Search

ABSTRACTBackground: Although trauma exposure is universally prevalent, the ways in which individuals respond to potentially traumatic events vary. Between-country differences have been identified as affecting the development and manifestation of transdiagnostic psychological symptoms, but it remains unclear how stress and trauma-related transdiagnostic symptoms and risk patterns differ based on geographic region.Objective: To explore whether there are distinct classes of stress and trauma-related transdiagnostic symptoms and to determine predictors of class membership in a global sample.Method: Participants (N = 8675) from 115 different countries were recruited online between 2020–2022 and completed the Global Psychotrauma Screen, which assesses stress and trauma exposure, related symptoms, and risk factors. A latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify classes of stress and trauma-related symptoms per world region (African States, Asia-Pacific States, Eastern European States, Latin American and Caribbean States, Western European and Other States, and North America) and the total sample. Likelihood of class membership was assessed based on demographics, characteristics of the potentially traumatic event, and potential risk factors across the world regions.Results: Similar class compositions were observed across regions. A joint latent class analysis identified three classes that differed by symptom severity (i.e. high, moderate, low). Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed several factors that conferred greater risk for experiencing higher levels of symptoms, including geographic region, gender, and lack of social support, among others.Conclusions: Stress and trauma-related symptoms seem to be similarly transdiagnostic across the world, supporting the value of a transdiagnostic assessment.

Unique properties of bacterial nanocelullose (BNC), such as high purity, water retention, nanofibrillar structure and non-cytotoxicity, allow its application in regenerative medicine, particularly for active wound healing and for skin tissue engineering. However, its biological activity is not fully sufficient to be considered a good cell scaffold. This can be enhanced by physicochemical modifications, particularly plasma treatment. In this work, air-dried (AD) or lyophilized (L) BNC samples were modified in a direct current Ar+ plasma discharge (PM). BNC_AD samples showed higher surface roughness, tensile strength and Young's modulus but a lower swelling ratio than BNC_L samples. The swelling ratio of BNC_L samples further increased after PM. The samples were subjected to six-day in vitro cell culture tests with normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), i.e. cell types important for skin defect healing. NHDFs adhered in higher numbers, by a larger cell spreading area and reached higher cell population densities on PM samples than on unmodified samples. However, in HUVECs, this effect of PM on cell growth was less pronounced or even opposite, especially on mechanically weaker and more swellable BNC_L. At the same time, both cell types preferred mechanically stronger BNC_AD for their adhesion and growth, which was more apparent in HUVECs. The expression of mRNA for markers of cell adhesion and phenotypic maturation in NHDFs (talin, vinculin, CD90) was generally similar on BNC_PM and on tissue culture polystyrene. In HUVECs, the expression of vinculin and PECAM-1 on all BNC samples was lower than on polystyrene, but the expression of KDR (VEGF receptor 2) was higher, especially on BNC_PM. These results indicate cell type-specific differences in the response to various BNC modifications, which must be properly balanced to accommodate various cell types needed for wound healing and skin tissue engineering.

Background Previous studies have shown that personality traits (i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness) relate to prejudicial attitudes. However, one of the aspects of prejudice is social distance; its association with personality traits was overlooked by previous studies. Therefore, this study examines the connection between the Big Five personality traits and social distance toward certain social groups. Participants and procedure Participants from the general population were recruited through leaflets, the institutional webpage, Facebook, and through the project recruitment website and assessed via paper-and-pencil or online form. A total of 214 participants were included (of whom 68.2% were women and the mean age was 32.65, SD = 11.27, range 18-72) who completed the Bogardus Social Distance Scale and the 44-item Big Five Inventory questionnaire. Results The results showed a relationship between social distance, agreeableness, and openness to experience. Agreeableness seems to lower the social distance toward all studied groups. In comparison, openness to experience seems to lower the social distance towards groups that evoke more polarized attitudes in the majority (e.g., migrants). Furthermore, the influence of demographic characteristics (i.e., age, education level, and gender) is also significant. Conclusions This study shows that personality is significantly related to social distancing and expression of prejudicial attitudes. In particular, agreeableness and openness to experience have different effects on social distance and attitudes towards different groups. Further implications are discussed.

