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The recent popularity of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence chatbots presents both challenges and opportunities for incorporating this modern technology in the classroom. This paper introduces an activity that uses ChatGPT to help students practice their role playing sales skills. The benefits of using this AI chatbot for role play training include allowing students to practice when it's convenient and have the ability to react to a chatbot taking on personas of different buyer types. Survey results demonstrate the effectiveness of this training method for both role play training and general familiarity with ChatGPT.

Marketing projects offer the opportunity to combine theory with practice. We propose a semester-long project that takes concepts learned in various marketing courses--prospecting, developing rapport, and building a personal network--and allows students to create a customizable networking strategy to benefit their career development. The project was tested across multiple modalities, in classes large and small, at two universities. Student feedback was quite positive, with students noting an increased level of confidence in networking while identifying tools they can use beyond the semester. Materials are provided for professors to implement this project in their class.

The white-footed deermouse Peromyscus leucopus, a long-lived rodent, is a key reservoir in North America for agents of several zoonoses, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and a viral encephalitis. While persistently infected, this deermouse is without apparent disability or diminished fitness. For a model for inflammation elicited by various pathogens, the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to compare genome-wide transcription in blood by P. leucopus, Mus musculus, and Rattus norvegicus and adjusted for white cell concentrations. Deermice were distinguished from the mice and rats by LPS response profiles consistent with non-classical monocytes and alternatively-activated macrophages. LPS-treated P. leucopus, in contrast to mice and rats, also displayed little transcription of interferon-gamma and lower magnitude fold-changes in type 1 interferon-stimulated genes. These characteristics of P. leucopus were also noted in a Borrelia hermsii infection model. The phenomenon was associated with comparatively reduced transcription of endogenous retrovirus sequences and cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors in the deermice. The results reveal a mechanism for infection tolerance in this species and perhaps other animal reservoirs for agents of human disease.

Animals that are competent reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens commonly suffer little morbidity from the infections. To investigate mechanisms of this tolerance of infection, we used single-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an experimental model of inflammation and compared the responses of two rodents: Peromyscus leucopus, the white-footed deermouse and reservoir for the agents of Lyme disease and other zoonoses, and the house mouse Mus musculus Four hours after injection with LPS or saline, blood, spleen, and liver samples were collected and subjected to transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), metabolomics, and specific reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Differential expression analysis was at the gene, pathway, and network levels. LPS-treated deermice showed signs of sickness similar to those of exposed mice and had similar increases in corticosterone levels and expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor, IL-1β, and C-reactive protein. By network analysis, the M. musculus response to LPS was characterized as cytokine associated, while the P. leucopus response was dominated by neutrophil activity terms. In addition, dichotomies in the expression levels of arginase 1 and nitric oxide synthase 2 and of IL-10 and IL-12 were consistent with type M1 macrophage responses in mice and type M2 responses in deermice. Analysis of metabolites in plasma and RNA in organs revealed species differences in tryptophan metabolism. Two genes in particular signified the different phenotypes of deermice and mice: the Slpi and Ibsp genes. Key RNA-seq findings for P. leucopus were replicated in older animals, in a systemic bacterial infection, and with cultivated fibroblasts. The findings indicate that P. leucopus possesses several adaptive traits to moderate inflammation in its balancing of infection resistance and tolerance.IMPORTANCE Animals that are natural carriers of pathogens that cause human diseases commonly manifest little or no sickness as a consequence of infection. Examples include the deermouse, Peromyscus leucopus, which is a reservoir for Lyme disease and several other disease agents in North America, and some types of bats, which are carriers of viruses with pathogenicity for humans. Mechanisms of this phenomenon of infection tolerance and entailed trade-off costs are poorly understood. Using a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin as a proxy for infection, we found that deermice differed from the mouse (Mus musculus) in responses to LPS in several diverse pathways, including innate immunity, oxidative stress, and metabolism. Features distinguishing the deermice cumulatively would moderate downstream ill effects of LPS. Insights gained from the P. leucopus model in the laboratory have implications for studying infection tolerance in other important reservoir species, including bats and other types of wildlife.

