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The demand for intensive educational experiences is increasing, necessitating a focus on ensuring quality and providing adequate student support. Increasing opportunities for student collaboration, including teacher/student co-creation of learning materials, has strong potential to increase engagement and support. Given increased interest in co-creation within education and research more broadly, we explored student perspectives on this novel approach within online intensive modes of teaching with a focus on feasibility and implementation. Two focus groups were conducted with students (N = 16), including discussion of their preferences and barriers for implementing co-creation initiatives in an intensive program. Thematic analysis was then conducted, generating five themes. Students see co-creation as beneficial for self-development and connections (Theme 1), but also identify barriers such as its perception as another group assignment (Theme 2). Students believe successful co-creation requires a "type" of student who is intrinsically motivated and career-driven (Theme 3). Concerns exist about co-creation being an additional workload, emphasising the need for clear roles (Theme 4). Students' views on co-creation vary, with differing opinions on its practicality (Theme 5). The findings suggest that successful implementation of co-creation initiatives requires careful consideration of barriers while addressing student concerns and leveraging their intrinsic motivation. For educators in intensive programs, it is crucial to provide incentives, collaborate on feasible time slots, establish clear objectives and timelines, offer guidance and support, and celebrate student achievements to effectively incorporate co-creation activities. By understanding students' perceptions and preferences, educators can better support student collaboration, which is crucial for students' development in intensive programs.

Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) have expanded globally, embedding themselves in highly competitive markets. To navigate this environment, the enhancement of service quality, particularly through the SERVQUAL model, is crucial for gaining a competitive advantage. This paper addresses the gaps in the SERVQUAL application within PHEIs, focusing on their impact on service quality. The primary objective is to propose a measurement matrix to identify and analyse SERVQUAL gaps across PHEI campuses. The study compares two campuses, ABC and XYZ, and reveals significant discrepancies, particularly in the dimensions of reliability and responsiveness, where Campus ABC underperforms. These findings highlight the critical need for PHEIs to address service quality deficiencies in order to remain competitive and meet evolving student expectations. The research concludes that continuous improvement in service quality is essential for PHEIs to attract students and sustain their competitiveness in a globalised education market.

As future members of the academic community, the superiority that undergraduate students demonstrate by producing knowledge is often inconsistent with the prestige they obtained. The current study explored the extent to which undergraduates who experience different types of envy chose to ostracize their peers for their failings in competing, and whether this choice could be moderated by their levels of trait mindfulness. We conducted a randomized experimental design using a large number of undergraduates in Australia and Indonesia (Nfinal = 361, Mage= 21.360, SD = 1.970). Participants filled in the online scale for trait mindfulness, randomly received academic envy scenarios varied by appraisal dimensions of deservingness and control potential, then filled in manipulation check measures, a state envy scale, and an ostracism scale. As expected, we found that higher ostracism was predicted by higher malicious envy and lower benign envy (albeit less consistently). Trait mindfulness weakened the link between malicious envy and ostracism when malicious envy was high; however, the reverse effect occurred when malicious envy was low. The findings of this study underline the importance of deservingness as a key consideration for awarding academic prestige and the relevance of practicing mindfulness in higher education.

ABSTRACTObjective Despite high rates of mental illness and significant barriers to accessing assistance, little is known about African migrant men’s views on formal mental health help-seeking (i.e. from a health professional) in their new countries. We aimed to synthesise qualitative literature on African migrant men’s experiences and preferences regarding formal mental health help-seeking in their new countries, and develop recommendations from the findings.Method Systematic searches of six databases (nil date restrictions) for qualitative data from adult men who had migrated from any of the 16 countries in Africa with largest numbers of emigrants to any country outside of Africa, for any reason. Study quality was assessed using the Qualsyst tool with a minimum .55 total for inclusion. Extracted data were synthesised using meta-aggregation.Results Five high quality studies (Qualsyst totals .80+) met inclusion criteria. All men had migrated to “Western” countries. One synthesised finding on help-seeking barriers was generated: African migrant men do not seek formal mental health help due to stigma and discrimination, a preference for religious treatment, structural barriers, and a perceived lack of cultural competency from health professionals.Conclusions Recommendations are presented. Further research and co-design will be important to understand facilitators and develop culturally appropriate, accessible assistance.

