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Background. COVID-19 has turned into a global public health crisis. This study intended to compare demographic characteristics, disease severity, treatment methods, and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 during the third and fourth waves of the pandemic in Golestan Province, Iran. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, the clinical epidemiology of all COVID-19 patients, who were hospitalized in two educational hospitals in Golestan Province for 30 days from the start of the third and fourth waves of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021-2022, was assessed. Their electronic medical records were used to collect their epidemiological, demographic, laboratory, and clinical information and treatment outcome. Results. In all, 930 electronic medical records of the hospitalized patients (351 in the third wave and 579 in the fourth wave) were studied. In the third and fourth waves, 29.06% and 13.13% of the patients had severe COVID-19, respectively ( P = 0.001). The number of deaths in the third wave was larger compared to the fourth wave ( P = 0.015). The mean duration of hospitalization was longer in the third wave than in the fourth wave ( P = 0.001). The drugs administered most in these two waves were remdesivir, dexamethasone, and heparin, and the patients who received these drugs were compared in the third and fourth waves ( P = 0.001). Conclusion. The reduced rate of mortality in the fourth wave was compared to the third wave. This reduction can be attributed to the change in the national strategy adopted in terms of hospitalization criteria and treatment protocols taking into account the acquired experience, earlier hospitalization, and start of drug therapy.

In this study, we examine the degree of persistence in tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on it. The series investigated are foreign arrivals and overnight stays for the time period from January 2008 to December 2021. The methodology used is based on fractional integration. The results indicate that the impact of COVID-19 has been strong on the series, removing the significance of the time trend, increasing the level of persistence and reducing significantly the seasonality factor in both arrivals and overnight stay series.

Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) is a widely distributed, common species of the Corvidae family. Since magpies have lived close to humans for centuries, we have much information about the species. However, there are few data about morphological and dietary differences between sexes, primarily due to their monomorphic and omnivorous, and opportunistic characteristics. The aim of the study was to analyse the sexual differences in the morphological characteristics, simultaneously provide the body measurements for both sexes with a high level of accuracy and determine the diet composition through stomach content analysis during the winter. The samples were taken from hunting in February of 2020, in Hungary. The linear measurements of body parts (eight variables considered) have been done for all individuals (n=30), and the values were compared between the sexes. The stomach contents were categorized among five main food components, and comparisons of stomach contents and their weights were also performed between males and females. The results concluded that there were no significant differences between the sexes in the studied morphological variables. The dietary analysis revealed that during the winter magpies fed on a range of different food types, with seeds, invertebrates, and vertebrates being the most frequently consumed food. We revealed slight differences between sexes in the consumption of the two latter categories. Our investigations supported earlier findings on the high morphological and dietary similarities of the two sexes also in case of a Hungarian magpie population. These results can serve as a potential basis for further research on magpies in Europe.

Nowadays data is growing tremendously. Therefore, there is a great need to store and process data. The problem of Pattern Searching has different applications. When searching for text or words in computer application systems, Pattern searching is used to display the search results. The purpose of Pattern searching is to find text within another text. For example, searching for text in books will take a long time and is hard work. Using Pattern searching will save you time and effort. If similar words are found within the requested text, it will underline the word similar to what was requested, otherwise it does not display any matches if there are no similar words within a text. This paper presents comparisons of the speed of different Pattern searching algorithms, precisely the Naive, KMP, Rabin-Karp, Finite Automata, Boyer-Moore, Aho-Corasick, Z Algorithm algorithms. We will test the time complexity of these algorithms in the three programming languages C#, Java and Python using three different CPUs. According to the results that appear in this comparison, we are able to perform the comparison between the programming languages and the comparison between the CPUs used in this research.

