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Aim of the study This study assesses the effectiveness of radial head prosthesis in patients with radial head fractures, examining how demographics, injury severity, and associated injuries influence recovery and functional outcomes. Material and methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent radial head arthroplasty. This analysis delved into clinical outcomes such as range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, as well as complications. Data on demographics, Mason classification, and associated injuries were meticulously collected and analysed to determine their impact on recovery and the effectiveness of the prosthesis. Results Radial head prosthesis generally led to improved elbow function and reduced disability, with most patients achieving excellent MEPS scores and normal range of motion. However, variability in outcomes was noted, influenced by factors such as age, severity of the initial injury, and associated injuries. Notably, while heterotopic ossifications emerged as a recurrent complication, distal radio-ulnar joint injury was identified in only one patient, suggesting its uncommon occurrence in this patient cohort. Conclusions Radial head arthroplasty significantly enhances elbow functionality in patients with severe radial head fractures, though outcomes vary based on individual factors like age and injury severity. This study’s insights into the varied implications of radial head prosthesis contribute to optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes in orthopedic practice.

Abstract The complex dynamics of protein expression in plasma during hyperacute HIV-1 infection and its relation to acute retroviral syndrome, viral control, and disease progression are largely unknown. Here, we quantify 1293 blood plasma proteins from 157 longitudinally linked plasma samples collected before, during, and after hyperacute HIV-1 infection of 54 participants from four sub-Saharan African countries. Six distinct longitudinal expression profiles are identified, of which four demonstrate a consistent decrease in protein levels following HIV-1 infection. Proteins involved in inflammatory responses, immune regulation, and cell motility are significantly altered during the transition from pre-infection to one month post-infection. Specifically, decreased ZYX and SCGB1A1 levels, and increased LILRA3 levels are associated with increased risk of acute retroviral syndrome; increased NAPA and RAN levels, and decreased ITIH4 levels with viral control; and increased HPN, PRKCB, and ITGB3 levels with increased risk of disease progression. Overall, this study provides insight into early host responses in hyperacute HIV-1 infection, and present potential biomarkers and mechanisms linked to HIV-1 disease progression and viral load.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging cancer with high mortality rates, limited predictability, and a lack of effective prognostic indicators. The relationship between small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and HCC is poorly understood. Based on the literature data, snoRNA studies were primarily focused on viral-related causes of HCC, such as Hepatitis B or C viruses (HBV or HCV). According to these studies, we selected four snoRNAs (snoRA12, snoRA47, snoRA80E, and snoRD126) for exploration in the context of non-viral-related causes, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and alcohol steatohepatitis. The primary goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how snoRNA expression affects patient outcomes and whether it can serve as a prognostic tool for non-viral HCC. We conducted a study on tissue samples from 35 HCC patients who had undergone resection at Pilsen University Hospital. SnoRA12, snoRA47, snoRA80E, and snoRD126 were studied by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissue (NTAT) samples. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess the association of snoRNAs expression levels with patient outcomes: time to recurrence (TTR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). In tumor tissues, snoRA12, snoRA47 and snoRA80E were upregulated, while snoRD-126 was downregulated compared to NTAT. Low expression of snoRA47 and snoRD126 in patients was associated with longer TTR and DFS. The individual expression of snoRA12 and snoRA80E did not show associations with TTR and DFS. However, a combination of medium expression of snoRD126 and snoRA80E was associated with longer TTR and DFS, while high and low expressions of the combined snoRA126 and snoRA80E showed no significant association with TTR, DFS, and OS. Conversely, a combination of high expression of snoRA12 and snoRD126 was associated with shorter TTR. In conclusion, the results indicate that snoRA47 and snoRD126 exhibit good prognostic power specifically for non-viral related HCC. Both snoRA47 and snoRD126 showed favorable prognostication in single and combined analysis when assessing patient outcomes. Also, in combination analysis, snoRA80E and snoRA12 showed favorable prognosis, but not alone.

Abstract Cardiac arrest is a sudden cessation of heart function, leading to an abrupt loss of blood flow and oxygen to vital organs. This life-threatening emergency requires immediate medical intervention and can lead to severe neurological injury or death. Methods and biomarkers to predict neurological outcome are available but lack accuracy. Such methods would allow personalizing healthcare and help clinical decisions. Extensive research has been conducted to identify prognostic omic biomarkers of cardiac arrest. With the emergence of technologies allowing to combine different levels of omics data, and with the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is a potential to use multiomic signatures as prognostic biomarkers after cardiac arrest. This review article delves into the current knowledge of cardiac arrest biomarkers across various omic fields and suggests directions for future research aiming to integrate multiple omics data layers to improve outcome prediction and cardiac arrest patient’s care.

This study aims to investigate the clinical, endoscopic, biologic and histopathological differences between Helicobacter pylori-associated and autoimmune gastric atrophy.

