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Background: Temporomandibular disorders are common conditions characterized by discomfort within the temporomandibular joints, acoustic changes, and restricted mandibular movement. Accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment rely heavily on clinical examination, but it is often necessary to add radiological examinations to the diagnostics. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for visualizing the disc, while cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is primarily used for evaluating condylar morphology. Ultrasound (US) serves as a real-time imaging modality for soft tissues. The objective of the present study was to explore the association between clinical manifestations observed in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and corresponding radiographic findings. Methods: A total of 63 adult patients (51 female and 12 male) with temporomandibular joint disorders were included in this cross-sectional study. Each patient underwent a clinical examination, followed by appropriate radiological examinations (MRI, CBCT, or US). The level of statistical significance was set at an alpha of 0.05. The Shapiro–Wilk test assessed the normality of numerical variables. The Wilcoxon rank sum test compared two independent groups with non-normally distributed data. Relationships between categorical variables were evaluated using the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The Kendall tau (τ) method analyzed the correlation between two binary variables. Results: The analysis included 63 patients with TMD, predominantly females (80.95%). Ages ranged from 18 to 74 years with a median of 39 years. In the CBCT study, we observed rarefied changes in the left bone structures in patients with bruxism (p = 0.010). MRI and ultrasound imaging revealed changes in patients with limited jaw opening: erosions in the right mandibular head on ultrasound (p = 0.008) and abnormal right bone structures on MRI (p = 0.009). In CBCT, asymmetry in the left joint space was correlated with a high incidence of right side muscle tension (p = 0.004). Additionally, both CBCT and ultrasound showed a correlation between muscle tension and erosion (p = 0.040 in ultrasound, p = 0.020 in CBCT). Acoustic changes, when compared with radiological imaging, were evident in all three studies, like temporomandibular joint pain or palpation. Conclusions: Our study compared three radiographic imaging methods with clinical examinations to assess their correlation with clinical symptoms. Each imaging technique provided unique insights depending on the specific symptoms presented. The observed correlations varied, highlighting the unique contributions of each modality to the diagnostic process. This underscores the importance of employing multiple diagnostic approaches for a thorough assessment of the temporomandibular joint. However, a limitation of our study is the small sample size and the uneven distribution of participants among the groups. Additionally, not all patients underwent every imaging modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Ecosystem engineering freshwater bivalves, burrowing in the substratum and accumulating shell deposits, transform bottom habitats. Especially the invasive Asian bivalve Sinanodonta woodiana (SW), due to its rapid growth, large size, and high fecundity, can affect benthic communities. Here, we determined its effect on habitat selection and behaviour of endangered native bivalves, Anodonta cygnea and Unio tumidus. 2. We conducted laboratory preference assays (Experiment 1: choice between two substrata) exposing the native bivalves to pure sand (control), shells (several densities on the sand surface or burrowed), or living SW. Then, we tested their locomotion and burrowing (Experiment 2) on pure sand and substrata contaminated with shells or living SW. 3. In Experiment 1, native bivalves avoided shells, but not living SW. Burrowed and larger shells were avoided compared with those on the surface and smaller ones, respectively. 4. In Experiment 2, U. tumidus exposed to SW delayed activity initiation (in response to living bivalves), increased locomotion (living bivalves, surface shells), and reduced burrowing depth (living bivalves, all shells). Anodonta cygnea exposed to SW reduced locomotion speed (living bivalves, shells), and reduced burrowing duration (burrowed shells) and depth (living bivalves, burrowed shells). 5. SW (especially shell beds) constitutes another emerging threat to native bivalves, impairing their burrowing and inducting active avoidance. As SW expands its distribution with climate warming, the range and strength of its impact is likely to increase, reducing the area available to native bivalves, exposing them to environmental dangers (due to burrowing limitation) and deteriorating physical condition (energetic resources used for excessive locomotion). