Investigation the effects of vitreous humor on proliferation and dedifferentiation of differentiated NTERA2 cells

Mammals have a limited capacity to regenerate their tissues and organs. One of the mechanisms associated with natural regeneration is dedifferentiation. Several small molecules such as vitamin C and growth factors could improve reprogramming efficiency. In this study, the NTERA2-D1 (NT2) cells were induced towards differentiation (NT2-RA) with 10-5 M retinoic acid (RA) for three days and then subjected to various amounts of vitreous humor (VH). Results show that the growth rate of these cells was reduced, while this rate was partly restored upon treatment with VH (NT2-RA-VH). Cell cycle analysis with PI method also showed that the numbers of cells at the S phase of the cell cycle in these cells were increased. The levels of SSEA3 and TRA-1-81 antigens in NT2-RA were dropped but they increased in NT2- RA-VH to a level similar to the NT2 cells. The level of SSEA1 had an opposite pattern. Expression of OCT4 gene dropped after RA treatment, but it was recovered in NT2-RA-VH cells. In conclusion, we suggest VH as a potent mixture for improving the cellular reprogramming leading to dedifferentiation.

Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Patients with Keratinocyte Skin Cancer

A variety of well-characterized cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are diagnosed during internal malignancies; however, the spectrum of keratinocyte skin neoplasms (KSC) related to PNS is still obscure. The aim of the present review is to compile and evaluate the literature data on PNS associated with a keratinocyte skin neoplasm (KSC). Employing Pubmed, MEDLINE was searched for KSC-associated PNS reports. Forty relevant entries were assembled, reporting a total of 41 PNS cases associated with a KSC (34 male). No review paper compiling this topic was found. Six distinct PNS entities were identified, and malignancy associated hypercalcemia (MAH; 78%), anemia (10%) and Bazex syndrome (5%) were the most frequently reported among them. 85% of the PNS were reported in association with SCC, 10% with BCC, and the rest with adnexal tumors. The median age of the patients at the time of PNS diagnosis was 58 years (range: five–83 years). In most cases the PNS was diagnosed either concurrently or after the KSC diagnosis. KSC predisposing conditions, as scars (22%) or hidradenitis suppurativa (20%), were reported in >70% of the PNS cases. Most PNS resolved after KSC treatment. In conclusion, PNS of a rather limited spectrum of entities are reported in association with KSC. They also seem to be rare, possibly reflecting a limited capacity of KSC to provoke overt PNS.

Navigating Performance-Based Assessments in Unprecedented Times

This chapter focuses on the implementation of performance-based assessments (PBAs) at the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy (AUHSOP) during the COVID-19 pandemic, when shifts were made to a fully remote delivery of the pharmacy curriculum in March 2020 and then altered to a hybrid delivery in the fall semester in which students returned to campus in a limited capacity. In addition to describing adaptations made due to curriculum delivery changes for each professional year, the chapter will provide specific challenges encountered while planning and implementing PBAs with a focus on factors related to students, standardized persons (SPs), and logistics. Student and SP perceptions of remote PBA delivery will be presented as well as strategies for improvement of future PBA events.

Social Robots for Pedagogical Rehabilitation

The use of robots as educational learning tools is quite extensive worldwide, yet it is rather limited in special education. In particular, the use of robots in the field of special education is under skepticism since robots are frequently believed to be expensive with limited capacity. The latter may change with the advent of social robots, which can be used in special education as affordable tools for delivering sophisticated stimuli to children with learning difficulties also due to preexisting conditions. Pilot studies occasionally demonstrate the effectiveness of social robots in specific domains. This chapter overviews the engagement of social robots in special education including the authors' preliminary work in this field; moreover, it discusses their proposal for potential future extensions involving more autonomous (i.e., intelligent) social robots as well as feedback from human brain signals.

Gold Nanoclusters Based Nanocomposites for Combinatorial Antibacterial Therapy on Biofilm Forming Pathogens

Nanomaterial-based antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising approach for the eradication of drug-resistant bacterial biofilm. However, the intrinsic cytotoxicity of the commonly used nanomaterials together with their limited capacity...

