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Background/Objectives: Colostrum Bovinum (COL) is recognized for its unique composition and potential ergogenic and immunological benefits. Unlike mature milk, COL is rich in immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and various growth factors, making it one of the most potent natural immune stimulants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12-weeks of COL supplementation on swimming-specific performance (SSP) and exercise adaptations in endurance-trained male athletes. Methods: Twenty-eight male triathletes and swimmers (age: 31.1 ± 10.2 years; body mass: 81.9 ± 9.0 kg; height: 1.82 ± 0.06 m) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled crossover study and received 25 g∙day−1 of COL or PLA for 12 weeks. The study assessed the effects of COL on SSP (8 × 100 m performed at various intensities) and exercise adaptations [heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations ([La−])]. Four main study visits were conducted—before and after COL (COLPRE and COLPOST) and PLA (PLAPRE and PLAPOST) supplementation. Results: COL had no significant effect on SSP. Still, the total time of the SSP test was about ~3.04 s shorter after COL supplementation, and ~7.13 s longer after PLA supplementation. Neither COL nor PLA supplementation affected HR during the SSP test. Post-exercise blood [La−] was significantly reduced after both COL and PLA supplementation. The analysis of SSP results in the consecutive study visits revealed possible existence of the practice effect. Conclusions: Colostrum Bovinum and high-quality milk protein (PLA) seem to be comparably effective in evoking exercise adaptation in endurance-trained male athletes. Long-term crossover supplementation protocols in athletes must consider the impact of possible practice effect when interpreting the outcomes related to exercise performance, but not biochemical or physiological markers of exercise adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is a complex, multifactorial, progressive condition with a variety of approved therapeutic options. The purpose of this study was to offer an overview of the authorized antidiabetic medicines (excluding insulin) compared with marketed products in seven European countries. Data were obtained from primary sources, including the websites of national authorities and directly from specialists in the countries of interest. The range of marketed medicines compared with the authorized group was assessed in terms of active pharmaceutical ingredients (>60% in Bulgaria, France, Serbia), brand names (>70% in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Spain), pharmaceutical forms (>60% in all countries), strengths (>60% in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Spain), marketing authorization holder (≥50% in all countries) and the status of medicine. Spain was found to have the highest number of products based on most of these attributes. Over 90% of authorized medicines had a pharmacy price in Serbia. Regarding the newer class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a retail price for all approved substances was available in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Spain. Only one brand name with one concentration was found available for some agents, being susceptible to drug shortages: glibenclamide (Romania, Serbia, Spain), glipizide (the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Spain), glisentide (Spain), acarbose (the Czech Republic), sitagliptin (Bulgaria, Poland), vildagliptin (the Czech Republic, Poland) and saxagliptin (the Czech Republic, France, Romania, Serbia). An overview of the national and international therapeutic options may allow competent authorities and health professionals to take rapid measures in case of supply problems or health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysrhythmia is a term referring to the occurrence of spontaneous and repetitive changes in potentials with parameters deviating from those considered normal. The term refers to heart anomalies but has a broader meaning. Dysrhythmias may concern the heart, neurological system, digestive system, and sensory organs. Ion currents conducted through ion channels are a universal phenomenon. The occurrence of channel abnormalities will therefore result in disorders with clinical manifestations depending on the affected tissue, but phenomena from other tissues and organs may also manifest themselves. A similar problem concerns the implementation of pharmacotherapy, the mechanism of which is related to the impact on various ion currents. Treatment in this case may cause unfavorable effects on other tissues and organs. Drugs acting through the modulation of ion currents are characterized by relatively low tissue specificity. To assess a therapy's efficacy and safety, the risk of occurrences in other tissues with similar mechanisms of action must be considered. In the present review, the focus is shifted prominently onto a comparison of abnormal electrical activity within different tissues and organs. This review includes an overview of the types of dysrhythmias and the basic techniques of clinical examination of electrophysiological disorders. It also presents a concise overview of the available pharmacotherapy in particular diseases. In addition, the authors review the relevant ion channels and their research technique based on patch clumping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug bioavailability is a crucial aspect of pharmacology, affecting the effectiveness of drug therapy. Understanding how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated in patients' bodies is essential to ensure proper and safe treatment. This publication aims to highlight the relevance of drug bioavailability research and its importance in therapy. In addition to biochemical activity, bioavailability also plays a critical role in achieving the desired therapeutic