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clams from the Corbicula species complex of Asian origin are invasive all over the world, currently extending their distribution to waters of the natural thermal regime in Central European areas. Features linking the clams to their habitats in newly invaded areas have not been fully examined. These include substratum preferences and mobility, which may be key to determining potential niche overlap with native bivalves and gaining a better knowledge of their potential active dispersal and impact. Therefore, our aim was to determine the substratum preferences, horizontal locomotion and burrowing behaviour of three Corbicula morphospecies from Poland, Central Europe: two populations of undetermined Corbicula sp. from an artificially heated habitat and water of the natural thermal regime (cold water), as well as Corbicula leana, and Corbicula fluminea (from artificially heated and cold water, respectively).To determine the preferred substratum range, we used pairwise choice tests with a range of muddy, sandy, and gravelly substrata, as well as zebra mussel shells. Then, we conducted behavioural observations (locomotion and burrowing) by CCTV cameras on substrata found as preferred and non‐preferred by clams.All morphospecies preferred fine‐grained over coarser substrata. C. fluminea from cold water had the widest range of substratum preferences. By contrast, C. leana from artificially heated water and Corbicula sp. from cold water showed the narrowest substratum preferences and spent the longest time deeply burrowed. The longest duration of burrowing activity was noted on non‐preferred coarser substrata, which may indicate difficulties in burrowing. On non‐preferred coarse substrata, C. fluminea (cold water) crawled more than the other morphospecies.Our results show that sediment preferences and behaviour (burrowing and locomotion) differ among various Corbicula morphospecies in Europe, probably also varying their invasive potential.This knowledge is important for determining the overlap of habitat preferences of non‐native Corbicula clams with native bivalves, which is critical for determining potential competition strength, impact, and/or displacement. Our results also indicate that habitats with fine sediments could be more threatened by Corbicula invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Available knowledge about disorders of temporomandibular joint structures and their association with orthodontic variables are still lacking. Objectives. This article is aimed at to identifying studies and presenting current information on the relationship between morphology diversity and the occurrence of degenerative changes in structures of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) assessed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the context of craniofacial morphology and malocclusion. Search Methods. The review was conducted by analyzing the PubMed (including Medline), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus electronic databases up to November 2021 using two different comprehensive search strategies based on keywords as well as additional manual searches. Eligibility Criteria. Selection of the literature was carried out according to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Methodological quality of the selected studies was evaluated using JBI Critical Appraisal Tool. Results. The electronic databases search revealed 3331 records. After applying the eligibility criteria and JBI assessment, a total of 33 studies were extracted and selected to the study. The review was divided into 4 parts, in which the following correlations were assessed in terms of orthodontic variables: TMJ degenerative changes, joint space and condylar position, condylar shape, TMJ articular eminence, and fossa. Conclusions. Skeletal and dental class II malocclusion with a retrognathic mandible, a hypodivergent skeletal pattern with a steep mandibular plane, and significant lateral mandibular displacement can be risk factors for developing radiographically detectable degenerative changes. Patients with skeletal and dental class III malocclusion as well as a hyperdivergent skeletal pattern may be at greater risk of TMD occurrence compared with other groups. Further studies are necessary to clarify the relationship between the position of the condylar processes and the presence of degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joints among orthodontic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study is aimed at evaluating the impact of the craniofacial structure and occlusal conditions on the position of the articular heads of the mandibular condyles in the maximum intercuspal position (MIP) and comparing the centric relation (CR) and MIP of the mandibular condyles prior to orthodontic treatment. Methods. The studied group consisted of 33 women and 15 men (median age of 17.75 years). Contact points of opposing teeth in the MIP were assessed by hand-held casts. Condylar displacement (CD) in three spatial planes on both sides was measured on models mounted in an articulator using a mandibular position indicator (MPI). Patients were divided into groups according to craniofacial structures (vertical and horizontal growth directions). The Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, post hoc Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner, and Pearson's χ 2 independence tests as well as Spearman's nonparametric correlations were used in the statistical analyses. Results. Within the limitations of this study, no statistically significant correlation of CD with certain cephalometric measurements from a lateral cephalometric radiograph (ANB, SN-ML, and SGo/NMe) was observed. Correlation, however, was found between condylar displacement in the transverse axis and the mandibular plane angle SN-ML (p = 0.033) and also between condylar displacement in the anteroposterior axis and a midline shift of the mandible (p = 0.041). The results revealed a relationship between Angle's classification of molar position on the right side and anteroposterior CD values (p = 0.006). Conclusions. Cephalometric measurements cannot be used to predict CD at the level of the condyles. Analysis of occlusal conditions of models mounted in an articulator is desirable for patients with Angle's class I and lower jaw asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers seeking to generate genomic data for non‐model organisms are faced with a number of trade‐offs when deciding which