Search Results (62)

Aside from a few passages addressing animals or the environment, Confucian philosophy appears to lack an environmental ethics perspective. Li Zhehou’s (李澤厚) contemporary work in Confucian philosophy continues this lacuna by limiting his understanding of community to the human realm. Using the common liberal humanism that limits moral actions to the interpersonal human realm misses the importance of inclusive moralities such as animal rights and environmental ethics. I propose that if we return to the original shared common cultural roots of Confucian and Daoist philosophy that a Confucian understanding of the natural world can embrace the non-human environment within the scope of Confucian morality. Extricating ideas from the Yijing, the Shijing, Xunzi, Dong Zhongshu, Wang Chong, and later scholars, the concept of the mutual resonance and response (ganying 感應) between the natural world and humans developed into the unity of heaven and humanity (tianren heyi 天人合一). An inclusive Confucian depth ecology opens new ways of thinking that can be deployed to envision deeper dimensions for understanding the self’s inner life, its connections to the outer life of the self–other relationship, and its extension to a kin relationship with the environment. This paper explores how these old and new ways of thinking can change our behavior and change our moral interactions with others including the environment and thereby enhancing freedom as an achievement concept derived from graceful moral action. Full article

In the face of ongoing debate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education, this essay examines the limitations of current DEI frameworks by interrogating the theories of justice on which they are implicitly based. While DEI initiatives aim to address both the symptoms and structural roots of marginalization, they often fall short of realizing transformative change within entrenched institutional dynamics. This essay contends that the justice paradigms most commonly underpinning DEI—rooted in rights-based and utilitarian traditions prevalent in modern liberal institutions—fail to fully engage the conditions necessary for human freedom, flourishing, and self-determination. In response, it advances a capabilities approach to justice as a more expansive framework for understanding and guiding DEI efforts. Emphasizing individuals’ real freedoms to achieve well-being in context, the capabilities approach foregrounds the relational, material, and institutional dimensions of justice. Reframing DEI through this lens, the essay invites higher education professionals to engage in equity work that is not only compliant or symbolic but rooted in the transformation of the conditions that support human and ecological thriving. Rather than offering a definitive model, this intervention aims to animate new questions and practices that expand the horizon of what justice-oriented DEI work in higher education can become. Full article

This paper delineates the theology of creation in Brazilian theologian Cláudio Carvalhaes’ eco-liturgical theology of liberation. Reorienting lex orandi-lex credendi-lex vivendi by his liturgical methodological innovation lex naturae, he envisions every dimension of worship as deeply connected to a planet in crisis. Lex naturae transforms liturgical spaces into creational–political spaces which invoke and evoke people to deeply attend to, to cry with, to wonder with, and to pray and sing with the forests, animals, soil, water, and all earthly beings. Celebrating a creational solidarity and wisdom, lex naturae ritualizes that people are the earth, the earth is in people, and human and more-than-human beings belong to each other. Using the seven petitions of his “The Ecological Lord’s Prayer”, Carvalhaes’ theology of creation, which reimagines the Divine, the earth, and the human in a multispecies context via the (re)orienting ground of lex naturae, is “unearthed.” His theology of creation centers the creaturely commonality with more-than-human neighbors and challenges human beings to live, love, and flourish within all the entanglements of created life. Lex naturae is also a form of asceticism which aims to recalibrate the human focus towards environmental justice for the planet. It aims at changing human desire to turn away from the brutalism of colonialism’s ecocide and toward wholesome relations with animals, plants, soil, land, and water. In the end, this paper claims that Carvalhaes’ theology of creation affirms a “godly animism”. Full article

Ecocritical children’s literature research in the 2020s focuses on eco-activism, especially climate activism. Although the causes of activism have changed, different kinds of dissent are still relevant. This article focuses on Mika Wickström’s novel Vastakarvaan (Against the Grain, published in 2002), which describes a young Finnish student’s ethical dilemma: her eco-anarchist friends are planning an attack on a fur farm that the protagonist’s family owns. It evaluates the novel with new theoretical insights from affective ecocriticism and narrative empathy, and the main concepts that have been explored are youth activism and types of dissent. The analysis is grounded in the concept of strategic empathy, exploring the ways in which emotions and ethical decisions of the protagonist are represented in physical, social, and temporal settings: how types of dissent are presented and how bounded strategic empathy, ambassadorial strategic empathy, and broadcast strategic empathy are presented. The analysis demonstrates how the protagonist’s dilemma is emphasized in different stages of dissent: her decision to participate in the attack or not is debated on different levels of narration. Full article

