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We present frequency analysis of RR Lyrae stars of globular cluster NGC6362.

Introduction: The pupillary light reflex (PLR) is the constriction of the pupil in response to light. The PLR in response to a pulse of light follows a complex waveform that can be characterized by several parameters. It is a sensitive marker of acute neurological deterioration, but is also sensitive to the background illumination in the environment in which it is measured. To detect a pathological change in the PLR, it is therefore necessary to separate the contributions of neuro-ophthalmic factors from ambient illumination. Illumination varies over several orders of magnitude and is difficult to control due to diurnal, seasonal, and location variations., Methods and Results: We assessed the sensitivity of seven PLR parameters to differences in ambient light, using a smartphone-based pupillometer (AI Pupillometer, Solvemed Inc.). Nine subjects underwent 345 measurements in ambient conditions ranging from complete darkness (<5 lx) to bright lighting (≲10,000 lx). Lighting most strongly affected the initial pupil size, constriction amplitude, and velocity. Nonlinear models were fitted to find the correction function that maximally stabilized PLR parameters across different ambient light levels. Next, we demonstrated that the lighting-corrected parameters still discriminated reactive from unreactive pupils. Ten patients underwent PLR testing in an ophthalmology outpatient clinic setting following the administration of tropicamide eye drops, which rendered the pupils unreactive. The parameters corrected for lighting were combined as predictors in a machine learning model to produce a scalar value, the Pupil Reactivity (PuRe) score, which quantifies Pupil Reactivity on a scale 0-5 (0, non-reactive pupil; 0-3, abnormal/"sluggish" response; 3-5, normal/brisk response). The score discriminated unreactive pupils with 100% accuracy and was stable under changes in ambient illumination across four orders of magnitude., Discussion: This is the first time that a correction method has been proposed to effectively mitigate the confounding influence of ambient light on PLR measurements, which could improve the reliability of pupillometric parameters both in pre-hospital and inpatient care settings. In particular, the PuRe score offers a robust measure of Pupil Reactivity directly applicable to clinical practice. Importantly, the formulae behind the score are openly available for the benefit of the clinical research community., Competing Interests: AB, IJ, ŁZ, MJ, HC, MW, RC, and SM either are employees or receive consultancy fees, and/or hold equity rights at Solvemed. HC and MW are directors at Solvemed. Pupillometer mobile app (AI Pupillometer) used for data collection was created by the Solvemed. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declare that this study received funding from Solvemed. The funder had the following involvement in the study: funding a part of the research team. Specifically, AB, IJ, ŁZ, MJ, HC, MW, RC, and SM either are employees or receive consultancy fees, and/or hold equity rights at Solvemed, and their work was funded by the company. Other authors received no financial support from the company for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 Bogucki, John, Zinkiewicz, Jachura, Jaworski, Suwała, Chrost, Wlodarski, Kałużny, Campbell, Bakken, Pandya, Chrapkiewicz and Manohar.)

The fascinating tribological phenomenon of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) observed at the nanoscale was confirmed in our numerous macroscale experiments. We designed and employed CNT-containing nanolubricants strictly for polymer lubrication. In this paper, we present the experiment characterising how the CNT structure determines its lubricity on various types of polymers. There is a complex correlation between the microscopic and spectral properties of CNTs and the tribological parameters of the resulting lubricants. This confirms indirectly that the nature of the tribological mechanisms driven by the variety of CNT-polymer interactions might be far more complex than ever described before. We propose plasmonic interactions as an extension for existing models describing the tribological roles of nanomaterials. In the absence of quantitative microscopic calculations of tribological parameters, phenomenological strategies must be employed. One of the most powerful emerging numerical methods is machine learning (ML). Here, we propose to use this technique, in combination with molecular and supramolecular recognition, to understand the morphology and macro-assembly processing strategies for the targeted design of superlubricants.