method to use. The selection of reduced representation approaches versus whole genome resequencing will ultimately affect the marker density, sequencing depth, and the number of individuals that can multiplexed. These factors can affect researchers' ability to accurately characterize certain genomic features, such as landscapes of divergence—how FST varies across the genomes. To provide insight into the effect of sequencing method on the estimation of divergence landscapes, we applied an identical bioinformatic pipeline to three generations of sequencing data (GBS, ddRAD, and WGS) produced for the same system, the yellow‐rumped warbler species complex. We compare divergence landscapes generated using each method for the myrtle warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata) and the Audubon's warbler (S. c. auduboni), and for Audubon's warblers with deeply divergent mtDNA resulting from mitochondrial introgression. We found that most high‐FST peaks were not detected in the ddRAD data set, and that while both GBS and WGS were able to identify the presence of large peaks, WGS was superior at a finer scale. Comparing Audubon's warblers with divergent mitochondrial haplotypes, only WGS allowed us to identify small (10–20 kb) regions of elevated differentiation, one of which contained the nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial gene NDUFAF3. We calculated the cost per base pair for each method and found it was comparable between GBS and WGS, but significantly higher for ddRAD. These comparisons highlight the advantages of WGS over reduced representation methods when characterizing landscapes of divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species are those that have been transferred by humans out of their natural range. Native crayfish species in Polish waters include: Astacus astacus and Pontastacus leptodactylus, whereas invasive species are: Pacifastacus leniusculus, Faxonius limosus, Procambarus clarkii and Procambarus virginalis. The objective of this study was to determine how abiotic and biotic environmental factors contribute to interspecific competition of Polish crayfish based on the available literature. Abiotic factors affecting the interspecific competition include tolerance to extreme pH values, calcium ion content, temperature, oxygenation, water salinity, preferred substrate and the type of water bodies. Biotic factors are, inter alia, pathogens, food base, plant cover and interactions in the prey–predator system, as well as interactions between crayfish species. The most important abiotic factors are water temperature and oxygenation, while the most important biotic factor is the crayfish plague – a deadly disease for native species. Each invasive species has a different set of traits and adaptations that enable a successful invasion. However, a successful invasion of a given species is not determined by one, but many adaptations that coexist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ketamine exhibits antidepressant properties in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) with some concern over its cardiovascular safety and tolerability issues. This paper reports on the cardiovascular safety in short-term intravenous ketamine treatment in TRD inpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BP). Materials and Methods: The observational study population comprises 35 MDD and 14 BP subjects treated with intravenous ketamine. Results: Blood pressure (RR) and heart rate (HR) values returned to baseline within 1.5-hours post infusion with no sequelae for all study subjects. Six time points were analyzed for each infusion: 0', 15', 30', 45', 60' and 90' for RR and HR. After the infusion significant peaks in systolic (p = 0.004) and diastolic (p = 0.038) RR were seen. In concomitant medication with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), higher RR peaks (p = 0.020; p = 0.048) were seen as compared to other subjects. The decrease in HR was greater (p = 0.02) in the absence of concomitant medication with mood stabilizers as compared to subjects receiving mood stabilizing medication accompanied by the observation of a greater decrease in diastolic RR among those taking mood stabilizers (p = 0.009). Limitations: The study may be underpowered due to the small sample size. The observations apply to an inhomogeneous TRD population in a single-site, pilot study, with no blinding and are limited to the acute administration. Conclusion: The study demonstrates good safety and tolerability profile of intravenous ketamine as add-on intervention to current psychotropic medication in TRD, regardless of the MDD or BP type of mood disorders. The abatement of elevated RR and BP scores was observed in time with no sequelae nor harm. Still, cardiovascular risks appear to be more pronounced in subjects with comorbid arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the several literary works with homilectic themes. Implications of homiliary text for vernacular rendition; Adaptation of Old English versions; States of reciprocal injunction.