication and the transmission time of measurement data transmission time.

The Impact of the Nonlinear Integral Positive Position Feedback (NIPPF) Controller on the Forced and Self-Excited Nonlinear Beam Flutter Phenomenon

This article presents a novel approach to impact regulation of nonlinear vibrational responses in a beam flutter system subjected to harmonic excitation. This study introduces the use of a Nonlinear Integral Positive Position Feedback (NIPPF) controller for this purpose. This technique models the system as a three-degree-of-freedom nonlinear system representing the beam flutter, coupled with a first-order and a second-order filter representing the NIPPF controller. By applying perturbation analysis to the linearized system model, the authors obtain analytical solutions for the autonomous system with the controller. This study aims to reduce vibration amplitudes in a nonlinear dynamic system, specifically when 1:1 internal resonance occurs. The Routh–Hurwitz criterion is utilized to evaluate the system’s stability. Furthermore, the frequency–response curves (FRCs) exhibit symmetry across a range of parameter values. The findings highlight that the effectiveness of vibration suppression is directly related to the product of the NIPPF control signal after comparing with different controllers. Numerical simulations, conducted using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, validate the analytical solutions and demonstrate the system’s amplitude response. The strong correlation between the analytical and numerical results highlights the accuracy and dependability of the proposed method.

Multi-decadal fluctuations in root zone storage capacity through vegetation adaptation to hydro-climatic variability have minor effects on the hydrological response in the Neckar River basin, Germany

Abstract. Climatic variability can considerably affect catchment-scale root zone storage capacity (Sumax), which is a critical factor regulating latent heat fluxes and thus the moisture exchange between land and atmosphere as well as the hydrological response and biogeochemical processes in terrestrial hydrological systems. However, direct quantification of changes in Sumax over long time periods and the mechanistic drivers thereof at the catchment scale are missing so far. As a consequence, it remains unclear how climatic variability, such as precipitation regime or canopy water demand, affects Sumax and how fluctuations in Sumax may influence the partitioning of water fluxes and therefore also affect the hydrological response at the catchment scale. Based on long-term daily hydrological records (1953–2022) in the upper Neckar River basin in Germany, we found that variability in hydro-climatic conditions, with an aridity index IA (i.e. EP/P) ranging between ∼ 0.9 and 1.1 over multiple consecutive 20-year periods, was accompanied by deviations ΔIE between −0.02 and 0.01 from the expected IE inferred from the long-term parametric Budyko curve. Similarly, fluctuations in Sumax, ranging between ∼ 95 and 115 mm or ∼ 20 %, were observed over the same time period. While uncorrelated with long-term mean precipitation and potential evaporation, it was shown that the magnitude of Sumax is controlled by the ratio of winter precipitation to summer precipitation (p &lt; 0.05). In other words, Sumax in the study region does not depend on the overall wetness condition as for example expressed by IA, but rather on how water supply by precipitation is distributed over the year. However, fluctuations in Sumax were found to be uncorrelated with observed changes in ΔIE. Consequently, replacing a long-term average, time-invariant estimate of Sumax with a time-variable, dynamically changing formulation of that parameter in a hydrological model did not result in an improved representation of the long-term partitioning of water fluxes, as expressed by IE (and fluctuations ΔIE thereof), or in an improved representation of the shorter-term response dynamics. Overall, this study provides quantitative mechanistic evidence that Sumax changes significantly over multiple decades, reflecting vegetation adaptation to climatic variability. However, this temporal evolution of Sumax cannot explain long-term fluctuations in the partitioning of water (and thus latent heat) fluxes as expressed by deviations ΔIE from the parametric Budyko curve over multiple time periods with different climatic conditions. Similarly, it does not have any significant effects on shorter-term hydrological response characteristics of the upper Neckar catchment. This further suggests that accounting for the temporal evolution of Sumax with a time-variable formulation of that parameter in a hydrological model does not improve its ability to reproduce the hydrological response and may therefore be of minor importance for predicting the effects of a changing climate on the hydrological response in the study region over the next decades to come.

Experimentally validated passive nonlinear capacitor in piezoelectric vibration applications

Abstract Piezoelectric vibration isolation and energy harvesting applications have been extensively studied in the literature. The studies include linear and nonlinear approaches. Linear methods are simpler but possess inherent limitations. On the other hand, nonlinear ones could perform better over a broader operating frequency range. Nonlinearity can be introduced in the mechanical domain or electrical domain actively or passively. Since electrical components can be on smaller scales compared to mechanical counterparts, inducing nonlinearity on the mechanical system through the electrical domain can be more practical. Moreover, passive structures require no energy supply and controller therefore they are simpler and more reliable than active ones. In this paper, a novel way to attain passive hardening stiffness was suggested by introducing an electrical component in a shunt circuit for passive nonlinear piezoelectric vibration isolation or energy harvesting applications and the induced structural non-linearity is demonstrated experimentally. A passive nonlinear component is suggested to be a hardening capacitor obtained by the P–N junction. An analytic model is derived for parallel connected macro-fiber composite (MFC) piezoelectric material attached bimorph configuration on a cantilever beam and the model is solved numerically. MFC integrated bimorph model, and P–N junction approximate model are presented. The frequency response of the coupled system is obtained by using numerical models and experiments. Both numerical analysis and experiments validated the hardening stiffness effect of the P–N junction. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study to demonstrate that nonlinear capacitance of P–N junctions can be used to attain nonlinearity in a mechanical system.

