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This study investigated the influence of dietary supplementation with oregano oil premix on the antioxidant status, performance, and meat quality of slow-growth genotype chickens raised under a commercial production system. The study included two groups, with nine replicates: Group A) 54.000 broilers raised in free-range farms and fed the basal diet, and Group B) 27.000 broilers raised in free-range farms and fed the basal diet supplemented with oregano oil premix. Oregano oil was blended with a standard premix (120 g/ton), which was then mixed with the feed (amount adjusted on the growth stage). The results showed that serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the non-supplemented group compared to the dietary-supplemented group with oregano oil premix. In contrast, thigh muscle total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased in the supplemented group compared to the non-supplemented group (p ≤ 0.05). There were no differences in serum and thigh muscle Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and performance parameters between the two groups. Chickens fed with the oregano oil premix exhibited increased protein and ash content, pH value, and higher smell, taste, and colour scores compared to the non-supplemented group. Summarising, our large-scale in field study showed that incorporating oregano oil premix in slow-growth and free-range chickens’ diet improves the thigh muscle total antioxidant capacity and meat quality. The results indicate that the oregano oil premix positively impacts the nutritional value of the final product. However, more research is needed under in field conditions to draw a safer conclusion.

Leishmaniasis is a complex disease caused by infection with different Leishmania parasites. The number of medications used for its treatment is still limited and the discovery of new drugs is a valuable approach. In this context, here we describe the in vitro leishmanicidal activity and the in silico interaction between trypanothione reductase (TryR) and (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B from the leaves of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. The compound (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B was isolated from V. surinamensis leaves, a plant found in the Brazilian Amazon, and it was characterized as (7R,8S,7R,8S)-3,4,5,3,4-pentamethoxy-7,7-epoxylignan. In vitro antileishmanial activity was examined against Leishmania amazonensis, covering both promastigote and intracellular amastigote phases. Cytotoxicity and nitrite production were gauged using BALB/c peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy was applied to probe ultrastructural alterations, and flow cytometry assessed the shifts in the mitochondrial membrane potential. In silico methods such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics assessed the interaction between the most stable configuration of (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B and TryR from L. infantum (PDB ID 2JK6). As a result, the (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B was active against promastigote (IC50 7.0 µM) and intracellular amastigote (IC50 26.04 µM) forms of L. amazonensis, with acceptable selectivity indexes. (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B caused ultrastructural changes in promastigotes, including mitochondrial swelling, altered kDNA patterns, vacuoles, vesicular structures, autophagosomes, and enlarged flagellar pockets. It reduced the mitochondria membrane potential and formed bonds with important residues in the TryR enzyme. The molecular dynamics simulations showed stability and favorable interaction with TryR. The compound targets L. amazonensis mitochondria via TryR enzyme inhibition.

Стаття продовжує науково-правовий дискурс навколо визначення поняття «конфлікт інтере­сів». Актуальність цієї теми зумовлена активним впровадженням концепції конфлікту інтересів в системи державного управління в країнах, що інтегруються в міжнародне співтовариство. На національному рівні механізми запобігання та врегулювання конфлікту інтересів розробляють­ся шляхом виконання міжнародних договорів та прийняття методичних рекомендацій міжна­родних організацій, які забезпечують організа­ційно-правову основу. Однак особливості дер­жавного управління та правових традицій впли­вають на те, як ця концепція застосовується в рамках існуючої політичної та правової системи країни. Незважаючи на те, що питання конфлік­ту інтересів досліджували багато вчених, підхід до концептуальної реалізації в національному законодавстві, на нашу думку, залишається не­достатньо розробленим. Дискусійним залиша­ється визначення поняття «конфлікт інтересів» та підходи до його застосування в законотворчій та правозастосовній діяльності. У цій статті роз­глядаютьсясучасні підходи в Україні до визна­чення поняття «конфлікт інтересів» та дослід­жуютьсясучасні стратегії створення правової бази для запобігання та врегулювання конфлік­туінтересів; висвітлюється правозастосовній аспект проблеми. У статті стверджується, що в Україні інтеграція антикорупційного законодав­ствазі стандартами професійної етики в єдину правову систему має декларативний характер. Крім того, зазначається, що чинному законодав­чому визначенню поняття «конфлікт інтересів» бракує точності, ясності та визначеності, не­обхідних для правових норм. Підсумовуючи, у статті підкреслюється, що чітке концептуальне розуміння поняття «конфлікт інтересів» є необ­хідним для формування національної політики, спрямованої на запобігання та врегулювання конфлікту інтересів. У статті наголошується на важливості механізмів регулювання професійної поведінки посадових осіб, як істотного аспекту концепції конфлікту інтересів.