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in an in vivo experimental mice model causes oxidative damage in the liver, muscle, and kidney. We aimed to determine specific mechanisms underlying melatonin's antioxidant protective role. Assays were carried out in quadruplicate in the control, melatonin (10 mg/kg, 10 days), acute LPS administration (once 150 μg), and LPS + melatonin groups. LPS stimulated lipid peroxidation processes (dienes and malondialdehyde) and antioxidant enzyme concentrations (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) were assessed in all investigated tissues. Protein oxidation processes (measured as aldehyde and kenotic carbonyl protein derivatives) were enhanced by LPS in the kidney and liver but not in muscle. Melatonin reversed LPS-induced changes, with the exception of muscle protein oxidation. LPS-induced oxidative stress resulted in augmented early-stage diene conjugated and end-stage malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation processes and affected antioxidant activity in liver, kidney, and muscle tissues. LPS activated protein oxidation processes in the kidney and liver. Melatonin ameliorated oxidative damage in the liver, kidney, and partially in the muscle. Melatonin modulates oxidative stress-induced states. Potential synergism between melatonin and systemic inflammation in terms of oxidative modification of muscle proteins needs to be clarified in further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical event in the development and progression of diseases such as acute ischemic stroke, chronic ischemia or small vessels disease that affect the central nervous system. It is not known whether BBB breakdown in subjects with chronic carotid artery stenosis can be restrained with postoperative recovery of cerebral perfusion. The aim of the study was to assess the short-term effect of internal carotid artery stenting on basic perfusion parameters and permeability surface area-product (PS) in such a population. Forty subjects (23 males) with stenosis of >70% within a single internal carotid artery and neurological symptoms who underwent a carotid artery stenting procedure were investigated. Differences in the following computed tomography perfusion (CTP) parameters were compared before and after surgery: global cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), time to peak (TTP) and PS. PS acquired by CTP is used to measure the permeability of the BBB to contrast material. In all baseline cases, the CBF and CBV values were low, while MTT and TTP were high on both the ipsi- and contralateral sides compared to reference values. PS was approximately twice the normal value. CBF was higher (+6.14%), while MTT was lower (−9.34%) on the contralateral than on the ipsilateral side. All perfusion parameters improved after stenting on both the ipsilateral (CBF +22.66%; CBV +18.98%; MTT −16.09%, TTP −7.62%) and contralateral (CBF +22.27%, CBV +19.72%, MTT −14.65%, TTP −7.46%) sides. PS decreased by almost half: ipsilateral −48.11%, contralateral −45.19%. The decline in BBB permeability was symmetrical on the ipsi- and contralateral sides to the stenosis. Augmented BBB permeability can be controlled by surgical intervention in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal cations complexation and proton binding by 13- and 16-membered diphenyl-azobenzocrowns and diphenyl-hydroxyazobenzocrowns were studied in acetonitrile using spectroscopic methods: UV–vis spectroscopy, spectrofluorimetry, and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Phenyl moieties in benzene rings were found to affect binding strength alkali and alkaline earth metal cations and hydrogen ion, and affect tautomeric equilibrium of hydroxyazobenzocrowns. X-ray structure of 13-membered diphenyl-hydroxyazobenzocrown was solved showing the existence of this compound in quinone-hydrazone form in a solid state. The suitability of diphenyl-azobenzocrowns for potentiometric metal cation determination using miniature, planar, all-solid-state type electrodes was also tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The impact of coverage size on global cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) parameters has not been investigated in patients with chronic carotid artery stenosis. Methods: 63 patients with stenosis of >70% within a single internal carotid artery and neurological symptoms were randomly assigned to two well-matched groups. Differences in CT perfusion scan over a 4 cm or 8 cm range of the brain were compared between the two groups. Results: The CBF and CBV values were higher in the 4 cm coverage size than in the 8 cm coverage size (by 14.7 and 10.7% on the ipsilateral side and 17.2 and 7.8% on the contralateral side, respectively; all p < 0.001). The MTT value was higher in the 4 cm coverage size than in the 8 cm coverage size on the ipsilateral side (9.6%; p < 0.001). There was no difference between MTT values in the contralateral size. There were no differences between TTP values on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides. The relative indices rMTT and rTTP were higher in the 4 cm coverage size than in the 8 cm coverage size (8.2%, p < 0.001, and 1.1%, p < 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: Absolute CBF and CBV values and relative rMTT and rTTP indices in patients with low CBF and low CBV are highly dependent on coverage size. We recommend using a 4 cm coverage size to assess global cerebral perfusion parameters owing to better accuracy and quicker post-processing. Advances in knowledge: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first article to compare the influence of 4 cm vs 8 cm coverage size on cerebral perfusion parameters such as CBF, CBV, MTT and TTP in subjects with chronic carotid artery stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Meniscus extrusion is a serious and relatively frequent clinical problem. For this reason the role of different risk factors for this pathology is still the subject of debate. The goal of this study was to verify the results of previous theoretical work, based on the mathematical models, regarding a relationship between the cross-section shape of the meniscus and the risk of its extrusion. Materials and Methods: Knee MRI examination was performed in 77 subjects (43 men and 34 women), mean age 34.99 years (range: 18–49 years), complaining of knee