effects. This may seem obvious, but it is worth noting that a drug can only produce the expected effect if the proper level of concentration can be achieved at the desired point in a patient's body. Given the differences between patients, drug dosages, and administration forms, understanding and controlling bioavailability has become a priority in pharmacology. This publication discusses the basic concepts of bioavailability and the factors affecting it. We also looked at various methods of assessing bioavailability, both in the laboratory and in the clinic. Notably, the introduction of new technologies and tools in this field is vital to achieve advances in drug bioavailability research. This publication also discusses cases of drugs with poorly described bioavailability, providing a deeper understanding of the complex challenges they pose to medical researchers and practitioners. Simultaneously, the article focuses on the perspectives and trends that may shape the future of research regarding bioavailability, which is crucial to the development of modern pharmacology and drug therapy. In this context, the publication offers an essential, meaningful contribution toward understanding and highlighting bioavailability's role in reliable patient treatment. The text also identifies areas that require further research and exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new chitosan-based protective film containing rosemarinic acid (0.282% w/w) has been elaborated. The film was formed from a water–oil emulsion system and applied to poultry meat samples using a dip-coating technique. Various physicochemical parameters of the coatings, such as thickness, Young's modulus, elongation at break, water vapor transmission rates, and antioxidant activity, were tested with free-standing film samples peeled from a Petri dish. Compared to neat chitosan films obtained similarly, new films cast from the emulsion showed significantly better elasticity (Young's modulus was diminished from 1458 MPa to about 29 MPa). Additionally, barrier properties for moisture transition decreased from 7.3 to 5.8 g mm m−2 day−1 kPa−1. The coated poultry samples were subsequently evaluated in juxtaposition with uncoated ones in a storage test. Levels of selected biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermine, and spermidine), total bacterial count, and lipid oxidation levels in the meat samples were analyzed during storage at 4 °C (up to 96 h). The results obtained for the biogenic amines, total bacterial content, calculated biogenic amine index, and the ratio of spermidine to spermine in meat samples suggest the advantage of the proposed coatings with rosmarinic acid in protecting poultry meat against environmental factors and rapid spoilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital age has rekindled popular and academic interest in immortality. While the idea of immortality has long been recognized as fundamental to human societies, unlike death, within the field of sociology, immortality has not yet established itself as a distinct and autonomous field of study. This paper contributes to the recently emerging scholarship promoting a sociology of immortality. Drawing inspiration from C. Wright Mills's sociological imagination (1959) and building upon significant research in the field of immortality, we offer to use the concept of the immortological imagination as an analytical and conceptual tool for further developing a sociology of immortality. We refer to the immortological imagination as a complementary concept to Penfold-Mounce's thanatological imagination, seeing both concepts as stemming from two different lineages and academic traditions. After defining the immortological imagination and how it differs from and complements the thanatological imagination, the paper moves to discuss examples in popular culture establishing the potential impacts and influences of the immortological imagination, particularly within the digital context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are widely used in the technological and biomedical industries, which is a major driver of research on these nanoparticles. The main goal of this study was to determine the influence of GNPs (at 20, 100, and 200 μg/mL concentrations) on the reactivity of human peripheral blood leukocytes. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the respiratory burst activity and pyroptosis in monocytes and granulocytes following incubation with GNPs for 30 and 60 min. Furthermore, the concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in human blood samples was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after their incubation with GNPs for 24 h. Under the conditions tested in the study, the GNPs did not significantly affect the production of reactive oxygen species in the granulocytes and monocytes that were not stimulated using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in comparison to the samples exposed to PMA (p < 0.05). Compared to the control sample, the greatest significant increase in the mean fluorescence intensity of the granulocytes occurred in the samples incubated with CGNPs = 100 and 200 µg/mL for tinc = 30 and 60 min (p < 0.05). From our results, we conclude that the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles, chemical composition, and the type of nanoparticles used in the unit, along with the unit and incubation time, influence the induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union's climate policy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. One of the instruments for achieving these climate goals is the development of offshore wind energy. Unfortunately, Poland, as one of the few European Union countries with access to the sea, does not have offshore wind farms yet. The purpose of this article is to determine the importance of offshore wind energy for the development of Poland based on the example of two sea regions: the West