Expanding the genetic toolbox

Inhibitors of cholinesterases are a wide group of low molecular weight compounds with a significant role in the current pharmacology. Besides the pharmacological importance, they are also known as toxic compounds like military nerve agents. In the pharmacology, drugs for Alzheimer disease, myasthenia gravis and prophylaxis of poisoning by nerve agents can be mentioned as the relevant applications. Besides this, anti-inflammation and antiphrastic drugs are other pharmacological applications of these inhibitors. This review is focused on a survey of cholinesterase inhibitors with known or expected pharmacological impact and indications of their use. Recent literature with comments is provided here as well.

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Factors Conditioning the Potential Effects TiO2 NPs Exposure on Human Microbiota: a Mini-Review

Biological Trace Element Research ◽

10.1007/s12011-021-02578-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ewa Baranowska-Wójcik

Keyword(s):

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Inorganic Nanoparticles ◽

Potential Toxicity ◽

Human Microbiota ◽

Significant Interest ◽

Inflammatory Bowel ◽

Wide Group ◽

The Impact ◽

White Colour

AbstractThe recent years have seen a significant interest in the applications of nanotechnology in various facets of our lives. Due to their increasingly widespread use, human exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) is fast becoming unavoidable. Among the wide group of nanoparticles currently employed in industry, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, TiO2 NPs, are particularly popular. Due to its white colour, TiO2 is widely used as a whitening food additive (E 171). Yet, there have been few studies aimed at determining its direct impact on bacteria, while the available data suggest that TiO2 NPs may influence microbiota causing problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, or immunological disorders. Indeed, there are increasing concerns that its presence may lead to intestinal barrier impairment, including dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota. This article aims to present an overview of studies conducted to date with regard to the impact of TiO2 NPs on human microbiota as well as factors that can affect the same. Such information is necessary if we are to conclusively determine the potential toxicity of inorganic nanoparticles.

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Climbing Mount Everest: tackling the media at a regional level

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.22.2.111 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 111-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tom Harrison

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Public Education ◽

Royal College ◽

Regional Level ◽

Health Issues ◽

Mount Everest ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

West Midlands ◽

The Media ◽

Wide Group

Regional Public Education Officers of the Royal College of Psychiatrists are strategically placed to influence and improve the coverage of mental health issues in the media. Their role needs to be enhanced and clarified, and a proposal is being put forward in the College to achieve this. One possible way of working locally is illustrated through the work of West Midlands Insight, which demonstrates the value of working with a wide group of people, including those who have experienced mental ill health.

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Cleon caricatured on a Corinthian Cup

The Journal of Hellenic Studies ◽

10.2307/630430 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 94 ◽

pp. 166-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E. L. Brown

Keyword(s):

Wide Group

John Boardman has recently published a Sam Wide Group cup, on the interior of which is painted a caricature of Oedipus and the Sphinx. His accompanying illustration (Plate II 1) fully confirms the interpretation offered, that the Theban Sphinx— for once, in its physiognomy as well as in its anatomy, obtrusively male—is committing the nuisance of public masturbation. Although such offensive conduct seems, as Boardman observed, inexplicable within the Sphinx's mythic context, the artist's motive for this innovation becomes clearer if one can detect here an instance of the easy ‘glide from the contemporary into the mythical world’.First, however, it should be recalled that, at least as early as Aeschylus' satyr play Sphinx, the Theban pest could be called Σφίγγα δυσαμϵριᾱν πρύτανιν κύνα (182 Mette, 236 Nauck).

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Citizen science – bridging the gap between scientists and amateurs

Chemistry Teacher International ◽

10.1515/cti-2018-0032 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Eva Stratilová Urválková ◽

Svatava Janoušková

Keyword(s):

Lifelong Learning ◽

Citizen Science ◽

Natural Science ◽

Chemistry Education ◽

Good Practice ◽

The European Union ◽

Early School ◽

Wide Group ◽

Small Team ◽

The Eu

AbstractThe European Union has been facing common issues such as early school leaving and lifelong learning for years. They are main targets that remain on the EU agenda and all good practice examples are welcome. Citizen science is one of the approaches that seems to have great potential to draw a wide group of people to science in a popular way. People can easily become a part of a scientific team and contribute to research that could hardly be carried out by one small team. Many citizen science researchers deal with issues that are attractive for people because of their usefulness or application (gathering ticks, taking photographs of surroundings) and/or because of the accessibility of the data (typical for biological issues). This aspect also supports bridging the gap between citizens-amateurs and scientists-professionals, as well as lifelong learning. Chemistry is a natural science subject that is rarely performed in citizen science, and little research is devoted to the educational aspect of citizen science projects. Therefore, we present here a brief overview of an increasing scientific design that is widely used in natural science, although rarely in chemistry. Citizen science seems to be a potentially useful tool for improving chemistry education.

