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Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), now known as disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Functional Dyspepsia (FD), significantly impact global health, reducing quality of life and burdening healthcare systems. This study addresses the epidemiological gap in Poland, focusing on the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 2070 Caucasian patients (58.2% female, mean age 57.5 ± 15.1 years) undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations at Pomeranian Medical University from 2021 to 2023. Data were collected using Rome IV diagnostic questionnaires and correlated with gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy findings. Exclusion criteria were age under 18, pregnancy, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, severe comorbidities, cancer, immunosuppressive therapy, ileostomy/colostomy, incomplete questionnaires, or lack of consent. Results: Using Rome IV criteria, IBS was diagnosed in 436 participants (21.1%) and FD in 248 participants (12.0%). Post-endoscopic evaluation revised FD diagnoses to 184 individuals (8.9%). Females had a higher prevalence of IBS and FD (OR 1.64 and 1.61, respectively). No significant association was found between higher BMI and increased risk of IBS and FD. Hypertension and diabetes prevalence were 35.1% and 13.0%, respectively. Individuals with a history of COVID-19 had a higher risk of developing IBS (OR 1.47, P = 0.050). Conclusions: Our study provides crucial epidemiological data on IBS and FD in Poland, emphasizing the importance of endoscopic evaluations. Our findings highlight the need for regional studies to understand local DGBI prevalence, aiding targeted healthcare strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The Middle European ecotype of Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. ssp. nigrum was found to show extraordinarily strong tolerance to high contents of Cd in soil (over 50 mg kg−1 Cd) and high Cd accumulation capacity at this concentration range. Its adapted A50 variety obtained from the seeds of first-generation plants grown in soil with 50 mg kg−1 Cd appeared to display further considerable enhancement of resistance to Cd stress, accumulation capacity, and healthy state. This makes the Middle European ecotype and its adapted variety A50 particularly useful to sustainable decontamination of heavily polluted "hot spots" in degraded post-industrial areas. The Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. exhibits a cosmopolitan character and proven high and differentiated efficiency. This suggests the possibility of optimizing its Cd phytoremediation capacity and applicability through searching among remote ecotypes/genotypes. However, the extensive studies on this hyperaccumulator have been limited to Far East (Asian) regions. Pioneer pot experiments on the Middle European ecotype of S. nigrum within a concentration range of 0–50 mg kg−1 Cd in soil revealed its Cd phytoremediation capacity to be comparable to Asian ecotypes but with a fundamentally different Cd tolerance threshold. While biomass of the Asian ecotypes declined sharply at Csoil ≈ 10 mg kg−1 Cd, in the Middle European ecotype, a gradual mild biomass decrease occurred within the whole Csoil ≈ 0–50 mg kg−1 Cd range with no toxic symptoms. Its adapted A50 variety was obtained from the seeds of first-generation plants grown in soil with Csoil ≈ 50 mg kg−1 Cd. In this variety, Cd tolerance, accumulation performance, and all physiological parameters (chlorophyll, carotenoids, RuBisCO, and first- and second-line defense anti-oxidant activity) were significantly enhanced, while cell damage by ROS was considerably lesser. This makes the Middle European ecotype and its adapted variety A50 particularly useful to sustainable decontamination of heavily polluted "hot spots" in degraded post-industrial areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is an increasingly critical global challenge, significantly impacting agricultural productivity, food security, and ecosystem stability. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of drought events, innovative strategies are essential to enhance plant resilience and sustain agricultural systems. This review explores the vital role of beneficial microbes in conferring drought tolerance, focusing on Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), mycorrhizal fungi, endophytes, actinomycetes, and cyanobacteria. These microorganisms mitigate drought stress through diverse mechanisms, including osmotic adjustment, enhancement of root architecture, modulation of phytohormones, induction of antioxidant defenses, and regulation of stress-responsive gene expression. Ecological and agricultural innovations leveraging these beneficial microbes have demonstrated significant potential in bolstering drought resilience. Strategies such as soil microbiome engineering, bioaugmentation, and the integration of microbial synergies within pest management frameworks enhance ecosystem resilience and agricultural sustainability. Additionally, advancements in agricultural practices, including seed coating, soil amendments, the development of microbial consortia, and precision agriculture technologies, have validated the effectiveness and scalability of microbial interventions in diverse farming systems. Despite promising advancements, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of microbial solutions. Environmental variability can affect microbial performance, necessitating the development of robust and adaptable strains. Scale-up and commercialization hurdles, economic constraints, and regulatory and safety considerations also pose significant barriers. Furthermore, the complex interactions between microbes, plants, and their environments require a deeper understanding to optimize microbial benefits consistently. Future research should focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies such as genomics, synthetic biology, and precision agriculture to refine and enhance microbial interventions. Collaborative efforts among