Pramenna a Stylova Kritika Shicikovych Kvartet Jana Levoslava Bellu [The criticism of the sources and style of Jan Levoslava Belia's string quartets], series musicologicae actualis, Bratislava 1998, 125 S. [Zusammenfassung]

An important component of the revival of the works by lan Levoslav Bella (1843-1936) in regard to musicology, interpretation and reception is the collected source-critical edition of the composer's output

How microbial community composition, sorption and simultaneous application of six pharmaceuticals affect their dissipation in soils

Pharmaceuticals may enter soils due to the application of treated wastewater or biosolids. Their leakage from soils towards the groundwater, and their uptake by plants is largely controlled by sorption and degradation of those compounds in soils. Standard laboratory batch degradation and sorption experiments were performed using soil samples obtained from the top horizons of seven different soil types and 6 pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, irbesartan, fexofenadine, clindamycin and sulfamethoxazole), which were applied either as single-solute solutions or as mixtures (not for sorption). The highest dissipation half-lives were observed for citalopram (average DT50,S for a single compound of 152 ± 53.5 days) followed by carbamazepine (106.0 ± 17.5 days), irbesartan (24.4 ± 3.5 days), fexofenadine (23.5 ± 20.9 days), clindamycin (10.8 ± 4.2 days) and sulfamethoxazole (9.6 ± 2.0 days). The simultaneous application of all compounds increased the half-lives (DT50,M) of all compounds (particularly carbamazepine, citalopram, fexofenadine and irbesartan), which is likely explained by the negative impact of antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and clindamycin) on soil microbial community. However, this trend was not consistent in all soils. In several cases, the DT50,S values were even higher than the DT50,M values. Principal component analyses showed that while knowledge of basic soil properties determines grouping of soils according sorption behavior, knowledge of the microbial community structure could be used to group soils according to the dissipation behavior of tested compounds in these soils. The derived multiple linear regression models for estimating dissipation half-lives (DT50,S) for citalopram, clindamycin, fexofenadine, irbesartan and sulfamethoxazole always included at least one microbial factor (either amount of phosphorus in microbial biomass or microbial biomarkers derived from phospholipid fatty acids) that deceased half-lives (i.e., enhanced dissipations). Equations for citalopram, clindamycin, fexofenadine and sulfamethoxazole included the Freundlich sorption coefficient, which likely increased half-lives (i.e., prolonged dissipations)

Targeting of Deregulated Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling by PRI-724 and LGK974 Inhibitors in Germ Cell Tumor Cell Lines

The majority of patients with testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) can be cured with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. However, for a subset of patients present with cisplatin-refractory disease, which confers a poor prognosis, the treatment options are limited. Novel therapies are therefore urgently needed to improve outcomes in this challenging patient population. It has previously been shown that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is active in GCTs suggesting that its inhibitors LGK974 and PRI-724 may show promise in the management of cisplatin-refractory GCTs. We herein investigated whether LGK-974 and PRI-724 provide a treatment effect in cisplatin-resistant GCT cell lines. Taking a genoproteomic approach and utilizing xenograft models we found the increased level of β-catenin in 2 of 4 cisplatin-resistant (CisR) cell lines (TCam-2 CisR and NCCIT CisR) and the decreased level of β-catenin and cyclin D1 in cisplatin-resistant NTERA-2 CisR cell line. While the effect of treatment with LGK974 was limited or none, the NTERA-2 CisR exhibited the increased sensitivity to PRI-724 in comparison with parental cell line. Furthermore, the pro-apoptotic effect of PRI-724 was documented in all cell lines. Our data strongly suggests that a Wnt/β-catenin signaling is altered in cisplatin-resistant GCT cell lines and the inhibition with PRI-724 is effective in NTERA-2 CisR cells. Further evaluation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition in GCTs is therefore warranted

Targeting of Deregulated Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling by PRI-724 and LGK974 Inhibitors in Germ Cell Tumor Cell Lines