Environmental toxins, particularly liposoluble compounds that accumulate in adipose tissues, present a risk for newborns, not only through breastfeeding but also through artificial milks. These compounds pass into breast milk, potentially exposing infants to harmful substances. In a monocentric observational study carried out in the Charleroi region, we employed liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to analyze the presence of environmental toxins in milk for newborns. Out of 39 breast milk and 12 artificial milk samples analyzed, 15 and six contained at least one pesticide, respectively, with nine different pesticides identified from a panel of 54 substances tested. The study found an association between the consumption of fresh produce and a higher presence of pesticides in breast milk. This.highlights the broader issue of environmental toxin exposure for infants, regardless of the feeding method. The results underline the need for a comprehensive approach when considering the establishment of breast milk banks and the safety of artificial milk, especially in the context of potential risks to premature newborns. Our findings not only validate the analysis technique for detecting toxins in breast milk but also suggest the necessity for a larger prospective study to explore these risks in the future.

The concept of an established international body of knowledge implies being updated with a respected good standing. The EMBOK (event management body of knowledge) may have some limitations in need of an update to be clearly distinguished. EM (event management) need a special kind of management considering the scope of the event industry with unfortunate event failures. The comprehensive nature of any body of knowledge (BOK) study led to a pre-study with respect to a conceptual integrated exploratory methodology. This provided the freedom to move outside conservatism to relate ideas, notions, theories, impressions and abstractions to the problem. The purpose was therefore not to obtain a final account but to propose a well-defined hypothesis for further studies. The conceptual data less structured casual observation, and an overview of secondary sources and literature. The overall exploratory study indicates a need for the update of the EMBOK also by means of the PMBOK (project management body of knowledge) or a synthesised event-project management framework (E-PMBOK).

The worldwide surge in demand for higher education (HE) aligns with an increasing need for effective student funding systems, particularly in countries where poverty poses a significant barrier to accessing HE. An international perspective on governmental student funding systems allows us to examine how other governments have implemented these systems to benefit their citizens. The aim of this article is thus to provide a global view of the functioning and challenges pertaining to student funding systems and to shed light on the policies in place in the international landscape. The realist systematic literature review methodology was deemed the most suitable for this study as various scholars have previously studied different facets of the topic. This study aligns with the interpretive research paradigm and qualitative methods. The desired information therefore already exists within the body of knowledge, although it has not yet been analyzed through this particular method. It is evident that both developing and developed countries experience challenges regarding student funding, both in the purpose thereof as well as in the implementation. This is a universal issue, and an in-depth literature review confirmed this phenomenon.

ObjectiveAn increasing number of children in the Netherlands is overweight or obese, which is largely attributable to an unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy living environment. Nutrition education and greening the schoolyard, for example with a vegetable garden, have independently been studied and are shown to be effective in teaching children a healthy lifestyle and providing a healthy living environment. However, the feasibility of combining nutrition education and greening the schoolyard has not been studied yet. Therefore, this study aimed to provide insight into primary schools' vision on making this combination, and the feasibility of doing so.MethodsIn this study a qualitative research design was used. The theoretical frameworks of Proctor et al. and Sekhon et al. were used to develop the interview guide. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of school teams and school directors. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the thematical analysis of Braun and Clarke.ResultsAccording to the interviewees, three facets are essential to make the combination of greening schoolyards and nutrition education feasible and successful. Firstly, the interviewees mentioned that the school team and school directors of schools must be able to see the connection between greening the schoolyard and nutrition education. Additionally, support is needed among the parents, school team, pupils and local community. Finally, the interviewees stated that schools must be able to integrate greening the schoolyard and nutrition education into their existing curriculum.ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that combining greening schoolyards and nutrition education in primary schools is feasible and successful when vision, support and integration are present. Future research should investigate the vision of the local community and parents on making the combination, and the effects of the combination on pupils and their environment.