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Canine genetics

Journal of Veterinary Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.jveb.2009.06.011 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 257

Author(s):

Catherine André

Keyword(s):

Canine Genetics

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Istotne problemy związane z bezpieczeństwem surowców roślinnych obecnych w wybranych grupach suplementów diety

Postępy Fitoterapii ◽

10.25121/pf.2020.21.3.161 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Justyna Baraniak ◽

Małgorzata Kania-Dobrowolska ◽

Aleksandra Górska ◽

Marlena Wolek ◽

Anna Bogacz

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Hazardous Substances ◽

Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽

Food Category ◽

Biologically Active Compound ◽

Wide Group ◽

Real Composition ◽

Intended Use

Dietary supplements are a wide group of products belonging to the food category. Their sales are still growing. The composition, appearance and the intended use of these products make them resemble drugs. Dietary supplements are designed to meet the specific requirements of different consumer groups. Many dietary supplements contain herbal substances or their preparations. The safety of the herbal material is particularly affected by its proper identification, the part of the plant used as well as the standardization of the extract for a specific biologically active compound. Regardless of the group of consumers for which these products are intended, the risks associated with taking dietary supplements may relate to their contamination with heavy metals, pesticide residues or pathogenic microorganisms. There may also be adulterated dietary supplements on the market, the real composition of which differs from the composition presented on the original packing. Furthermore, the presence of restricted hazardous substances, or limited substances on the product is undoubtedly dangerous to health.

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What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine? Re-thinking intellectual property and research ethics from the experience of the Purhépecha community of Cherán

Oñati Socio-legal Series ◽

10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1102 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 6-34

Author(s):

Lucero Ibarra Rojas ◽

Ezequiel Escobedo Osorio

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Property ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

Cultural Policy ◽

Continuous Process ◽

Cultural Rights ◽

The Social ◽

Indigenous Perspectives ◽

Wide Group ◽

Legal Frameworks ◽

Collaborative Methodology

Intellectual property and cultural policy are essential to the practice of cultural rights, however, in both legal frameworks, indigenous peoples have often found that the state has little consideration for their voices and their world views. In contrast, though no more representative of indigenous perspectives, the social sciences, while engaging with indigenous voices, have often treated them as a source to be appropriated with disregard of their rights and agency. Through an activist and collaborative methodology that includes the concerns of a wide group of indigenous and non-indigenous persons, this article explores how the oral history project of the Fogata Kejtsitani in the Purhépecha community of Cherán, México, contributes to discussions on the appropriation and dissemination of culture. This community has managed the recognition of their right to autonomy, and in so doing, has founded a continuous process of law creation, on which Kejtsitani takes part. La propiedad intelectual y la política cultural son esenciales para la práctica de derechos culturales, sin embargo, en ambos marcos jurídicos los pueblos indígenas frecuentemente han encontrado que el Estado tiene poca consideración por sus voces y cosmovisiones. En contraste, aunque sin ser más representativo de las perspectivas indígenas, las ciencias sociales que se han relacionado con voces indígenas, frecuentemente las han tratado como una fuente para ser apropiada, descartando sus derechos y agencia. A través de una metodología activista y colaborativa que incluye las inquietudes de un amplio grupo de personas indígenas y no-indígenas, este artículo explora cómo el proyecto de historia oral de la Fogata Kejtsitani en la comunidad Purhépecha de Cherán, México, contribuye a las discusiones sobre la apropiación y diseminación de la cultura. Esta comunidad ha logrado el reconocimiento de su derecho de autonomía y, al hacerlo, ha fundado un proceso continuo de creación de derecho del cual Kejtsitani también forma parte.

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A Theoretical Treatment of Memetic Traits Using Gene-Meme, Meme-Meme and Population Equilibrium

10.20944/preprints202012.0689.v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Robert Shuler

Keyword(s):

Industrial Revolution ◽

Spreading Rate ◽

Theoretical Treatment ◽

Genetic Trait ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Transient Nature ◽

Candidate Solution ◽

Wide Group ◽

Replication Factors ◽

Selection Of

Background: Conceived as a unit of lasting cultural (mostly vertical) trait transmission, memes now include transient horizontally transmitted fads. Memes may sometimes follow the logic of population genetics, e.g. learned birdsong, but not always over the diverse range found in human hosts. Much current work focuses on selection of memes rather than hosts. Methods: We analyze equilibrium between gene-meme and meme-meme competing propagators and consider whether a meme is linked to reproduction (e.g. vertical culture transmission), or not. We employ a genetic component and combined meme induced fitness components for hosts, while memes have replication factors to distinguish from what’s good for the host (fitness). To anticipate future meme effects on population stability we use a Monte Carlo simulation roughly calibrated to the Industrial Revolution. Results: A basic effective calculus of memetic trait competition and interaction with genes is derived and analyzed. The transient nature of short term memes may be a defense against accumulation of deleterious memes. Horizontally transmitted (panmictic) memes with high spreading rate will often not equalize with a genetic trait, spreading outside of natural selection of the hosts, presenting a cumulative existential threat. Vertical transmission reduces replication rate and allows group selection against deleterious memes. Competing mutually exclusive memes contribute to inequality and altruism, but compete through adverse fitness since exclusivity assumes low conversion. Conclusions: The advantage of a portfolio of groups or species may not accrue to a single group. This analytical understanding elevates meme-risk to the level of a candidate solution to the so-called Fermi Paradox, as interstellar travel might require a planet wide group.