IntroductionThe Communist Party’s reign in Czechoslovakia (1948–1989) saw the persecution of thousands of individuals. The State Security campaign “Asanace” (meaning “sanitation”) was conducted to expel critics of the regime from the country using psychological and physical terror. Although stories of dissidents are frequently presented in public spaces, little is known about the experiences of their children.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted interpretative phenomenological analyses of semi-structured in-depth interviews with five adult descendants of Czechoslovakian dissidents.ResultsOur analyses revealed that while participants appreciated and were inspired by their parents’ dissident activities, they tend to distance themselves from it in order not to live in their parents’ shadow. Furthermore, for them, the “Asanace” campaign primarily meant emigration, which in turn affected their sense of self and (national) identity dispersion. Consequently, they experienced feelings of being uprooted and different. Furthermore, they faced challenges acculturating. However, they also recognized their resilience as being rooted in their migration experience and the legacy of their parents’ dissidence.DiscussionBy highlighting intergenerational differences and the impact of family legacy on individuals’ strengths and weaknesses, this study contributes to our understanding of the psychological consequences of living in, escaping from and adjusting to life beyond oppressive regimes.

Abstract Introduction The antifibrotic drug nintedanib is used for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We analysed the effect of nintedanib on antifibrotic treatment outcome in real-world cohorts of Czech EMPIRE registry. Patients/methods Data of 611 Czech IPF subjects, 430 (70%) treated with nintedanib (NIN group), 181 (30%) with no-antifibrotic treatment (NAF group) were analysed. The influence of nintedanib on overall survival (OS), pulmonary function parameters as forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), as well as GAP score (gender, age, physiology) and and CPI (composite physiological index) were investigated. Results During 2 year follow-up we observed that nintedanib treated patients had longer OS, compared to those treated with no-antifibrotic drugs (p

Soy is considered an allergen under Regulation No. 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which mandates the labelling of soy allergen on food packaging. This study is focused on detecting soy in food products using two kinds of methods. The first method, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was performed using two commercial kits (Veratox for Soy Allergen; Neogen, USA). The second method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was carried out with two different deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-isolating kits and DNA isolation via the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. A total of 57 samples of food were tested, including 45 samples of animal origin and 12 samples of plant origin. The results were compared with information on the packaging. From the group of samples that contained soy according to the packaging (12 pieces), 9 samples were found to be positive by ELISA method, 10 samples by the CTAB method and 11 samples by GeneSpin. On the other hand, from the group of samples that should not contain soy according to the packaging (30 pieces), the presence of soy in 2 samples was detected by ELISA. No significant difference was found between the examined methods. Results show that the situation on the market is satisfactory and that only products declared as containing traces of soy appear to be problematic.

Abstract Background The Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders and the latest eleventh version of the International Classification of Diseases implement the level of impairment in self and interpersonal personality functioning (Level of Personality Functioning Scale - LPFS) as a core feature of personality pathology. However, some studies have indicated that personality functioning is also impaired in other mental disorders, but a more thorough exploration is missing. Thus, this study aims to develop profiles of levels of personality functioning in people with personality disorders and some other psychiatric diagnoses as well as without diagnosis. Methods One-hundred-forty-nine people participated in the study. They came from three groups – healthy controls (n = 53), people with personality disorders (n = 58), and people with mood and anxiety disorders (n = 38). The LPFS was assessed by the Semi-structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1). An optimal clustering solution using agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis was generated to represent profiles of personality functioning. Results The two patient groups showed significantly higher levels of personality functioning impairment than healthy controls. People with personality disorders showed higher levels of impairment than the other groups. In addition, the clustering analysis revealed three distinct profiles of personality functioning. Conclusions The impairment of personality functioning seems to be useful in the clinical assessment of other than personality disorders as well. As the resulting clustering profiles suggest, LPFS can be seen as an overall indicator of the severity of mental health difficulties and the presence of mental disorders symptoms. The LPFS provides valuable and detailed information about the individual’s mental health and can thus serve as a broad basis for case formulation, treatment and therapy planning, and prognosis.