Incorporeal lithotripsy by using holmium:YAG laser has been recently successfully spread and used in the treatment of urolithiasis. Although this method is not as common in salivary gland surgery, it is also recommended for endoscopic treatment of sialolithiasis. In this study, we decided to analyse effectiveness of holmium:YAG laser method among patients with midsize stones as the treatment in this particular population is still not determined and remains in dispute. Thus, the primary aim of the study is a prospective, complex analysis of incorporeal holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy effectiveness and safety in patients suffering from sialolithiasis. The examined group consisted of 32 consecutive patients, 17 female (53%) and 15 male (47%). The average age was 42 (age range 22-70). In our series, sialoendoscopy with intraductal lithotripsy was performed in patients with wide range of stone's diameter (3 to 10 mm). The calculi were removed with foreign body forceps or retrieval basket, after stone fragmentation with holmium:YAG laser. The power of the laser during surgery was set at 2.5 to 3.5 W. One shot energy equalled 0.5-0.7 J with frequency of 5 Hz. The bivariate Pearson Correlation and a point-biserial correlation were used to analyse the data. Total success rate of holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy in this consecutive group was equal to 90% and efficacy in the group with excluded cases when endoscopic approach difficulties were experienced (stone not visible) reached 93%. The long-term follow-up revealed that in 26 patients (84%), complete recovery was achieved. Two patients developed Wharton's duct stenosis and one Stensen's duct orifice stenosis (9.5%), of whom one required reoperation. Two patients eventually underwent total excision of submandibular gland. Sialoendoscopy combined with incorporeal laser-assisted lithotripsy proved to be effective and safe method for treatment of sialothiasis with midsize stones (4-8 mm) in population of clinic. Even taking into account the prevalence of complications associated with holmium:YAG laser, it is still safer alternative compared to open surgery where there is a significant risk of the bleeding, wound infection or injury of the facial nerve., (© 2020. Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Although the soil environment can potentially be exposed to contamination by carbon nanotubes (CNT), its impact on soil biology is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of the multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) contamination on different groups of soil organisms (microbial, micro- and mesofaunal communities) as well as the soil enzyme activity. The experimental mesocosms included the intact soil cores that were collected from a natural grassland. The MWCNTs that were pristine (pCNTs) and functionalised (fCNTs) at a concentration of 500 μg g -1 of soil were applied in the form of water suspensions to the surface of the mesocosms, while ensuring the soil was not mixed after the treatment. Soil samples were taken at 3, 6, and 15 weeks after CNT application. The CNT soil contamination highlighted differences in the community dynamics within the studied groups when compared to the control (non-contaminated soil). Among the faunal groups, nematodes were found to be more sensitive to the CNT impact than mites. The most pronounced response of the nematodes was observed in the subsoil at week 6, when their numbers were 3- (pCNTs) and 4-fold (fCNTs) higher than the control mesocosms. Both types of CNTs influenced the relative abundance of the bacterial- and hyphal-feeding nematodes, where pCNTs significantly and negatively affected the predatory nematodes. Moreover, CNTs temporarily, but significantly, decreased the diversity of the nematode communities. In addition, the values of the nematode Structure Index confirmed a strong transitional disturbance effect of CNTs in the soil food web, while the Channel Index in the pCNTs indicated an increasing share of fungi in the decomposition pathway. Hence, we can infer that although the impact of CNTs seems to be temporary, the shifts in the soil community abundance and structure that it induced may have long-term consequences for soil functioning, including nutrient cycling., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

(1) Background: Isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is a genetic condition characterized by impaired puberty and fertility. IHH can significantly impact patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL), sexual satisfaction (SS) and mood. (2) Methods: Participants included 132 IHH subjects (89 men and 43 women) and 132 sex- and age-matched controls. HRQoL, depressive symptoms, erectile dysfunction (ED), and SS were assessed in an online survey using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), 15D instrument of HRQoL (15D), Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ), and 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). (3) Results: QoL and SS were significantly lower in the IHH group vs. controls. There was a high rate of ED (53.2% vs. 33%, p = 0.008) and depressive symptoms (45.00 ± 17.00 vs. 32.00 ± 12.00, p < 0.001) in patients vs. controls. The age of patients at IHH diagnosis inversely correlated with their overall 15D scores. An alarming non-compliance rate was seen (51.6%). No differences were found between scores of patients receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and untreated subjects in any of the scales. (4) Conclusions: The HRQoL, SS, ED, and depression levels observed in IHH patients, despite HRT, are alarming. Late IHH diagnosis may have a particularly negative impact on HRQoL. More attention should be devoted to HRT adherence and various HRQoL aspects of IHH patients.

Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a combination of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) with olfactory dysfunction, representing a heterogeneous disorder with a broad phenotypic spectrum. The genetic background of KS has not yet been fully established. This study was conducted on 46 Polish KS subjects (41 males, 5 females; average age: 29 years old). The studied KS patients were screened for defects in a 38-gene panel with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The analysis revealed 27 pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants, and 21 variants of uncertain significance (VUS). The P/LP variants were detected in 20 patients (43.5%). The prevalence of oligogenic P/LP defects in selected genes among KS patients was 26% (12/46), whereas the co-occurrence of other variants was detected in 43% (20 probands). The examined KS patients showed substantial genotypic and phenotypic variability. A marked difference in non-reproductive phenotypes, involving defects in genes responsible for GnRH neuron development/migration and genes contributing to pituitary development and signaling, was observed. A comprehensive gene panel for IHH testing enabled the detection of clinically relevant variants in the majority of KS patients, which makes targeted NGS an effective molecular tool. The significance of oligogenicity and the high incidence of alterations in selected genes should be further elucidated.