Abstract A genomic database of all Earth’s eukaryotic species could contribute to many scientific discoveries; however, only a tiny fraction of species have genomic information available. In 2018, scientists across the world united under the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), aiming to produce a database of high-quality reference genomes containing all ~1.5 million recognized eukaryotic species. As the European node of the EBP, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) sought to implement a new decentralised, equitable and inclusive model for producing reference genomes. For this, ERGA launched a Pilot Project establishing the first distributed reference genome production infrastructure and testing it on 98 eukaryotic species from 33 European countries. Here we outline the infrastructure and explore its effectiveness for scaling high-quality reference genome production, whilst considering equity and inclusion. The outcomes and lessons learned provide a solid foundation for ERGA while offering key learnings to other transnational, national genomic resource projects and the EBP.

Introduction Antibodies against the phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex aPS/PT are autoantibodies recognizing an epitope formed in the phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex as a result of conformational changes resulting from the combination and not present in any of the initial components of the complex. Its presence is predominantly observed in patients with thrombotic complications, particularly in those suffering from antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other connective tissue disorders. The new epitope is clinically relevant, as it plays a role in the mechanism and effects of autoantibody binding to phospholipids and their cofactors. Testing for aPS/PT, in conjunction with other APS markers, is recommended to assess the risk of thrombotic events. Purpose The object of this review is to assess whether aPS/PT complex serves as an effective diagnostic marker in the pathogenesis of complications associated with APS and other connective tissue disorders. Material and methods This review evaluates data from medical databases such as PubMed, NCBI or BMJ using the search term ‘aPS/PT’. Conclusion The presence of aPS/PT may be considered an independent risk factor for thrombosis. However, further research is needed to fully validate its clinical relevance in various clinical scenarios.

Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid renowned for its strong antioxidant properties and its role as a pigment in various aquatic organisms. Initially isolated from lobster and subsequently characterized in detail, AST has garnered significant interest in recent years within the research, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and supplement industries. This review aims to synthesize current literature on the impact of astaxanthin supplementation on lipid profiles, specifically focusing on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. Evidence suggests that AST effectively prolongs the oxidation lag time of LDL, thereby mitigating the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases through its antioxidative mechanisms. The effects of AST on HDL-C levels are less consistent, with some studies reporting modest increases while others show no significant changes. Similarly, the influence of AST on triglyceride levels remains inconclusive, with studies presenting mixed outcomes ranging from significant reductions to negligible effects. AST is characterized by a high safety profile and favorable bioavailability, which is influenced by its source and isomeric composition. Despite these promising findings, many existing studies are limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous participant groups, and varied dosing regimens, which impede the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Consequently, there is a need for larger, well-standardized clinical trials to accurately assess the efficacy and safety of astaxanthin as a therapeutic agent for lipid modulation and the prevention of metabolic disorders. Future research should focus on robust methodological designs and standardized supplementation protocols to clarify AST’s role in managing dyslipidemia and enhancing cardiovascular health.

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758) (the common sole; Chordata; Actinopteri; Pleuronectiformes; Soleidae). The genome sequence spans 643.80 megabases. Most of the assembly (97.81%) is scaffolded into 21 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.03 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 21,646 protein-coding genes.

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a challenging autoimmune disorder that often requires therapeutic intervention. Glucocorticoids (GCs), particularly in intravenous (IV) regimens, remain the first-line treatment due to their strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. This paper focuses on the efficacy, protocols, and safety profiles of selenium supplementation and glucocorticoid therapy, emphasizing its central role in TED management. Alternative therapies, such as teprotumumab, rituximab, and tocilizumab, are briefly discussed as potential options for patients with moderate-to-severe TED, who are unresponsive or intolerant to glucocorticoids. Adherence to recommended dosing protocols and careful monitoring of adverse effects are essential to optimize treatment outcomes.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or both, which negatively affect the quality of life for children and adults worldwide. ADHD is known to cause significant psychosocial distress, including academic failure, divorce, unemployment, and incarceration, and increases the risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. While its cognitive and psychological impacts are yet well-documented, the implications of ADHD for physical health have only recently begun to receive increasing attention. Some of the known non-psychiatric health challenges associated with ADHD include obesity, autonomic dysregulation, musculoskeletal symptoms and joint hypermobility. This paper investigates recently discovered links between ADHD and symptoms of joint hypermobility, and focuses on the prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility, as well as ADHD comorbidity in connective tissue-related conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder.

Background: Sex hormones have a key impact on the development of the human body during puberty, including a significant influence on bone development - their shape, structure, length, and mineral density. Due to the growing number of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents and the increasing demand for gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), there is rising curiosity about the impact of this therapy on the developing body of a young person. Purpose: This review aims to summarize the latest scientific reports on the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHas) and GAHT on the bone mineral density (BMD) of transgender adolescents undergoing gender-changing therapies. Findings: Low pretreatment BMD is more common among TGD adolescents than in the general population, and this is more prevalent in transgirls than in transboys. BMD Z-scores decline during treatment with GnRHas and respond differentially to GAHT. Regular follow-up and health advice are essential. Further long-term studies of the effects of these therapies on peak bone mass and future fracture risk are needed.

LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) is a dual form of diabetes, combining the autoimmune features typical of type 1 diabetes and the clinical and metabolic aspects of type 2 diabetes. Due to the slow development of symptoms and often late age of onset, LADA is frequently misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes, which can lead to a delay in appropriate treatment. It is estimated that LADA affects between 4% and 12% of adults initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, making it a more common disease entity than previously thought. This paper examines current data on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, genetic factors and diagnostic criteria of LADA. Particular attention was given to the immunological and genetic aspects of the disease, which allow a more accurate differentiation of LADA from type 2 diabetes. The review also discusses the significance of early insulin therapy aimed at beta-cell preservation and the role of alternative treatments, such as DPP-4 inhibitors, which may influence disease progression. Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges stemming from the phenotypic similarities between LADA and type 2 diabetes are highlighted, along with potential benefits of early detection.

Introduction: Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle, presenting with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe cardiac dysfunction. It poses diagnostic challenges due to overlap with conditions such as coronary artery disease and its nonspecific presentation. This review summarizes current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, emphasizing advancements in imaging and personalized treatment strategies. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to summarize the existing knowledge of currently relevant diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to myocarditis, highlighting both established methods and emerging advances. Materials and Methods: The literature available in the PubMed database was reviewed using the following keywords: "myocarditis," "myocarditis diagnosis," "myocarditis treatment," "diagnosis of myocarditis," "COVID-19 myocarditis," "viral myocarditis," and "autoimmune myocarditis." Conclusions: Myocarditis is a complex and multifactorial condition that requires improved diagnostic tools and individualized treatment strategies. As with other diseases, personalized approaches considering patient-specific factors are essential for better clinical outcomes. To achieve this, further research into innovative diagnostic methods and targeted therapies is necessary. Additionally, raising awareness of myocarditis is crucial for early diagnosis, timely treatment, and patient support.

Over the past 50 years, a substantial body of research revealed an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and various aspects of EBV infection, with multiple autoimmune diseases. Growing evidence points to EBV as a potential co-factor in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this relationship, however there is as yet no conclusive proof of causality. This literature review constitutes an introduction into the subject and attempts to outline the findings on the EBV-SLE connection, focusing mostly on the evidence provided by serological studies.

The growing demand for metal production promotes the search for alternative sources and novel modalities in metallurgy. Flotation tailings are an important secondary mineral resource; however, they might pose a potential environmental threat due to containing toxic metals. Therefore, proper leaching reagent selection is required. Ozone is an alternative oxidizing agent for metal leaching, as its use prevents contaminating product generation while increasing the noble metal extraction efficiency in the presence of complexing agents. In this study, the feasibility and efficiency of combining the use of thiosulfate and ozone for gold and silver extraction have been investigated as an eco-friendly alternative for recovery from flotation tailings. Two sets of samples from old flotation tailings of Copper Mine Bor (Serbia) were prepared and physico-chemically characterized, then treated in two experimental leaching procedures, followed by thorough XRD and SEM/EDS analyses of the products. It showed that after 1 h of leaching in a water medium at room temperature and a solid-to-liquid phase ratio of 1:4, 88.8% of Cu was obtained, while a high efficiency of Au extraction from solid residue (after Cu leaching) was attained (83.4%). The results suggest that ozone-assisted leaching mediated by Ca-thiosulfate can be an effective eco-friendly treatment for noble metals recovery from sulfide-oxide ores.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is primary liver cancer, frequently diagnosed at advanced stages with limited therapeutic options. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate target gene expression and through inhibitory competitive binding of miRNA influence cellular processes including carcinogenesis. Extensive evidence proved that certain miRNA's are specifically expressed in neoplastic tissues of HCC patients and are confirmed as important factors that can participate in the regulation of key signalling pathways in cancer cells. As such, miRNAs have a great potential in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HCC and can improve the limitations of standard diagnosis and treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a critical role in the development and progression of HCC. HCC-related lncRNAs have been demonstrated to exhibit abnormal expression and contribute to transformation process (such as proliferation, apoptosis, accelerated vascular formation, and gain of invasive potential) through their interaction with DNA, RNA, or proteins. LncRNAs can bind mRNAs to release their target mRNA and enable its translation. These lncRNA-miRNA networks regulate cancer cell expression and so its proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), drug resistance, and autophagy. In this narrative review, we focus on miRNA and lncRNA in HCC tumor tissue and their interaction as current tools, and biomarkers and therapeutic targets unravelled in recent years.

Background/Objectives: Early pediatric cochlear implantation positively impacts early language outcomes. The Teenager and Young Adults Cochlear Implant (TAYACI) study investigates the long-term outcomes of early implantation and factors influencing variability among cochlear implant (CI) users. This article outlines participants’ background, early language outcomes, and multidisciplinary study protocol. Methods and Materials: Individuals aged 12–22 received CIs before 30 months of age, followed-up at the same hearing implant center, and adhered to a standard school curriculum were invited to participate. Out of 109 eligible CI users, 50 participated; 46 agreed to undergo clinical assessments, while four completed questionnaires only. Results: The mean age at the first CI was 15.63 months (SD = 6.0). All but one communicated with spoken language(s). Participants attended mainstream schools and had highly educated parents. Over half (56%) had received Auditory Verbal Therapy in early childhood. Earlier implantation correlated with better language understanding one year post-CI. Conclusions: Earlier implantation was associated with better early language outcomes, with parental education level and early family-centered intervention likely contributing. Future sub-studies will investigate multidisciplinary long-term effects of pediatric cochlear implantation in adolescents.