The effect of various surface modifications of silicalite-1 film grown on a Ti6Al4V alloy on biocompatibility and cell differentiation has been addressed. The as-synthesized silicalite film was first modified by alkaline etching and by subsequent treatments in oxygen radiofrequency (O2 RF) plasma, by calcination at 500 °C, and by processing the calcinated samples in the O2 RF plasma. The chemical composition, crystallinity, topography and wettability of samples were characterized using angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and sessile water drop contact angle measurements. We have discovered the presence of a non-zeolitic defective SiOx phase (NZP) with coordinated hydrocarbon chains. The NZP can be removed by the exposition to the O2 RF plasma. The metabolic activity tests done on human osteoblast line Saos-2 revealed that the NZP can influence cell proliferation; however, all studied modifications of silicalite film can be considered biocompatible. The osteogenic differentiation was studied on human mesenchymal stem cells under static conditions and under dynamic (pulsatile and shear) stress. The results obtained by the real-time qPCR and immunofluorescence microscopy suggest that etched, plasma-treated and calcinated + plasma-treated samples are the most promising for osteogenic cell differentiation.

Abstract Background Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease affecting different organs including the heart. Myocardial strain analysis could potentially detect the early stages of cardiac dysfunction in sarcoidosis patients. The present study aims to assess the use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) strain analysis using feature tracking (FT) in the detection of early cardiac involvement in asymptomatic patients with sarcoidosis. Methods One hundred and thirteen CMR studies of patients with sarcoidosis of the respiratory tract and/or extrapulmonary sarcoidosis without pre-existing known cardiovascular disease were included in the study and analysed using FT and compared to 22 age and gender-matched controls. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS) and global radial strain (GRS) of the left ventricle (LV) were measured. Results The sarcoidosis patients did not significantly differ from the controls in basic demographic data and had normal global and regional systolic LV function—LV ejection fraction (EF) 66 ± 7% vs 65 ± 5% in the controls (p = NS). No statistically significant differences were found in all strain parameters between patients and controls: GLS (− 13.9 ± 3.1 vs. − 14.2 ± 2.5), GCS (− 23.4 ± 4.0 vs. − 22.2 ± 2.9) and GRS (53.4 ± 13.5 vs. 51.2 ± 13.6%) (p = NS). Conclusion Patients with sarcoidosis of the respiratory tract and/or extrapulmonary sarcoidosis had normal myocardial deformation measured by CMR-FT derived global strain

This study is focused on the preparation of new hybrid layers intended for surface modification of Ti-6Al-4V alloys for potential orthopaedic and dental applications. Combination of the technology of physical vapour deposition (PVD) and subsequent micro-arc oxidation (MAO) was utilized for the deposition of Ti and ZrTi to form hybrid oxide layers. The oxide layers were prepared using an alkaline electrolyte with glycerol as an additive under micro-arc discharge conditions with different Si content on their surfaces. The hybrid ZrTi coatings with a Zr/Si structure achieved the best tribological properties described by a low friction coefficient of 0.3 and high abrasion resistance. There was also an increase in corrosion potential and polarization resistance of hybrid ZrTi coatings. Although the proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was slower on these hydrophilic Ti and ZrTi coatings than both on uncoated Ti-6Al-4V and the reference tissue culture polystyrene dishes, both types of hybrid coating promoted greater osteogenic differentiation of these cells, indicated by approx. twice as high activity of alkaline phosphatase. The hybrid oxide layers newly developed in this study – especially the layers with Zr – are therefore promising for coating metallic bone implants.