Numerous factors are involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which are responsible for its development and progression as an independent entity, but also thanks to their simultaneous action. This is explained by the hypothesis of multiple parallel hits. These factors are insulin resistance, lipid metabolism alteration, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammatory cytokine liberation, gut microbiota dysbiosis or gut–liver axis activation. This is a systematic review which has an aim to show the connection between intestinal microbiota and the role of its disbalance in the development of NAFLD. The gut microbiota is made from a wide spectrum of microorganisms that has a systemic impact on human health, with a well-documented role in digestion, energy metabolism, the stimulation of the immune system, synthesis of essential nutrients, etc. It has been shown that dysbiosis is associated with all three stages of chronic liver disease. Thus, the modulation of the gut microbiota has attracted research interest as a novel therapeutic approach for the management of NAFLD patients. The modification of microbiota can be achieved by substantial diet modification and the application of probiotics or prebiotics, while the most radical effects are observed by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Given the results of FMT in the context of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and NAFLD in animal models and scarce pilot studies on humans, FMT seems to be a promising treatment option that could reverse intestinal dysbiosis and thereby influence the course of NAFLD. Full article

This study investigates the impacts of climate change on snake behavior and distribution in Taiwan by analyzing roadkill data from the Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network (TaiRON). Focusing on data from 2012 to 2019, the analysis reveals temporal and spatial changes in snake roadkill patterns, shedding light on the ecological effects of a warming climate. From 2012 to 2019, the number of snake roadkill events exhibited a rising trend, particularly during peak activity months from May to October, which accounted for over 70% of annual cases. However, a notable increase was observed in January, traditionally a low-activity period, with roadkill numbers rising 14.9-fold and proportions increasing nearly 6-fold over the study period. This shift suggests that warmer winters are extending the active period for snakes, potentially altering their seasonal behaviors. Spatially, snake roadkill numbers showed a northward and upward migration, reflecting a response to rising temperatures and habitat shifts to higher-altitude regions. These migratory trends, while adaptive, expose snakes to heightened roadkill risks in newly occupied habitats. The findings underscore the potential of roadkill data as a robust ecological monitoring tool for understanding species responses to climate change. By integrating citizen science with ecological and spatial analyses, this research highlights the critical role of environmental changes in driving snake activity and distribution shifts. This study emphasizes the need for climate-adaptive conservation strategies, including road design improvements and biodiversity-focused policies, to mitigate roadkill risks and safeguard snake populations. These insights contribute to broader efforts in ecological conservation and the formulation of evidence-based policies to address the impacts of climate change on cold-blooded animals. Full article

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on traditional photosensitizers is generally limited by the cellular redox homeostasis system due to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effect of glutathione (GSH). In this study, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a GSH inhibitor, was conjugated with the amine group of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) using a thioketal linker (COSthBSO) to liberate BSO and chlorine e6 (Ce6) under oxidative stress, and then, Ce6-COSthBSO NP (Ce6-COSthBSO NP), fabricated by a dialysis procedure, showed an accelerated release rate of BSO and Ce6 by the addition of hydrogen peroxide, indicating that nanophotosensitizers have ROS sensitivity. In the in vitro cell culture study using HCT116 colon carcinoma cells, a combination of BSO and Ce6 efficiently suppressed the intracellular GSH and increased ROS production compared to the sole treatment of Ce6. In particular, Ce6-COSthBSO NP showed higher efficacy in the suppression of GSH levels and ROS production compared to the free Ce6 and Ce6/BSO combination. These results were due to the fact that Ce6-COSthBSO NP was efficiently delivered to the intracellular region, suppressed intracellular GSH levels, and elevated ROS levels. The in vivo animal tumor xenograft study demonstrated Ce6-COSthBSO NP being efficiently delivered to the tumor tissue, i.e., the fluorescence intensity in the tumor tissue was higher than those of other organs. The combination of Ce6 and BSO efficiently suppressed tumor growth compared to the sole treatment of Ce6, indicating that BSO might efficiently suppress GSH levels and increase ROS levels in the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, Ce6-COSthBSO NP showed the strongest performance in inhibition of tumor growth than those of Ce6 or the CE6/BSO combination, indicating that they were efficiently delivered to tumor tissue, increased ROS levels, and then efficiently inhibited tumor growth. We suggest that COSthBSO nanophotosensitizers are promising candidates for PDT treatment of cancer cells. Full article