This study investigates the impact of Nosema infection in beehives on the physico-chemical and biochemical properties and spectral characteristics of honey as indicators of honey quality. Comprehensive analyses were performed on honey samples from hives with varying levels of Nosema infection, examining water content, free acidity, optical rotation, electrical conductivity, sugar composition, catalase activity, and pollen content. Honey from highly infected hives showed higher water content (up to 17.3%), lower optical rotation, reduced electrical conductivity, decreased glucose levels, and increased sucrose levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified distinct clustering of samples based on infection levels, with changes in the sugar profile, particularly higher phenolic compounds, correlating with increased infection levels. Fluorescence spectroscopy combined with PARAFAC modeling identified proteins and phenolic compounds as key discriminators of honey from infected hives. Correlation and PLS modeling further demonstrated strong relationships between spectral features and honey properties, including catalase activity and pollen content. This research presents a novel approach to evaluating the impact of Nosema infection on honey quality by integrating physico-chemical and biochemical analyses and sugar composition profiling with advanced spectroscopic techniques. These insights are invaluable for improving bee health monitoring practices and advancing sustainability in the beekeeping and honey production industries.

The article examines how the crisis phenomenon is discussed in the Romanian public communication environment. The authors argue that in the current context, where society is marked by multiple crises, the term "permacrisis" has become relevant, describing a state of permanent crisis affecting the society at multiple levels. The authors analysed how the topic of crisis has been represented in the Romanian media, focusing on articles published online between 2017 and 2022. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, the study highlights a significant increase in crisis-related mentions since 2020, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase indicates a shift in public perception and media discourse, suggesting the normalisation and acceptance of the crisis as a constant state. Four dominant themes associated with the crisis were identified in media discourse: the economic crisis, the health crisis generated by COVID-19, the domestic political crisis and the crisis generated by the war in Ukraine. These themes illustrate the different facets of the permacrisis in Romania, from the economic and social impact, to political uncertainty and the consequences of pandemics and geopolitical conflicts. The paper highlights the importance of recognising and understanding the phenomenon of permacrisis in Romanian society in order to develop more effective strategies for managing crises and building a more resilient society.

Artificial objects, particularly tunnels used for water transport under pressure, impact the geological and hydrogeological environment to a greater or lesser extent, and it is vital to assess their contributions to groundwater quality. Although tunnels are typically lined with concrete, their interaction with the hydrogeological environment intensifies over time. In this study, the detailed spatiotemporal monitoring of all hydrogeological features within the potential influence zone of the hydraulic tunnel of the Pirot Hydropower Plant has been conducted in order to determine the degree of interaction between the artificial object and the natural environment in real time, and to assess the correlation between monitored parameters. Natural conditions of the environment were defined, as well as potential changes through the observing groundwater regimes. The monitoring network included observations of groundwater regimes at seven springs located in close proximity to the hydraulic tunnel, within the tunnel, at three piezometers, and along the river, while methods employed were hydrological monitoring, physicochemical monitoring, and groundwater piezometer sensing. Cross-correlation analysis has been applied for assessing the impact of precipitation dynamics on the spring discharge regime. The results indicate a direct influence of the tunnel on the hydrogeological environment, proving the consistency and high correlation between the monitored parameters.

Abstract Background The prognostic significance of mast cells and different phenotypes of macrophages in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following resection is unclear. We aimed in this study to assess the local distribution of infiltrating macrophages and mast cells of specific phenotypes in tissues of HCC and to evaluate their prognostic values for survival of post-surgical patients. Methods The clinicopathological and follow-up data of 70 patients with HCC, who underwent curative resection of tumor from 1997 to 2019, were collected. The infiltration of CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages and CD117+ mast cells was assessed immunohistochemically in representative resected specimens of HCC and adjacent tissues. The area fraction (AF) of positively stained cells was estimated automatically using QuPath image analysis software in several regions, such as tumor center (TC), inner margin (IM), outer margin (OM), and peritumor (PT) area. The prognostic significance of immune cells, individually and in associations, for time to recurrence (TTR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results High AF of CD68+ macrophages in TC and IM and high AF of mast cells in IM and PT area were associated with a longer DFS. High AF of CD163+ macrophages in PT area correlated with a shorter DFS. Patients from CD163TChigh & CD68TClow group had a shorter DFS compared to all the rest of the groups, and cases with CD163IMlow & CD68IMhigh demonstrated significantly longer DFS compared to low AF of both markers. Patients from CD68IMhigh & CD163PTlow group, CD117IMhigh & CD163PTlow group, and CD117PThigh & CD163PTlow group had a significantly longer DFS compared to all other combinations of respective cells. Conclusions The individual prognostic impact of CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages and mast cells in the microenvironment of HCC after resection depends on their abundance and location, whereas the cumulative impact is built upon combination of different cell phenotypes within and between regions.