pain. Patients with osteoarthritic changes (grade 3 and 4 to Kellgren classification), varus or valgus deformity and past injuries of the knee were excluded from the study. A 3-Tesla MR device was used to study the relationship between the shape of the lateral meniscus (using slope angle, meniscus-cartilage height and meniscus-bone angle) and the risk of extrusion. Results: Analysis revealed that with values of slope angle and meniscus-bone angle increasing by one degree, the risk of meniscus extrusion raises by 1.157 and 1.078 respectively. Also, an increase in meniscus-cartilage height by 1 mm significantly elevates the risk of extrusion. At the same time it was demonstrated that for meniscus-bone angle values over 42 degrees and slope angle over 37 degrees the risk of extrusion increases significantly. Conclusions: This was the first study to demonstrate a tight correlation between slope angle, meniscus-bone angle and meniscus-cartilage height values in the assessment of the risk of lateral meniscus extrusion. Insertion of the above parameters to the radiological assessment of the knee joint allows identification of patients characterized by an elevated risk of development of this pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiological assessment of treatment effectiveness of guided bone regeneration (GBR) method in postresectal and postcystal bone loss cases, observed for one year. Group of 25 patients (17 females and 8 males) who underwent root resection with cystectomy were evaluated. The following combination therapy of intraosseous deficits was used, consisting of bone augmentation with xenogenic material together with covering regenerative membranes and tight wound closure. The bone regeneration process was estimated, comparing the images taken on the day of the surgery and 12 months later, by means of Kodak RVG 6100 digital radiography set. The interpretation of the radiovisiographic image depends on the evaluation ability of the eye looking at it, which leaves a large margin of uncertainty. So, several texture analysis techniques were developed and used sequentially on the radiographic image. For each method, the results were the mean from the 25 images. These methods compute the fractal dimension ( D ), each one having its own theoretic basis. We used five techniques for calculating fractal dimension: power spectral density method, triangular prism surface area method, blanket method, intensity difference scaling method and variogram analysis. Our study showed a decrease of fractal dimension during the healing process after bone loss. We also found evidence that various methods of calculating fractal dimension give different results. During the healing process after bone loss, the surfaces of radiographic images became smooth. The result obtained show that our findings may be of great importance for diagnostic purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: One of the main research aims of epidemiological studies is to prove the prevalence of diseases and physiological conditions among people. The results of these studies enable to implement efficient prophylaxis and to plan proper health care management. Information about the prevalence of malocclusions in children and adolescents is a very important aspect of the planning of preventive care in health policy. In addition, evaluation of malocclusion allows for determining current treatment effectiveness and orthodontic treatment need after the completion of free orthodontic treatment under the Polish National Health Fund, which the legislator provided for children up to 13 years of age. Materials and methods: The study included 500 children, aged 13 years (249 girls, 251 boys) from the Podlaskie voivodeship. The study was conducted in nine junior high schools, in a school nursing surgery using basic diagnostic tools (periodontal probe, dental mirror, laryngological spatula). The rules of Polish orthodontic diagnosis by Orlik-Grzybowska were applied in diagnosis of malocclusion. Dental abnormalities were also determined. Results: Malocclusions were found in 57.8% of patients. 34% of children had distal occlusion belonged to the most frequent irregularities, while lingual occlusions (1.6%) was observed the most rarely. Dental abnormalities, including teeth rotations (81.8%) as most frequent were reported in 82.8% of the respondents. Conclusions: The prevalence of malocclusion in 13 - year old school children from the Podlaskie voivodeship is high and indicates the inadequacy of orthodontic health care program. Distal occlusion is the most common malocclusion No significant differences were found between the prevalence of malocclusion and the place of residence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Wallach rearrangement was used as a method for preparing p-hydroxyazobenzocrown ethers starting from different azoxybenzocrowns as substrates. Synthesis of a series of p-hydroxyazobenzocrowns under modified conditions and characterization of the obtained products are presented. o-Hydroxyazobenzocrowns were identified among the products of the photochemical rearrangement of azoxybenzocrowns. Novel biscrowns were synthesized from p-hydroxyazobenzocrown ethers. The synthesized host molecules, differing in the size of the macrocycles and in the substituents in the aromatic rings, have the same dioxymethylene linkers. They were used as potential sodium or potassium ionophores in classic and miniature (screen-printed) ion-selective electrodes. The properties (tautomerism, acid–base equilibrium) of newly prepared o-hydroxyazobenzocrown ethers and their p-substituted analogs were studied using spectroscopic methods and compared. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: This is the first report of a rare genetic tooth and nail syndrome (TNS) diagnosed in a 14-year-old Caucasian girl a complete absence of the permanent dentition and, additionally, reduced total and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD). This coincidence suggests a new clinical manifestation of the disorder in which genetic factors and/or shared mechanisms may be responsible for the deterioration of the stomatognathic system, anodontia, nail phenotype and osteopenia. Low bone appears to be a new component of the syndrome, There is a rationale for bone densitometry scans assuming that patients TNS may have an increased risk of osteopenia. Reduced BMD and, possibly, impaired bone quality and strength may produce difficulties or even exclude such patients from future treatment with dental implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to: (1) evaluate the subarachnoid space (SAS) width and pial artery pulsation in both hemispheres, and (2) directly compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to near-infrared transillumination/backscattering sounding (NIR-T/BSS) measurements of SAS width changes in healthy volunteers. Methods: The study was performed on three separate groups of volunteers, consisting in total of 62 subjects (33 women and 29 men) aged from 16 to 39 years. SAS width was assessed by MRI and NIR-T/BSS, and pial artery pulsation by NIR-T/ BSS. Results: In NIR-T/BSS, the right frontal SAS was 9.1% wider than the left (p<0.01). The SAS was wider in men (p<0.01), while the pial artery pulsation was higher in women (p<0.01). Correlation and regression analysis of SAS width changes between the back- and abdominal-lying positions measured with MRI and NIRT-B/SS demonstrated high interdependence between both methods (r = 0.81, p<0.001). Conclusions: NIR-T/BSS and MRI were comparable and gave equivalent modalities for the SAS width change measurements. The SAS width and pial artery pulsation results obtained with NIR-T/BSS are consistent with the MRI data in the literature related to sexual dimorphism and morphological asymmetries between the hemispheres. NIR-T/BSS is a potentially cheap and easy-to-use method for early screening in patients with brain tumours, increased intracranial pressures and other abnormalities. Further studies in patients with intracranial pathologies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Novel biscrowns were successfully synthesized from azobenzocrown ethers containing hydroxyl groups in para position relative to the azo group. The synthesized host molecules, differing in the size of the macrocycles, the length of the linker and their potential to act as sodium or potassium ionophores, were characterized and used as ionophores in classic and miniature (screen-printed) ion-selective electrodes. Metal cation complexation for selected macrocycles was carried out with the use of UV–vis spectroscopy in acetonitrile. The structural features of novel complex have been deduced by X-ray crystallography. X-ray analysis indicated the formation of sandwich structures with two sodium cations encapsulated between two macrocyclic molecules of 13C2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The year 2010, which is the main focus of this report, must surely appear in the Academy annals as beyond imagination. The passage of the Arizona immigration law (SB 1070), and also an Arizona law on ethnic studies, created consternation and confusion as the Academy looked ahead to the scheduling of this meeting. The question was whether or not the Academy should hold the meeting as planned or seek other arrangements, if not cancellation. As tension was building throughout the country, the Academy began to receive advice and more from a variety of sources, including individuals who were not members of the Academy but sought to speak as medievalists through the Academy. For the first time ever the officers and Council held a telephone conference, on June 18, which led to a decision to conduct a poll soliciting from the membership its views on the main issue of holding the meeting in Arizona. The new Academy distribution list registered 1,025 opinions out of a total possible of 3,881. The solicitation of members' views in this direct way was also a first. By about a 4.5 percent margin the poll favored a decision to stay in Arizona. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article defines tax havens and explains methods of tax evasions by individuals in the U.S. It describes the unilateral and multilateral tax enforcement methods and proposals for change. It presents legal authority that supports the enforcement of the summons in the case of UBS AG and assesses its settlement which includes its implications for tax enforcement in the future.

A suspicion of brain death (BD) is the 1st step in the process of BD certification. Owing to its utmost importance, the process must yield an unequivocal answer so that the committee for the determination of BD has no doubts. We present a case of a patient with suspected BD, with a diagnosis of no intracranial flow in 4-vessel digital-subtraction angiography, who developed some reflexes just before clinical examination for BD assessment. The source of clinical findings was determined to be an extracranial blood supply, which enabled the preservation of trace lower brain stem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the Old English translation of the book 'De Consolatione Philosophiae,' written by Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius. Significance of the book to the Middle Ages and to Alfred the Great's cultural program in Anglo-Saxon England; Analysis of the editorial choices made by Walter Sedgefield in translating the book into OE.

Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, is a racemic mixture of esketamine and arketamine used to treat unipolar and bipolar depression. Preliminary reports indicate that it may be beneficial for depressed patients reporting symptoms of anhedonia. In this systematic review we aim to assess and analyze the existing body of evidence regarding the therapeutic effects of ketamine on the domain of anhedonia. Electronic databases (PubMed, APA Psycinfo and Web of Science) were searched from inception to November 2023. Protocol was registered in PROSPERO under the identifier CRD42023476603. A total of twenty-two studies, including four randomized-controlled trials and eighteen open-label trials were included. All studies reported alleviation of anhedonia symptoms following ketamine or esketamine administration, regardless of the number of infusions. Several important limitations were included, first and foremost low number of placebo-controlled randomized-controlled trials. This review indicates a potential anti-anhedonic effect of ketamine in patients with depression. Several trials used neuroimaging techniques which confirm ketamine's effect on functional connectivity correlating with the improvement in anhedonia. Despite considerable variations in methodology and the specific brain regions investigated, these studies collectively point towards ketamine's neuroplastic effects in mitigating anhedonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the conditions of Old English prose. What is needed by the old English Prose; Restricted view of the relation between Old English Prose and its Latin cognate; Two major counts indicted by the larger enterprise of Old English literary studies; Robert Yager's 1979 survey of the state of teaching Old English; More.

The year 2010 was the first year in the five-year publishing agreement between Cambridge University Press (CUP) and the Medieval Academy of America on behalf of Speculum, volumes 85 (2010) through 89 (2014). As might be expected, the conjointure of an eighty-five-year-old journal and a publishing house of more than five hundred years crossed many a traditional line and some new ones. For example, every contribution to the journal now has to be copyrighted, even this report and those that accompany it. One crucial matter is the distinction between subscribers and members. Subscribers are institutions that pay for and receive Speculum, while members are individuals who receive Speculum as a perquisite of membership in the Medieval Academy (along with other perquisites). In other words, CUP manages institutions; the Academy still works with individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article provides information on a report of the executive director of the Medieval Academy of America during its annual meeting in 2009. It states that the downward trend of virtually every economy and every business should not affect the success of the Academy in its pursuit of external funding. The academy received $153,051 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support a seminar in the summer of 2009. The number of good standing members of Medieval Academy as of December 31, 2008 is cited.

The article reports on aspects of membership and organizational news for the Medieval Academy of America. The author reflects on dues increases, losses in international subscribers, and sponsored funding. Other topics include operating budgets, member services available on the Internet, and committee appointments.

In this narrative review, a theoretical framework on the crosstalk between physical exercise and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is presented. We discuss the influence of physical activity on the factors affecting BBB permeability such as systemic inflammation, the brain renin-angiotensin and noradrenergic systems, central autonomic function and the kynurenine pathway. The positive role of exercise in multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease is described. Finally, the potential role of conditioning as well as the effect of exercise on BBB tight junctions is outlined. There is a body of evidence that regular physical exercise diminishes BBB permeability as it reinforces antioxidative capacity, reduces oxidative stress and has anti-inflammatory effects. It improves endothelial function and might increase the density of brain capillaries. Thus, physical training can be emphasised as a component of prevention programs developed for patients to minimise the risk of the onset of neuroinflammatory diseases as well as an augmentation of existing treatment. Unfortunately, despite a sound theoretical background, it remains unclear as to whether exercise training is effective in modulating BBB permeability in several specific diseases. Further research is needed as the impact of exercise is yet to be fully elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wstęp. Jednym z warunków mających wpływ na możliwość wykonania zabiegu operacyjnego i osiągnięcie dobrych wyników leczenia w raku odbytnicy jest uzyskanie całkowitej odpowiedzi na leczenie neoadjuwantowe. W chwili obecnej nie jest możliwe określenie, u którego chorego możliwe będzie uzyskanie remisji całkowitej, częściowej lub braku odpowiedzi na leczenie. Cel. Celem badania było wstępne określenie stopnia odpowiedzi na leczenie neoadjuwantowe w raku odbytnicy na podstawie czynników klinicznych, obrazu radiologicznego i wyników wybranych badań laboratoryjnych. Materiał i metody. Dane uzyskano z elektronicznej dokumentacji medycznej pacjentów operowanych w Uniwersyteckim Centrum Klinicznym z powodu raka odbytnicy w 2018 roku, którzy byli poddani neoadjuwantowej radioterapii z jednoczasową lub następczą chemioterapią, z użyciem narzędzia do przeglądania zanonimizowanych danych