Special Article: Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment for many disorders and international data shows a growing trend. Method: We aimed to evaluate the temporal trends in HSCT transplant rates in Argentina. A time-series analysis was performed for the period 2009 to 2018 using the national database from the National Central Coordinating Institute for Ablations and Implants. Crude and standardized transplant rates were calculated. A permutation joinpoint regression model analysis was used to identify significant changes over time. Results: Altogether, 8,474 transplants were reported to INCUCAI by 28 centers (autologous 67.5%); the main indication was multiple myeloma (30%). The WHO age-sex standardized HSCT rates for the entire country were 153.3 HSCT/10 million inhabitants (95% CI 141.7–165.8) in 2009 and 260.1 HSCT/10 million inhabitants (95% CI 245.5–275.5) in 2018. There was a large gap in HSCT rates among the states and regions. The transplant rate was higher for autologous transplants throughout the years. Within the allogeneic group, the related donor transplant rate was higher than the unrelated donor transplant rate. The joinpoint regression analysis of HSCT rates for the whole country over time showed an observed annual percentage change of 6.3% (95% CI 5.4-7.3; p

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most common cancer in terms of incidence and mortality among all cancers in women in Vojvodina, the northern region of Serbia. In addition to the effectiveness and safety of therapy, it is important to put emphasis on the cost of treatment, as well as on the optimal allocation of limited resources.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the overall economic burden of breast cancer in Vojvodina, as well as the ratio of direct and indirect costs in 2019.Materials and methodsCosts were estimated using Cost of Illness (COI) evaluation, from a social perspective, based on the prevalence of the disease. The total costs included both direct and indirect expenditures. Direct costs associated with breast cancer comprised expenses linked to screening, hospital treatment, outpatient care, and prescribed medications. Indirect costs were estimated using a human capital approach, encompassing expenditures tied to lost productivity arising from sick leave, early retirement, and premature death.ResultsThe total cost of breast cancer in Vojvodina during 2019 was estimated to be 15 million euros. Among the total cost, direct costs accounted for 5 million euros, representing 34% of the overall expenses. Hospital treatment costs accounted for 76% of the direct costs, while screening costs represented 1%. Indirect costs amounted to 10 million euros, constituting 66% of the total cost. The primary driver was attributed to production losses caused by premature retirement, which accounted for 50% of the indirect costs.ConclusionBreast cancer is a huge financial burden on both the health system and society in Vojvodina, accounting for 0.12% GDP. The dominance of indirect costs in total costs, can provide significant guidance to decision-makers in the healthcare system in terms of better allocation of limited resources to breast cancer prevention and early detection strategies.

The cricetine rodent Peromyscus leucopus is an important reservoir for several human zoonoses, including Lyme disease, in North America. Akin to hamsters, the white-footed deermouse has been unevenly characterized in comparison to the murid Mus musculus. To further understanding of P. leucopus' total genomic content, we investigated gut microbiomes of an outbred colony of P. leucopus, inbred M. musculus, and a natural population of P. leucopus. Metagenome and whole genome sequencing were combined with microbiology and microscopy approaches. A focus was the genus Lactobacillus, four diverse species of which were isolated from forestomach and feces of colony P. leucopus. Three of the species-L. animalis, L. reuteri, and provisionally-named species "L. peromysci"-were identified in fecal metagenomes of wild P. leucopus but not discernibly in samples from M. musculus. L. johnsonii, the fourth species, was common in M. musculus but absent or sparse in wild P. leucopus. Also identified in both colony and natural populations were a Helicobacter sp. in feces but not stomach, and a Tritrichomonas sp. protozoan in cecum or feces. The gut metagenomes of colony P. leucopus were similar to those of colony M. musculus at the family or higher level and for major subsystems. But there were multiple differences between species and sexes within each species in their gut metagenomes at orthologous gene level. These findings provide a foundation for hypothesis-testing of functions of individual microbial species and for interventions, such as bait vaccines based on an autochthonous bacterium and targeting P. leucopus for transmission-blocking.

Three colony types of Lactobacillus were isolated from the stomach of LL colony stock Peromyscus leucopus deermice, a reservoir for several human zoonoses. Genome sequences revealed two isolates to be new strains of Lactobacillus animalis and Lactobacillus reuteri The third was distinct from known species and was provisionally designated Lactobacillus sp. strain LL6.