The primary purpose of this paper was to develop an industry-specific service quality framework for private higher education institutions in an open distance e-learning environment in South Africa. Service quality for higher education operations is a key performance objective due to the increasingly competitive, marketing-oriented and highly regulated environment. Using a quantitative research approach, this research was conducted at two private higher education institutes. Data analysis included an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) approach followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Finally, a service quality framework was compiled consisting of four primary constructs. The paper makes a pioneering contribution and bridges a significant gap with the development of the first Open Distance and e-Learning service quality framework for private higher education institutions in South Africa.

IntroductionGlobisporangium ultimum is an oomycetal pathogen causing damping-off on over 300 different plant hosts. Currently, as for many phytopathogens, its control relies in the use of chemicals with negative impact on health and ecosystems. Therefore, many biocontrol strategies are under investigation to reduce the use of fungicides.ResultsIn this study, the soil bacterium Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 10586 demonstrates a strong iron-repressed in vitro antagonism against G. ultimum MUCL 38045. This antagonism does not depend on the secretion of the broad-range antibiotic mupirocin or of the siderophore pyoverdine by the bacterial strain. The inhibitor molecule was identified as a novel non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) siderophore named mupirochelin. Its putative structure bears similarities to other siderophores and bioactive compounds. The transcription of its gene cluster is affected by the biosynthesis of pyoverdine, the major known siderophore of the strain. Besides mupirochelin, we observed the production of a third and novel NRPS-independent siderophore (NIS), here termed triabactin. The iron-responsive transcriptional repression of the two newly identified siderophore gene clusters corroborates their role as iron scavengers. However, their respective contributions to the strain fitness are dissimilar. Bacterial growth in iron-deprived conditions is greatly supported by pyoverdine production and, to a lesser extent, by triabactin. On the contrary, mupirochelin does not contribute to the strain fitness under the studied conditions.ConclusionAltogether, we have demonstrated here that besides pyoverdine, Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 10586 produces two newly identified siderophores, namely mupirochelin, a weak siderophore with strong antagonism activity against G. ultimum, and the potent siderophore triabactin.

Abstract Background Misuse of prescription stimulants (PS) has been reported among students to enhance academic performance in Flanders (Belgium). However, PS misuse among students in the French-speaking community is unknown. The main purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of medical use and misuse of PS by university students in the French-speaking community (Belgium), and to investigate the reasons and sources associated with PS misuse. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was performed in 2018. All university students 18 years and older were invited to participate and asked about PS use, including medical (i.e., used for therapeutic purposes) and nonmedical reasons and sources of PS. Results In total, 12 144 students participated in the survey (median age = 21 years, 65.5% female). The estimated prevalence of PS use was 6.9% (ever use) and 5.5% (past-year). Among ever users, 34.7% were classified as medical users and 65.3% as misusers. Lifetime prevalence of misuse was estimated at 4.5%. The most common reason for medical use was treatment of attention disorder (85.9%). Reasons for misuse were mainly to improve concentration (76.1%) or to stay awake and study longer (50.7%). Friends or acquaintances inside the student community and general practitioners were the main sources of PS for misuse (41.5% and 23.5%, respectively). Conclusions This study found that rates of misuse of PS in French-speaking universities in Belgium were in line with studies conducted in Flanders and Europe. Academic institutions can use these results to tailor their drug prevention campaigns.