Taliban soldiers form core of Afghan new model army

Significance They have started by renaming the old army corps and beginning to retrain Taliban combatants. In adopting the trappings of a conventional army, they have made their men wear uniform and held military parades. The aim is to show neighbouring countries that the Taliban government is running a real state with appropriate standards for its security forces. Impacts Neighbouring states will be reassured by an army that resembles its predecessor and has no real capabilities beyond domestic security. The Taliban have limited capacity to absorb and use new equipment for now, even if some donor were willing to provide it. Limited help may be available: Chinese, Russian and Pakistan military trainers and advisers are reportedly present.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE TIME OF COVID 19: EFFORTS & APPROACHES OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Objective. This paper aims to investigate the types and scope of community engagement and outreach activities of academic libraries while the physical library spaces remain closed or operating on a limited capacity. It also looks at the tools and methods employed to implement such activities. The paper also attempts to uncover patterns or emerging themes as libraries explore innovative ideas and take new initiatives for the betterment of the community they serve. Methods. The study employs a website and Facebook page survey of AUN (ASEAN University Network) Inter-Library Online (AUNILO) member-libraries. The following six outreach categories will be utilized: (1) Collection-Based Outreach; (2) Instruction & Services-Based Outreach; (3) “Whole Person” Outreach; (4) Just for Fun Outreach; (5) Partnerships and Community-Focused Outreach; and (6) Multi-Pronged Themed Events and Programming. Said categories were derived from Farrell and Mastel (2016) paper entitled “Considering Outreach Assessment: Strategies, Sample Scenarios, And A Call to Action.” Results. Findings of the study will offer some insights on how libraries strengthen their roles in transforming societies as they provide opportunities to bring about positive change in their communities. Moreover, this paper will also challenge libraries to take a closer look at their own activities and consider how they can design creative and inspiring ways to connect with their communities. Conclusions. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, libraries are proactively pivoting their community engagement and outreach efforts online and are finding new ways to serve faculty, students, and partners. Libraries are committed to strengthening the resilience and recovery of the community through working collaboratively with its members and building partnerships with relevant organizations.

Optimal Scheduling of Proactive Service with Customer Deterioration and Improvement

Service systems are typically limited resource environments where scarce capacity is reserved for the most urgent customers. However, there has been a growing interest in the use of proactive service when a less urgent customer may become urgent while waiting. On one hand, providing service for customers when they are less urgent could mean that fewer resources are needed to fulfill their service requirement. On the other hand, using limited capacity for customers who may never need the service in the future takes the capacity away from other more urgent customers who need it now. To understand this tension, we propose a multiserver queueing model with two customer classes: moderate and urgent. We allow customers to transition classes while waiting. In this setting, we characterize how moderate and urgent customers should be prioritized for service when proactive service for moderate customers is an option. We identify an index, the modified [Formula: see text]-index, which plays an important role in determining the optimal scheduling policy. This index lends itself to an intuitive interpretation of how to balance holding costs, service times, abandonments, and transitions between customer classes. This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, stochastic models and simulation.

Socially dangerous consequences of persistent failure to perform duties related to the care of a child or a person under guardianship or in the custody (Art. 166 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)

The article is devoted to the study of socially dangerous consequences persistent failure to perform duties related to the care of a child or a person under guardianship or in the custody. Тhey are formulated as serious consequences іn Art. 166 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The article analyzes and reveals this concept, which is evaluative and needs to be established in each case. The types of consequences covered by this concept are clarified. In particular, the material consequences include physical (personal) harm, namely: impaired spiritual, social, intellectual or emotional development of the child, impaired physical or mental development of the child, severe, moderate or minor injuries that caused short-term health disorders or insignificant loss of ability to work of a child or a person with limited capacity (incapacity), their death, suicide or attempted suicide, unknown absence. Intangible consequences include violation of the right of a child and a person declared incapable or partially incapable to housing and sexual integrity. The case law on the application of Art. 166 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (2010-2021). It has been found that the concept of «serious consequences» covers a wide range of types of socially dangerous consequences. It is established that as a result of commission of this crime damage is caused to public relations which are various on degree of significance. It is proposed to improve the responsibility for commission of the crime under Art. 166 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, namely to clarify the types of consequences and to differentiate such responsibilities.