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BackgroundThyroid nodules (TN) are localized morphological changes in the thyroid gland and can be benign or malignant.ObjectiveThe present study investigates the relationships between biochemical markers in serum (s) and their homologs in washout (w) after fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the TN of interest and their correlation with cytology specimen findings.MethodsWe investigated the relationships between serum biochemical markers nitric oxide (NO), thyroglobulin (TG), and calcitonin (CT), their homologs in washout after FNAB of the TN of interest, and cytology findings of biopsy samples classified according to the Bethesda system for thyroid cytopathology in this study, which included 86 subjects.ResultsWashout TG (TGw) level positively correlates with the cytology finding of the biopsy. A higher level of TGw correlates with higher categories of the Bethesda classification and indicates a higher malignant potential. The levels of serum NO (NOs), serum TG (TGs), serum CT (CTs), and washout CT (CTw) do not correlate with the cytology finding of the biopsy, and the higher levels of washout NO (NOw) correspond to the more suspicious ultrasound findings.ConclusionThe findings of our study suggest that TGw and NOw could be used as potential predictors of malignancy in TN.

Local producers constitute a crucial segment of the local economy, playing a pivotal role in driving rural development and the progress of tourism. Their avenues for showcasing products extend beyond markets, bazaars, or food events, often being integrated into a destination’s tourism offerings. Moreover, they contribute to the culinary progress within tourism. Originating from wider rural areas or nearby villages, local producers significantly impact everyday migrations, services, and financial transactions in relationships spanning suburban–urban, village–town, and cross-border cooperation. This study aims to scrutinize the social facets of the organization and work of local producers, offering insights into contemporary market processes. It also serves to illustrate cross-border cooperation and the role of culinary tourism in local business. Through qualitative data processing, we will delve into the outcomes of cross-border projects, emphasizing ethical and sustainable values rooted in territory, landscape, local culture, authenticity, and the application of culinary elements in tourism. The results will shed light on the economic, social, and cultural ramifications on markets in border regions, influencing daily life and the economy. This study will define key aspects of rural development. These research findings can inform local governments, the economy, and communities in future strategic planning for developing this market segment. Tourism, especially in hospitality, will empower rural communities to enhance financial inflow and create local employment opportunities, such as roles for vineyard tour guides or local chefs. Simultaneously, it will bolster other sectors of the local economy, such as agriculture.

NKG2D is an activating receptor expressed by all human NK cells and CD8 T cells. Harnessing the NKG2D/NKG2D ligand axis has emerged as a viable avenue for cancer immunotherapy. However, there is a long-standing controversy over whether soluble NKG2D ligands are immunosuppressive or immunostimulatory, originating from conflicting data generated from different scopes of pre-clinical investigations. Using multiple pre-clinical tumor models, we demonstrated that the impact of the most characterized human solid tumor-associated soluble NKG2D ligand, the soluble MHC I chain-related molecule (sMIC), on tumorigenesis depended on the tumor model being studied and whether the tumor cells possessed stemness-like properties. We demonstrated that the potential of tumor formation or establishment depended upon tumor cell stem-like properties irrespective of tumor cells secreting the soluble NKG2D ligand sMIC. Specifically, tumor formation was delayed or failed if sMIC-expressing tumor cells expressed low stem-cell markers; tumor formation was rapid if sMIC-expressing tumor cells expressed high stem-like cell markers. However, once tumors were formed, overexpression of sMIC unequivocally suppressed tumoral NK and CD8 T cell immunity and facilitated tumor growth. Our study distinguished the differential impacts of soluble NKG2D ligands in tumor formation and tumor progression, cleared the outstanding controversy over soluble NKG2D ligands in modulating tumor immunity, and re-enforced the viability of targeting soluble NKG2D ligands for cancer immunotherapy for established tumors.