Summary: The cuticle of C. elegans is impermeable to chemicals, toxins, and pathogens. However, increased permeability is a desirable phenotype because it facilitates chemical uptake. Surface lipids contribute to the permeability barrier. Here, we identify the lipid transfer protein GMAP-1 as a critical element setting the permeability of the C. elegans cuticle. A gmap-1 deletion mutant increases cuticular permeability to sodium azide, levamisole, Hoechst, and DiI. Expressing GMAP-1 in the hypodermis or transiently in the adults is sufficient to rescue this gmap-1 permeability phenotype. GMAP-1 protein is secreted from the hypodermis to the aqueous fluid filling the space between collagen fibers of the cuticle. In vitro, GMAP-1 protein binds phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine while in vivo, GMAP-1 sets the surface lipid composition and organization. Altogether, our results suggest GMAP-1 secreted by hypodermis shuttles lipids to the surface to form the permeability barrier of C. elegans.

Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) is a multifactorial endemic disease that only occurs in specific Asian areas. Mycotoxin contamination, especially from the Fusarium spp., has been considered as one of the environmental risk factors that could provoke chondrocyte and cartilage damage. This study aimed to investigate whether new mycotoxins could be identified in KBD-endemic regions as a potential KBD risk factor. This was investigated on 292 barley samples collected in Tibet during 2009–2016 and 19 wheat samples collected in Inner Mongolia in 2006, as control, from KBD-endemic and non-endemic areas. The LC-HRMS(/MS) data, obtained by a general mycotoxin extraction technic, were interpreted by both untargeted metabolomics and molecular networks, allowing us to identify a discriminating compound, enniatin B, a mycotoxin produced by some Fusarium spp. The presence of Fusarium spp. DNA was detected in KBD-endemic area barley samples. Further studies are required to investigate the role of this mycotoxin in KBD development in vivo.

Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across nations in significant terms, midwives who play a crucial role in offering maternal and child care amid the pandemic stand a high risk of being infected. Examining their level of compliance with the standard precautions amid the pandemic is important. Purpose: To assess the level of compliance of midwives in Indonesia with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage and hand washing. Methods: In June 2020, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1520 midwives in Indonesia during the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. Association between demographic variables and compliance with standard precautions was measured using Chi-square test. Results: Approximately 74% of midwives used PPE and masks when outside while more than 40% of them did not always wash their hands after they touch an object outside home. A significant association was found between level of education (p =.001), region (p =.000) and mask usage. However, association between ethnicity and mask usage; region and handwashing were not significant. Conclusion: Majority of the midwives in Indonesia complied with PPE usage, but majority did not adhere to hand washing. This highlights the need for appropriate interventions to improve compliance to standard precautions in a bid to curtail further spread of the pandemic.

Abstract Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) is used in German-speaking European countries in the field of integrative oncology linking conventional and complementary medicine therapies to improve quality of life. Various companies sell extracts, fermented or not, for injection by subcutaneous or intra-tumoral route with a regulatory status of anthroposophic medicinal products (European Medicinal Agency (EMA) assessment status). These companies as well as anthroposophical physicians argue that complex matrices composed of many molecules in mixture are necessary for activity and that the host tree of the mistletoe parasitic plant is the main determining factor for this matrix composition. The critical point is that parenteral devices of European mistletoe extracts do not have a standard chemical composition regulated by EMA quality guidelines, because they are not drugs, regulatory speaking. However, the mechanism of mistletoe’s anticancer activity and its effectiveness in treating and supporting cancer patients are not fully understood. Because of this lack of transparency and knowledge regarding the matrix chemical composition, we undertook an untargeted metabolomics study of several mistletoe extracts to explore and compare their fingerprints by LC-(HR)MS(/MS) and 1H-NMR. Unexpectedly, we showed that the composition was primarily driven by the manufacturer/preparation method rather than the different host trees. This differential composition may cause differences in immunostimulating and anti-cancer activities of the different commercially available mistletoe extracts as illustrated by structure–activity relationships based on LC–MS/MS and 1H-NMR identifications completed by docking experiments. In conclusion, in order to move towards an evidence-based medicine use of mistletoe, it is a priority to bring rigor and quality, chemically speaking.