academia, industry, and government are essential to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation. By addressing these challenges and harnessing microbial innovations, it is possible to develop resilient and sustainable agricultural systems capable of thriving in an increasingly water-scarce world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to a wide range of clinical presentations, with respiratory symptoms being common. However, emerging evidence suggests that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is also affected, with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a key receptor for SARS-CoV-2, abundantly expressed in the ileum and colon. The virus has been detected in GI tissues and fecal samples, even in cases with negative results of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the respiratory tract. GI symptoms have been associated with an increased risk of ICU admission and mortality. The gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of around 40 trillion bacteria, plays a crucial role in immunological and metabolic pathways. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, characterized by a loss of beneficial microbes and decreased microbial diversity, has been observed in COVID-19 patients, potentially contributing to disease severity. We conducted a comprehensive gut microbiome study in 204 hospitalized COVID-19 patients using both shallow and deep shotgun sequencing methods. We aimed to track microbiota composition changes induced by hospitalization, link these alterations to clinical procedures (antibiotics administration) and outcomes (ICU referral, survival), and assess the predictive potential of the gut microbiome for COVID-19 prognosis. Shallow shotgun sequencing was evaluated as a cost-effective diagnostic alternative for clinical settings. Our study demonstrated the diverse effects of various combinations of clinical parameters, microbiome profiles, and patient metadata on the precision of outcome prognostication in patients. It indicates that microbiological data possesses greater reliability in forecasting patient outcomes when contrasted with clinical data or metadata. Furthermore, we established that shallow shotgun sequencing presents a viable and costeffective diagnostic alternative to deep sequencing within clinical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electronics, Artificial Intelligence Circuits and Systems (AICAS) stand out as a groundbreaking frontier. This review provides an exhaustive examination of the advancements in AICAS, tracing its development from inception to its modern-day applications. Beginning with the foundational principles that underpin AICAS, we delve into the state-of-the-art architectures and design paradigms that are propelling the field forward. This review also sheds light on the multifaceted applications of AICAS, from optimizing energy efficiency in electronic devices to empowering next-generation cognitive computing systems. Key challenges, such as scalability and robustness, are discussed in depth, along with potential solutions and emerging trends that promise to shape the future of AICAS. By offering a comprehensive overview of the current state and potential trajectory of AICAS, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals looking to harness the power of AI in electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polish Nephrology & Dialyzotherapy / Nefrologia i Dializoterapia Polska is the property of Wydawnictwo Przegld Lekarski / Publisher Medicine Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Nephrology & Dialyzotherapy / Nefrologia i Dializoterapia Polska is the property of Wydawnictwo Przegld Lekarski / Publisher Medicine Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Main conclusion: Germination of primary dormant wild oat caused by KAR1 or GA3 is associated with ACC accumulation and increased ethylene production shortly before radicle protrusion as a result of the non-transcriptional and transcriptional activation of ACS and ACO enzymes, respectively. Response to both compounds involves the modulation of ethylene sensitivity through ethylene receptor genes.Harvested Avena fatua caryopses are primary dormant and, therefore, germinated poorly at 20 °C. Karrikin 1 (KAR1), which action probably requires endogenous gibberellins (GAs), and gibberellin A3 (GA3) was found to induce dormant caryopses to germinate. The stimulatory effects were accompanied by the activation of the ethylene biosynthesis pathway and depended on undisturbed ethylene perception. KAR1 and GA3 promoted 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) accumulation during coleorhizae emergence and ethylene production shortly prior to the radicle protrusion, which resulted from the enhanced activity of two ethylene biosynthesis enzymes, ACC synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO). The inhibitor of ACS adversely affected beneficial impacts of both KAR1 and GA3 on A. fatua caryopses germination, while the inhibitor of ACO more efficiently impeded the GA3 effect. The inhibitors of ethylene action markedly lowered germination in response to KAR1 and GA3. Gene expression studies preceded by the identification of several genes related to ethylene biosynthesis (AfACS6, AfACO1, and AfACO5) and perception (AfERS1b, AfERS1c, AfERS2, AfETR2, AfETR3, and AfETR4) provided further evidence for the engagement of ethylene in KAR1 and GA3 induced germination of A. fatua caryopses. Both AfACO1 and AfACO5 were upregulated, whereas AfACS6 remained unaffected by the treatment. This suggests the existence of different regulatory mechanisms of enzymatic activity, transcriptional for ACO and non-transcriptional for ACS. During imbibition in water, AfERS1b was stronger expressed than other receptor genes. In the presence of KAR1 or GA3, the expression of AfETR3 was substantially induced. Differential expression of ethylene receptor genes implies the modulation of caryopses sensitivity adjusted to ethylene availability and suggests the functional diversification of individual receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]