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Unveiling racial disparities in localized prostate cancer: a systems-level exploration of the lncRNA landscape
No full textProstate cancer (PC) is the most common non-cutaneous cancer in men globally, and one which displays significant racial disparities. Men of African descent (AF) are more likely to develop PC and face higher mortality compared to men of European descent (EU). The biological mechanisms underlying these differences remain unclear. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), recognized as key regulators of gene expression and immune processes, have emerged as potential contributors to these disparities. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of lncRNAs in localized PC in AF men relative to those of EU and assess their involvement in immune response and inflammation. A systems biology approach was employed to analyze differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and their roles in prostate cancer (PC). Immune-related pathways were investigated through over-representation analysis of lncRNA-mRNA networks. The study also examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation on lncRNA expression in African descent (AF) PC patients, highlighting their potential regulatory roles in immune response and inflammation. Key lncRNAs specific to AF men were identified, with several being implicated for immune response and inflammatory processes. Notably, 10 out of the top 11 ranked lncRNAs demonstrated strong interactions with immune-related genes. Pathway analysis revealed their regulatory influence on antigen processing and presentation, chemokine signaling, and ribosome pathways, suggesting their critical roles in immune regulation. These findings highlight the pivotal role of lncRNAs in PC racial disparities, particularly through immune modulation. The identified lncRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets to address racial disparities in PC outcomes
From TAM to AIDUA and beyond
No full textThis review examines the emerging field of service robot adoption in hospitality. It provides a comprehensive overview of their evolution, classification, and conceptualization. The review offers a theoretically grounded analysis of customer intentions, identifying and evaluating salient models and frameworks. Through research synthesis, it pinpoints key gaps hindering holistic understanding of customer acceptance, particularly in hotels. The review highlights limitations of traditional acceptance models like TAM, advocating exploration of alternatives for a unified understanding. It underscores the need for robust methodologies to capture real-world interactions, as well as meta-analyses to establish consensus. The review also identifies critical gaps related to anthropomorphism, customer segmentation, and resistance, emphasizing the importance of contextual factors. By addressing these theoretical and methodological limitations, the review provides valuable insights to guide future research on enhancing service robot integration in hospitality
Employee digital transformation experience towards automation versus augmentation: implications for job attitudes
No full textAs a growing number of organizations are leveraging emerging technologies to optimize their operations to stay competitive, digital transformation has fast become an integral part of employee experience at the intersection of their psychological states and the workplace. However, employee experience with digital transformation is heterogeneous given the different approaches organizations take toward this initiative. We hence simultaneously consider both the nature of the digital transformation (i.e., automation versus augmentation) and the presence versus absence of employee voice mechanisms. Drawing from psychological reactance theory, we argue that employee experience of automation-driven transformation will be more likely to engender psychological reactance, which in turn impacts important employee job attitudes, represented by job satisfaction, employment security, and turnover intention. We also argue that employee voice moderates this mediated relationship. Using data from two studies with different samples and research designs (an experimental design in Study 1 and a field survey in Study 2), the findings support our hypothesized relationships. The two-study approach helps to enhance the validity of the research and demonstrate the generalizability of findings, thereby strengthening our contributions to the literature. Overall, the studies theoretically extend understandings of how employees respond to digital transformation by offering new insights into the psychological reactance mechanism. We also provide practical implications for business and practitioners seeking to manage digital transformation in ways that enhance desired employee job attitudes.<br/
Compact meandered dipole array presenting super-realized gain
No full textThis paper presents a comprehensive study of a compact two-element meandered dipole array aimed at achieving super-realized gain. An optimization was performed using a Genetic Algorithm (GA) implemented in MATLAB, targeting the maximization of the realized gain in the end-fire direction. Three excitation schemes were evaluated: the conventional optimization approach to achieve superdirectivity (signal magnitude and phase angle), phase-only optimization, and uniform excitation (characterized by equal amplitude and no phase shift). The results show that by carefully optimizing both the signal magnitudes and phase angles, the array could achieve a substantial improvement in realized gain. Phase-only optimization provided a competitive realized gain with only minor reductions compared to conventional optimization, suggesting that optimizing the signal phase alone can be an effective strategy for compact practical implementations
Nanoparticle therapeutics in clinical perspective: classification, marketed products, and regulatory landscape
No full textNanoparticle-based therapeutics, emerging from advances in nanotechnology, outperform traditional drug therapies by virtue of their distinct biological properties that enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce toxicity, and enable precise targeting. Since the 1980s, the number of nanoparticle-based pharmaceutical products has expanded considerably, capturing a significant portion of the pharmaceutical market. These systems function as therapeutic agents or as vehicles for delivering active pharmaceutical or diagnostic compounds to targeted areas. However, despite their transformative potential, the development of comprehensive and harmonized regulatory frameworks for nanomedicines remains a critical challenge. This review provides a current overview of market-approved nanoparticle therapeutics, analyzing global regulatory strategies, including pre-clinical testing, safety assessments, manufacturing processes, and quality control standards. By discussing the existing shortcomings, this review highlights the importance of adaptive regulatory pathways in a global context. It aims to support researchers and stakeholders in navigating the regulatory landscape, facilitating the successful commercialization and clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapeutics.<br/
Cottage cheese, a relatively underexplored cultured dairy product with potential health benefits?