By examining the evolution of pre-Qin Confucian thought on the Heaven–human relationship, and a new interpretive perspective can be applied to understanding ethical relations within pre-Qin Confucianism. In the pre-Classical period, the absence of scientific explanations for human origins shrouded these origins in mysticism, leading to practices such as totem worship, ancestor worship, and the worship of Heaven. However, through continuous exploration of the Heaven–human relationship, pre-Qin Confucians began to liberate human rights from divine authority, highlighting a profound sense of humanism. In light of this transformation, this paper aims to address three key questions: first, what distinctions did pre-Qin Confucians draw between humans and animals, and how did they emphasize individual human value? Second, how did pre-Qin Confucians transform ancestor worship through the traditions of Li and Yue? Third, how did the focus of pre-Qin Confucians shift from Heaven back to humanity? These three research areas are crucial for analyzing how the ethical relations of pre-Qin Confucianism closely integrated with political order. This exploration not only illuminates the philosophical evolution of the period but also offers a deeper understanding of how early Confucianism laid the groundwork for the interplay between personal value and societal responsibilities. Full article

The primary mechanism of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) comprises the initial mechanical trauma due to the transmission of energy to the spinal cord, subsequent deformity, and persistent compression. The secondary mechanism of injury, which involves structures that remained undamaged after the initial trauma, triggers alterations in microvascular perfusion, the liberation of free radicals and neurotransmitters, lipid peroxidation, alteration in ionic concentrations, and the consequent cell death by necrosis and apoptosis. Research in the treatment of SCI has sought to develop early therapeutic interventions that mitigate the effects of these pathophysiological mechanisms. Clinical and experimental evidence has demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of sex-steroid hormone administration after traumatic brain injury and SCI. The administration of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone has been associated with neuroprotective effects, better neurological recovery, and decreased mortality after SCI. This review evaluated evidence supporting hormone-related neuroprotection over SCI and the possible underlying mechanisms in animal models. As neuroprotection has been associated with signaling pathways, the effects of these hormones are observed on astrocytes and microglia, modulating the inflammatory response, cerebral blood flow, and metabolism, mediating glutamate excitotoxicity, and their antioxidant effects. Based on the current evidence, it is essential to analyze the benefit of sex steroid hormone therapy in the clinical management of patients with SCI. Full article

Nonhuman animal protagonists of folklore texts in the European space have tended to be perceived primarily as performing a symbolic and metaphoric function. But behind the symbols and the metaphors hide real flesh-and-blood nonhuman animals, and flesh-and-blood humans interacting with them, mostly from a position of power. The emerging discipline of zoofolkloristics considers nonhuman animals in their own right. Through critical analysis of folklore material, zoofolkloristics examines the role of animals and power relations within the interspecies entanglement with the aim of deconstructing the oppressive system and establishing multispecies justice. We begin this paper with a brief reflection on the ‘historical animal’ as an embodied being and a human construct. We then perform a critical re-reading of three animal-related folklore texts from the Slovenian tradition and, applying Hubert Zapf’s concept of imaginative counter-discourse, consider the potential of imagination as a methodological tool in the transformative program of zoofolkloristics. Implications for animal ethics, liberation, and conservation are also discussed. Full article

Ozone-based chemiluminescence detection (CLD) has been widely applied for determining nitric oxide (^•NO) and its derived species in many different fields, such as environmental monitoring and biomedical research. In humans and animals, CLD has been applied to determine exhaled ^•NO and ^•NO metabolites in plasma and tissues. The main advantages of CLD are high sensitivity and selectivity for quantitative analysis in a wide dynamic range. Combining CLD with analytical separation techniques like chromatography allows for the analytes to be quantified with less disturbance from matrix components or impurities. Sampling techniques like microdialysis and flow injection analysis may be coupled to CLD with the possibility of real-time monitoring of ^•NO. However, details and precautions in experimental practice need to be addressed and clarified to avoid wrong estimations. Therefore, using CLD as a detection tool requires a deep understanding of the sample preparation procedure and chemical reactions used for liberating ^•NO from its derived species. In this review, we discuss the advantages and pitfalls of CLD for determining ^•NO species, list the different applications and combinations with other analytical techniques, and provide general practical notes for sample preparation. These guidelines are designed to assist researchers in comprehending CLD data and in selecting the most appropriate method for measuring ^•NO species. Full article

China faces a persistent deficiency in feed protein resources. Enhancing the utilization efficiency of indigenous feed protein resources emerges as a viable strategy to alleviate the current deficit in protein feed supply. Corn gluten meal (CGM), characterized by a high proportion of crude protein and glutamine, is predominantly employed in animal feed. Nonetheless, the water-insolubility of CGM protein hampers its protein bioavailability when utilized as feed material. The aim of this study was to augment protein bioavailability, liberate glutamine peptides from CGM, and produce glutamine-enriched CGM fermented feed. We executed a co-fermentation protocol using Bacillus subtilis A5, Lactobacillus 02002, and acid protease to generate the CGM fermented feed. Subsequent in vivo experiments with broilers were conducted to assess the efficacy of the fermented product. The findings revealed that the soluble protein, glutamine, small peptides, and lactic acid contents in the fermented feed increased by 69.1%, 700%, 47.6%, and 125.9%, respectively. Incorporating 15% and 30% CGM fermented feed into the diet markedly enhanced the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers, positively modulated the cecal microbiota structure, and augmented the population of beneficial bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus. These results furnish both experimental and theoretical foundations for deploying CGM fermented feed as an alternative protein feed resource. Full article

The capabilities approach has largely addressed individual capabilities via a liberal framework common in its literature. However, a growing number of scholars concerned with sustainable human development are analyzing theories and methodologies that are both suitable for human flourishing and display a respect for nature. This paper explores several forms of considering the value of non-animal and non-individual natural entities, such as ecosystems. I first expose some instrumental reasons why we may care about the flourishing of ecosystems and then other reasons based on the assumption that they have integrity and their own capabilities and, therefore, deserve moral consideration. I argue that despite the possible moral conflicts that may emerge between human and ecosystemic autonomy, they could be avoided by adopting an ecological justice virtue. I present this ecological justice characterized by some contributions of decolonial thought and environmental virtue ethics. I propose that if the capabilities approach was not anchored only in an individualistic ontology, it could better assume a multi-level axiology from which the inherent and instrumental value of ecosystems would be interconnected. And, to this end, I find the concept of synergetic flourishing helpful to accept an interdependent and non-human-centered recognition of the capabilities. Full article

Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease prevalent in Latin America. Infected patients are treated to eliminate the parasite, reduce the cardiomyopathy risk, and interrupt the disease transmission cycle. The World Health Organization recognizes benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox as effective drugs for CD treatment. In the chronic phase, both drugs have low cure rates and serious side effects. T. cruzi infection causes intense tissue inflammation that controls parasite proliferation and CD evolution. Compounds that liberate nitric oxide (NO) (NO donors) have been used as anti-T. cruzi therapeutics. Currently, there is no evidence that nitroxyl (HNO) affects T. cruzi infection outcomes. This study investigated the effects of the HNO donor Angeli’s salt (AS) on C57BL/6 mice infected with T. cruzi (Y strain, 5 × 10³ trypomastigotes, intraperitoneally). AS reduced the number of parasites in the bloodstream and heart nests and increased the protective antioxidant capacity of erythrocytes in infected animals, reducing disease severity. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that AS treatment reduced parasite uptake and trypomastigote release by macrophages. Taken together, these findings from the murine model and in vitro testing suggest that AS could be a promising therapy for CD. Full article

Background: There is a growing liberalization of cannabis-based preparations for medical and recreational use. In multiple instances, anxiety and depression are cited as either a primary or a secondary reason for the use of cannabinoids. Aim: The purpose of this review is to explore the association between depression or anxiety and the dysregulation of the endogenous endocannabinoid system (ECS), as well as the use of phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids in the remediation of depression/anxiety symptoms. After a brief description of the constituents of cannabis, cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system, the most important evidence is presented for the involvement of cannabinoids in depression and anxiety both in human and from animal models of depression and anxiety. Finally, evidence is presented for the clinical use of cannabinoids to treat depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Although the common belief that cannabinoids, including cannabis, its main studied components—tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)—or other synthetic derivatives have been suggested to have a therapeutic role for certain mental health conditions, all recent systematic reviews that we report have concluded that the evidence that cannabinoids improve depressive and anxiety disorders is weak, of very-low-quality, and offers no guidance on the use of cannabinoids for mental health conditions within a regulatory framework. There is an urgent need for high-quality studies examining the effects of cannabinoids on mental disorders in general and depression/anxiety in particular, as well as the consequences of long-term use of these preparations due to possible risks such as addiction and even reversal of improvement. Full article