Abstract We hypothesized acute moderate and drastic reductions in uric acid concentration exert different effects on arterial function in healthy normotensive and hypertensive adults. Thirty‐six adults (aged 58 [55;63] years) with or without primary hypertension participated in a three‐way, randomized, double‐blind, crossover study in which [placebo] and [febuxostat] and [febuxostat and rasburicase] were administered. Febuxostat and rasburicase reduce the uric acid concentration by xanthine oxidoreductase inhibition and uric acid degradation into allantoin, respectively. Endothelial function was assessed in response to acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, heating (with and without nitric oxide synthase inhibition) using a laser Doppler imager. Arterial stiffness was determined by applanation tonometry, together with blood pressure, renin–angiotensin system activity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Uric acid concentration was 5.1 [4.1;5.9], 1.9 [1.2;2.2] and 0.2 [0.2;0.3] mg/dL with [placebo], [febuxostat] and [febuxostat–rasburicase] treatments, respectively (p

In the quality control of medicines and the fight against the phenomenon of poor quality medicines, there is an urgent need for rapid and broad spectrum methods for screening these types of medicines. In the present work, we have used near infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis to develop chemometric models for the classification and quantification of metronidazole in Burkina Faso pharmaceutical formulations. For this purpose, drug samples were collected in drugstores located in different Burkina Faso border zones. Four product classes were defined based on the national nomenclature: 3 classes for the generic drugs (C1, C3, and C4) and one class for the reference (C2) drugs. The exploratory analysis using PCA identified two clusters of drugs within class C1. Discrimination was confirmed by the developed and optimised DD-SIMCA model, with only one target class. The quality control of the samples from product class C1 was proven to be very satisfactory with specificities and sensitivities of 100%. The quantification models developed with the PLS-R method were successfully applied for the determination of the active ingredient content in the samples, with acceptable relative bias between 0.15 and 12.7 % with respect to the dose determined by the HPLC method. The RMSEC was estimated at 13.57 (R2, 0.9937), the RMSECV at 18.07 (R2, 0.9888) and the RMSEP at 13.69 (R2, 0.9941).The models developed and the results obtained are promising for routine quality control of similar formulations of metronidazole.

While coffee beans have been studied for many years, researchers are showing a growing interest in coffee leaves and by-products, but little information is currently available on coffee species other than Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. The aim of this work was to perform a targeted and untargeted metabolomics study on Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora and Coffea anthonyi. The application of the recent high-resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics tools allowed us to gain a clear overview of the main differences among the coffee species. The results showed that the leaves and fruits of Coffea anthonyi had a different metabolite profile when compared to the two other species. In Coffea anthonyi, caffeine levels were found in lower concentrations while caffeoylquinic acid and mangiferin-related compounds were found in higher concentrations. A large number of specialized metabolites can be found in Coffea anthonyi tissues, making this species a valid candidate for innovative healthcare products made with coffee extracts.

Inflammation and its resolution are the result of the balance between pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving factors, such as specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). This balance is crucial for plaque evolution in atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been related to oxidative stress and atherosclerosis, and MPO-oxidized low-density lipoproteins (Mox-LDLs) have specific characteristics and effects. They participate in foam cell formation and cause specific reactions when interacting with macrophages and endothelial cells. They also increase the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages and the resulting antioxidant response. Mox-LDLs also drive macrophage polarization. Mox-LDLs are known to be pro-inflammatory particles. However, in the presence of Mox-LDLs, endothelial cells produce resolvin D1 (RvD1), a SPM. SPMs are involved in the resolution of inflammation by stimulating efferocytosis and by reducing the adhesion and recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes. RvD1 also induces the synthesis of other SPMs. In vitro, Mox-LDLs have a dual effect by promoting RvD1 release and inducing a more anti-inflammatory phenotype macrophage, thereby having a mixed effect on inflammation. In this review, we discuss the interrelationship between MPO, Mox-LDLs, and resolvins, highlighting a new perception of the role of Mox-LDLs in atherosclerosis.

