Animo Repository - De La Salle University Research
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Decellularization of porcine skin for the isolation of extracellular matrix (ECM) for tissue engineering applications
No full textThis study aimed to refine a novel decellularization protocol for porcine skin by evaluating the effects of isopropanol delipidation as the first step to decellularization, combined with varying duration and wattages of ultrasonic treatment (sonication). Delipidized samples were subjected to decellularization at 0 W, 180 W, and 240 W for 3, 6, and 9 hr. After treatment, samples underwent histological analysis with a standardized scoring sheet evaluated by 11 independent scorers. Samples treated at 240 W were consistently found to achieve high scores across two independent runs, indicating effective removal of cellular components while preserving extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity. Further analysis involving Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed 240 W, 6 hr and 9 hr samples with well-defined fibrous structures resembling collagen. Elemental analysis through EDS, including both quantitative and count mapping, confirmed the consistent presence of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, suggesting successful retention of proteinaceous components. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy complemented these observations through the identification of key functional groups associated with collagen (Amide I, II, III) and lipid degradation through reduced CH₂ and CH₃ peaks. The results validate the improved effectiveness of the protocol in decellularizing porcine epidermis while preserving critical ECM structures, highlighting its potential for future tissue engineering applications
A cross-sectional study on the association of tobacco and electronic cigarette use with appetite patterns and suppression among undergraduate students in the university belt, Metro Manila
No full textThe increasing prevalence of smoking among Filipino youth, especially undergraduate students, has raised growing concerns regarding its associated health behaviors. While tobacco and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use are commonly perceived as social or stress-related habits, emerging observations suggest that some students may associate smoking with appetite control. This study aimed to examine the association between cigarette use—both tobacco and e-cigarettes—and appetite suppression among college students in Metro Manila. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 156 undergraduate students from universities in the University Belt. Respondents completed a structured online survey disseminated via Google Forms. The survey collected demographic data, smoking behaviors, and self-reported appetite patterns. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess the association between smoking variables and appetite-related outcomes. Of the 156 respondents, half reported using tobacco cigarettes while the other half used e-cigarettes. The majority were female students aged 21–23 and in their senior year. More than half reported smoking daily. Results showed that tobacco use had a stronger association with appetite suppression than e-cigarette use. Specifically, 35.9% of tobacco users reported using cigarettes to suppress appetite, compared to 21.8% of e-cigarette users. Additionally, a higher percentage of tobacco users (58.97%) reported experiencing weight loss associated with their smoking, as compared to e-cigarette users (25.64%). The study found that smoking behavior—particularly tobacco use—is significantly associated with changes in appetite patterns and self-reported appetite suppression. While both tobacco and e-cigarette users demonstrated altered eating behaviors, the association was more pronounced among tobacco users. However, the study does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship; other confounding factors, such as health conditions or the use of medications and substances, may also influence appetite patterns. These findings offer practical insights for health educators and university health offices by underscoring the need to correct misconceptions about smoking as a means of appetite control. Campaigns and intervention programs can be designed to address these beliefs, particularly the notion that tobacco use can replace meals or support weight management. By understanding the behavioral motivations of student smokers, institutions can develop more targeted, relatable, and effective health education strategies tailored to college populations
Potential role of gut microbiota diversity in insecticide resistance of field-collected and laboratory-reared nephotettix virescens distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
No full textNephotettix virescens, also known as green leafhopper (GLH), is a common rice pest and a primary vector of Rice Tungro Virus (RTV) in Asia. Rice Tungro Disease (RTD) is known to cause dwarfing or stunting of rice plants and reduced tillering. Considering the severe impact of this disease, it is important to understand the biology of its insect vector, specifically its gut microbiota which influences key physiological functions, including insecticide resistance. However, rising resistance due to excessive insecticide use poses a serious threat to rice production. This study aimed to describe and compare the gut microbiota composition of field-collected (FC) and laboratory-reared (LR) adult GLH, and to identify bacterial genera potentially associated with insecticide resistance. DNA was extracted from a single insect per group and analyzed using 16S rRNA metabarcoding sequencing. The LR group had 47,264 raw reads and 4 ASVs while the FC group yielded 87,164 raw reads with 151 ASVs. Results show that LR samples contained the genera Berkiella, Sulcia, and Limosilactobacillus, in descending order of read abundance. FC samples displayed greater bacterial diversity. Dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes. Sulcia had the highest read abundance in both groups, accounting for 66.3% in FC and 0.05% in LR. It was the only genus that was shared between the two groups. Other abundant genera in FC included Cutibacterium, Bacteroides, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas. The reduced microbial diversity in LR samples reflects the absence of environmental microbial exposure in controlled settings. Several bacterial genera identified in the FC group (i.e. Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Bacteroides) have been previously linked to insecticide resistance, though further studies are needed to validate their roles in GLH. Approximately 14.6% of identified genera remained unclassified. These findings have implications for pest management strategies, particularly in identifying microbial biomarkers for resistance monitoring. It is recommended to increase sample size, include different life stages, and focus on midgut analysis in future studies. Culturing bacteria with insecticides could help determine specific resistance mechanisms
The bound other: A phenomenological critique of animal captivity
No full textWhile prevailing discussions on animal captivity often emphasize ecological or welfare-based concerns, this study presents a phenomenological-ethical critique of zoos, drawing inspiration from Emmanuel Levinas’s philosophy. Rooted in Levinas’s concept of a responsibility that emerges from the face-to-face encounter with a vulnerable and irreducible Other, this study investigates how zoos fundamentally disrupt this ethical relation. It argues that the zoo, by its very design, is an anti-ethical apparatus that forecloses genuine moral engagement through its inherent anthropocentrism, its reduction of animals to objects of display, and its physical and symbolic architecture, which blocks the possibility of a face-to-face encounter. Finally, this study argues that zoos are not merely sites of physical confinement, but are more profoundly spaces of ethical erasure, where the capacity of nonhuman animals to appear as Others who command moral responsibility is systematically silenced.