The experiences of Black music therapy students discussing race and racism in clinical supervision were explored in this study. Participants included 5 Black music therapy students with at least one semester of supervised fieldwork. Recruitment occurred through varied methods utilizing professional networks and snowballing. Data included written survey responses and individual interviews. Utilizing a thematic analysis approach, researchers reviewed that each participant’s dataset generated preliminary codes. Next, researchers grouped codes and compared groupings across datasets. Researchers reached an agreement on 7 themes. Theme 1 addressed the immense vulnerability it takes for Black students to discuss race in and out of supervision. Theme 2 described defensive behaviors from white supervisors, staff members, and peers in response to discussing race. Theme 3 revealed the significance of validating that racism happens to Black students. Theme 4 noted the power supervisors wield over Black students, the privilege white supervisors possess, instances of racism from supervisors, and retaliation from supervisors in response to conversations of race. Theme 5 uncovered a pattern of white supervisors “acknowledging” their privilege and not acting on this self-discovery. Theme 6 examined participants’ feeling like an outsider and supporting themselves in their education. Theme 7 addressed exasperation due to an unchanging oppressive system. Findings connect to the emerging literature on culturally responsive supervision, provide new insights into the supervision of Black music therapy students, and identify the need for change.

Introduction: Previous studies have suggested that the tyrosine kinase receptor RET plays a sig-nificant role in the hematopoietic potential in mice and could also be used to expand cord-blood derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The role of RET in the human iPSC-derived hematopoi-esis has not been tested so far. Methods: To test the implication of RET on the hematopoietic potential of iPSCs, we activated its pathway with the lentiviral overexpression of RETWT or RETC634Y mutation in normal iPSCs. An iPSC derived from a patient harboring the RETC634Y mutation (iRETC634Y) and its CRISPR-corrected isogenic control iPSC (iRETCTRL) were also used. Hematopoietic potential was tested using 2D cul-tures and evaluated regarding the phenotype and the clonogenic potential of generated cells. Results: Hematopoietic differentiation from iPSCs with RET overexpression (WT or C634Y) led to a significant reduction in the number and in the clonogenic potential of HSCs (CD34+/CD38-/CD49f+) as compared to control iPSCs. Similarly, the hematopoietic potential of iRETC634Y was reduced as compared to iRETCTRL. Transcriptomic analyses revealed a specific ac-tivated expression profile for iRETC634Y compared to its control with evidence of overexpression of genes which are part of the MAPK network with negative hematopoietic regulator activities. Conclusion: RET activation in iPSCs is associated with an inhibitory activity in iPSC-derived hematopoiesis, potentially related with MAPK activation.

States in the context of foreign policy apply specific strategies that relate with strengthening their international position, especially in relation to the promotion of attributes and values that make changing the perceptions of citizens of other states, and consequently of decision makers. Small states find it difficult to impose on the large international system knowing that their power and potential is little measurable. Kosovo since its proclamation as a state, is facing this dilemma, as crises, political instability and the inability to conclude the problem of recognition have cost it in external perception as a country with unsolvable political problems, while from within as the place where opportunities for work and well-being are seen as difficult to achieve, while interethnic cooperation remains dependent on the fate of the Brussels Talks or reconciliation and forgiveness, which are also linked to political talks. The need to affirm the truth of Kosovo, found it without concrete strategies, while the application of some marketing on foreign television, was not followed by any concrete plan. Kosovo had launched a campaign entitled “Young Europeans”, while only a few years later, 200,000 young people left the country, producing paradigmatic upheavals, in “young European immigrants”. Applying a series of methods, such as content analysis, statistics and interviews, the paper concludes that Kosovo has not had a national strategy for creating a national brand, while there are some sporadic efforts, which are not accompanied by concrete strategies, while political instability did not allow the functioning of foreign policy and consequently increased impatience of the citizens towards the institutions which was reflected in the efforts for their mass departure from the country.