Euterpe oleracea Mart. is a tropical palm tree native to the Amazon region. Its fruit, commonly known as açaí, has gained widespread recognition for its therapeutic potential, driving the expansion of pharmacological studies to validate its traditional uses. Leveraging açaí seeds in research not only mitigates environmental impacts but also enables the identification of bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological applications, including drug development. Thus, the present work aims to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the hydroalcoholic extract and the ethyl acetate, hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous fractions of açaí seeds in vitro. The extract/fractions from açaí contained a significant amount of flavonoids, such as catechins and procyanidins, according to LC-MS/MS. These bioproducts showed significant antioxidant activity, with emphasis on the ethyl acetate fraction (FRAP: 4516.00 ± 58.07 Eq Trolox/g compound; DPPH: IC50 3.93 ± 0.26 μg/. mL; ABTS•+: IC50 34.65 ± 0.35 μg/mL). In addition, the compounds exhibited an anti-inflammatory action on LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, with the dichloromethane fraction showing the more comprehensive inhibitory effects on NO, IL-12 and IFN-γ production, especially in the concentration of 500 μg/mL. E. oleracea seeds extract/fractions had no cytotoxic effect on peritoneal macrophages (IC50 > 500 μg/mL). These findings suggest that E. oleracea seed-derived bioproducts hold significant promise as safe and effective agents for the development of novel antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapies targeting a variety of inflammatory pathologies.

Background: India is a growing nation with few resources and trained workers, especially in terms of outlying infrastructure. As a result, a simple and thorough examination to identify acute bacterial meningitis is required. Regular use of cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein (CSF-CRP) in the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis may be a quick, accurate, and simple way to diagnose meningitis. As a result, the goal of this study is to examine the specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of CSF-CRP in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Methodology: In a tertiary care center’s department of pediatrics, between January 2021 and June 2022, a cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out. Patients’ demographic data such as age, gender, clinical profile, CSF-CRP, and outcome were recorded. In the current study, each subject underwent a complete examination and comprehensive history before a provisional diagnosis was provided. As part of the diagnostic process, blood and CSF samples were taken. A quantitative immunoturbidometric method was used to determine the level of CSF-CRP. Outcome of the Study: Approximately 130 patients with a history of fever, convulsions, and signs of meningitis were considered, out of which 60 (46.2%) patients were male and 70 (53.8%) patients were female. The majority of cases were found to be positive in the CSF-CRP test, i.e. around 52 (60%), while the distribution based on the CSF culture report showed that 17 cases were positive. The results demonstrated that the CSF-CRP had a sensitivity of 100%, indicating that it correctly identified all positive cases. However, its specificity was 69.02%. Results: Notably, 94.2% of pyogenic meningitis cases had positive CSF-CRP results, while viral meningitis cases had no positive results, and tubercular meningitis had a lower 5.8% positive rate. CSF-CRP was also linked to clinical outcomes, with a significantly higher mortality rate of 9.6% in CSF-CRP positive cases. Conclusion: For the diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis, the culture and Gram stain of CSF is the gold standard. Thus, the early diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis and CSF-CRP is useful and decreases the economic burden and hospital stay of the patients.

Ticks are the known vectors of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR), a pathogen responsible for several tick-borne diseases. Wayanad, a hilly district in Kerala, India, has reported recurring cases of these diseases, prompting this epidemiological study. The study was conducted from October 2022 to December 2023, and aimed to find the geographical distribution of ticks in forest-adjacent areas and evaluate their role as potential SFGR vectors. A total of 520 ticks were collected from animals (Cows, Buffaloes, Goats and Dogs) in 23 locations in Wayanad district, with Haemaphysalis bispinosa emerging as the most abundant species, accounting for 79.2 % of the total ticks collected. Haemaphysalis spinigera and Haemaphysalis turturis represented 18.2 % and 2.3 % of the ticks, respectively. Using nested PCR to target the gltA and ompA genes, SFGR-DNA was detected exclusively in H. bispinosa pools. In total, 52.17 % of the sampled areas contained ticks positive for SFGR. Of the 516 ticks screened, 408 ticks from 40 pools of H. bispinosa were found positive for SFGR. The Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) was highest in Zone-1 (10.7 %), followed by Zone-2 (9.69 %) and Zone-3 (9.52 %). The current study is the first of its kind to report the presence of SFGR in South India which has significant public health concerns as it is a neglected tropical disease. Molecular characterization and sequencing are further recommended along with continuous surveillance of tick vectors and the implementation of preventive strategies in this region. • Minimum Infection Rate • Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae • Tick-borne pathogens • Arthropod vectors • Neglected tropical disease