The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of important mycotoxins often contaminating fruits, in particular aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, patulin, and an indicator of fungal metabolism - kojic acid, in dried apples from organic production and integrated pest management with origin in the Czech Republic. Regardless of the production management, both aflatoxin B1 and patulin concentrations were below the limit of quantification. Ochratoxin A was present in all samples examined in our study with concentrations ranging from 4.22 to 15.99 µg kg-1. Kojic acid concentrations ranged from 3.57 to 9.44 mg kg-1. However, no significant difference in ochratoxin A and kojic acid concentrations was found between samples coming from integrated pest management and samples coming from organic agriculture. The results of this study show that apples originating in organic production or integrated pest management have, under the same independent conditions, an equal probability of containing (or omitting) similar levels of the investigated mycotoxins. Moreover, these results, while demonstrating safe levels of some mycotoxins in different agricultural practices also highlight gaps in knowledge and legislation that may have direct and crucial effects on human health.

Abstract Background Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is associated with oculocutaneous albinism, bleeding diathesis, granulomatous colitis, and highly penetrant pulmonary fibrosis in some subtypes. Homozygous or compound heterozygous pathological variants in HPS1, HPS3, HPS4, and several other genes lead to clinical manifestation of the disease. Case presentation A 57-year-old female was admitted with congenital oculocutaneous albinism, thrombocytopathy and late-onset accelerated pulmonary fibrosis (first symptoms from age 50 onwards). Chest high-resolution computed tomography identified thickening of peribronchovascular interstitium, bronchiectasis, reticulations, honeycombing, ground glass opacities and lung parenchyma consolidations. HPS was clinically suspected. We performed whole exome sequencing (WES), a form of massive parallel sequencing, of proband-parents trio. Whole exome libraries were processed using KAPA Hyper Prep Kit, SeqCap EZ MedExome Enrichment Kit and HyperCap Bead Kit according to the SeqCap EZ HyperCap Workflow. The paired-end 2 × 75 bp sequencing was performed on the Illumina NextSeq 500 Sequencer (Illumina Inc., USA). Furthermore, obtained variants by WES were evaluated using a virtual panel of genes: HPS1, AP3B1, HPS3, HPS4, HPS5, HPS6, DTNBP1, BLOC1S3, and PLDN. We identified a compound heterozygous genotype in HPS1 gene in the proband. We identified a pathogenic frameshift variant c.1189delC; p.(Gln397Serfs*2), resulting in a premature stop codon. This variant has been previously associated with HPS. Furthermore, we characterized previously undescribed nonsense variant c.1507C > T; p.(Gln503*), resulting in a premature stop codon and mRNA degradation through nonsense-mediated decay. Sanger sequencing validated the presence of both variants and simultaneously confirmed the heterozygous carrier status of parents. Unfortunately, the patient died due to fulminant progression of pulmonary fibrosis 2 months after diagnostics. Conclusions Compound heterozygous mutations in HPS1 in the proband lead to disruption of HPS1 gene and clinical manifestation of HPS with severe pulmonary fibrosis. This case illustrates the need to consider HPS in differential diagnostics of pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a common cause of death in HPS patients. Earlier diagnosis may enable better treatment for these patients.

Introduction The idea that personality can influence our perception of ‘otherness’ is widely accepted within the literature of social sciences. Undoubtedly, the principle of dehumanization played an important role in genocides during the 20th and 21st centuries. In totalitarian or post-totalitarian regimes ‘otherness’ may present a challenge to the absolute power. Recent studies showed that negative attitudes toward ‘otherness’ – also known as xenophobia – are on a rise in the Czech Republic.A deeper analysis of the personality in relation with perception of otherness is still missing. Objectives The presentation analyse the personality variables associated with the perception of otherness and compare the differences between various age groups, genders, individuals with different levels of education, and above all, the differences between various groups. Several contrast groups are compared - general population, high neuroticism sample, personality disorder sample, xenophobic and xenophilic sample. Methods Bogardus Scale of Social Distance as a measure of perception of otherness is compared with in-depth analysis of personality functioning (Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM–5, STiP-5.1). Results We analyze the results of five samples with respect to demographic variables, variables of personality functioning and try to point out the relationship between more attitudes and underlying personality functioning. The importance of some demographic variables (as age) and connections between personality functioning (Self and Interpersonal) and social distance is emphasized and discussed. Conclusions The project help us to understand perception of otherness in light of demographic and relative power of personality factors.