Background Medication nonadherence is an important public health issue that has individual and system-level implications. Nonadherence can lead to negative health outcomes and illness, which in turn produce increased healthcare costs for both the individual and system. The transtheoretical model of change (TTM) can be a useful basis for interventions, as it can identify patients' current stages of change and guide them from nonadherence to adherence. Objective The objective of this systematic review was to determine the utilization of the TTM to predict or improve medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions. Methods A systematic review of current literature was conducted to obtain an overview of the use of TTM-informed interventions for medication adherence in chronic conditions. PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL databases were searched in July 2020. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Downs and Black checklist. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed for data extraction, analysis, and reporting. Results Ten studies were included in the final data synthesis of this review. Eight of the reviewed studies supported the utility of TTM to predict or improve medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions, while two studies did not find any significant improvement in medication adherence after using a TTM-based intervention. The Downs and Black checklist revealed the overall methodological quality of the included studies to be fair [mean (SD) = 16.3 (4.5) of a possible maximum score of 28]. Conclusion This systematic review provides an overview of the utility of TTM in predicting and improving medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions. Although TTM-based interventions in patients with low or moderate medication adherence were effective, there were few studies identified, suggesting the need for further research.

Hemangioblasts derived from mesodermal lineage are the earliest precursors of hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial cells. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are the only experimental systems in which these cells can be assayed and quantified. We show here using CML-derived iPSC and blast-cell colony forming (Bl-CFC) assays that hemangioblasts are highly expanded in CML derived iPSC as compared to human H1-ESC-derived hemangioblasts. BCR-ABL signaling pathway is intact in these cells with evidence of CRK-L phosphorylation which is reduced by the use of Imatinib. Hematopoietic progenitor assays generated using blast-CFC demonstrates also a highly increased hematopoietic progenitor potential of these cells as compared to H1-ESC. The same results were also obtained using hematopoietic progenitor assays via embryoid body formation. In CML iPSC, we have also found a significant reduction of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) expression. Further inhibition of AHR using StemRegenin (SR1), an AHR antagonist, led to an increase of blast-cell colonies in CML iPSC whereas the use of an AHR agonist inhibited blast cell colonies. Thus, our results show for the first time, the possibility of establishment of a myeloproliferative phenotype using patient-derived iPSC and the presence of a major expansion of the hemangioblast compartment and hemangioblast-derived hematopoietic progenitors in this context. They also suggest that the AHR signaling pathway could represent a novel druggable target in CML.

To examine the relationship between social participation and subjective well-being (SWB) among older adults using pain medications and evaluate the impact of sex on this relationship.A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the 2019 National Health and Aging Trends Study data, a nationally-representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older. Individuals were included if they reported taking pain medications for five days or more per week over the last month. Social participation was operationalized using the sum score of four items: visiting family and friends, going out for enjoyment, attending religious services, and participation in other organized activities. SWB was operationalized as a latent variable using four items reflecting positive and negative emotions, and three items reflecting self-evaluation. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationship between key study constructs, as well as the moderating effect of sex on the relationship between social participation and SWB.A total of 964 (weighted N = 7,660,599) participants were included in the study. Most participants were female (61.3%), White (81.0%), community-dwelling (94.9%) older adults. Confirmatory factor analysis showed appropriate fit for SWB. Social participation had a statistically significant association with SWB (unstandardized regression coefficient = 0.133; 95% CI 0.071, 0.196; p 0.001) after adjusting for covariates. However, this relationship was not moderated by sex (p = 0.836).Social participation is positively and significantly associated with SWB among older adults using pain medications. Interventions aimed at improving SWB should consider incorporating a social activities component.

Background The covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the role of living systematic reviews. The speed of evidence generated during the covid-19 pandemic accentuated the challenges of managing high volumes of research literature. Methods In this article, we summarise the characteristics of ongoing living systematic reviews on covid-19 and we follow a life cycle approach to describe key steps in a living systematic review. Results We identified 97 living systematic reviews on covid-19, which focused mostly on the effects of pharmacological interventions (n = 46, 47%) or the prevalence of associated conditions or risk factors (n = 30, 31%). The scopes of several reviews overlapped considerably. Most living systematic reviews included both observational and randomised study designs (n = 45, 46%). Only one third of the reviews has been updated at least once (n = 34, 35%). We address practical aspects of living systematic reviews including how to judge whether to start a living systematic review, methods for study identification and selection, data extraction and evaluation, and give recommendations at each step, drawing from our own experience. We also discuss when it is time to stop and how to publish updates. Conclusions Methods to improve the efficiency of searching, study selection, and data extraction using machine learning technologies are being developed, their performance and applicability, particularly for reviews based on observational study designs should improve, and ways of publishing living systematic reviews and their updates will continue to evolve. Finally, knowing when to end a living systematic review is as important as knowing when to start.

