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Abstract Background Dengue is an emerging disease in Argentina due to the colonization of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito vector. Buenos Aires Province is the biggest and most populated district in Argentina, suffering dengue outbreaks of growing magnitude. During epidemic periods, pyrethroid insecticides are used in this country to control adult mosquitoes. Pyrethroid resistance in dengue vectors has been reported worldwide, making it necessary to implement resistance management strategies. The voltage-gated sodium channel is the target site of pyrethroids. Mutations in the gene encoding this protein, called kdr mutations, are usually the molecular cause of pyrethroid resistance in insects. In Ae. aegypti from the Americas, three kdr substitutions were described: V410L, V1016I, and F1534C. The diagnostic of kdr mutations is recommended for the early detection of pyrethroid resistance as well as the consequent planning of evidence-based control policies. Methods We distributed ovitraps across 16 localities in Buenos Aires Province, collecting 22,123 eggs. A total of 522 mosquitoes were genotyped in positions 1016 and 1534 of voltage-gated channel using multiplex high-resolution melting and/or TaqMan probe methods. A subset of 449 samples was also genotyped by a singleplex high-resolution melting method developed ad hoc and/or Sanger sequencing. Results We have documented, for the first time to our knowledge in the central region of Argentina, the presence of the 1016Ikdr + 1534Ckdr allele. Additionally, our study reports the first identification of the V410L mutation in central Argentina. These results underscore a growing trend of pyrethroid resistance in Ae. aegypti, fueled by the widespread use of these insecticides. Conclusions We detected 1016Ikdr + 1534Ckdr and 410Lkdr mutations in central Argentina for the first time and improved the processivity and accuracy of kdr genotyping methods. The results are both a tool for resistance monitoring and a sign of alarm to direct efforts towards finding sustainable methods for vector control to complement or replace pyrethroids. Joint efforts between academia and authorities to develop and implement public policies for vector control are a productive way to transfer scientific results for their application in public health. Graphical Abstract

Successfully integrating renewable energy sources depends on eco-friendliness, financial technology, and economic growth (GDP). This paper examines the dynamic effect of innovative financial and green technology on renewable energy for 38 emerging economies from 2006 to 2021. Using the dynamic First-difference Generalized Method of Moments (FD-GMM) model, the analysis identifies a critical GDP threshold of 1831.772 US dollars, significant at the 1 % confidence level. Below this threshold, GDP negatively affects green energy adoption, while above it, GDP positively influences the shift to greener energy, supporting the predicted U-shaped relationship in the data. The results conclude that eco-friendly and financial technology positively and significantly influence renewable energy adoption, where the dynamics and barriers to adopting eco-friendly and financial technologies in emerging countries may differ from those in developed nations. Based on the findings, relevant energy policies have been recommended for energy stakeholders, Tech firms and decision-makers.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the economies have played well to make progress in economic growth. Besides, rapid growth has brought severe challenges, and environmental degradation is one of them. Therefore, the globe has introduced several green initiatives, such as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals, but the problem remains intact. Specifically, this study focuses on COP27 and highlights the key challenges and their best solutions. Undoubtedly, most nations have tried to meet their settled targets by 2030, but these have different priorities to facilitate their populace. Therefore, international cooperation has been introduced as a logical solution to collaborate across borders or within the region to deal with sustainability themes. However, developed nations have environmental problems due to industrial, income, and population growth, directly associated with environmental risks. Thus, under the SDGs, this empirical research tries to cover the critical problems (income, population aging, & industrial development) and their best alternative (public-private partnership, emission taxes & circular economy) to minimize environmental issues. Similarly, the current study utilizes an advanced series of estimators to investigate the study's objective for 17 developed nations from 2000 to 2021. Investigated outcomes describe income, population aging, and industrial activities that bring carbon emissions. Conversely, carbon policy and public-private partnerships support the sustainability theme for specified economies. Under the base model, the circular economy declines the environmental pressure by 0.016 %, 0.002 %, and 0.019 %, respectively, under the specified estimators. Moreover, this empirical research investigates the mediating role of carbon policy, public-private partnership & circular economy on industrial development. It brings a significant decline in emissions only for carbon policy & circular economy. However, this study also proposes some green policies to become clean & green shortly.