Experimental studies reveal that the simultaneous addition of zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates (ZDDPs) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to a poly-alpha-olefin base oil strongly reduces wear. In this paper, it is shown that MWCNTs promote the formation of an anti-wear (AW) layer on the metal surface that is much thicker than what ZDDPs can create as a sole additive. More importantly, the nanotubes' action is indirect, i.e., MWCNTs neither mechanically nor structurally strengthen the AW film. A new mechanism for this effect is also proposed, which is supported by detailed tribometer results, friction track 3D-topography measurements, electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy. In this mechanism, MWCNTs mediate the transfer of both thermal and electric energy released on the metal surface in the friction process. As a result, this energy penetrates more deeply into the oil volume, thus extending the spatial range of tribochemical reactions involving ZDDPs.

This study compares 2 methods of macular function evaluation: the microperimetric examination (mean central retinal sensitivity and fixation stability) and the distance best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) examination, which is the most frequently used method of assessing macular function in patients with newly diagnosed wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who have been treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug (aflibercept).Prospective analysis was conducted on 44 eyes of 44 patients treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF (aflibercept) because of newly diagnosed neovascular AMD. According to the research protocol, all patients had a 6-month follow-up. The response to treatment was monitored functionallybyMP-1 microperimetry, fixation, and distance BCVA assessment after injection. Improvement of retinal sensitivity and BCVA was found under aflibercept treatment. There was statistically significant improvement in retinal sensitivity in the MP-1 study 3 and 6 months from the beginning of anti-VEGF therapy. Moreover, a significant improvement in retinal sensitivity between 3 and 6 months of observation was demonstrated. At the same time, up to 3 months from the beginning of treatment, BCVA improved significantly compared to the baseline value. In the 6th month of the study BCVA remained stable without further significant improvement.Microperimetric examination with medium sensitivity and fixation stability assessment is a very valuable test determining the retinal function. It is clear that examining the macular morphology itself in modern diagnostics is not enough to assess retinal function. Microperimetry technique is a valuable tool for functional long-term evaluation of retinal function (also for a period of more than 3 months).

We present the results of treatment of sialolithiasis of the submandibular and parotid glands using sialendoscopy and sialendoscopy-assisted surgery. Between 2009-2013, 397 consecutive patients (mean (range) age 48 (18-76) years) were treated for obstructive diseases of the major salivary glands (sialolithiasis n=239, 175 submandibular and 64 parotid). In a total of 175 patients with 191 stones in the submandibular gland treated by endoscopic retrieval or surgical release, 149 patients (85%) were rendered free of stones (by sialendoscopy alone n=82, and sialendoscopy with operation n=67) Twenty patients (11%) had residual stones and 6 patients (4%) required excisionof the gland. Sixty-four patients had 71 stones removed from the parotid gland by endoscopic retrieval or surgical release and 43 (67%) were free of stones (by sialendoscopy alone n=25, and sialendoscopy with operation n=18). Twenty patients (31%) had residual stones and one (2%) required removal of the gland. In the group of patients whose stones were removed endoscopically, the effectiveness of sialendoscopy was 87% and 85%, respectively. We confirm that sialendoscopy and sialendoscopy-assisted removal is the current treatment of choice for stones in the submandibular and parotid glands. The indications for excision of the gland are becoming less common as first-line treatment, although it is still indispensable in some cases., (Copyright © 2016 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Retrospective evaluation of functional and anatomical treatment outcomes in patients with macular cornplications of optic disc pit., Material and Methods: 9 patients (eyes) underwent central posterior vitrectomy in conjunction with posterior vitreous detachment, retinal laser therapy to the optic disc pit area and endotamponade with expansile gas. It was followed by the patient's forced positioning (recommended for a few days especially at night), which ended the treatment protocol., Results: Improved anatomical relationships, accompanied by functional improvement were achieved in each reported case. The resolution of macular lesions was slow, lasting even for several months. Too long delay in performing the surgery (over 5 months since the onset of visual impairment) was associated with the development of retinal complications, mainly macular hole formation, most likely caused by the long-term ischemia., Conclusions: The central posterior vitrectomy combined with posterior vitreous detachment, laser therapy, andd expansile gas tamponade offers good outcomes in patients with retinal complications of optic disc pit. Surgery performed shortly after the onset of visual dysfunction gives the best functional outcomes. Restoration of normal anatomical relationships is a long-term process. In some cases, though, these abnormalities may not resolve completely.