Cycling is a sustainable and healthy form of transportation that is gradually becoming the primary means of transportation over shorter distances in many countries. This paper describes the dataset used to determine the cycling characteristics of seniors in the USA and Canada. For these purposes, a specially created questionnaire was used in a survey conducted from August 2021 to July 2022. The questionnaire contained sections related to the general socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, general characteristics of cycling (type of bicycle, cycle time, mileage, etc.), and specific characteristics of cycling (riding in night conditions, termination of cycling, motivating and demotivating factors for cycling, etc.). The total sample consisted of 5096 respondents (50+ years old). This database is particularly significant because it represents the first set of publicly available data related to the cycling characteristics of older adults. The database can be used by various researchers dealing with this topic, but also by the decision-makers who want to design a sustainable and accessible cycling infrastructure, respecting the requirements of this category of users. Finally, this dataset can serve as an adequate basis in the process of determining the specificities and understanding the needs of older cyclists in traffic.

The global community is grappling with a significant increase in forest fires’ frequency, size, and intensity, presenting a profound challenge. To complement existing framing literature on forest fires, this paper examines collective frames applied to forest fires in a broader EU context. Employing a content analysis covering 354 EU policy documents—spanning both soft (non-legally binding) and hard (legally binding) policy documents—via the use of Atlas.ti, six collective frames on forest fires are outlined, identifying four as particularly dominant: ‘climate adaptation and resilience’, ‘risk mitigation and protective governance’, ‘agriculture and rural development’, and ‘technocratic perspectives on forest fires’. These frames capture dominant perspectives promoted within specific policy domains, such as energy and agriculture. Despite the diverse approaches to framing forest fires and their varied objectives, a common thread connects the narratives in these documents, namely, the central theme of ‘risk’. Whether it emerges in the context of reporting or as part of a call to action for adopting certain EU measures, the use of risk operates as a narrative device that negatively frames the discourse, consistently employed to call for action. The findings underscore the importance of considering communication strategies surrounding forest fires, particularly in light of their implications for forest governance.

Abstract The advancements in digital technologies, especially for mobile apps, enabled simplified data collection methods. Consequently, through Citizen Science, numerous opportunities arose for citizens to become contributors and not just beneficiaries of scientific research. Furthermore, through such engagement, citizens can participate in decision-making processes at different spatial scales, getting closer to the civic aspiration of a digital agora. This paper offers a systematic review of 303 studies on such initiatives to outline the potential of mobile apps in Citizen Science. Based distinctly on their specificities and the needs they address, three content categories were highlighted: a) monitoring tools, b) validation of techniques and methods to improve mobile technologies for Citizen Science, and c) participatory approaches of citizens employing mobile apps. The review also showed a susceptibility of several domains of activity towards Citizen Science, such as monitoring biodiversity and reconnecting people with nature, environmental risk monitoring or improving well-being. The findings highlight future research potential in addressing topics such as new technologies to increase Citizen Science performance and its contributions to Open Science, as well as diversification and enhancement of citizen scientists’ contributions.

Abstract Background Definition of temporal serum proteome profiles after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest may identify biological processes associated with severe hypoxia–ischaemia and reperfusion. It may further explore intervention effects for new mechanistic insights, identify candidate prognostic protein biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. This pilot study aimed to investigate serum proteome profiles from unconscious patients admitted to hospital after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest according to temperature treatment and neurological outcome. Methods Serum samples at 24, 48, and 72 h after cardiac arrest at three centres included in the Target Temperature Management after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest trial underwent data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry analysis (DIA-MS) to find changes in serum protein concentrations associated with neurological outcome at 6-month follow-up and targeted temperature management (TTM) at 33 °C as compared to 36 °C. Neurological outcome was defined according to Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) scale as “good” (CPC 1–2, good cerebral performance or moderate disability) or “poor” (CPC 3–5, severe disability, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, or death). Results Of 78 included patients [mean age 66 ± 12 years, 62 (80.0%) male], 37 (47.4%) were randomised to TTM at 36 °C. Six-month outcome was poor in 47 (60.3%) patients. The DIA-MS analysis identified and quantified 403 unique human proteins. Differential protein abundance testing comparing poor to good outcome showed 19 elevated proteins in patients with poor outcome (log2-fold change (FC) range 0.28–1.17) and 16 reduced proteins (log2(FC) between − 0.22 and − 0.68), involved in inflammatory/immune responses and apoptotic signalling pathways for poor outcome and proteolysis for good outcome. Analysis according to level of TTM showed a significant protein abundance difference for six proteins [five elevated proteins in TTM 36 °C (log2(FC) between 0.33 and 0.88), one reduced protein (log2(FC) − 0.6)] mainly involved in inflammatory/immune responses only at 48 h after cardiac arrest. Conclusions Serum proteome profiling revealed an increase in inflammatory/immune responses and apoptosis in patients with poor outcome. In patients with good outcome, an increase in proteolysis was observed, whereas TTM-level only had a modest effect on the proteome profiles. Further validation of the differentially abundant proteins in response to neurological outcome is necessary to validate novel biomarker candidates that may predict prognosis after cardiac arrest.