Abstract This study examined the interconnectedness and volatility correlation between cryptocurrency and traditional financial markets in the five largest African countries, addressing concerns about potential spillover effects, especially the high volatility and lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency market. The study employed both diagonal BEKK-GARCH and DCC-GARCH to analyze the existence of spillover effects and correlation between both markets. A daily time series dataset from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2021, was employed to analyze the contagion effect. Our findings reveal a significant spillover effect from cryptocurrency to the African traditional financial market; however, the percentage spillover effect is still low but growing. Specifically, evidence is insufficient to suggest a spillover effect from cryptocurrency to Egypt and Morocco’s financial markets, at least in the short run. Evidence in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya indicates a moderate but growing spillover effect from cryptocurrency to the financial market. Similarly, we found no evidence of a spillover effect from the African financial market to the cryptocurrency market. The conditional correlation result from the DCC-GARCH revealed a positive low to moderate correlation between cryptocurrency volatility and the African financial market. Specifically, the DCC-GARCH revealed a greater integration in both markets, especially in the long run. The findings have policy implications for financial regulators concerning the dynamics of both markets and for investors interested in portfolio diversification within the two markets.

Background/Objectives: Annona squamosa is used in folk medicine to treat pain and arthritis. Palmatine is an alkaloid isolated from several plants, including A. squamosa leaves. The aim of the present study was to investigate the analgesic, anti-arthritic, and anti-inflammatory potential of the methanolic extract of A. squamosa (EMAS) and palmatine. Methods: The chemical profile of EMAS was evaluated by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization coupled to mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI/MS). EMAS and palmatine were evaluated in carrageenan-induced pleurisy, zymosan-induced joint inflammation, formalin-induced nociception, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in experimental models in mice. A cytotoxicity test of EMAS and palmatine was performed using a methylthiazolidiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) bromide assay. Results: The analysis of the chemical profile of the extract showed the presence of palmatine, liriodenine, and anonaine. Oral administration of EMAS and palmatine significantly reduced leukocyte migration and oxide nitric production in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy model. EMAS and palmatine reduced mechanical hyperalgesia, leukocyte migration, and edema formation in the joint inflammation induced by zymosan. In the formalin test, palmatine was effective against the second-phase nociceptive response, mechanical hyperalgesia, and cold allodynia. In addition, palmatine reduced mechanical hyperalgesia induced by TNF. EMAS and palmatine did not demonstrate cytotoxicity. Conclusions: The present study showed that A. squamosa and palmatine are analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents, and that the anti-hyperalgesic properties of palmatine may involve the TNF pathway. Palmatine may be one of the compounds responsible for the anti-hyperalgesic and/or anti-arthritic properties of this medicinal plant.

This study examines the intricate relationship between economic growth and European environmental degradation via the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). Our results contest the traditional inverted U-shape model of the Environmental Kuznets Curve, indicating that the theory may not be consistently applicable across European countries. Utilizing CS-ARDL and MMQR modelling, we reveal substantial regional disparities. Western European nations demonstrate a typical Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) pattern in the short term, characterized by an initial increase in emissions alongside GDP development, followed by a subsequent fall. Conversely, Eastern and Balkan nations exhibit a U-shaped connection, described by an early decline in emissions followed by a subsequent increase as their development levels increase. The influence of renewable energy differs, as it decreases emissions in the short term in Western Europe. However, its long-term impacts are variable, especially when contrasted with its more pronounced effect on emissions in Eastern and Balkan countries. Furthermore, trade openness intensifies environmental degradation in the short-term across all regions, although its long-term impact diminishes, particularly concerning greenhouse gases (GHG). The relationship between renewable energy and trade openness is substantial for the short-term reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, but this effect declines with time. The results indicate that a uniform environmental policy throughout Europe may lack efficacy. Customized strategies to expedite the transition in Western Europe and more specific interventions in Eastern Europe are essential to harmonize economic progress with environmental sustainability. Future research should examine the determinants of the diminishing long-term effects of renewable energy and the interplay between trade and environmental policies.