The majority of patients with testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) can be cured with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. However, for a subset of patients present with cisplatin-refractory disease, which confers a poor prognosis, the treatment options are limited. Novel therapies are therefore urgently needed to improve outcomes in this challenging patient population. It has previously been shown that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is active in GCTs suggesting that its inhibitors LGK974 and PRI-724 may show promise in the management of cisplatin-refractory GCTs. We herein investigated whether LGK-974 and PRI-724 provide a treatment effect in cisplatin-resistant GCT cell lines. Taking a genoproteomic approach and utilizing xenograft models we found the increased level of β-catenin in 2 of 4 cisplatin-resistant (CisR) cell lines (TCam-2 CisR and NCCIT CisR) and the decreased level of β-catenin and cyclin D1 in cisplatin-resistant NTERA-2 CisR cell line. While the effect of treatment with LGK974 was limited or none, the NTERA-2 CisR exhibited the increased sensitivity to PRI-724 in comparison with parental cell line. Furthermore, the pro-apoptotic effect of PRI-724 was documented in all cell lines. Our data strongly suggests that a Wnt/β-catenin signaling is altered in cisplatin-resistant GCT cell lines and the inhibition with PRI-724 is effective in NTERA-2 CisR cells. Further evaluation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibition in GCTs is therefore warranted

Pramenna a Stylova Kritika Shicikovych Kvartet Jana Levoslava Bellu [The criticism of the sources and style of Jan Levoslava Belia's string quartets], series musicologicae actualis, Bratislava 1998, 125 S. [Zusammenfassung]

An important component of the revival of the works by lan Levoslav Bella (1843-1936) in regard to musicology, interpretation and reception is the collected source-critical edition of the composer's output

Microbial processes and carbon utilization in high sulfate waters and sediments

The application of microorganisms for treating high sulfate effluents is proving to be an effective approach although the processes involved are not well understood. One example is the use of anaerobic passive systems such as mine pit lakes and subsurface flow wetlands. This work addresses the missing information on microbial processes in two high sulfate environments: a permanently stratified fjord and a subsurface flow wetland treating mine waste. In Nitinat Lake fjord, although sulfide was present, no significant sulfate reduction occurred and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene (dsr) detected very few sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Instead, the small subunit rRNA phylogenetic analysis revealed almost complete domination by novel Arcobacter-related species in deep anoxic water. In contrast, substantial sulfate reduction was measured in the fjord sediments. A rate of 250 ± 60 nmol cm⁻³ d⁻¹ was determined, and 8.7 ± 0.7 x 10⁶ copies of dsr mL⁻¹ were found using quantitative PCR (qPCR). When the sediments were amended with carbon sources (acetate, lactate, or a mixture of compost, silage and molasses), acetate stimulated the highest rate of sulfate reduction. An operating passive treatment system remediating metal-containing seepage near the Teck smelter in Trail, B.C. was used for a study of five carbon materials (silage, pulp mill biosolids, compost, molasses with hay, and cattails) as potential substrates for passive systems. Phylogenetic analyses of SSU rRNA and dsr genes were performed, as well as qPCR and chemical analyses of carbon parameters including easily degradable material (EDM), dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC and TOC), particulate nitrogen (PN), and carbon to nitrogen ratio C/N. Silage showed highest sulfate-reducing potential. The results showed that the initial C/N ratio of organic materials correlated positively with the SRB activity. However, phylogenetic analysis determined that the majority of bacterial species belonged to Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla likely involved in complex carbon degradation. The lack of SRB in the actual system suggests that processes other than sulfate reduction are responsible for metal removal. This study contributed to the understanding of microbial processes and therefore aids in improving design and monitoring of passive treatment systems.Applied Science, Faculty ofChemical and Biological Engineering, Department ofGraduat