Introduction/purpose: The problem of efficient distribution of cryptographic keys in communication systems has existed since its first days and is especially emphasized by the emergence of mass communication systems. Defining and implementing efficient protocols for symmetric cryptographic keys establishment in such circumstances is of great importance in raising information security in cyberspace. Methods: Using the methods of Information Theory and Secure Multiparty Computation, protocols for direct establishment of cryptographic keys between communication parties have been defined. Results: The paper defines two new approaches to the problem of establishing cryptographic keys. The novelty in the protocol defined in the security model based on information theory is based on the source of common randomness, which in this case is the EEG signal of each subject participating in the communication system. Experimental results show that the amount of information leaking to the attacker is close to zero. A novelty in the second case, which provides security with keys at the level of computer security by applying Secure Multiparty Computation, is in the new application field, namely generation and distribution of symmetric cryptographic keys. It is characteristic of both approaches that within the framework of formal theories, it is possible to draw conclusions about their security characteristics in a formal way. Conclusions: The paper describes two new approaches for establishing cryptographic keys in symmetric cryptographic systems with experimental results. The significance of the proposed solutions lies in the fact that they enable the establishment of secure communication between comunication parties from end to end, avoiding the influence of a trusted third party. In that way, the achieved communication level security significantly increases in relation to classical cryptographic systems.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are metabolic disorders that belong to highly prevalent disease cluster with a significant impact on public health worldwide. MetS is a complex condition characterized by metabolism perturbations that include glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, associated pro-inflammatory state and arterial hypertension. As the components of MetS commonly co-occur, the management of these disorders could not be considered separate issues. Thus NAFLD, recognized as a hepatic manifestation of MetS, is frequently associated with T2DM. This review analyzes the underlying connections between these diseases and the risks associated with their co-occurrence. The effective management of NAFLD associated with MetS and T2DM involves an early diagnosis and optimal treatment of each condition leading to improvement in glycemic and lipids regulation, liver steatosis, and arterial hypertension. The net effect of such treatment is the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and liver fibrosis.

The results of this research on the electrochemical behavior of Cu24Zn5Al alloy in a 0.1 mol/dm3 sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) solution containing 1-phenyl-5-mercaptotetrazole (PMT) are presented in this paper. The influence of PMT concentration, chloride ion concentration, and pre-treatment were examined. The influence of pre-treatment was studied in terms of the effect of the immersion time of the electrode in the appropriate inhibitor solution. After selecting the optimal immersion time, its effect on the behavior of the Cu24Zn5Al alloy was tested in a 0.1 mol/dm3 solution of sodium sulfate in the presence of different concentrations of chloride ions. Research shown that with the increase of PMT concentration, the anodic current density around the corrosion potential decreases, indicating that PMT behaves as a corrosion inhibitor for Cu24Zn5Al alloy.

Research on chalcopyrite leaching represents a great challenge, given its importance as one of the most abundant copper minerals and its significant role in global copper extraction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different parameters on chalcopyrite leaching by hydrogen peroxide as a strong oxidizing reagent in sulfuric acid solution. A series of leaching tests were carried out to investigate the effect of the solid/liquid ratio, stirring speed, temperature, oxidant and acid concentrations, and lixiviant dosing method on copper extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate. The catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide occurred in the investigated leaching system, as reflected in the obtained metal extraction values. Copper extraction was increased in the first 60 min of the reaction, after which it essentially ceased. The maximum final copper extraction of 64.5% was attained with 3.0 mol/L H2O2 in 3.0 mol/L H2SO4 at a temperature of 40 °C after 120 min of reaction. Due to the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the examined leaching system, the leaching experiment was performed with the periodic addition of lixiviant at specific time intervals as well. The dissolution process was described by the first-order kinetics equation with an apparent activation energy of ~39 kJ/mol. Finally, XRD and SEM-EDS analyses were used to characterize the leached residue, and the results showed that the formation of elemental sulfur on the chalcopyrite surface affected the dissolution process.

Abstract One of the goals of this research was to develop an electrochemical sensor that had the ability to determine the target analyte and was both cheap and non-toxic. Another goal was to influence the reduction of electronic waste. In accordance with these, a graphite rod from zinc-carbon batteries was used to prepare an electrochemical sensor for the determination of L-tryptophan in Britton–Robinson buffer solution. Two electrochemical methods were used in the experimental research, differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of different parameters, including the pH value of supporting solution, scan rate, as well as the concentration of L-tryptophan on the current response, was studied. The pH value of Britton–Robinson buffer influenced the intensity of L-tryptophan oxidation peak, as well as the peak potential. The intensity of the current response was the highest at pH 4.0, while the peak potential value became lower as the pH increased, indicating that protons also participated in the redox reaction. Based on the obtained data, electrochemical oxidation of L-tryptophan at the graphite electrode was irreversible, two electron/two proton reaction. In addition, it was observed that the oxidation peak increased as the scan rate increased. According to the obtained electrochemical data, it was suggested that the oxidation of L-tryptophan was mixed controlled by adsorption and diffusion. The linear correlation between oxidation peak and L-tryptophan concentration was investigated in the range 5.0–150.0 µM and the obtained values of limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1.73 µM and 5.78 µM, respectively. Also, the prepared electrochemical sensor was successful in determination of target analyte in milk and apple juice samples.