One of the open challenges in quantum computing is to find meaningful and practical methods to leverage quantum computation to accelerate classical machine-learning workflows. A ubiquitous problem in machine-learning workflows is sampling from probability distributions that we only have access to via their log probability. To this end, we extend the well-known Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) method for Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling to leverage quantum computation in a hybrid manner as a proposal function. Our new algorithm, Quantum Dynamical Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (QD-HMC), replaces the classical symplectic integration proposal step with simulations of quantum-coherent continuous-space dynamics on digital or analog quantum computers. We show that QD-HMC maintains key characteristics of HMC, such as maintaining the detailed balanced condition with momentum inversion, while also having the potential for polynomial speedups over its classical counterpart in certain scenarios. As sampling is a core subroutine in many forms of probabilistic inference, and MCMC in continuously parametrized spaces covers a large class of potential applications, this work widens the areas of applicability of quantum devices.

The objective of the current study was to examine how the expected rewards, theory of mind, and false praise-telling relate to interventional deception that prevents moral transgression. A sample of 114 children aged 4-7 years participated in the study. The expected rewards ratio was a statistically significant predictor of interventional deception, with the children being most likely to deceive to prevent moral transgressions when the deception involved high personal gain. Overall, children who gave false praise and who passed the hidden emotion task were more likely to deceive than those who told another individual an unpleasant truth and failed the emotion understanding task. The results are discussed with respect to diverse developmental conceptions and studies on prosocial behaviors and sociocognitive and cultural factors involved in deception.

The excellent technical parameters of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) and its ability to sequester CO2 from the environment predestine its use as an alternative to Portland cement. However, its main shortcomings, low water resistance, and excessive water absorption need to be addressed to enable its wider application in construction. For this reason, the improvement of the water resistance of MOC-based composites through the use of nanosized molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is the subject of this case study. The MOC-based composites were subjected to experimental testing of their chemical, structural and physical parameters using a wide range of advanced laboratory techniques. The composites enriched by MoS2 nanoadditive exhibited a densified and compact structure with improved mechanical parameters and stiffness. Water transport and storage were significantly decelerated and reduced by the incorporation of MoS2 nanoparticles, resulting in an improvement of water resistance, characterized by the softening coefficient, which was 66.1 % after 24 h of immersion in water, which is about 13.8 % higher than that of the reference MOC-based composite.

Abstract Habitat fragmentation impacts the distribution of genetic diversity and population genetic structure. Therefore, protecting the evolutionary potential of species, especially in the context of the current rate of human‐induced environmental change, is an important goal. In riverine ecosystems, migration barriers affect the genetic structure of native species, while also influencing the spread of invasive species. In this study, we compare genetic patterns of two native and one highly invasive riverine fish species in a Belgian river basin, namely the native three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and stone loach (Barbatula barbatula), and the non‐native and invasive topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva). We aimed to characterize both natural and anthropogenic determinants of genetic diversity and population genetic connectivity. Genetic diversity was highest in topmouth gudgeon, followed by stone loach and three‐spined stickleback. The correlation between downstream distance and genetic diversity, a pattern often observed in riverine systems, was only marginally significant in stone loach and three‐spined stickleback, while genetic diversity strongly declined with increasing number of barriers in topmouth gudgeon. An Isolation‐By‐Distance pattern characterizes the population genetic structure of each species. Population differentiation was only associated with migration barriers in the invasive topmouth gudgeon, while genetic composition of all species seemed at least partially determined by the presence of migration barriers. Among the six barrier types considered (watermills, sluices, tunnels, weirs, riverbed obstructions, and others), the presence of watermills was the strongest driver of genetic structure and composition. Our results indicate that conservation and restoration actions, focusing on conserving genetic patterns, cannot be generalized across species. Moreover, measures might target either on restoring connectivity, while risking a rapid spread of the invasive topmouth gudgeon, or not restoring connectivity, while risking native species extinction in upstream populations.

Abstract Background Most antidepressant treatment studies have included patients strictly based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders definition of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Given the heterogeneity of MDD, this approach may have obscured inter-patient differences and hampered the development of novel and targeted treatment strategies. An alternative strategy is ​​to use biomarkers to delineate endophenotypes of depression and test if these can be targeted via mechanism-based interventions. Several lines of evidence suggest that “inflammatory depression” is a clinically meaningful subtype of depression. Preliminary data indicate that omega-3 fatty acids, with their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, may be efficacious in this subtype of depression, and this study aims to test this hypothesis. Method We conduct a match-mismatch-trial to test if add-on omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces depressive symptoms in patients with MDD and systemic low-grade inflammation. MDD patients on a stable antidepressant treatment are stratified at baseline on high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels to a high-inflammation group (hs-CRP ≥ 3 mg/L) or a low-inflammation group (hs-CRP

Abstract The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of single‐junction organic solar cells (OSCs) have surpassed 19%, owing to the emerging Y‐series nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs). Undoubtedly, the power and flexibility of chemical design has been a strong driver for this rapid efficiency improvement in the OSC field. Over the course of the past 3 years, a variety of modifications have been made to the structure of the Y6 acceptor, and a large number of Y‐series NFAs have been reported to further improve performance. Herein, we present our insights into the rationale behind the Y6 acceptor and discuss the design principles toward high‐performance Y‐series NFAs. It is clear that structural modifications through choice of heteroatom, soluble chains, π spacers, central cores, and end groups alter the material characteristics and properties, contributing to distinctive photovoltaic performance. Subsequently, we analyze various design strategies of Y‐series‐containing materials, including polymerized small‐molecule acceptors (PSMA), non‐fused‐ring acceptors (NFRA), and all‐fused‐ring acceptors (AFRA). This review is expected to be of value in providing effective molecular design strategies for high‐performance NFAs in future innovations.