Статтю присвячено дослідженню міжнародно-правових документів у сфері запобігання корупції, зокрема розглядається поняття «конфлікт інтересів». Актуальність теми зумовлена дедалі більшою інкорпорацією концепції конфлікту інтересів у різні сфери державного управління та адміністрування через національне законодавство. Дослідженням проблематики конфлікту інтересів присвячено чимало праць науковців: автори аналізують визначення основних термінів цієї теми, закріплених у національному законодавстві; сутність поняття розкривається типологізацією ситуацій конфлікту та класифікацією типів конфлікту інтересів. Однак на національному рівні всебічне розуміння застосування концепції конфлікту інтересів ще не повністю розроблено. Також бракує концептуальної основи, яка б задовольняла вимоги правової визначеності. Питання про те, що означає поняття «конфлікт інтересів» у спосіб, придатний для судового та адміністративного застосування, залишається предметом дискусії. Важливим кроком до вирішення цього питання є вивчення міжнародно-правових підходів до визначення сутності поняття. У статті аналізуються міжнародні конвенції, декларації та інші правові документи, що стосуються боротьби з корупцією, для тлумачення та роз’яснення значення поняття «конфлікт інтересів». Уточнено міжнародно-правові підходи до визначення терміна для цілей правового регулювання. У статті зазначається, що поняття конфлікту інтересів може охоплювати широке коло питань, зокрема тих, що стосуються протидії корупції, які можуть підпадати під дію як адміністративного, так і кримінального законодавства. Зроблено висновок, що термін «конфлікт інтересів», як специфічний юридичний термін, у міжнародно-правових актах прямо не визначений. Визначення поняття «конфлікт інтересів» як повного та самостійного юридичного терміну, придатного для судового та адміністративного використання, формується контекстом державних інтересів, конституційної та правової бази та вимог державної служби.

Identifying blood components influenced by rearing systems that serve as biomarkers to distinguish free-range from conventional broilers can improve animal health, welfare, and productivity. The current study aimed to evaluate specific blood parameters related to immune function and tissue stress, as biomarkers to differentiate free-range, slow-growing Sasso broilers from conventionally raised fast-growing Ross 308 broilers. For this purpose, serum IgM Natural Antibodies (NAbs) targeting actin and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as key immunological parameters of natural immunity, along with creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and other significant stress and tissue-related biochemical parameters, were measured in a total of 300 broilers (150 per group) raised under industrial scale rearing systems, by standard methodology. Our results showed significantly higher IgM-NAb levels to both antigens and lower CPK and Aspartate Aminotransferase levels in Sasso broilers compared to Ross 308 broilers (p < 0.001). Combination of anti-LPS IgM-NAbs and CPK levels, as the most potent biomarker candidates, achieved 90% sensitivity and 84% specificity in distinguishing Ross 308 from Sasso broilers. In conclusion, the combined evaluation of these blood biomarkers can effectively discriminate conventional from free-range broilers analyzed herein, with potent novel applications in the poultry industry making it a promising, cost effective and easy-to-use, diagnostic tool.

Ruminant animals are known for their dairy and meat products worldwide. They are the best converters of poor quality fibrous feed ingredients, and presence of rumen, the anaerobic chamber that harbours vast category of microbes, is attributable to this phenomenon. The microbes include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, archaea and bacteriophages that work on synergistically for optimal performance of ruminant animals. These microbes help not only in digestion of fibrous materials, but also involved in various biological functions, such as probiotic activity, antimicrobial metabolite production, synthesis of health promoting bioactive fatty acid molecules, biomass conversion, etc. Earlier, the probiotic organisms used in food animals (calves, sheep, goat, swine and poultry) were mainly originated from dairy products but today organisms of autochthonous origin are being used, as they show better adaptability. Since, rumen do possess organisms with probiotic and fibre utilising activity, these organisms are now explored for their suitability as a probiotic and fibrolytic agent in monogastric food animals. Diversity of rumen microbes was not properly understood through the conventional culture methods, however with advancement in ‘Omic’ technologies, researchers could identify new class of organisms from the rumen and their potential use for the commercial and industrial purposes.

Even though research has repeatedly shown that non-cash incentives can be effective, cash incentives are the de facto standard in crowdsourcing contests. In this multi-study research, we quantify ideators' preferences for non-cash incentives and investigate how allowing ideators to self-select their preferred incentive—offering ideators a choice between cash and non-cash incentives—affects their creative performance. We further explore whether the market context of the organization hosting the contest—social (non-profit) or monetary (for-profit)—moderates incentive preferences and their effectiveness. We find that individuals exhibit heterogeneous incentive preferences and often prefer non-cash incentives, even in for-profit contexts. Offering ideators a choice of incentives can enhance creative performance. Market context moderates the effect of incentives, such that ideators who receive non-cash incentives in for-profit contexts tend to exert less effort. We show that heterogeneity of ideators' preferences (and the ability to satisfy diverse preferences with suitably diverse incentive options) is a critical boundary condition to realizing benefits from offering ideators a choice of incentives. We provide managers with guidance to design effective incentives by improving incentive-preference fit for ideators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of dietary supplementation with oregano oil premix on the antioxidant status, performance, and meat quality of slow-growth genotype chickens raised under a commercial production system. The study included two groups, with nine replicates: Group A) 54.000 broilers raised in free-range farms and fed the basal diet, and Group B) 27.000 broilers raised in free-range farms and fed the basal diet supplemented with oregano oil premix. Oregano oil was blended with a standard premix (120 g/ton), which was then mixed with the feed (amount adjusted on the growth stage). The results showed that serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the non-supplemented group compared to the dietary-supplemented group with oregano oil premix. In contrast, thigh muscle total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased in the supplemented group compared to the non-supplemented group (p ≤ 0.05). There were no differences in serum and thigh muscle Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and performance parameters between the two groups. Chickens fed with the oregano oil premix exhibited increased protein and ash content, pH value, and higher smell, taste, and colour scores compared to the non-supplemented group. Summarising, our large-scale in field study showed that incorporating oregano oil premix in slow-growth and free-range chickens' diet improves the thigh muscle total antioxidant capacity and meat quality. The results indicate that the oregano oil premix positively impacts the nutritional value of the final product. However, more research is needed under in field conditions to draw a safer conclusion. HIGHLIGHTS: This study on slow-growth and industrially bred chickens shows that oregano oil premix improves thigh muscle antioxidants and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mechanisms underlying the impact of estradiol (E2) on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are not completely understood, although a role for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been proposed. We aimed to investigate the association between levels of E2, PCSK9, and lipid parameters in premenopausal women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Healthy women undergoing IVF in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University General Hospital of Ioannina were recruited. Their levels of E2, PCSK9, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C, and triglycerides (TGs) were measured 10 days after ovarian depression (E2min) and 7 days after ovarian stimulation (E2max). Results: We included 34 consecutive women of median age 38 (interquartile range 26–46) years who underwent a full IVF cycle. As expected, E2 levels increased by 329.6% from E2min to E2max (108 [47–346] to 464 [241–2471] pg/mL, p < 0.05). During the same time, serum PCSK9 levels decreased by 30.8% (245 ± 80 to 170 ± 64 ng/mL, p < 0.05). TC, LDL-C, and TGs decreased by 0.4%, 3.8%, and 2.2%, respectively, while HDL-C levels increased by 5.3% (all p = NS). Conclusions: The rise in endogenous E2 during an IVF cycle was related with a significant decline in serum PCSK9 levels, but no significant change in plasma lipids during a 7-day period.

The voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channel NaV1.7 has been identified as a potential novel analgesic target due to its involvement in human pain syndromes. However, clinically available NaV channel-blocking drugs are not selective among the nine NaV channel subtypes, NaV1.1–NaV1.9. Moreover, the two currently known classes of NaV1.7 subtype-selective inhibitors (aryl- and acylsulfonamides) have undesirable characteristics that may limit their development. To this point understanding of the structure–activity relationships of the acylsulfonamide class of NaV1.7 inhibitors, exemplified by the clinical development candidate GDC-0310, has been based solely on a single co-crystal structure of an arylsulfonamide inhibitor bound to voltage-sensing domain 4 (VSD4). To advance inhibitor design targeting the NaV1.7 channel, we pursued high-resolution ligand-bound NaV1.7-VSD4 structures using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Here, we report that GDC-0310 engages the NaV1.7-VSD4 through an unexpected binding mode orthogonal to the arylsulfonamide inhibitor class binding pose, which identifies a previously unknown ligand binding site in NaV channels. This finding enabled the design of a novel hybrid inhibitor series that bridges the aryl- and acylsulfonamide binding pockets and allows for the generation of molecules with substantially differentiated structures and properties. Overall, our study highlights the power of cryo-EM methods to pursue challenging drug targets using iterative and high-resolution structure-guided inhibitor design. This work also underscores an important role of the membrane bilayer in the optimization of selective NaV channel modulators targeting VSD4.

Purpose Cellular RNA is less compact than DNA, more easily accessible to ROS and therefore could be more susceptible to oxidative damage. This study was conceived in order to analyze the RNA oxidative damage in the urine of patients undergoing operation for colorectal cancer (CRC), to compare with healthy controls, and correlate with the stage. Materials and methods The study population was constituted by a group of 147 patients and a group of 128 healthy controls. Urine and blood samples were collected before the colonoscopy in all participants and 24 hours post-operatively for those who underwent surgery. Urine 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) was determined as marker of RNA oxidation, and serum uric acid (UA) as antioxidant marker. Results Preoperatively, 8-OHG (ng/ml) values of CRC patients were found to be significantly higher than those of controls (p = 0.001). More specifically, stages II/III had significantly higher 8-OHG values (p

Askin tumour is an uncommon form of malignant neoplasm that develops from the soft tissues of the thoracopulmonary wall and has neuroectodermal origin and possessing an aggressive behavior. As it mimics other common pediatric disorders such as empyema, tuberculosis, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma, it acts as a great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the treating clinicians. Its rarity, however, contributes greatly to the absence of standardized treatment protocols further facilitating detrimental prognosis. So, the major deciding factor of its survival rate is early and precise diagnosis followed by its treatment. The present study reports a case Askin’s tumor of child which is locally aggressive and quite rare. While making the definitive diagnosis of an Askin’s tumour of thorcopulmonary region the possibility of occurrence of other primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) was not ruled out.

Five academic librarians from libraries that represent the Canadian Academic Research Libraries (CARL) were invited to share their experiences as racialized librarians. In 2021, the Canadian Academic Research Libraries (CARL) hosted an Inclusion Perspectives Webinar Series, organized by CARL’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group (EDIWG) and the contents of this paper are presentations by these librarians who were invited to speak on systems, structures, and policies needed to dismantle racism; practical strategies to attract and retain racialized library employees; accreditation issues; and provide advice for what Canadian library leaders can start doing immediately.

Leishmaniasis is a complex disease caused by infection with different Leishmania parasites. The number of medications used for its treatment is still limited and the discovery of new drugs is a valuable approach. In this context, here we describe the in vitro leishmanicidal activity and the in silico interaction between trypanothione reductase (TryR) and (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B from the leaves of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. The compound (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B was isolated from V. surinamensis leaves, a plant found in the Brazilian Amazon, and it was characterized as (7R,8S,7′R,8′S)-3,4,5,3′,4′-pentamethoxy-7,7′-epoxylignan. In vitro antileishmanial activity was examined against Leishmania amazonensis, covering both promastigote and intracellular amastigote phases. Cytotoxicity and nitrite production were gauged using BALB/c peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy was applied to probe ultrastructural alterations, and flow cytometry assessed the shifts in the mitochondrial membrane potential. In silico methods such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics assessed the interaction between the most stable configuration of (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B and TryR from L. infantum (PDB ID 2JK6). As a result, the (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B was active against promastigote (IC50 7.0 µM) and intracellular amastigote (IC50 26.04 µM) forms of L. amazonensis, with acceptable selectivity indexes. (-)-5-demethoxygrandisin B caused ultrastructural changes in promastigotes, including mitochondrial swelling, altered kDNA patterns, vacuoles, vesicular structures, autophagosomes, and enlarged flagellar pockets. It reduced the mitochondria membrane potential and formed bonds with important residues in the TryR enzyme. The molecular dynamics simulations showed stability and favorable interaction with TryR. The compound targets L. amazonensis mitochondria via TryR enzyme inhibition.