Based on the perspective of industrial agglomeration, this paper employs a dynamic panel model and mediating effects model to investigate the impact of digital economy’s development on air pollution in 274 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2019. The main findings include: (1) The development of the digital economy reduces air pollution emissions in Chinese cities, and the elasticity of pollution reduction is greater in central and western China than in eastern China. (2) The nexus between industrial agglomeration and air pollution is inverted-N-shaped. (3) Mechanism tests show that the digital economy can effectively promote the degree of industrial agglomeration in each area, and it plays a positive role in abating pollution in eastern and central China through the positive externalities of industrial agglomeration, but the mediating effect of industrial agglomeration on pollution reduction is not significant in western China. (4) Diversified agglomeration is an active mediator of the digital economy’s pollution reduction effect in eastern and central China. Accordingly, some policy implications are put forward for simultaneously promoting the development of the digital economy and reducing air pollution, impelling industrial agglomeration, and accelerating the green transformation in China.

The decoction of Salvia lachnostachys Benth. leaves is used in Brazilian folk medicine for anti-spasmodic, antipyretic, and anxiolytic purposes. Some of the biological effects of an S. lachnostachys extract have been shown to be anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antidepressant effects. In addition, this medicinal plant produces several compounds including icetexane diterpenoids, such as fruticuline A and fruticuline B. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of fruticuline B (FRUT B) and the ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of S. lachnostachys (EESL) in experimental mouse models. EESL (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) and FRUT B (1 mg/kg) were evaluated in articular inflammation-induced models in Swiss mice. In articular inflammation induced by Zymosan, EESL (300 mg/kg) and FRUT B (1 mg/kg) significantly reduced mechanical hyperalgesia (83.17% inhibition for EESL and 81.19% for FRUT B); edema (68.75% reduction for EESL and 33.66% for FRUT B); leukocyte migration (81.3% for EESSL and 92.2% for FRUT B), and nitric oxide production (88.3% for EESL and 74.4% for FRUT B). The exposure to fruticuline B significantly inhibited the edema (51.5%), mechanical (88.12%) and cold hyperalgesia (80.8%), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) (63.4%) activity 24 h after CFA injection. In the pleurisy model, FRUT B reduced 89.1% of leukocyte migration and 50.3% in nitric oxide production. Four hours after carrageenan injection, FRUT B (1 mg/kg) diminished 89.11% of mechanical hyperalgesia, 65.8% of paw edema, and 82.12% of the response to cold hyperalgesia. In the MTT test, EESL and fruticuline B caused no cytotoxicity. The present study revealed, for the first time, the anti-arthritic and anti-nociceptive effects of FRUT B, pointing out the therapeutic potential of the species to control inflammation and nociception. Future studies are needed to evaluate other biological properties of fruticuline B and to better understand its mechanism of action.

Abstract Telomerase RNA (TERC) has a noncanonical function in myelopoiesis binding to a consensus DNA binding sequence and attracting RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II), thus facilitating myeloid gene expression. The CR4/CR5 domain of TERC is known to play this role, since a mutation of this domain found in dyskeratosis congenita (DC) patients decreases its affinity for RNA Pol II, impairing its myelopoietic activity as a result. In this study, we report that two aptamers, short single-stranded oligonucleotides, based on the CR4/CR5 domain were able to increase myelopoiesis without affecting erythropoiesis in zebrafish. Mechanistically, the aptamers functioned as full terc; that is, they increased the expression of master myeloid genes, independently of endogenous terc, by interacting with RNA Pol II and with the terc-binding sequences of the regulatory regions of such genes, enforcing their transcription. Importantly, aptamers harboring the CR4/CR5 mutation that was found in DC patients failed to perform all these functions. The therapeutic potential of the aptamers for treating neutropenia was demonstrated in several preclinical models. The findings of this study have identified two potential therapeutic agents for DC and other neutropenic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, it has been proposed that strength gains and muscle hypertrophy required distinct characteristics to be achieved with resistance training. However, current evidence shows that the obtaining of improvements of strength and hypertrophy can be obtained with a single resistance training protocol. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the existing body of literature pertaining to association between load during resistance training and their effects on strength gains and muscle hypertrophy. METHODOLOGY: Searches were conducted on Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, and Embase with no year restriction applied to the search strategy. Selected studies met the following inclusion criteria: (a) studies that included a combination of young and old males and females, with no known medical conditions or injuries; (b) including a resistance training with high-loads (≥60% of one-repetition maximum, 1RM) or low-loads (