Despite normal hearing in one ear, individuals with congenital unilateral aural atresia may perceive difficulties in everyday listening conditions typically containing multiple sound sources. While previous work shows that intervention with bone conduction devices may aid spatial hearing for some children, testing conditions are often arranged to maximize any benefit and are not very similar to daily life. The benefit from amplification on spatial tasks has been found to vary between individuals, for reasons not entirely clear. This study has sought to expand on the limited knowledge on how children with unilateral aural atresia recognize speech masked by competing speech, and how horizontal sound localization accuracy is affected by the degree of unilateral hearing loss and by amplification using unilateral bone conduction devices when fitted before 3 years of age. In a within-subject, repeated measures design, including 11 children (mean age = 7.9 years), bone conduction hearing device (BCD) amplification did not negatively affect horizontal sound localization accuracy. The effect on speech recognition scores showed greater inter-individual variability. No benefit from amplification on a group level was found. There was no association between age at fitting and the benefit of the BCD. For children with poor unaided sound localization accuracy, there was a greater BCD benefit. Unaided localization accuracy increased as a function of decreasing hearing thresholds in the atretic ear. While it is possible that low sound levels in the atretic ear provided access to interaural localization cues for the children with the lowest hearing thresholds, the association has to be further investigated in a larger sample of children.

Recent advances in radar systems have led to the development of radar interferometry (RI) methods for contactless vibration monitoring of large-scale structures, i.e. bridges, water tower reservoirs, and factory chimneys. Interferometric radars are devices capable to measure with 200 Hz sampling frequency and relative movement precision of 0.1 mm up to 0.01 mm. The major part of this paper describes an in-situ footbridge experiment near Hradec Králové. Radar interferometry devices were deployed along with ordinary techniques compounded by accelerometers, wiring, and acquisition station. Experiment was focused on the evaluation of basic dynamic structural properties such as natural frequencies and mode shapes. A lot of attention was also given to the result comparison of these measurement methods. Test results have confirmed the applicability of RI for bridge vibration monitoring.

Introduction Cervical insufficiency accounts for 15% of recurrent pregnancy losses between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation. The aim of the study is to verify the effectiveness of emergency double-level cerclage with vaginal progesterone in cervical insufficiency treatment in terms of the prevention of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation.Methods and analysis This trial is a multicentre, non-blinded, randomised study with 1:1 allocation ratio. The study is conducted at tertiary perinatal care departments in Poland. It will include patients with cervical insufficiency with the fetal membranes visible in the open cervical canal or protruding into the vagina between 16+0 and 23+6 weeks of pregnancy. They will be randomised into two arms: emergency single-level cerclage with vaginal progesterone or double-level cerclage with vaginal progesterone. All will be administered antibiotics and indomethacin. The primary outcome is the rate of deliveries below 34+0 weeks of gestation, while secondary outcomes include gestational age at delivery, neonatal outcomes, maternal outcomes according to the Core Outcome Set for Evaluation of Interventions to Prevent Preterm Birth and cerclage procedure complications. The planned number of participants according to the power analysis is 78.Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was written in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials statement. It was created according to the requirements of the Declaration of Helsinki for Medical Research involving Human Subject. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education (no. 1/2022). The study protocol was approved and published by ClinicalTrials.gov (posted on 24 February 2022). All participants gave a written informed consent. After completion of the study its results will be published in a peer-reviewed English language journal.Trial registration NCT05268640.

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a fatal disease characterized by early genetic alterations in telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) and β-catenin (CTNNB1) genes and immune cell activation in the tumor microenvironment. As a novel approach, we wanted to assess patient survival influenced by combined presence of mutations and densities of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Methods Tissue samples were obtained from 67 HCC patients who had undergone resection. We analysed CD8+ T cells density, TERTp mutations, rs2853669 polymorphism, and CTNNB1 mutations. These variables were evaluated for time to recurrence (TTR) and disease free survival (DFS). Results TERTp mutations were found in 75.8% and CTNNB1 mutations in 35.6% of the patients. TERTp mutations were not associated with survival but polymorphism rs2853669 in TERTp was associated with improved TTR and DFS. CTNNB1 mutations were associated with improving TTR. High density of CD8+ T-lymphocytes in tumor center and invasive margin correlated with longer TTR and DFS. Combined genetic and immune factors further improved survival showing higher predictive values. E.g., combining CTNNB1 mutations and high density of CD8+ T-lymphocytes in tumor center yielded HRs of 0.12 (0.03–0.52), p = 0.005 for TTR and 0.25 (0.09–0.74), p = 0.01 for DFS. Conclusion The results outline a novel integrative approach for prognostication through combining independent predictive factors from genetic and immune cell profiles. However, larger studies are needed to explore multiple cell types in the tumor microenvironment.