In this study, the petals collected from peony hybrid Paeonia lactiflora "Bowl of Beauty" and Calendula officinalis L. were extracted using an ethanol-water mixture assisted with microwave and ultrasonic treatment. The isolation of Calendula officinalis L. essential oil was done by hydrodistillation as well. The total phenolic and flavonoids content in the extracts and oil were determined and their antioxidant activity was evaluated. The highest total phenolic content was found for the extracts of hybrid P. lactiflora and C. officinalis L. obtained by ultrasound extraction (83.16 and 114.47 mg GA/g, respectively), while the flavonoid content obtained by microwave-assisted extraction was relatively high (123.48 and 65.29 mg QE/g, respectively). The highest antioxidant activity was obtained in DPPH• and ABTS•+ assay for the microwave-assisted extraction of hybrid P. lactiflora (79% and 83%) and ultrasound-assisted extraction of C. officinalis L. (45% and 49%), respectively. To improve antioxidant activity of both types of examined analytes (extracts and essential oil), the pectin biopolymer film (as a carrier) was prepared in the process of enzymatically assisted catalysis. Optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy were used for the characterization of obtained materials. The films, with essential oil of C. officinalis L. and gallic acid, showed significantly increased percentage inhibition in DPPH• and ABTS•+ test (91% and 95%, respectively) after 10 minutes. The results, also, showed that all formulations of pectin biopolymer film, modified with gallic acid, can be successfully applied as a carrier for both types of ingredients.

Several topics are covered in the paper. Firstly, a list of sources of law which regulates the issue of the jurisdictions of provincial governors is given form the broader ones to the narrower ones. Jurisdiction of a provincial governor used to come into being in the moment of his entrance to the province. In case he leaves it, his jurisdictions would stop and he would become a private individual. The substitution of the personal jurisdiction of provincial governors, which was significantly shaken by the constitution of Caracalla in 212, with the territorial one, appears to be obvious at the end of the Dominate. The governor used to have civil and military jurisdictions. The former included judicial and administrative powers. Judicial jurisdictions were comprised of those in criminal and those in civil matter. Out of scope of the civil matter, only the examples of the jurisdictions of provincial governors in the matter of property law have been covered in this paper, which, according to the tripartition of Gaius, amounts to ius quod ad res pertinet. Provincial governors were authorised to adjudicate on almost all disputes arising from the everyday life during the formation, protection and termination of rights, not only those related to possessio, dominium, and iura in re aliena, but also those in the matter of obligationes and inheritance.

Background/Aim. Cephalomedullary and extramedullary methods are used for the internal fixation of trochanteric fractures. The usage of the third generation Gamma Nail (GN) is a gold standard in this kind of treatments. Self-dynamisable Internal Fixator (SIF) is an extramedullary implant for trochanteric fractures’ treatment. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods regarding operation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy time. Methods. A total of 89 patients with a surgical treatment of a trochanteric fracture were included in this study. There were two groups of patients – GN group (43 patients) and SIF group (46 patients). Results. Average operation times were 67.5 min (GN group) and 56.0 min (SIF group). Average intraoperative fluoroscopy times were 84.8 s (GN group) and 36.7 s (SIF group). The difference between the groups was statistically significant for both of the given parameters (p < 0.05). The correlation between operation time and intraoperative fluoroscopy time was confirmed in the SIF group (p < 0.05; r = 0.405), while it was not confirmed in the GN group (p > 0.05). There was a higher variability in the GN method than in the SIF method regarding the duration and type of repeated surgical maneuvers followed by X-ray checks. Conclusion. The number of planned surgical interventions per day could depend on the type of trochanteric fracture internal fixation (intramedullary or extramedullary). Certain additional analyses including radiation dose assessment are desirable to clarify if shorter intraoperative fluoroscopy time in the SIF method can have the influence regarding intraoperative X-ray protection clothing. If there is the need to activate dynamization in long femoral axis after initial static fixation in that axis, the SIF method provides its spontaneous activation several weeks after the surgery without the need neither for additional surgery nor for additional intraoperative fluoroscopy

The analysis of pressure changes in water and steam flow along the entire once-through steam boiler tube system at the 650 MWe lignite fired Unit was carried out after the long operational period of almost 30 years without a chemical cleaning of the pipe system. A significant increase of the hydraulic resistance was recorded in comparison to the design values in the evaporator tubes, both in the water heating zone and in the evaporation zone with the two-phase mixture flow. The cause of this adverse effect is the formation of a wavy surface of the magnetite layer deposited on the inner wall of tubes. The significantly increased absolute roughness on the inner wall of tubes was determined on the basis of measured pressure drops at sections of the tube system and numerical calculation performed with a thermal-hydraulic model of single-phase and two-phase water and steam tube flows. The model is based on the steam-water two-fluid model with mass, momentum and energy balance equations and mechanistic correlations for the steam-water interface transfer processes. The model is suitable for the single and two-phase flow parameters prediction in the span from subcritical to supercritical and near critical pressure conditions. Conducted calculations provide detailed insight in the fluid pressure, velocity and temperature change in the boiler tube system. After the long operational period the pressure drop in evaporating tubes almost doubles in comparison to the design values. The presented results are a support to boiler's design, operational procedures and maintenance.

