Transylvania University

The principles of regeneration are found in different types of cultures, from long time ago. As an interdisciplinary field of research, regenerative medicine, play a great role in tissues and organs damaged reparation with a higher potential in transplantation if necessary. The definition of stem cells can be extended. From this point of view, we can mention taking in consideration the idea in which it is known that these cells form the base of the building body.

ABSTRACT The current research examines racial differences in spontaneous usage of shared humanity appeals, when expressing support for a marginalized group. In three studies, we examined how Black and White participants use shared humanity arguments when writing in support of Black Americans (Study 1), Muslims (Study 2), and LGBTQ+ people (Study 3). Results show that Black participants were less likely than White participants to use shared humanity appeals for Black Americans, but this difference was not observed for Muslim and LGBTQ+ people. Fear of negative evaluation and self-deceptive enhancement as predictors of shared humanity arguments yielded inconsistent results across target groups. The findings suggest (albeit small effect sizes) that shared humanity appeals are context dependent and impacted by the marginalized target group.

In ASPEN (<ext-link>NCT04594369</ext-link>), brensocatib 10 and 25mg significantly reduced the annualized rate of adjudicated pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) over 52 weeks (wks; primary endpoint) vs placebo (pbo) in patients (pts) with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (hereafter bronchiectasis); brensocatib 25mg significantly reduced the decline in post-bronchodilator FEV₁. Here we report efficacy and safety for Japanese pts. Pts with bronchiectasis who had PEx in the 12 months before screening (adults [18-85 yr], ≥2; adolescents [12-<18 yr], ≥1) were randomized to once-daily brensocatib (10 or 25mg) or pbo for 52 wks. Endpoints included annualized PEx rate, time to first PEx, PEx-free, and change from baseline in FEV₁, Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis Respiratory Symptoms Domain score (QOL-B RSS), and FVC. Baseline characteristics for Japanese pts (n=87) were generally consistent across treatment arms; pts in the brensocatib 25mg arm had higher post-bronchodilator FEV₁ (Table). Brensocatib 10 and 25mg reduced annualized PEx rate, prolonged time to first PEx, and increased pts remaining PEx-free vs pbo. Brensocatib 10 and 25mg reduced FEV₁ and FVC decline, and improved QOL-B RSS vs pbo. Adverse events were similar across groups. Consistent with the overall trial, brensocatib showed benefit across all endpoints including PEx, lung function, and QOL-B RSS vs pbo in Japanese pts, with a numerically higher effect. <fig><object-id>erj;66/suppl_69/PA4947/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>

The role of residential greenness exposure (RGE) in prevention and control of allergic diseases remains controversial. This systematic review evaluated the association between RGE and the risk of developing asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), food allergy, atopic dermatitis (AD), and asthma control. MEDLINE and EMBASE searches retrieved 17 cohort and case-control longitudinal studies (12 for asthma, 6 AR, 1 food allergy, 1 ad). Risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-E, and certainty of evidence with GRADE. Data were meta-analyzed using adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with random-effects models. For "ever asthma" and "ever AR" a non-significant protective trend of RGE was observed (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.72-1.18; aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.24-1.55). For "current asthma" RGE was associated with increased risk (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.33), with no clear association for "current AR" (aOR 1.03; 95% CI 0.80-1.32). Prenatal RGE reduced the risk of "ever asthma" (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.93-0.950) and AD (aOR 0.996, 95% CI 0.993-0.999). RGE increased the risk for peanut (aOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.13-2.82) and egg allergy (aOR 1.38, 95% CI [1.05-1.82]). Reduced RGE decreased asthma control (OR: 2.662, 95% CI [1.043-6.799]). Potential benefits or potential harms of RGE should be judged in a context-specific manner.

Abstract European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (Linnaeus, 1758) is considered the most destructive and aggressive pest of Norway spruce in Europe. Recently, Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg, 1836), another species of bark beetle, primarily affecting the genus Picea, has expanded its range westwards in Europe. In spruce stands, bark beetle populations are closely associated with various organisms such as fungi, nematodes, and mites. Mites, due to the lack of specialized dispersal organs for covering long distances, use bark beetles through a phenomenon known as phoresy. While phoretic mites and their relationship with Ips typographus have been extensively studied in Europe, very few studies have focused on the populations of phoretic mites associated with Ips duplicatus. The aim of this study is to analyze and document the communities of phoretic mites and their complex relationship with the two species of bark beetles in the same location. The research was conducted in a stand located at the lower limit of spruce, where the two pest species have developed outbreaks together. Over 50,000 beetles were collected using wing-type pheromone traps, of which 4,348 were analyzed for the determination of phoretic mites (2,413 Ips typographus; 1,935 Ips duplicatus). In total, nine species of phoretic mites were identified, of which only six were found on Ips duplicatus. Among the nine species, Dendrolaelaps disetus (Hirschmann, 1960), Elattoma sp., and Paraleius leontonychus (Berlese, 1910) are reported for the first time in Romania. The results highlighted that although Ips typographus beetles were significantly more phorezed than Ips duplicatus beetles throughout the entire flight period, the peaks of phoretic rates were similar. ONE-WAY PERMANOVA test revealed significant differences between the two phoretic mite communities, differences also highlighted by diversity indices. These differences are most likely due to the presence of certain mite species only on Ips typographus beetles, as well as differences between the populations of common species. Regarding the location of phoretic mites on the insects' bodies, this varied depending on the mite species and the host.

Diet is one of the main drivers of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD). Modifying the food supply may be an attractive strategy for promoting health and reducing NCD risk. The intentional modification, processing, enrichment, or fortification of foods to produce "functional foods" currently varies according to legal definitions and existing regulatory frameworks, initially intended function, and production methods. This review critically appraises the existing definitions and concepts applied to functional foods, proposing a new concept of "functionalized foods". The conceptual difference between the two categories is that the term "functional foods" is used for products validated for human health through controlled trials, while "functionalized foods" is used for food products obtained through enrichment or (bio)fortification that lack such a validation, yet. Consequently, the review aims to establish a framework for better understanding the range of existing products, enhancing communication, and promoting a more accurate interpretation of the functional food landscape.

We present an overview of wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) liability covering 36 European countries. We reviewed approaches to WVC liability which are currently in effect across Europe and their potential consequences for WVC reporting. To obtain relevant information, we conducted a survey, including a web-based questionnaire. We retrieved answers to questions related to human fatalities from WVC, the existence of WVC databases, roadkill data systems and recommendation for drivers in the event of WVC. In 19 countries, no one is liable when a motorized vehicle collides with a wild animal. In the remaining countries, road managers or road owners may be liable as well as drivers or hunters, either consistently or under certain conditions. Liability can, in some countries, be changed after a legal assessment. Human fatalities due to WVCs have been reported in 27 countries, with approximately 90 deaths annually across European roads. The number of injured people and estimates of socio-economic losses were not possible to obtain at a European level as many countries lack reliable databases. We discuss how existing WVC liability across countries provoke some actors to transfer liability to another actor or avoid reporting these incidents altogether. WVC underreporting in certain national databases is one of the consequences of the existing WVC liability rules in the given countries. This fact reduces the potential to identify hotspots and define appropriate mitigation measures. In conclusion, we propose several procedures for modifying WVC liability that could enhance wildlife protection and road safety.