Pomeranian and Pomeranian Voivodeships. This article uses the input–output method to determine the economic effects of offshore wind power. The region's share in the supply chain was determined based on the location of the offshore wind energy sector. A comparative analysis with the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm in France made it possible to show the differences between the studied locations. The supply chain share of the regions surveyed was 2.28% and 6.00% in the CAPEX phase and 5.98% and 8.23% in the OPEX phase. The annual average global value in the CAPEX phase at the country level was EUR 2793 million, and at the regional level, EUR 243 million and EUR 663 million. In the OPEX phase, the corresponding values are EUR 2106 million, EUR 223 million and EUR 663 million. The average annual employment in the CAPEX phase at the national level amounted to 26,323 jobs and at the regional level, 1953 and 5804. In the OPEX phase, employment amounted to 4790, 558 and 751 jobs, respectively. On the other hand, the average annual value added in the CAPEX phase at the national level was EUR 1221 million, and at the regional level, it was EUR 106 million and EUR 290 million. In the OPEX phase, it was EUR 920 million, EUR 97 million and EUR 239 million, respectively. While not all of the findings are conclusive, in general, the domestic offshore wind industry has weaker economic linkages and lower wage levels than the location adopted for comparison. It uses more labour-intensive economic sectors with lower OPEX value added. The results of the analyses presented in this paper are of crucial importance not only for Poland, as their advantage is the possibility to present, from an economic point of view, the profitability of this type of investment in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslipidemia is listed among important cardiovascular disease risk factors. Treating lipid disorders is difficult, and achieving desirable levels of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) is essential in both the secondary and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. For many years, statins became the basis of lipid-lowering therapy. Nevertheless, these drugs are often insufficient due to their side effects and restrictive criteria for achieving the recommended LDL-C values. Even the addition of other drugs, i.e., ezetimibe, does not help one achieve the target LDL-C. The discovery of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) discovery has triggered intensive research on a new class of protein-based drugs. The protein PCSK9 is located mainly in hepatocytes and is involved in the metabolism of LDL-C. In the beginning, antibodies against the PCSK9 protein, such as evolocumab, were invented. The next step was inclisiran. Inclisiran is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) that inhibits the expression of PCSK9 by binding specifically to the mRNA precursor of PCSK9 protein and causing its degradation. It has been noticed in recent years that siRNA is a powerful tool for biomedical research and drug discovery. The purpose of this work is to summarize the molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics of inclisiran and to review the latest research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vascular relaxation plays a leading role in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and vascular systems and organs, such as the kidneys, brain, and liver. The mechanism of the intracellular action of NO in blood vessels involves the stimulation of the activity of the soluble cytosolic form of guanylyl cyclase (soluble guanylyl cyclase, sGC), increasing the level of cyclic 3′-5′—guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle and subsequent vasodilation. In recent years, a new group of drugs, soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulators, has found its way into clinical practice. Based on the CHEST-1 and PATENT-1 trials, riociguat was introduced into clinical practice for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). In January 2021, the FDA approved the use of another drug, vericiguat, for the treatment of heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current systematic review (PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022334707) of observational (OS) and interventional studies (IS) aimed at evaluating the state of scientific knowledge on the basics of sports nutrition, framing discipline-specific dietary recommendations, and indicating potential directions for future studies in various age, experience level, and able-bodied abilities groups of basketball players (BP). A systematic search of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science ended on 20 December 2022. Records were excluded if reporting studies on animals, sport disciplines other than basketball, or supplementation protocols other than those related to macronutrients and hydration manipulations. Risk of bias (RoB) was evaluated using Cochrane RoB_2 tools, 'JBI checklist for prevalence studies', and 'Quality assessment tool for before-after (pre-post) studies with no control group'. The relevant data was synthesized in tables and a narrative review was performed. Seventy-two records were included (2581 participants): 63 were on able-bodied BP (2433 participants) and 9 on para-athlete players (148 participants); 45 records were OS and 27 IS. The review disclosed widespread poor nutritional habits and knowledge and shortages in applying adequate nutritional and hydration practices in BP. Moreover, the systematic review revealed the lack of a sufficient number of investigations delivering reliable proof for framing discipline-specific and evidence-based recommendations on the basics of sports nutrition in basketball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel catechol-based PCA@MWCNT-Ni(OH)2 hybrid material was prepared and used to construct a non-enzymatic glucose biosensor. In