Optical interferometry-based techniques are ubiquitous in various measurement, imaging, calibration, metrological, and astronomical applications. Repeatability, simplicity, and reliability of measurements have ensured that interferometry in its various forms remains popular—and in fact continues to grow—in almost every branch of measurement science. In this paper, we propose a novel actively-controlled optical interferometer in the Twyman–Green configuration. The active beam control within the interferometer is a result of using an actively-controlled tunable focus lens in the sample arm of the interferometer. This innovation allows us to characterize transparent samples cut in the cubical geometry without the need for bulk mechanical motion within the interferometer. Unlike thickness/refractive index measurements with conventional Twyman–Green interferometers, the actively-tunable interferometer enables bulk-motion free thickness or refractive index sample measurements. With experimental demonstrations, we show excellent results for various samples that we characterized. The elimination of bulk motion from the measurement process promises to enable miniaturization of actively-tunable Twyman–Green interferometers for various applications.

The classical natural history of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been drastically modified by the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies. TKI discontinuation is currently possible in patients in deep molecular responses, using strict recommendations of molecular follow-up due to risk of molecular relapse, especially during the first 6 months. We report here the case of a patient who voluntarily interrupted her TKI therapy. She remained in deep molecular remission (MR4) for 18 months followed by detection of a molecular relapse at +20 months. Despite this relapse, she declined therapy until the occurrence of the hematological relapse (+ 4 years and 10 months). Retrospective sequential transcriptome experiments and a single-cell transcriptome RNA-seq analysis were performed. They revealed a molecular network focusing on several genes involved in both activation and inhibition of NK-T cell activity. Interestingly, the single-cell transcriptome analysis showed the presence of cells expressing NKG7, a gene involved in granule exocytosis and highly involved in anti-tumor immunity. Single cells expressing as granzyme H, cathepsin-W, and granulysin were also identified. The study of this case suggests that CML was controlled for a long period of time, potentially via an immune surveillance phenomenon. The role of NKG7 expression in the occurrence of treatment-free remissions (TFR) should be evaluated in future studies.

In adult mammals, the kidney is the main source of circulating erythropoietin (Epo), the master regulator of erythropoiesis. In vivo data in mice demonstrated multiple subtypes of interstitial renal Epo-producing (REP) cells. To analyze the differentiation plasticity of fibroblastoid REP cells, we used a transgenic REP cell reporter mouse model to generate conditionally immortalized REP-derived (REPD) cell lines. Under nonpermissive conditions, REPD cells ceased from proliferation and acquired a stem cell-like state, with strongly enhanced hypoxia-inducible factor 2 (HIF-2α), stem cell antigen 1 (SCA-1), and CD133 expression, but also enhanced alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression, indicating myofibroblastic signaling. These cells maintained the "on-off" nature of Epo expression observed in REP cells in vivo, whereas other HIF target genes showed a more permanent regulation. Like REP cells in vivo, REPD cells cultured in vitro generated long tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) that aligned with endothelial vascular structures, were densely packed with mitochondria and became more numerous under hypoxic conditions. Although inhibition of mitochondrial oxygen consumption blunted HIF signaling, removal of the TNTs did not affect or even enhance the expression of HIF target genes. Apart from pericytes, REPD cells readily differentiated into neuroglia but not adipogenic, chondrogenic, or osteogenic lineages, consistent with a neuronal origin of at least a subpopulation of REP cells. In summary, these results suggest an unprecedented combination of differentiation features of this unique cell type.