To solve the problem with the landfilling of waste ash coming from wood chips combustion and to develop construction composites with moderate strength and improved thermal performance, enriched wood chips ash/magnesium oxychloride lightweight composites were designed and thoroughly characterized. As the demand for the thermal effective materials composed of sustainable raw precursors remains a challenge, foamed glass produced from waste glass was used as lightweight aggregate. The experimental analysis of the prepared composites included assessment of phase composition, micro- and macrostructural parameters, mechanical strength, hygric properties, heat transport and storage parameters. The replacement of silica sand with foamed glass enabled the development of materials with high porosity and mechanical strength, moderate water absorption capacity rate, lowered thermal conductivity and high heat storage capacity. As the flexural and compressive strength of the lightened composites remained high, it was possible to further improve thermal insulation performance of the composites by the higher dosage of lightweight aggregate in composite mixture. The wood chips ash greatly improved the mechanical strength of the lightened composites and enabled the development of construction materials with lower environmental damage. The ash acted both as fine filler and reactive material positively influencing the formation of hydration products. The acquired data and results evince that an interesting alternative to Portland cement-based composites were obtained.

Machine learning (ML) methods are commonly applied in the fields of extraterrestrial physics, space science, and plasma physics. In a prior publication, an ML classification technique, the Random Forest (RF) algorithm, was utilized to automatically identify and categorize erroneous signals, including instrument errors, noisy signals, outlier data points, and the impact of solar flares (SFs) on the ionosphere. This data communication includes the pre-processed dataset used in the aforementioned research, along with a workflow that utilizes the PyCaret library and a post-processing workflow. The code and data serve educational purposes in the interdisciplinary field of ML and ionospheric physics science, as well as being useful to other researchers for diverse objectives.

Photons that decouple from a relativistic jet do so over a range of radii, leading to a spreading in arrival times at the observer. Therefore, changes to the comoving photon distribution across the decoupling zone are encoded in the emitted signal. In this paper, we study such spectral evolution occurring across a pulse. We track the radiation from the deep subphotospheric regions all the way to the observed time-resolved signal, accounting for emission at various angles and radii. We assume a simple power-law photon spectrum injection over a range of optical depths and let the photons interact with the local plasma. At high optical depths, we find that the radiation exists in one of three characteristic regimes, two of which exhibit a high-energy power law. Depending on the nature of the injection, this power law can persist to low optical depths and manifest itself during the rise time of the pulse with a spectral index β ≈ α − 1, where α is the low-energy spectral index. The results are given in the context of a gamma-ray burst jet, but are general to optically thick, relativistic outflows.

We compared Spanish (L1)–English (L2) bilinguals and Spanish monolinguals in a semantic judgment relationship task in L1 that produced within-language conflict due to the coactivation of the two meanings of a Spanish homophone (e.g., “hola” and “ola” meaning “hello” and “a wave” in English). In this task, participants indicated if pairs of words were related or not (“agua-hola,” “water-hello”). Conflict arose because a word (“agua,” “water”) not related to the orthographic form of a homophone (“hola,” “hello”) was related to the alternative orthographic form (“ola,” “wave”). Compared to a control condition with unrelated word pairs (“peluche-hola,” “teddy-hello”), the behavioral results revealed greater behavioral interference in monolinguals compared to bilinguals. In addition, electrophysiological results revealed N400 differences between monolinguals and bilinguals. These results are discussed around the impact of bilingualism on conflict resolution.

Research background. Considering the importance of consumption of berry fruits with proven health-beneficial properties and difficulties in quality control of products of specific botanical and geographic origin, a fingerprint method was developed, based on advanced data analysis (pattern recognition, classification), in order to relate the variability of nutrients in the selected cultivars to primary metabolite profile. Experimental approach. Forty-five samples of genuine berry fruit cultivars (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, black currant, blueberry, gooseberry, chokeberry, cape gooseberry and goji berry) were characterized according to chromatographic profiles of primary metabolites (sugars, lipids and fatty acids) obtained by three chromatographic techniques (high-performance thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection). Results and conclusions. Comprehensive analysis allowed monitoring and identification of metabolites belonging to polar lipids, mono-, di- and triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, free sterols, sterol esters, mono- to heptasaccharides and sugar alcohols. Chemical fingerprint of berry seeds showed the uniformity of primary metabolites within each fruit species, but revealed differences depending on the botanical origin. All three chromatographic methods provided a discriminative, informative and predictive metabolomics methodology, which proved to be useful for chemotaxonomic classification. Novelty and scientific contribution. A novel methodology for the identification of bioactive compounds from primary metabolites of natural products was described. The proposed untargeted metabolite profiling approach could be used in the future as a routine method for tracing of novel bioactive compounds. The knowledge of metabolite composition obtained in this study can provide a better assessment of genotypic and phenotypic differences between berry fruit species and varieties, and could contribute to the development of new breeding programs.