Although Erythrina senegalensis is a plant widely used in traditional medicine in sub-Saharan Africa, its biological properties have been poorly investigated to date. We first characterized by conventional reactions the composition of several stem bark extracts and evaluated in acellular and cellular assays their pro- or antioxidant properties supported by their high phenolic and flavonoid content, particularly with the methanolic extract. The pro- or antioxidant effects observed did not correlate with their IC50 concentrations against five cancer cell lines determined by MTT assay. Indeed, the CH2Cl2 extract and its ethyl acetate (EtOAc) subfraction appeared more potent although they harbored lower pro- or antioxidant effects. Nevertheless, at equipotent concentration, both extracts induced ER- and mitochondria-derived vacuoles observed by fluorescent microscopy that further led to non-apoptotic cell death. LC coupled to high resolution MS investigations have been performed to identify chemical compounds of the extracts. These investigations highlighted the presence of compounds formerly isolated from E. senegalensis including senegalensein that could be retrieved only in the EtOAc subfraction but also thirteen other compounds, such as 16:3-Glc-stigmasterol and hexadecanoic acid, whose anticancer properties have been previously reported. Nineteen other compounds remain to be identified. In conclusion, E. senegalensis appeared rich in compounds with antioxidant and anticancer properties, supporting its use in traditional practice and its status as a species of interest for further investigations in anticancer drug research.

Background Uric acid (UA) is a plasmatic antioxidant that has possible effects on blood pressure. The effects of UA on endothelial function are unclear. We hypothesize that endothelial function is not impaired unless significant UA depletion is achieved through selective xanthine oxidase inhibition with febuxostat and recombinant uricase (rasburicase). Methods and Results Microvascular hyperemia, induced by iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, and heating‐induced local hyperemia after iontophoresis of saline and a specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor were assessed by laser Doppler imaging. Blood pressure and renin‐angiotensin system markers were measured, and arterial stiffness was assessed. CRP (C‐reactive protein), allantoin, chlorotyrosine/tyrosine ratio, homocitrulline/lysine ratio, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde, and interleukin‐8 were used to characterize inflammation and oxidative stress. Seventeen young healthy men were enrolled in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 3‐way crossover study. The 3 compared conditions were placebo, febuxostat alone, and febuxostat together with rasburicase. The allantoin (μmol/L)/UA (μmol/L) ratio differed between sessions (P

Photoactive ruthenium-based complexes are actively studied for their biological applications as potential theragnostic agents against cancer. One major issue of these inorganic complexes is to penetrate inside cells in order to fulfil their function, either sensing the internal cell environment or exert a photocytotoxic activity. The use of lipophilic ligands allows the corresponding ruthenium complexes to passively diffuse inside cells but limits their structural and photophysical properties. Moreover, this strategy does not provide any cell selectivity. This limitation is also faced by complexes anchored on cell-penetrating peptides. In order to provide a selective cell targeting, we developed a multivalent system composed of a photoreactive ruthenium(II) complex tethered to a calix[4]arene platform bearing multiple RGD-containing cyclopentapeptides. Extensive photophysical and photochemical characterizations of this Ru(II)–calixarene conjugate as well as the study of its photoreactivity in the presence of guanosine monophosphate have been achieved. The results show that the ruthenium complex should be able to perform efficiently its photoinduced cytotoxic activity, once incorporated into targeted cancer cells thanks to the multivalent platform.

This article present data related to the publication entitled “Native and myeloperoxidase-oxidized low-density lipoproteins act in synergy to induce release of resolvin-D1 from endothelial cells” (Dufour et al., 2018). The supporting materials include results obtained by Mox-LDLs stimulated macrophages and investigation performed on scavenger receptors. Linear regressions (RvD1 vs age of mice and RvD1 vs CL-Tyr/Tyr) and Data related to validation were also presented. The interpretation of these data and further extensive insights can be found in Dufour et al. (2018) [1].