Objectives This study aimed to examine (1) the association between patient activation (PA), health locus of control (HLOC), sociodemographic and clinical factors, and (2) the effect of HLOC dimensions, sociodemographic and clinical factors on PA. Methods Three hundred U.S. adults, with at least one chronic condition (CC) were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed an online survey which included sociodemographic questions, the Patient Activation Measure® - 10, and the Multidimensional Locus of Control (MHLC) - Form B. Statistical analyses, including descriptive, correlation, and multiple linear regression, were conducted using IBM SPSS v25. Results Of the 300 participants, more than half were male (66.3%), White (70.7%), with at least a college degree (76.0%), and employed full-time (79.0%). The average PA score was 68.8 ± 14.5. Multiple linear regression indicated that participants who reported they were Black, retired, with a greater number of CCs, and with higher scores in Chance MHLC had higher PA, while participants with higher scores in Internal MHLC, were unemployed and reported to have been affected by COVID-19-related worry or fear to manage their CC, had lower PA. Discussion HLOC dimensions should be addressed concurrently with PA for patients with CCs, thus adding to a more patient-centered clinical approach.

The process of recognition of Kosovo has continuously declined since the Declaration of Independence until 2021, the period covered in this paper. This process is characterized by external structural obstacles, as well as internal non-structural ones. Applying the content analysis method and semi-structured interviews, the paper emphasized that the main structural obstacle was the inability to accept the Ahtisaari Plan from the UN as a compromise choice. On the other hand, the non-recognition of the state of Kosovo by Serbia (supported by Russia) resulted in the division of the states into two large groups: "pro" and "contra" recognition. Meanwhile, due to these extreme divisions, a third group of states sees the recognition of Kosovo as an opportunity to solve the previous obstacles. Thus, Serbia has established clear schemes to hinder the development of the process, first by sending the case of Kosovo to the ICJ and later by presenting the Kosovo-Serbia negotiation as status negotiations. Meanwhile, the internal political instability in Kosovo and the wrong political approach towards potentially recognizing states are evident as non-structural obstacles in achieving new recognition.

In the family of the High-Luminosity LHC high order correctors, the skew quadrupole was the most critical magnet as three assemblies with different solutions were needed to meet the design specifications. This paper summarizes the prototyping phase of the magnet, discussing the observed nonconformities, the subsequent root cause analyses, and the adopted solutions. A first-hand experience showed us the importance of adopting rigorous quality assurance methods for the electrical insulation, aimed at the early defect detection, and implementing a consistent measurement-to-simulations chain for the optimization of the coils mechanical support. The improvements discussed in the paper are integrated into the final magnet design for the series production of six skew quadrupole correctors.

Considering the impact of pandemic condition on mental health and functioning in daily life, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Big Five personality traits, coping strategies and emotional problems such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to create a model of the impact of coping strategies as mediating factors in the relationship between Big Five personality traits personality traits and emotional problems. For the purposes of this study, a sample of 200 Kosovar respondents was used, where the age of the participants varies from 18 to 54 years. As a result of the pandemic situation created, the method of data collection for this study was done in the form of self-reporting, divided into physical questionnaires and online ones. The BFI Personality Inventory is used to classify Big Five personality traits, the Coping Control Checklist (WCCL) to classify coping strategies, and the Adult Self-Reporting Questionnaire (ASR) used to identify emotional problems. The analysis of the results in this study was done by means of the statistical package of SPSS and R program. After the analysis, it is seen that there is a significant correlation between Big Five personality traits (extraversion and neuroticism) and coping strategies (seeking social support and avoidance), as well as there is a correlation between Big Five personality traits (compliance and neuroticism) and emotional problems (symptoms of anxiety and depression). An association was also found between coping strategies (avoidance) and emotional problems (anxiety symptoms). As for gender differences in experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms and using desired thoughts as coping strategies, it was found that women are more predisposed to experience anxiety symptoms and use desired thoughts than men. The findings highlighted the part that coping strategies are significant mediator factors in the relationship between Big Five personality traits and emotional problems.