No full textCottage cheese (CC) is a member of the "fresh cheese" family of cheeses and is widely consumed due to its culinary versatility and some perceived health benefits. However, the evidence of direct health effects of CC is not well established. This review describes the production and nutritional characteristics of CC, before exploring the evidence of health effects from human intervention, , and models. Despite widespread consumption and advocated health benefits, there is a dearth of evidence pertaining to the health effects of CC from high-quality human randomized controlled trials. To date, a limited number of human intervention models with CC have explored nutrient bioavailability, metabolic health, and appetite regulation, in small, niche study populations. Findings with and models suggest that CC may be an efficacious vehicle for bioactive compounds. In conclusion, CC is a cultured dairy product that could impose a myriad of benefits across health outcomes including cardiometabolic, gastrointestinal, body composition, appetite regulation, and nutrient status. However, there is a need for high-quality human randomized controlled trials to develop a substantiated evidence base relating to the full potential of CC in human health
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of protease and Bacillus velezensis NRRL B-50508, B. velezensis NRRL B-50509 and B. subtilis NRRL B-50510 (Syncra® SWI 201 TPT) for pigs for fattening and other growing porcine species (Danisco (UK) ltd.)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a product consisting of the protease produced with the genetically modified strain Bacillus subtilis CBS 148232, and viable spores of Bacillus velezensis NRRL B-50508, B. velezensis NRRL B-50509 and B. subtilis NRRL B-50510 (Syncra® SWI 201 TPT) as a zootechnical feed additive for pigs for fattening and other growing porcine species. The FEEDAP Panel concludes that the use of the active agents B. velezensis NRRL B-50508, B. velezensis NRRL B-50509 and B. subtilis NRRL B-50510 in animal nutrition is safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Similarly, the Panel concluded that the use of B. subtilis CBS 148232 as a production strain of the protease present in the final product does not raise safety concerns. No viable cells and no DNA of this strain were detected in the intermediate concentrates used to formulate the final additive. Based on the results obtained in a tolerance trial in weaned piglets, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that Syncra® SWI 201 TPT is safe for pigs for fattening and other growing porcine species at the proposed conditions of use. Syncra® SWI 201 TPT is not irritant to the eyes or the skin but should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser and any exposure through skin and respiratory tract is considered a risk. The additive does not raise safety concerns for the environment. Syncra® SWI 201 TPT has the potential to be efficacious when supplemented in the feed of pigs for fattening and other minor porcine species at the same physiological stage at 5000 protease units (U)/kg and 1.5 × 108 colony forming units (CFU)/kg complete feed.</p
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80387 for all animal species (CJ Europe GmbH)
No full textFollowing a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80387 as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species (category: nutritional additive; functional group: amino acids, their salts and analogues; and category: sensory additives; functional group: flavouring compounds). The production strain C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is a genetically modified strain and raises no safety concerns. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive does not pose any safety concern with regard to the production strain. The use of l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 in feed as nutritional additive or as flavouring compound is safe for the target species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of l-arginine in water for drinking. The use of l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers and for the environment. As regards the safety for the user, l-arginine produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is not irritant to skin, and not a dermal sensitiser but is irritant to the eyes and respiratory tract. The additive l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is regarded as an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-arginine for non-ruminant nutrition. For the supplemental l-arginine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen. l-Arginine is also considered efficacious when used as a flavouring compound in animal nutrition.</p