Medstream Designer. Wyniki. Oceniano dane 25 pacjentów (w tym 18 mężczyzn), z których 13 miało wykonaną radioterapię 25 Gy (short) z następczą chemioterapią FOLFOX-4 lub FOLFOX-6, zaś 12 miało wykonaną radioterapię 50,4 Gy lub 56 Gy na lożę guza z jednoczasową chemioterapią leukoworyną i 5-fluorouracylem. W badaniach histopatologicznych pacjentów stwierdzono zastosowanie 4 różnych skal oceny odpowiedzi guza na leczenie neoadjuwantowe. Większość wyników oceniono wg skali Tumor Regression Grade wg AJCC - 11, i wg Dworaka - 10. Niejednorodność oceny uniemożliwia miarodajne porównanie odpowiedzi na leczenie u pacjentów. Wnioski. Badanie wykazało potrzebę ujednolicenia narzędzi do oceny odpowiedzi guza nowotworowego na leczenie neoadjuwantowe. Brak tego elementu w planowanych badaniach uniemożliwi już na początku ocenę wyników całego procesu leczenia, w tym zabiegu opercyjnego i leczenia adjuwantowego. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to check the pro-apoptotic mechanism of prosthetic reconstruction on epithelial cells of the oral mucosa. The research was carried out on the saliva of healthy patients using prostheses. The sample swabs were stained using the May-Grünwald-Giemsa method and processed by immunohistochemistry for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB; p65) and caspase-3. Western blots were used to detect caspase-3, NF-κB, p53 and COX-2 expression. We found an increased expression of caspase-3, NF-κB and p53 in the oral epithelial cells of patients using prosthetic restorations compared to the subjects from the control group. No differences in COX-2 expression were found between the groups. The strongest immunoreactivity and expression of caspase-3, NF-κB and p53 were observed in patients using full prosthesis for less than two years. The results of the conducted research indicate that prosthetic restorations may affect the process of apoptosis of oral mucosa epithelial cells. Lack of difference in expression of COX-2 in the saliva of the studied patients suggests that apoptosis is not caused by inflammatory factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the great historical enterprises of modern scholarship on the Middle Ages is the edition and publication of works of medieval philosophers and theologians. Unlike the great nationalist-inspired projects like the Monumenta Germaniae Historica or the Rolls Series or the well-defined projects of the Maurists and Bollandists, the editors of the great medieval thinkers usually labor alone or in small teams dependent on small government grants or the wavering sponsorship of religious or national organizations. And there is much to do given how few medieval theological works exist in adequate critical editions, even for such central figures as Thomas Aquinas and William of Ockham. Rescuing and making accessible the monuments of medieval philosophy has been the life work of Girard J. Etzkorn, professor emeritus of the Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure University, for which the Medieval Academy of America is honoring him with the 2011 Robert L. Kindrick–CARA Award for Outstanding Service to Medieval Studies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article announces that the 2009 Robert L. Kindrick--CARA Award for Outstanding Service to Medieval Studies is given to Thomas H. Ohlgren of Purdue University.

The article presents a report of the editor of "Speculum" during the annual meeting of the Medieval Academy of America. President Patrick J. Geary and Paul E. Szarmach, with associate editor Jacqueline Brown, came to the virtual completion of the negotiations of a contract for "Speculum" with Cambridge University Press (CUP). The process began in 2007 when three university presses approached "Speculum" seeking publication relationships. Information on CUP is offered. Book review editors for 2009-2010 are listed.

The article announces that professor Christopher Kleinhenz has been awarded the Robert L. Kindrick-CARA Award for Outstanding Service to Medieval Studies by the Medieval Society of America.

The article reports on aspects of publication and organizational news for the Medieval Academy of America. The author reflects on book reviews in the journal and international subscriptions. Other topics include publishing arrangements, a decline in the cost of the journal, and submissions, practices, and policy questions.

The article offers information regarding the Medieval Academy in 2007. It is reported that membership in the academy and subscriptions to the journal are down from the previous year. The locations of the annual meeting for 2009 - 2011 are listed. Several appointments to academy committees are noted and it is announced that several independent scholars have been awarded travel grants, including Simone Brosig, Laura M. Grimes, and Joshua A. Westgard.

The article announces that Gregory Guzman of Bradley University has been awarded the Robert L. Kindrick-CARA Award for Outstanding Service to Medieval Studies by the Medieval Academy.

The article deals with the partnership formed by the Medieval Academy of America and Cambridge University Press to published "Speculum." The partnership starts with the 2010 issue of "Speculum" and continues through volume 89, number 4, under which the Academy retains editorial control and copyright. The partnership is also expected to result in some technical innovation in the production of articles.

The article reports information related to the journal. The author announces that the editorial team has retired its backlog of reviews, comments on a submission from Israel, and announces additions to the journal's team of book editors including Maria Dobozy of the University of Utah, Rebecca A. Baltzer of the University of Texas, and Stephen Perkinson of Bowdoin College.