Abstract This paper serves as a sequel to previously reported results on cubic‐quartic solitons with complex Ginzburg–Landau equation. This work is with various forms of power law nonlinearity that structures the self‐phase modulation. The enhanced Kudryashov's approach gives the soliton solution. The conservation laws are also identified for the models.

For the first time, polar organic compounds in extracted bitumen from the Lower Triassic Montney Formation have been analyzed. This stratigraphic unit is one of the most prolific low-permeability reservoirs in Western Canada. However, its organic geochemical characterization is a challenge due to low biomarker concentration in the liquids and frequent mixing of gas/condensate hydrocarbons. Since typical biomarkers were not available, this study focused on another group of molecules, polar oxygen-compounds, which were derivatized and subsequently resolved using chromatographic techniques. In the polar fractions, based on their contrasting molecular distributions, n-fatty acids and alkan-2-ones do not seem to share a common origin and do not have an apparent association with the n-alkanes. This study is also the first report of 1,13-, 1,14- and 1,15-diols in fossil organic matter; and in carbon number ranges of C15-C29, C16-C29 and C17-C29 respectively. The similar distributions of 1,14- 1,15-diols suggests a common origin for these compound classes, whereas theand 1,13-diols seem to derive from a different source or mechanism. A series of alkan-3-ols has also been identified in the C12-C28 range, sharing a common distribution pattern with the n-fatty acids. The large variability detected in the molecular distribution of oxygen-containing aliphatic compounds introduces the question whether they may record a geochemical signature that precedes thermal degradation and hydrocarbon migration events within Montney reservoirs.

Developing professionalism skills in the classroom is vital to the business college experience as educators strive to ensure preparedness and success of their graduates. Marketers especially need enhanced professionalism training, as their careers involve interactions with many constituents. In this paper, the authors develop a semester-long emphasis on professionalism that introduces the concept, embeds its importance throughout the course with discussion and relevant exercises, and includes a component to monitor and evaluate professional behavior. Assessments at the beginning and end of the semester provide evidence for learning outcomes, both quantitatively and qualitatively, that speak to the effectiveness of its implementation.

This paper proposes a video-based discussion learning exercise to consider in addition to the traditional online discussion board format. While the traditional written interaction between students in an online classroom is beneficial, the mass adoption of video technology, along with limitations associated with online discussion boards, led to the development of a new way to facilitate group communication using video communication technology. Utilizing the theory of social presence, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this video discussion format, allowing students to virtually "get to know" each other and collaborate in an environment that more closely resembles a traditional face-to-face classroom experience. Following multiple trials of online synchronous video discussions across both small and large class sections, results demonstrate students' preferences for the video-based discussion format over the traditional, text-based discussion boards supported by their institution's learning management system. Findings from two studies support that the video-based discussions enhance learning outcomes and foster a sense of classroom community.

Oncofertility is an extremely significant topic that is increasingly being discussed owing to increased evidence indicating that fertility preservation does not affect the treatment outcomes of patients with cancer but significantly contributes to preserving life quality. The effect of chemotherapy can range from minimal effects to complete ovarian atrophy. Limited data are available on the effects of monoclonal antibodies and targeted therapies on the ovaries and fertility. Temporary ovarian suppression by administering a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) during chemotherapy decreases the gonadotoxic effect of chemotherapy, thereby diminishing the chance of developing premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). At present, the concomitant administration of GnRH analogs during chemotherapy is the only accepted pharmacological method for preserving ovarian function. Notably, most randomized studies on the effectiveness of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists during chemotherapy in preventing POI have been conducted in women with breast cancer, with a considerably small number of studies on patients with hematological malignancies. Furthermore, most randomized controlled trials on breast cancer have revealed a decrease in treatment-induced POI risk, regardless of the hormone receptor status. In addition, studies on hematological malignancies have yielded negative results; nevertheless, the findings must be interpreted with caution owing to numerous limitations. Current guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend sperm, oocyte, and embryo cryopreservation as a standard practice and only offering GnRHa to patients when proven fertility preservation methods are not feasible. In this manuscript, we present a comprehensive literature overview on the application of ovarian suppression with GnRHa during chemotherapy in patients with cancer by addressing preclinical and clinical data, as well as future perspectives in this field that upcoming research should focus on. Graphic Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]