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Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports have become essential tools for enterprises to showcase their commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility. However, discrepancies persist regarding the criteria, assessments, and ratings disclosed in these reports. Moreover, there is a need for more objective methods to determine the weight distribution of indicator items. This study introduces a novel approach utilizing semantic variables in fuzzy theory and a multiple logic fuzzy inference system to develop an ESG environmental management performance assessment model. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a novel approach utilizing semantic variables and a multiple logic fuzzy inference system to quantitatively evaluate the sustainable performance of an environmental management plan. This research also aims to ensure fair and objective assessment outcomes, providing valuable guidance for enterprises in implementing performance management strategies. Key aspects investigated include the impact of membership functions, the extended utilization of semantic variables and logical rules, a comparative analysis of traditional weight assessments, and the limitations of applying fuzzy theory. Through comprehensive discussions and calculations, it is evident that fuzzy theory offers considerable flexibility in application. By tailoring fuzzy rules and selecting appropriate membership functions, diverse application scenarios can be accommodated. The Fuzzy systems evaluation and scoring EMP model generates EMP evaluation scores ranging from 1.76 to 8.29 for Gaussian membership, 1.80 to 8.19 for Triangular membership-A, 1.92 to 8.00 for Triangular membership-B, and 1.81 to 8.19 for Quadrilateral trapezoidal membership, based on simulated rating scenarios using the semantic variables of completeness and feasibility. This approach successfully incorporates distribution logic from subjective membership degrees to evaluate EMP scores. The findings demonstrate that fuzzy theory enables the consideration of multiple factors and facilitates the provision of objective-level membership, underscoring its potential in addressing complex evaluation challenges. This study illuminates the versatility of the fuzzy system theory, with its applications poised to extend across various domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Shikonin, a phytochemical purified from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been shown to confer diverse pharmacological activities, including accelerating granuloma formation, wound healing, anti-inflammation and others, and is explored for immune-modifier activities for vaccination in this study. Transdermal gene-based vaccine is an attractive approach for delivery of DNA transgenes encoding specific tumor antigens to host skin tissues. Skin dendritic cells (DCs), a potent antigen-presenting cell type, is known to play a critical role in transmitting and orchestrating tumor antigen-specific immunities against cancers. The present study hence employs these various components for experimentation. Method The mRNA and protein expression of RANTES were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The regional expression of RANTES and tissue damage in test skin were evaluated via immunohistochemistry assay. Fluorescein isothiocyanate sensitization assay was performed to trace the trafficking of DCs from the skin vaccination site to draining lymph nodes. Adjuvantic effect of shikonin on gene gun-delivered human gp100 (hgp100) DNA cancer vaccine was studied in a human gp100-transfected B16 (B16/hgp100) tumor model. Results Among various phytochemicals tested, shikonin induced the highest level of expression of RANTES in normal skin tissues. In comparison, mouse RANTES cDNA gene transfection induced a higher level of mRANTES expression for a longer period, but caused more extensive skin damage. Topical application of shikonin onto the immunization site before gene gun-mediated vaccination augmented the population of skin DCs migrating into the draining lymph nodes. A hgp100 cDNA gene vaccination regimen with shikonin pretreatment as an adjuvant in a B16/hgp100 tumor model increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte activities in splenocytes and lymph node cells on target tumor cells. Conclusion Together, our findings suggest that shikonin can effectively enhance anti-tumor potency of a gene-based cancer vaccine via the induction of RANTES expression at the skin immunization site.

Growing evidence has indicated that opioids enhance replication of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus in target cells. However, it is unknown whether opioids can enhance replication of other clinically important viral pathogens. In this study, the interaction of opioid agonists and human influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus was examined in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Cells were exposed to morphine, methadone or buprenorphine followed by human H1N1 viral infection. Exposure to methadone differentially enhanced viral propagation, consistent with an increase in virus adsorption, susceptibility to virus infection and viral protein synthesis. In contrast, morphine or buprenorphine did not alter H1N1 replication. Because A549 cells do not express opioid receptors, methadone-enhanced H1N1 replication in human lung cells may not be mediated through these receptors. The interaction of methadone and H1N1 virus was also examined in adult mice. Treatment with methadone significantly increased H1N1 viral replication in lungs. Our data suggest that use of methadone facilitates influenza A viral infection in lungs and might raise concerns regarding the possible consequence of an increased risk of serious influenza A virus infection in people who receive treatment in methadone maintenance programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter has been extensively developed and exploited for transgene expression in vitro and in vivo , including human clinical trials. The CMV promoter has long been considered a stable, constitutive, and ubiquitous promoter for transgene expression. Using two different CMV-based promoters, we found an increase in CMV-driven transgene expression in the rodent brain and in primary neuronal cultures in response to methamphetamine, glutamate, kainic acid, and activation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling using designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). In contrast, promoters derived from human synapsin 1 (hSYN1) gene or elongation factor 1α (EF1α) did not exhibit altered transgene expression in response to the same neuronal stimulations. Overall, our results suggest that the long-standing assertion that the CMV promoter confers constitutive expression in neurons should be reevaluated, and future studies should empirically determine the activity of the CMV promoter in a given application.

Human lymphocytes are resistant to genetic modification, particularly from recombinant adenoviruses, thus hampering the analysis of gene function using adenoviral vectors. This study engineered an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell line permissive to adenovirus infection and elucidated key roles for both the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor and alphavbeta5 integrin in mediating entry of adenoviruses into these cells. The work identified a strategy for engineering B cells to become susceptible to adenovirus infection and showed that such a strategy could be useful for the introduction of genes to alter lymphoblastoid-cell gene expression.