Keywords: Emmanuel Levinas, face-to-face, Others, zoos, zoo ethics
Analysis of the symmetries of partitions of (,2) into complete and maximal 2-caps
No full textIn geometry, a maximal 2-cap in the affine space (,2) is a collection of points of largest size such that any quadruple of points is in general position. These form a generalization of the question of maximal caps in (,3), a long-standing problem in combinatorics with connections to and implications for coding theory and other areas. One method used to analyze the structures of caps in (,3) is to analyze partitions of the space using them. Thus, analogously, this paper identifies the affine symmetry groups of complete and maximal 2-caps in (,2) for dimensions ≤ 6 and of partitions using them in dimensions ≤ 4, along with some notable examples in dimensions = 5,6, using NumPy and the Qap Visualizer software. This grants deeper insights into the internal and external geometric structure of these 2-caps, which may have implications for their sizes and those of their generalizations
Advancements in chemiresistive and electrochemical sensing materials for detecting volatile organic compounds in potato and tomato plants
No full textTomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are vital staple crops. They are prone to diseases from pathogens like Ralstonia and Fusarium, which cause significant agricultural losses. Detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants under stress offers a promising approach for advanced monitoring of crop health. This study examines sensing materials for wearable plant sensors targeting VOCs as biomarkers under abiotic and biotic stress. Key questions addressed include the specific VOCemission profiles of potato and tomato cultivars, how materials and sensing mechanisms influence sensor performance, and material considerations for agricultural use. The analysis reveals cultivar-specific VOC profiles under stress, challenging the identification of universal biomarkers for specific diseases. Through a literature review, this study reviews VOC responses to fungi, bacteria, and viruses, and compares non-composite and hybrid chemiresistive and electrochemical sensors based on sensitivity, selectivity, detection limits, response time, robustness, cost-effectiveness, and biocompatibility. A superstructure bridging materials science, plant pathology, AI, data science, and manufacturing is proposed, emphasizing three strategies: sensitivity, flexibility, and sustainability. This study identifies recent research trends that involve developing biodegradable wearable sensors for precision agriculture, leveraging flexible biocompatible materials, multi-parameter monitoring, self-healing properties, 3D-printed designs, advanced nanomaterials, and energy-harvesting technologies
From Cultural Enthusiasm to Academic Institutionalization: The Rise and Limitations of Korean Studies in Taiwan’s Higher Education
No full textThis study explores the institutionalization, development, and ongoing challenges of regional studies in Taiwan’s higher education system, with a specific focus on Korean Studies. It examines how Taiwan’s growing interest in South Korea, shaped by historical, political, and cultural ties as well as the widespread influence of Korean popular culture, has stimulated the expansion of Korean language learning and academic engagement. Through a comprehensive analysis of Korean Studies programs across Taiwanese universities, the study identifies a clear rise in student enrollment and curricular diversification, with course offerings now extending beyond language instruction to encompass interdisciplinary topics such as Korean politics, economy, and society. Despite this progress, the study reveals persistent limitations in institutional support, including the scarcity of full-fledged departments, uneven faculty distribution, and limited graduate research output. Drawing on insights from the sociology of knowledge, the paper argues that the current development of Korean Studies remains socially driven but only partially institutionalized. To address these challenges, it calls for strategic policy interventions such as the establishment of new departments, the integration of Korean Studies into interdisciplinary programs, and stronger alignment with career pathways to enhance the field’s academic legitimacy and ensure its sustainable development within Taiwan’s higher education landscape