Razvoj korporativne trajnosti v podjetjih z uporabo izbranih praks in orodij

Background and Purpose: The research paper identifies practices and tools to support corporate sustainability concept that can lead to increased business competitiveness in a dynamically developing business world. The pur­pose of the paper is to provide insight into the practices and tools of corporate sustainability applied by the Slovak industrial enterprises and which barriers do exist. Moreover, the aim is also to identify factors influencing the appli­cation of tools such as company ownership, importance of sustainability concept, and company vision. Design/Methodology/ Approach: In order to obtain the necessary data an online questionnaire was used. The sample of enterprises was selected on the basis of the enterprise size and the industry focus (n = 336). The following statistical methods were used 1) one-way ANOVA, 2) the Kruskal-Wallis test, and 3) the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: This paper revealed some key insights: 1) foreign-owned enterprises are better at application of sustain­ability practices and tools, 2) still quite a few enterprises attribute the importance to the concept, 3) the existence of barriers, particularly in the form of a lack of financial resources, 4) one of the key drivers of sustainability is enterprise vision. Conclusion: The paper created and analyzed quite a comprehensive list of practices and tools suitable for enter­prises in Slovakia. There was an effort to find out point at the ways how enterprises contribute to sustainable devel­opment. It was also found out that they attach importance to vision as a major trigger for the application of the tools. Keywords: Corporate sustainability, Practices, Tools, Barriers, Company visionOzadje in namen: V članku so opredeljene prakse in orodja za podporo konceptu trajnostnosti podjetij, ki lahko pri­vedejo do večje konkurenčnosti poslovanja v dinamično razvijajočem se poslovnem svetu. Namen prispevka je za­gotoviti vpogled v prakse in orodja korporativne trajnosti podjetij, kakršna uporabljajo slovaška industrijska podjetja, in identificirati ovire za njihovo uporabo. Cilj je tudi ugotoviti dejavnike, ki vplivajo na uporabo orodij, kot so lastništvo podjetja, percepcija pomena koncepta trajnosti in vizija podjetja. Zasnova / Metodologija / Pristop: Za pridobitev potrebnih podatkov je bil uporabljen spletni vprašalnik. Vzorec podjetij je bil izbran na podlagi velikosti podjetja in panoge (n = 336). Uporabljene so bile naslednje statistične me­tode: 1) enosmerna ANOVA, 2) Kruskal-Wallisov test in 3) Wilcoxonov testni seštevek. Rezultati: Raziskava je razkrila nekaj ključnih spoznanj: 1) podjetja v tuji lasti več uporabljajo trajnostne prakse in orodja; 2) še vedno precej podjetij ne pripisuje pomena trajnosti; 3) ovire obstajajo zlasti v obliki pomanjkanja finanč­nih sredstev; 4) eden ključnih dejavnikov trajnosti je vizija podjetja. Zaključek: V članku smo analizirali dokaj obsežen seznam praks in orodij, primernih za podjetja na Slovaškem. Prizadevali smo si, da bi ugotovili, kako podjetja prispevajo k trajnostnemu razvoju. Ugotovljeno je bilo tudi, da pripi­sujejo pomembnost viziji podjetja kot glavni pobudi uporabe orodij. Ključne besede: korporativna trajnost, prakse, orodja, ovire, vizija podjetj

Strategy formulation activities with emphasis on strategic management tools and techniques in Slovak companies

The importance and benefits of strategic management in the business sphere are declared in studies worldwide. It represents an extensive area for research. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the strategy formulation activities as well as the strategic management tools and techniques used by Slovak companies. Data on 365 manufacturing companies were obtained through an online questionnaire during 2020–2021. Selected methods of inductive statistics helped to analyze the data (the Pearson chi-square test and interval estimates for population proportion). The results show that the potential of analyzed strategy formulation activities is not filled in the Slovak companies. Enterprises only perform certain activities, and attention is focused mainly on setting strategic goals. It prevails a small orientation to sustainable development in strategic goals (only 22% of enterprises). The most used strategic management tools and techniques consist of an analysis of company resources, SWOT analysis, and customer satisfaction. From the point of view of the manufacturing area, no significant differences are defined in the use of the tools. The future management directions should include a variety of strategic management tools from the external environment. At the same time, the given tools should be supplemented with newer strategic tools ensuring flexibility and adaptation to dynamically changing conditions. AcknowledgmentWe wish to thank project VEGA: Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic (Project No.1/0093/23 Research on the circular economy potential in the Slovak business environment in the production of innovative products based on recycled materials wood – rubber – plastic)

Bracing of Pectus Carinatum in Children: Current Practices.

BACKGROUND Although effective, compressive orthotic bracing (COB) in children with pectus carinatum is still not standardized. This study has aimed to analyze current practices amongst members of the Chest Wall International Group (CWIG). METHODS A web-based questionnaire was mailed to all CWIG members at 208 departments. It included 30 questions regarding diagnostic work-up, age for COB indication, type of COB used, daily wearing time, treatment duration, complications, and recurrence rate. RESULTS Members from 44 departments have responded (institutional response rate 21.2%). A total of 93% consider COB as the first-line treatment for PC. A conventional COB (CC) is used in 59%, and the dynamic compression system (FMF) in 41%. The overall compliance rate is >80%. A total of 67% of responders consider COB to be indicated in patients <10 years. The actual wearing time is significantly shorter than the physician-recommended time (p < 0.01). FMF patients experience a significantly faster response than CC patients (p < 0.01). No recurrence of PC has been noted in 34%; recurrence rates of 10-30% have been noted in 61%. CONCLUSIONS COB is the first-line treatment for PC with a high compliance rate. During puberty, the recurrence rate is high. Treatment standardization and follow-up until the end of puberty are recommended to enhance COB effectiveness