International audience; The transport of dangerous goods consists of the carriage of goods presenting potential risks to the people, living organisms, the environment, and materials (public or private property) and therefore necessitates dedicated and specially reinforced security measures. According to global statistics, dangerous goods may constitute about fifty percent of global transportation in the following years, whether by road, railway, air, or seas. Compared to traditional transportation e.g., general supply chains, the TDG is a particular class of transportation that is subject to specific requirements among which the human and environmental safety. It also incorporates rigorous information immutability and the traceability of the DG movement [2], as indicated in the "Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road" [3] applicable since 1 January 2021. In this context, this chapter aims to propose a platform to support the verification of the stakeholders' identity, the history of transportation, including environmental data, and the location overtime of the dangerous good employing the blockchain-based digital certificate. Using blockchain technology (jointly use) of two concepts/technologies such as blockchain and digital certificate has for purpose to ensure transaction transparency, easy access to the transportation information, less paperwork, and strong stakeholder identification. Finally, besides proposing a blockchain-based digital certificate for the TDG, our approach also analyzes the extent to which the blockchain may be specified to integrate and be compatible with the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and specifications.

In this paper, we present a scheme to simultaneously measure the thickness and refractive index of parallel plate samples, involving no bulk mechanical motion, by deploying an electronically tunable Twyman–Green interferometer configuration. The active electronic control with no bulk mechanical motion is realized via the introduction of a tunable focus lens within the classical motion-based Twyman–Green interferometer configuration. The resulting interferometer is repeatable and delivers accurate estimates of the thickness and refractive index of a sample under test. Elimination of bulk motion also promises a potential for miniaturization. We develop a theoretical model for estimating sample thickness and index values using this reconfigurable interferometer setup and present detailed experimental results that demonstrate the working principle of the proposed interferometer.

Using induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) technology, it is now possible to reprogram the primary leukemic cells to pluripotency and generate a major source of stem cells. To determine the feasibility of modeling global genomic instability characterizing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) progression towards blast crisis (BC), we have used a patient-specific iPSC line that has been submitted to in vitro mutagenesis with the mutagenic agent N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Increased genomic instability was validated using g-H2AX and micronuclei assays. As compared to non-mutagenized cultures, these iPSC generated an increased numbers of progenitors (x 5-Fold) which proliferated in liquid cultures with a blast cell morphology. CGH array analyses were performed using ENU-treated iPSC-derived hematopoietic cells in two different time points as compared to leukemic iPSC cultured without ENU. Several cancer genes were found to be involved in the ENU-treated cultures, some known to be altered in leukemia (BLM, IKZF1, NCOA2, ALK, EP300, ERG, MKL1, PHF6 and TET1). Remarkably, transcriptome geodataset GSE4170 (Radich et al., 2006) allowed us to associate 125 of 249 of the aberrations that we detected in CML iPSC, with genes already described during progression of CML to BC (p-value =9.43exp32, after ANOVA with 1000 permutations). 38 most predictive aberrations allowed perfect reclassification of BC and chronic phase samples by unsupervised classification. Among these candidates, eleven of them have been described in CML physiopathology and connected to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance and genomic instability. Overall, these results demonstrated that we have generated for the first time to our knowledge, an in vitro genetic instability model in CML, reproducing genomic events described in patients with BC. This tool using patient-derived iPSC could be of interest to study CML progression, to discover novel targets and eventually to test novel therapies.

Valve disease in the presence of porcelain aorta and severe peripheral artery disease challenge physicians in choosing the appropriate therapy. We used a total transcatheter approach, simultaneously implanting a dedicated mitral and aortic valve prosthesis treating a patient with mitral and aortic valve disease at an extremely high surgical risk. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.), Central Illustration

The sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid that is now appreciated as key regulatory factor for various cellular functions in the kidney, including matrix remodeling. It is generated by two sphingosine kinases (Sphk), Sphk1 and Sphk2, which are ubiquitously expressed, but have distinct enzymatic activities and subcellular localizations. In this study, we have investigated the role of Sphk2 in podocyte function and its contribution to diabetic nephropathy. We show that streptozotocin (STZ)-induced nephropathy and albuminuria in mice is prevented by genetic depletion of Sphk2. This protection correlated with an increased protein expression of the transcription factor Wilm's tumor suppressor gene 1 (WT1) and its target gene nephrin, and a reduced macrophage infiltration in immunohistochemical renal sections of STZ-treated Sphk2-/- mice compared to STZ-treated wildtype mice. To investigate changes on the cellular level, we used an immortalized human podocyte cell line and generated a stable knockdown of Sphk2 (Sphk2-kd) by a lentiviral transduction method. These Sphk2-kd cells accumulated sphingosine as a consequence of the knockdown, and showed enhanced nephrin and WT1 mRNA and protein expressions similar to the finding in Sphk2 knockout mice. Treatment of wildtype podocytes with the highly selective Sphk2 inhibitor SLM6031434 caused a similar upregulation of nephrin and WT1 expression. Furthermore, exposing cells to the profibrotic mediator transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) resulted on the one side in reduced nephrin and WT1 expression, but on the other side, in upregulation of various profibrotic marker proteins, including connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), fibronectin (FN) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) 1. All these effects were reverted by Sphk2-kd and SLM6031434. Mechanistically, the protection by Sphk2-kd may depend on accumulated sphingosine and inhibited PKC activity, since treatment of cells with exogenous sphingosine not only reduced the phosphorylation pattern of PKC substrates, but also increased WT1 protein expression. Moreover, the selective stable knockdown of PKCδ increased WT1 expression, suggesting the involvement of this PKC isoenzyme in WT1 regulation. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone, which is a treatment option in many glomerular diseases and is known to mediate a nephroprotection, not only downregulated Sphk2 and enhanced cellular sphingosine, but also enhanced WT1 and nephrin expressions, thus, suggesting that parts of the nephroprotective effect of dexamethasone is mediated by Sphk2 downregulation. Altogether, our data demonstrated that loss of Sphk2 is protective in diabetes-induced podocytopathy and can prevent proteinuria, which is a hallmark of many glomerular diseases. Thus, Sphk2 could serve as a new attractive pharmacological target to treat proteinuric kidney diseases.

Vaccinations are successful, cost-effective tools to prevent the spread of certain infectious diseases. Many colleges conduct vaccination campaigns on their campuses for various vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, mumps, influenza, HPV, and most recently, for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Implementing these campaigns requires substantial effort and understanding their effectiveness is an important factor in justifying these programs.This scoping review aims to identify, review, and summarize existing evaluation methods for vaccination campaigns on college campuses in order to provide evaluation guidance for institutions planning future vaccination campaigns.Publications that focused on vaccination campaigns on college campuses for students and/or faculty and staff and described their evaluation methods were included in our analysis. A systematic search of the literature identified 2,101 articles. After duplicates were removed, titles and abstracts were screened, and references searched, 43 articles were identified for full-text review. Sixteen articles provided evaluation information and were systematically reviewed.Interventions targeted a variety of vaccine-preventable diseases, with the majority either aiming to increase HPV vaccine uptake or vaccinate against meningococcal serogroups. Most studies reported on campaigns that included both educational activities and provided vaccinations. Evaluation methods varied widely. Some studies measured vaccine-related knowledge and attitudes. Vaccine uptake was most commonly measured as a simple count of doses administered.College campus vaccination campaigns are evaluated in multiple ways, with little consistency in how the effectiveness of campaigns are measured. There is a need to develop clear evaluation methods for college vaccination programs, especially how to calculate vaccination rates associated with these efforts.