Introduction People with personality disorders (PD) share some impairments in personality functioning (e.g. identity, intimacy, empathy) that are also associated with inner or interpersonal conflicts, and sometimes also with different strategies of moral disengagement (MD). It is unclear whether MD strategies are related to individuals with/without PD and their willingness to have social contacts with representatives of otherness (like minorities, physically handicapped, etc.). Objectives Comparison of the differences in MD strategies and social distance to the otherness of healthy controls and people with PD, and the influence of personality functioning. Methods Moral Disengagement Scale which measures eight MD strategies, the Semi-Structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 assessing the Self and Interpersonal functioning, and Bogardus Social Distance Scale measuring perceived social distance toward various representatives of otherness are applied in two samples (general population and personality disorders). Results People with PD showed a significantly higher propensity to use various MD strategies than healthy controls with moderate effect size (.34–.49). Moral disengagement is facilitated by different aspects of personality functioning in both samples, sharing the impairments in maintaining close relationships. Both samples differed in MD strategies connected with higher social distancing. Conclusions People with PD are more prone to moral disengagement than healthy adults. MD appears to be facilitated by different aspects of personality functioning in both samples. Some representants of otherness are more related to specific MD strategies. We hypothesize that understanding of specific MD strategies used by people with PD can provide insight and explain some of their behavior.

Introduction Previous studies didn’t find any connection between Neuroticism and authoritarian personality or social dominance orientation, but xenophobic attitudes might be hold even apart from these constructs. Objectives In our study we compared subjects with high Neurtoticism score with controls with a focus on racism and social distance. Methods The Bogardus Social Distance Scale (BSDS) is a measure of perceived social distance of a subject towards concrete outgroups. Modern Racism Scale (MRS) and The Blatant and Subtle Prejudice Scales (BSRS) are scales measuring racism. For our study we used the Neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). Also, we asked about personal conflicts with outgroup members and how subjects perceived their unpleasantness and importance. We measured the attitudes towards Romani, Vietnamese, foreigners, homeless people, migrants, people with mental disease and people with a physical disability. Results People with the high neuroticism score (SD≥1; N=48) showed significantly higher scores in racism. In comparison to control group (CG; N=96), their social distance differed significantly towards Romani, Vietnamese and migrants. Effect sizes were however on the threshold between weak and moderate. After Bonferroni correction, only the social distance towards migrants remained significant. People with the high neuroticism score didn’t report higher rate in conflict with outgroup members than HC. Conclusions People with the high neuroticism score showed different pattern in attitudes towards outgroup members, but not in conflict with them, which might point at higher need of internalization of negative attitudes.

In this work, capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductometric detection (CCD) was used for the analysis of the ionic content of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) to differentiate between healthy individuals and patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The exhaled breath condensate was collected using a miniature sample collection device and the content analyzed using a separation electrolyte composed of 20 mM 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, 20 mM L-histidine, 2 mM 18-Crown-6 and 30 M cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The separation of anions took less than 2.5 minutes, while the cations were separated in less than 1.5 minutes. The most significantly elevated ions in the group of patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease were chloride, nitrate, propionate and butyrate. Although the number of subjects was too small to draw definite conclusions with regard to the discriminatory power of these ions, the pilot data are promising for EBC as a useful non-invasive alternative for other methods used in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease