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Invasive species as sources of natural components are of increasing interest for scientific research. This is the case of Ailanthus altissima, which belongs to the top 100 of the most dangerous invasive plant species in Europe, and which is the subject of the present study. The purpose of the research was to analyze the main phenolic compounds in the flowers, leaves, and stem bark of A. altissima and determine the DNA-protective and antioxidant potential of their ethanolic extracts. HPLC profiling revealed the presence of 6 flavonoids and 10 phenolic acids, of which 15 were found in flowers, 14 in leaves, and 11 in the stem bark. Rutin (5.68 mg/g dw in flowers), hesperidin (2.67 mg/g dw in leaves) and (+)-catechin (2.15 mg/g dw in stem bark) were the best-represented flavonoids. Rosmarinic (10.32 mg/g dw in leaves) and salicylic (6.19 mg/g dw in leaves) acids were predominant among phenolic acids. All plant extracts tested showed in vitro antioxidant activity (determined by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays) and DNA-protection capacity (assay with supercoiled plasmid DNA—pUC19). The highest antioxidant activity was recorded in the flower parts (in the range from 661 to 893 mmol TE/g dw), followed by the leaves. A DNA protective potential for A. altissima leaf and flower extracts has not been established to date. In addition, the main microscopic diagnostic features of studied plant substances were described, with data for the flower parts being reported for the first time. The present study proves that A. altissima could be a natural source of DNA protection and antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: When facial trauma involves elderly patients, the possible presence of frailty and comorbidities in victims of trauma may worsen the posttraumatic symptoms and decrease quality of life. The aim of this multicenter study was to assess the quality of life following surgical or non-operative management of maxillofacial trauma in elderly patients. Materials and methods: This cohort study was based on the administration of validated self-administered questionnaires to all the geriatric patients (70 years or more) with facial fractures from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe, since 1st January 2019 to 31st June 2019. The following questionnaires were administered: SF36 questionnaire; the VFQ-25 questionnaire; the Oral Health Impact Profile – 14 (OHIP14). Outcome variables were VFQ-25 and OHIP-14 results. Results: A total of 37 patients (14 male and 23 female patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Elderly patients had an improvement in almost all the categories examined by the SF-36 questionnaire 6 months after trauma, with the only exception of a worsening as for role limitations due to physical health. An improvement was observed in almost all the categories at SF-36 test. A worsening of scores of OHIP-14 for all the considered dimensions in the whole study population was observed too. Conclusions: Elderly patients following facial trauma experience significant emotional, social, and functional disturbances. We observed that emotional problems, energy/fatigue, social functioning, and generally social limitations played a great role in the decrease of QoL in elderly patients following maxillofacial trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of an ESA Core Technology Programme, ATG Innovation Ltd. (a subsidiary of ATG Europe) has furthered the development of uninterrupted pre-preg fibreplaced lattice structures, aiming to apply this technology to satellite central tubes (SCTs). This paper gives an overview of the progress achieved under the development program, which comprised three main steps. First, a flat lattice panel was manufactured, to be used for element level tests in support of the design and analysis of the larger structures. Secondly, an intermediate scale lattice cylinder of approximately 0.5 m diameter was manufactured, incorporating many complex features usually found in SCTs. Multiple local laminate patches for attachment points and a transition to a monolithic laminate were included in the cylinder, which served as a manufacturing trial and demonstrator. Finally, a 1.5 m diameter cylinder was manufactured and tested under satellite-representative global loads. This cylinder weighed less than 10 kg, and was easily capable of withstanding the 175 kN design compression load, ultimately failing at a line load of 184 kN/m, equivalent to an overall compression load of 870 kN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Management of body fractures in patients with edentulous atrophic mandibles represents a challenging task due to patient's age, medical comorbidities, poor bone quality, and vascularity, as well as reduced contact area between the fracture ends. The aim of the study was to assess the demographic and clinical variables, the surgical technique, and outcomes of unilateral body fractures of the edentulous atrophic mandible managed at several European departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Methods: This study is based on a systematic computer-assisted database that allowed the recording of data of all patients with fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe between 2008 and 2017. The following data were recorded for each patient: gender, age, comorbidities, etiology, synchronous body injuries, degree of atrophy of the mandible according to Luhr classification, type of surgical approach and fixation, length of hospitalization, and presence and type of complications. Results: A total of 43 patients were included in the study: 17 patients' mandibles were classified as class I according to Luhr, 15 as class II, and 11 as class III. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation by extraoral approach in 25 patients, intraoral in 15 patients, and mixed in 3 patients. A single 2.0 miniplate was used in 16 patients, followed by a single 2.4 reconstruction plate in 13 patients, by two 2.0 miniplates, and three 2.0 miniplates. Outcome was considered to be satisfying in 30 patients, with no complications. Complications were observed in 13 cases. Conclusions: Treatment of unilateral body fractures of the edentulous mandible must still be based on the type of fracture, degree of atrophy, experience of the surgeon, and patients' preference. An adequate stability can be obtained by different plating techniques that have to be appropriately tailored to every single specific patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial and foraging ecology of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) has been well recognized, however due to the distinct taxonomic position and geographic isolation of its Balkan population, it is important to learn and compare its ecology to other populations of this felid. Therefore, the paper offers the first ever investigation into the spatial and foraging ecology of this predator. To that aim, we used modern GPS/GSM telemetry methods, allowing proper research of animal spatial requirements and diet preferences. Individuals were captured using walk-through, double-door box-traps and footsnares placed on fresh lynx kills. Average home range size of males is 373 km2 (95% MCP) and 400 km2 (0.7Kernel),whilethefemale'shomerangeis119km2 (95% MCP) and 108 km2 (0.7 Kernel). GPS clusters showed prey remains of 153 kills from five different species: roe deer, chamois, brown hare, red fox and marten. Data collected for the Balkan lynx suggest lower kill rates, probably associated with lower ungulate densities in the study area compared to most of Central Europe, also indicated by the relatively long search time. Although Eurasian lynx can adapt to lower ungulate prey densities by increasing hunting effort, changing spatial organization or switching to smaller prey, this, in turn, can have adverse demographic effects on the critically endangered Balkan population. Using GPS telemetry, we provided first insight into the space use of this small population, and show that the spatial and foraging ecology of the Balkan lynx appear similar to other European populations of this species, especially those from Central Europe with similar home range size and principal prey preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to assess the demographic variables, causes, and patterns of edentulous atrophic fractures of the mandible managed at several European departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The results of this multicenter collaboration over a 10-year period are presented. The data of all patients with fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible from the involved maxillofacial surgical units across Europe between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017 were recorded: gender; age; voluptuary habits; comorbidities; etiology; fracture sites; synchronous body injuries; atrophy of the mandible according to Luhr classification; eventual type of treatment; timing of the eventual surgery; length of hospital stay. A total of 197 patients (86 male and 111 female patients) with 285 mandibular fractures were included in the study. Mean age of the study population was 75 years. Statistically significant associations were found between Luhr classes I – II and condylar fractures on one hand (p <.0005), and between Luhr class III and body and parasymphyseal fractures on the other hand (p <.05). Finally, 135 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation, 56 patients did not undergo any intervention, and 6 patients underwent closed reduction. No statistically significant association was observed between treatment, timing of treatment, comorbidities, and concomitant injuries. The management of edentulous atrophic mandibular fractures remains challenging. Treatment decisions should continue to be based on the clinician's previous experience and on the degree of bone resorption in edentulous mandible in relation to fracture subsites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the seasonal and diurnal dynamics of downstream migration of smolts of the European river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis are obtained. On the basis of published data and surveys in nature, it is shown that in the largest part of the area the downstream migration of smolts occurs mainly in spring, in the period of high water in rivers caused by snow melting. The smolts undertake downstream migration at night, under minimal illumination. It has been determined experimentally that the smolts are characterized by negative photopreferendum (>90% of smolts preferred illumination <0.4 lx). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of percutaneous catheter-directed treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) has increased. Current guidelines recommend such treatment for patients with high-risk PE and contraindication for fibrinolysis (class IIa, level C), as well as an alternative to thrombolytic therapy for patients with intermediate risk PE and hemodynamic deterioration (class IIa, level C)¹. Several options are available for catheterdirected treatment of PE. Methods which avoid the use of fibrinolytic therapy are gaining more attention. Inari Flowtriever offers an option for a large bore (20F/24F) catheter aspiration of centrally positioned thrombi. Catheter is positioned in front of the thrombus over the stiff wire. Vacuum aspiration is performed by a 60 ml syringe. Repositioning of the catheter should always be performed over the stiff wire. Advancing of the catheter is obligatory performed with introducer inserted into the catheter. This makes catheter navigation more complex. In addition, if the thrombus is not engaged, 60 ml of blood is wasted. A system for filtering and reinfusing clot-free blood is available, however it has not yet been introduced in Europe. Despite the shortcomings, the possibility of complete thrombus aspiration, even in the setting of extreme thrombus size, is exceptionally practical. Thus far we performed 12 procedures in 11 patients, including a procedure in failed fibrinolysis and thrombus-in-transit setup. All the procedures were successful. Lightning Intelligent Aspiration System (Penumbra) offers an alternative for aspirational embolectomy. An active aspiration system is delivering suction over highly steerable 12F catheter. Aspiration is active when thrombus is engaged, performing fragmentation and extraction of thrombotic masses. When thrombus is not engaged, suction is suspended, thus limiting blood loss. Such features make negotiating of multiple pulmonary artery branches less demanding. For now, we have no experience with the device. Comparison with Inari system in efficacy and completeness of thrombus extraction should be verified in everyday work. Both systems have been widely used in patients with intermediate-high risk PE. Lack of randomized control studies and a particular guideline make aspirational embolectomy debatable, despite promising initial experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper project emphasizes on pilot actions which will improve quality and governance schemes of transport services connecting major rail hubs in South East Europe: Bologna, Venice, Trieste, Ljubljana, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Zagreb, Bucharest (the hubs 11 involved in RAIL4SEE project). It presents comparative analyses of these transport hubs. The publication closes with key messages deriving from the whole analysis as regards the future needs of each hub and the necessary investments that can contribute to the development of a seamless passengers' intermodal public transport network rail based in South East Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents data on the population dynamics of glochidia of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera L. (1758) (a declining species of European fauna), parasitizing on juvenile Salmonidae fishes in rivers of northern Europe. It was found that the number of glochidia parasitizing on gills of juvenile salmon and trout in explored water reservoirs are stimulated by negative binomial distribution. Estimation of the distribution parameter allows us to obtain statistically valid data on the population number of pearl mussel and to judge the stable character of interactions in the host-parasite system (balance of host specimens that are resistant and nonresistant to infection). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of a stable relations between Russia and Europe. Concerns about the development of Europe into a single economic, social, legal and political whole; Issue affecting the integration of Europe; Background on the structural geopolitical factors that explain the instability in the relations of Russia with Europe.

The European river lamprey came to the Upper Volga from the Baltic Sea most probably via a system of shipways developed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Vyshnii Volochek, Tikhvin, and Mariinskaya water systems are possible invasion pathways for this species. Dispersal and colonization of the Caspian Basin was likely a combination of upstream and downstream migrations. Analysis of museum and our own samples showed that lamprey possibly migrated upstream (for spawning) along rivers of the Baltic Basin until they reached the watershed boundary from which they could disperse downstream (in the juvenile period) into rivers of the Caspian Basin. Dispersal in the Volga River could occur in accordance with the migration cycle of this opportunistic lamprey species and lead to the present distribution. Key features (dentition and number of trunk myomeres) showed that lamprey from the studied area are similar to lampreys from the Baltic basin, although specimens in each population have their own peculiarities in morphology (size and coloration). Genetic data (Cyt-b) support the idea of a relatively recent invasion of lamprey into the Upper Volga. The haplotype, found in three rivers, is one of the most widespread in Europe and is found along the supposed route of invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]