Background: The role of exercise in osteoporosis prevention has been proven. Nevertheless, there is no consensus about the types of sports, especially at professional levels. Non-impact sports such as swimming may have a negative effect or no effect. Objectives: Thus, the present study aimed to compare the effect of different sports on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of elite female athletes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of 48 athletes in five groups of long-distance running, volleyball, basketball, swimming (n = 12 for each), and ten control subjects. For measuring the lumbar spine (L2 - L4) and proximal femur (femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward’s triangle), the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method was applied. Results: Indicated that the running, basketball, and volleyball groups had a significantly higher lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD than the swimming and control groups (P < 0.05). Running resulted in significantly higher lumbar spine BMC compared to volleyball, basketball, swimming, and control groups, respectively (P < 0.01), while basketball had higher proximal femur BMC than running and controls (P < 0.01). The Z-score of the lumbar spine in the running was significantly higher than in basketball, swimming, and controls (P < 0.05), while basketball had a significantly higher femur neck Z-score than volleyball, running, and controls (P < 0.001). Finally, the swimmers had significantly higher Z-scores in the lumbar and the proximal femur than non-athletes (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Although all sports are effective for improving the bone health, the swimmers had much better bone status than non-athletes, while the sports of long-distance running and basketball were more efficient than others; therefore, a combination of endurance and jumping exercises seems to be the best way to prevent osteoporosis.

Целта на тази дисертация е да изследва вокалната система на говора, на който нашите информанти разказват историите си. Фокусът на изследването е поставен върху говорните варианти на жителите на този регион. Подборът им е направен на база на социолингвистични критерии: възраст, пол, образование, местожителство. Проучването включва онези аспекти на езика (звукове, думи, словоформи и конструкции), които се считат за основополагащи при определянето на една езикова система. Изследването се основава на корпус от разкази, записани в Източно Косово, чието име произхожда от географското разделение, докато Прешевска долина е официалното име на областта, която разглеждаме. Дескриптивният подход идентифицира и описва езиковите променливи, които характеризират езиковия вариант на тази територия. По този начин се изследва взаимното влияние от един говор върху друг и се проечват отделни езикови елементи чрез статистически подход, който показва честотата на тяхната употреба. Резултатите от това квантитативно изследване, постигнато чрез статистически данни и тяхната интерпретация, ни довеждат до отговор на поставените въпроси. The aim of this dissertation is to explore the vocal system of the speech in which my informants tell their stories. The focus of the study is on the speech variants of the residents in this area. Their choice is made on the basis of sociolinguistic components such as: age, gender, education, place of residence. The study includes those aspects of language (sounds, words, word forms and constructions) that are considered essential in defining a language system. The study is based on a set of stories recorded in eastern Kosovo, whose name comes from the geographical division, while the Presevo Valley is the official name of the area we are considering. Thus, the descriptive approach identifies and describes the language variables that characterize language variation in this area. In this way, the degree of linguistic influence of one variation on another is mutually studied, and certain linguistic elements, according to the statistical approach, are also studied in terms of the frequency of their use. The results of the study of this quantitative study, obtained on the basis of statistical data, as well as their interpretation, lead me to answer the questions.

Children are infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but they are asymptomatic or suffer a mild disease compared to adults. However, the post-infectious immune dysregulation may result in the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). The most common presentations of MIS are fever, gastrointestinal (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain), cardiovascular, mucocutaneous (rash, mucus membrane changes, conjunctival injection), respiratory (including sore throat), headache, limb and periorbital edema, and elevated inflammation markers. Some clinical and laboratory features of MIS-C are similar to other systemic diseases of childhood as Kawasaki disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome. Here are reported three cases in children with MIS-C, Kawasaki disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome to highlight the similarities and differences of these diseases.

The relationship between language and psychology is one of the most complex and close relationships, as human nature itself is. Language, as the identifying phenomenon of man and the only means of realizing human communication, is as biological, psychological as well as social. The relationship between biological, psychological, and social in the language is one of the most important. To understand the full complexity of this report, it is important to study the relationship between discourse and language, not only in the normal state (in people with normal, biological, psychological, and neurological abilities) but also in people with different abilities. Before presenting the findings of a one-year observation to some children with different abilities, it would be appropriate to put forward some theoretical questions on the relation of language and discourse, the brain's process of speech recognition as neuro-psychological images are created, neuro-psychological knowledge of sentence syntactic structures, word recognition process, etc. All these and other reports are descriptive of human psycholinguistic development at different ages and with different cognitive and behavioral abilities.