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Work division processes in social work with Cuban and Norwegian families

Journal of Comparative Social Work ◽

10.31265/jcsw.v14i1.237 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 165-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Siv Oltedal ◽

Angela Peña ◽

Sarah Catherine Patricia Duff Hean

Keyword(s):

Social Work ◽

Social Workers ◽

Work Processes ◽

Care And Support ◽

The Family ◽

Engagement Process ◽

Trabajo Social ◽

Wide Group ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Context Specific

EnglishThis paper explores the differences and similarities in three social work processes as viewed by social workers in Norway and Cuba. Contrasting social work processes in these exemplars of de-familialized and familialized welfare contexts offer insight into where social work practices can be governed by international and universal policy, and where context specific national policies may be more appropriate. A qualitative study and thematic analysis based on four focus group interviews (two in each country), with a total of 19 social workers from the respective contexts, were conducted. An international validated vignette of a typical social work case was employed as a tool to help facilitate a group interaction and discussion. The first is an engagement process: how social workers make their decisions on how, or if, to engage with clients. Both Cuban and Norwegian social workers will respond to a client in need, prioritizing children in particular. A second process related to the social worker is needing to obtain a considered overview of the case. Norwegian social workers rely heavily on information about the case coming from the client, and formal rules restrict information flows between services. In Cuba, clients are important and the participation of the family is obligatory, with social workers drawing on a wide group of stakeholders to gather information. The final process is one of distributing responsibility for care and support among the appropriate services and actors. In Cuba, social workers emphasize the family`s role in resolving the case. There is a cultural element here based on the role of the family, but a lack of state services and resources available for social workers in practice is also relevant. In Norway, the Welfare State presents more resources, although social workers refer instead to difficulties in coordination between services. Professionals are held to account in Cuba, whereas institutions take responsibility in Norway. SpanishProcesos de división del trabajo en Trabajo social con familias en Cuba y Noruega. Este artículo explora las diferencias y similitudes en tres procesos del trabajo social a partir de la visión de trabajadores sociales de Noruega y Cuba. A partir de contrastar los procesos del trabajo social en estos casos ejemplares de contextos de bienestar de-familiarista y familiarista respectivamente, el artículo ofrece una visión de hasta dónde la práctica del trabajo social puede estar gobernada por políticas universales e internacionales, y hasta dónde lecturas más específicas según el contexto de las políticas nacionales puede ser más apropiado. Fue desarrollado un estudio cualitativo con un análisis temático basado en cuatro entrevistas a grupos focales (dos en cada país), con un total de 19 trabajadores sociales en ambos contextos. Par el estudio temático se utilizó una viñeta que valida un caso típico para el trabajo social, como herramienta que facilitó la interacción grupal y la discusión. El primer proceso identificado fue el de comprometimiento con el caso: este alude a cómo los trabajadores sociales toman sus decisiones sobre cómo se involucran, o incluso si lo hacen o no, con los clientes. Trabajadores sociales de ambos países responderán a un cliente que lo necesite, priorizando en particular a los niños. Un segundo proceso se relaciona con la necesidad de los trabajadores sociales de obtener una descripción adecuada del caso. Trabajadores sociales de Noruega se apoyan fuertemente en la información proveída por el cliente y en las reglas formales que restringen el flujo de información entre los servicios. Para el caso de los cubanos, los clientes son importantes, y la participación de la familia es vista como obligatoria, pero se apoyan en un amplio grupo de posibles interesados para recopilar información. El proceso final tiene que ver con la distribución de responsabilidades de cuidado y apoyo entre los servicios apropiados y los actores. En Cuba los trabajadores sociales enfatizan en el rol de la familia para la resolución de los casos. Aquí se aprecia un elemento cultural que refuerza la intervención de la familia, pero a la vez la escasez de servicios públicos o recursos para la práctica del trabajo social en familias. En Noruega, el Estado de Bienestar ofrece más recursos, pero los trabajadores sociales refieren en cambio dificultades para la coordinación de la variedad de servicios disponibles. Los profesionales en Cuba retienen más responsabilidad, mientras que en Noruega las instituciones toman más responsabilidades.

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