BackgroundLate reconnections (LR) of pulmonary veins (PVs) after wide antral circumferential ablation (WACA) using point-to-point radiofrequency (RF) ablation are common. Lesion size index (LSI) is a novel marker of lesion quality proposed by Ensite Precision mapping system, expected to improve PV isolation durability. This study aimed to assess the durability of LSI-guided PVI and the risk factors for LR of PVs.MethodsThe prospective study included 33 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) who underwent (1) the index LSI-guided WACA procedure (with target LSI of 5.5-6.0 for anterior and 5.0-5.5 for posterior WACA segments) and (2) the 3-month protocol-mandated re-mapping procedure in all patients, irrespective of AF recurrence after the index procedure. Ablation parameters reported by Ensite mapping system were collected retrospectively. The inter-lesion distance (ILD) between all adjacent WACA lesions was calculated off-line. Association between index ablation parameters and the LRs of PVs at 3 months was analyzed.ResultsThe median patient age was 61 (IQR: 53–64) years and 55% of them were males. At index procedure, the first-pass WACA isolation rate was higher for the left PVs than the right PVs (64 vs. 33%, p = 0.014). In addition, a low acute reconnection rates were observed, as follows: in 12.1% of patients, in 6.1% of WACA circles, in 3.8% of WACA segments and in 4.5% of PVs. However, the 3-month remapping study revealed LR of PV in 63.6% of patients, 37.9% of WACA circles, 20.5% of WACA segments and 26.5% of PVs. The LRs were identified mostly along the left anterior WACA segment. Independent risk factors for the LR of WACA were left-sided WACA location (OR 3.216 [95%CI: 1.065–9.716], p = 0.038) and longer ILD (OR 1.256 [95%CI: 1.035–1.523] for each 1-mm increase, p = 0.021). The ILD of > 8.0 mm showed a predictive value for the LR of WACA, with the sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 46%. A single case of cardiac tamponade occurred following the re-mapping invasive procedure. No other complications were encountered.ConclusionAlthough the LSI-guided PVI ensures a consistent PVI during the index procedure, LRs of PVs are still common. Besides the LSI, the PVI durability requires an optimal ILD between adjacent lesions, especially along the anterior lateral ridge.

Simultaneous ipsilateral “floating-hip” and “floating-knee” injuries are very rare and severe, and they occur in high-velocity road traffic accidents. A 55-year-old man presented with posterior wall fracture – dislocation of the acetabulum, complete fracture – dislocation of the femoral head, ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture, open patellar fracture, Gustilo type II, tibial fracture, and traumatic sciatic nerve injury/peroneal division. Given the fact that hip dislocation is an orthopedic emergency, we first did closed external tibial fixation, femoral head reduction, osteosynthesis of the acetabular fracture, and partial patellectomy. After 2 days, the patient underwent a second surgery; fixation of the neck and femoral shaft fractures was done, with a self-dynamic internal fixator. After 14 months from the injuries, radiographs show complete healing of all fractures, the patient walks independently without crutches, and the peroneal nerve is partially recovered. Despite the seriousness of the presented injuries, we did not have any complications, and 14 months after the injury, the femoral head is still viable, with no signs of femoral head osteonecrosis.

Study is aimed at solving the problem of developing a strategy for the formation and arrangement of cultural landscapes in the Republic of Mordovia on the basis of geoinformation support for the tourist and recreational development of the cultural landscape. The study of the formation of cultural landscapes of the region was carried out through the use of databases of spatio-temporal organization of geosystems and cartographic modeling of the patterns of economic development of geosystems. The regional GIS "Mordovia" and geoportal "Natural and Historical Heritage of the Republic of Mordovia" developed by the authors contain an interactive system of thematic maps and databases that reveal the peculiarities of nature, population, economy, cultural heritage, and the development of environmental situations of the region. The article shows that the cultural landscapes of Mordovia were formed in the process of centuries-old economic development of geosystems, and include high landscape diversity, cultural objects of peoples with unique development paths as the most important components.