Double friction pendulum-based isolation optimization for transformer-bushing systems

Transformers and their bushings are critical equipment pieces in power substations, which are often exposed to significantly high seismic risk. To enhance the seismic performance of the transformer-bushing system, isolation through double friction pendulum (DFP) bearings has been considered. However, the selection of appropriate isolation parameters lacks theoretical guidance and efficient analysis methods. A theoretical model for the transformer-bushing system isolated with DFP bearings has been proposed. Based on this model, isolation parameters that ensure acceptable displacement response while achieving optimal acceleration isolation efficiency can be determined. Taking a high-voltage transformer isolated by DFP bearings as an example, a set of isolation parameters is optimized and used to design a shaking table test. The results demonstrate that the proposed model exhibits reliable calculation accuracy for the seismic response of the transformer-bushing system, regardless of whether it is isolated or not, within the range of peak ground acceleration(PGA) of 0.1–0.6 g. Moreover, at 0.4 g, the experimental results indicate that the isolation efficiency remains consistent with the parameter optimization, approaching 50 %. This research contributes to the understanding of seismic resistance and isolation strategies for transformer-bushing systems, providing valuable insights for the selection and optimization of isolation parameters in practice.

First-principles calculations of dynamical Born effective charges, quadrupoles, and higher order terms from the charge response in large semiconducting and metallic systems

First-principles calculations of dynamical Born effective charges, quadrupoles, and higher order terms from the charge response in large semiconducting and metallic systems

Tumor microenvironment-responsive manganese-based nano-modulator activate the cGAS-STING pathway to enhance innate immune system response

BackgroundManganese ions (Mn2+) combined with adjuvants capable of damaging and lysing tumor cells form an antitumor nano-modulator that enhances the immune efficacy of cancer therapy through the cascade activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP interferon gene synthase-stimulator (cGAS-STING) pathway, which underscores the importance of developing antitumor nano-modulators, which induce DNA damage and augment cGAS-STING activity, as a critical future research direction.Methods and ResultsWe have successfully synthesized an antitumor nano-modulator, which exhibits good dispersibility and biosafety. This nano-modulator is engineered by loading manganese dioxide nanosheets (M-NS) with zebularine (Zeb), known for its immunogenicity-enhancing effects, and conducting targeted surface modification using hyaluronic acid (HA). After systemic circulation to the tumor site, Mn2+, Zeb, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are catalytically released in the tumor microenvironment by H+ and H2O2. These components can directly or indirectly damage the DNA or mitochondria of tumor cells, thereby inducing programmed cell death. Furthermore, they promote the accumulation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in the cytoplasm, enhancing the activation of the cGAS-STING signalling pathway and boosting the production of type I interferon and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, Zeb@MH-NS enhances the maturation of dendritic cells, the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and the recruitment of natural killer cells at the tumor site.ConclusionsThis HA-modified manganese-based hybrid nano-regulator can enhance antitumor therapy by boosting innate immune activity and may provide new directions for immunotherapy and clinical translation in cancer.Graphical

Administration and K-12 Teachers Promoting Stress Adaptation and Thriving: Lessons Learned from the COVID Pandemic

Lessons learned from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of teachers reveal how school administrators can promote teacher stress adaptation and thriving, even in highly disruptive work environments. In a mixed-methods study within a single school district in Canada, consisting of a survey of 65 K-12 teachers and interviews with 10 administrators and teachers, the results showed the degree to which teachers were coping, had job satisfaction, and demonstrated thriving. Interviews yielded information on the limitations of the education system response and how school district administration could provide additional key resources that would strengthen individual stress coping and resiliency, create a culture of safety and community, and lay the foundations for teacher thriving, even in challenging and disruptive conditions

Exploring the therapeutic effects of Moringa Oleifera on inflammation and chronic diseases

Background: The inflammatory process is an immune system response to injuries, infections, or harmful stimuli. Chronic Diseases are diseases that are mostly immune-mediated by inflammatory mediators, and according to the World Health Organization, these diseases represent 74% of the causes of death in the world. Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), is a versatile plant rich in bioactive compounds, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic properties. Objective: this study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of M. oleifera and its potential influence on chronic diseases as well. Methods: This review was performed based systematic analysis of literature. Results: Anti-inflammatory activity was observed through the reduction in levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, prostaglandin E2, and COX-2. Additionally, anti-hyperglycemic effects, normalization of lipid profiles, regeneration of hepatocytes and pancreatic beta cells, and a reduction in the concentration of reactive oxygen species were also described. Conclusion: These findings support the use of the M. oleifera plant as an effective treatment for diseases/disorders associated with inflammation.