With the emergence of technological innovations, digital finance with a blend of new models and the development of inclusive financial innovation shows great significance for business firms to emphasize innovative and competitive product market competition. Thus, financial digitalization and business environment directives help improve the financial performance of business enterprises. This study assesses the role of product market competitiveness on firm performance through the mediating role of digital financial innovation. The annual data of 90 companies from 2014 to 2020 is taken from the Pakistan stock exchange market. The empirical results are estimated using three paths by the Structural Equation Model (SEM) regression approach. The study identifies that product market competitiveness positively contributed to determining the firm performance. Besides, digital financial innovation serves as the mediator in the study, which partially positively determines firm performance. It shows that firm financial innovation fails to account fully for firm performance. This study does not include several other factors determining firm performance. The research results deliver a useful empirical and theoretical contribution to digitalization and product innovation. The findings help to uncover the antecedents of financial innovation and firm performance. This research model can assist researchers in designing robust strategies to appraise the impact on firm performance. Investigators may advance valuable insights by integrating this methodology. Concerning originality, these results indicate that digitalized innovation positively influences firm performance by offering innovative products and digitalization. The outcomes contribute to the literature on digital innovation, and the study recommends that business organizations should pay particular attention to improving financial innovation and digitization in business firms.

This paper evaluates the impact of the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP) that was prepared under the (2009/28/EC) Directive of the European Commission by using Türkiye as a case study. We aimed to reveal the causal impacts of the plan on renewable energy generation based on different technologies such as hydro, wind, and solar, along with the impacts on greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, we used the synthetic control method. The study's outcome indicates that NREAP has served as a promising treatment policy for Türkiye's deployment of renewable energy potential. The total treatment effect is 14%, mainly driven by increases in solar and wind shares, while no significant impact was observed on the hydro share of electricity. Moreover, our analysis found no treatment effect on greenhouse gas emissions, and placebo tests supported the robustness of these results. The analysis did not reveal any evidence of a treatment effect on greenhouse gas emissions.

Brazil is the largest global producer of sugarcane and plays a significant role-supplier of sugar and bioethanol. However, diseases such as brown and orange rust cause substantial yield reductions and economic losses, due decrease photosynthesis and biomass in susceptible cultivars. Molecular markers associated with resistance genes, such as Bru1 (brown rust) and G1 (orange rust), could aid in predicting resistant genotypes. In this study, we sought to associate the phenotypic response of 300 sugarcane accessions with the genotypic response of Bru1 and G1 markers. The field trials were conducted in a randomized block design, and five six-month-old plants per plot were evaluated under natural disease conditions. Genotypic information about the presence or absence of Bru1 (haplotype 1) and G1 gene was obtained after extraction of genomic DNA and conventional PCR. Of the total accessions evaluated, 60.3% (181) showed resistance to brown rust in the field, and of these, 70.7% (128) had the Bru1 gene present. Considering the field-resistant accessions obtained from Brazilian breeding programs (116), the Bru1 was present in 77,6% of these accessions. While alternative resistance sources may exist, Bru1 likely confers enduring genetic resistance in current Brazilian cultivars. Regarding the phenotypic reaction to orange rust, the majority of accessions, 96.3% (288), were field resistant, and of these, 52.7% (152) carried the G1 marker. Although less efficient for predicting resistance when compared to Bru1, the G1 marker could be part of a quantitative approach when new orange rust resistance genes are described. Therefore, these findings showed the importance of Bru1 molecular markers for the early selection of resistant genotypes to brown rust by genetic breeding programs.

Abstract This study investigates existing literature on decarbonization technology responsibility for sustainable business models in the shipping industry. Specifically, it considers the relationship between responsible innovation from green technology adoption in decarbonization management practices and gender equality to precisely target how decarbonization technology relates to gender mainstreaming, a key element of Sustainable Development Goal 5 in the UN 2030 Agenda. From the institutional theory perspective, this study conducted a systematic review of 114 articles published in the ISI Web of Science and Scopus databases from 1990 to 2022. The results highlight that green technology adoption can support low-carbon practices and gender equality in the shipping industry by contributing to decarbonization technology responsibility, sustainable business models, and responsible innovation. Ultimately, this study suggests that shipping management should provide training and workshops for women on technology adoption in decarbonization operational processes to support gender quality and technological development. It also presents a new conceptual framework and research propositions on significant issues that are currently neglected. The proposed framework may be treated as a decarbonization technology responsibility guideline in shipping management that can reshape the organizational culture to promote gender equality.

Since isometric training is gaining popularity, some devices are being developed to test isometric force as an alternative to the more expensive force plates (FPs); thus, the aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of “GSTRENGTH” for measuring PF in the isometric belt squat exercise. Five subjects performed 24 contractions at three different knee angles (90°, 105° and 120°) on two occasions (120 total cases). Peak force data were measured using FPs and a strain gauge (SG) and analyzed by Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient, ICCs, Cronbach’s alpha, a paired sample t-test and Bland–Altman plots. Perfect or almost perfect relationships (r: 0.999–1) were found with an almost perfect or perfect level of agreement (ICCs: 0.992–1; α: 0.998–1). The t-test showed significant differences for the raw data but not for the predictions by the equations obtained with the SG values. The Bland–Altman plots, when significant, showed trivial to moderate values for systematic bias in general. In conclusion, “GSTRENGTH” was shown to be a valid alternative to FPs for measuring PF.

En este trabajo abordo un caso específico del problema clásico de la individuación en la Filosofía de la Biología: el de las colonias de insectos, y en particular, de hormigas. El carácter individual de un conjunto de hormigas que forman una colonia puede ser objeto de controversia, ya que, desde un punto de vista intuitivo, no parece constituir un individuo. Mi objetivo es demostrar que las colonias de hormigas son individuos biológicos. Para ello, me centro en dos de los tipos de individuos más estudiados en la Filosofía de la Biología: los funcionales y los evolutivos, y examino si las colonias de hormigas cumplen con las condiciones necesarias para ser consideradas individuos en estos términos.

Abstract Chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with hematopoietic lineage bias, including neutrophilia and anemia. We have recently identified that the canonical inflammasome mediates the cleavage of the master erythroid transcription factor GATA1 in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). We report here that genetic inhibition of Nlrp1 resulted in reduced number of neutrophils and increased erythrocyte counts in zebrafish larvae. We also found that the NLRP1 inflammasome in human cells was inhibited by LRRFIP1 and FLII, independently of DPP9, and both inhibitors regulated hematopoiesis. Mechanistically, erythroid differentiation resulted in ribosomal stress‐induced activation of the ZAKα/P38 kinase axis which, in turn, phosphorylated and promoted the assembly of NLRP1 in both zebrafish and human. Finally, inhibition of Zaka with the FDA/EMA‐approved drug Nilotinib alleviated neutrophilia in a zebrafish model of neutrophilic inflammation and promoted erythroid differentiation and GATA1 accumulation in K562 cells. In conclusion, our results reveal that the NLRP1 inflammasome regulates hematopoiesis and pave the way to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hematopoietic alterations associated with chronic inflammatory and rare diseases.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic agreement between smartphone-enabled otoscopy and rigid otoendoscopy in tympanic membrane and middle ear diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to analyze otoscopies in patients seen at a general otorhinolaryngology (ORL) outpatient clinic, from June to December 2019. Eighty-three images of patients obtained from otoscopies performed through a smartphone device and a rigid endoscope were included, recorded, and stored for further analysis. The images were first analyzed by an experienced otologist, who assigned his diagnostic impression (defined as the gold standard) on each of the images. After this analysis, the images were displayed to a group of secondary raters (an experienced otorhinolaryngologist, a second-year resident in ORL, and a general practitioner). A questionnaire was applied related to each image. Results: There was high agreement between the smartphone device and the otoendoscopy images for all professionals, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.97 (p