this synthesis, MWCNTs were covered with a poly(caffeic acid) coating and then subjected to a straightforward electrochemical process to decorate the hybrid material with Ni(OH)2 particles. The physicochemical properties and morphology of the nanomaterial were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Amperometry and cyclic voltammetric studies demonstrated the enhanced redox properties of a GC/PCA@MWCNT-Ni(OH)2 electrode and its electrocatalytic activity in glucose detection, with a low detection limit (0.29 μM), a selectivity of 232.7 μA mM−1 cm−2, and a linear range of 0.05–10 mM, with good stability (5 months) and reproducibility (n = 8). The non-enzymatic sensor was also used for glucose determination in human serum and human blood, with recovery values ranging from 93.3% to 98.2%. In view of the properties demonstrated, the described GC/PCA@MWCNT-Ni(OH)2 sensor represents a facile synthesis method of obtaining the hybrid nanomaterial and a low-cost approach to electrochemical glucose measurement in real samples (human serum, human blood). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Within the last 30 years, growing rates of child overweight and obesity have been observed as a very concerning phenomenon in most countries worldwide. The research aim was to assess what effect increased physical activity has on reducing body mass and adipose tissue in children between 10 and 11 years of age as well as to answer the question of whether physical activity could be considered as a factor in preventing child overweight and obesity when maintaining their existing diet and lifestyle. (2) Material and methods: There were 419 sports class primary school pupils in the experimental group who, in addition to four obligatory weekly physical education hours, attended six training hours. The control group comprised 485 children from parallel non-sports classes. In all pupils, height and weight measurements as well as physical fitness measurements were taken twice, at the beginning and end of the school year. Cole's method was used to assess the children's normal body weight. With the help of this method, children with excessive body weight were selected from the entire study group (N = 904), who additionally had skinfolds and adipose tissue measured using the BIA electrical bioimpedance method. The obtained results were interpreted using the variance analysis for repeated measurements and LSD test. (3) Results: The number of children with excessive body mass after 10 months of increased physical activity decreased (in the case of overweight: p = 0.0014, obesity: p = 0.0022), as did their skinfolds (p ≤ 0.001) and body fat (p ≤ 0.001), while their physical fitness considerably improved compared to the control group. (4) Conclusions: The introduction of increased physical activity in the experimental group children when maintaining their existing diet and lifestyle contributed to reducing their obesity and overweight and, at the same time, proved to be an effective factor in the process of decreasing their excessive body mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: existing trials on the role of clinical pharmacists in managing chronic disease patients have focused on variety of interventions, including preparing patients for the transition from hospital to home. However, little quantitative evidence is available regarding the effect of multidimensional interventions on supporting disease management for hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF). The present paper reviews the effects of inpatient, discharge and/or after-discharge interventions performed on hospitalized HF patients by multidisciplinary teams, including pharmacists. Methods: articles were identified through search engines in three electronic databases following the PRISMA Protocol. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomized intervention studies conducted in the period 1992–2022 were included. In all studies, baseline characteristics of patients as well as study end-points were described in relation to a control group i.e., usual care and a group of subjects that received care from a clinical and/or community pharmacist, as well as other health professionals (Intervention). Study outcomes included all-cause hospital 30-day re-admission or emergency room (ER) visits, all-cause hospitalization within >30 days after discharge, specific-cause hospitalization rates, medication adherence and mortality. The secondary outcomes included adverse events and quality of life. Quality assessment was carried out using RoB 2 Risk of Bias Tool. Publication bias across studies was determined using the funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Results: a total of 34 protocols were included in the review, while the data from 33 trials were included in further quantitative analyses. The heterogeneity between studies was high. Pharmacist-led interventions, usually performed within interprofessional care teams, reduced the rates of 30-day all-cause hospital re-admission (odds ratio, OR = 0.78; 95% CI 0.62–0.98; p = 0.03) and all-cause hospitalization >30 days after discharge (OR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.63–0.86; p = 0.0001). Subjects hospitalized primarily due to heart failure demonstrated reduced risk of hospital admission within longer periods, i.e., from 60 to 365 days after discharge (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.51–0.81; p = 0.0002). The rate of all-cause hospitalization was reduced by multidimensional interventions taken by pharmacists: reviews of medicine lists and/or their reconciliation at discharge (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.43–0.91; p = 0.014), as well as interventions that were based mainly on patient education and counseling (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.49–0.88; p = 0.0047). In conclusion, given that HF patients often have complex treatment regimens and multiple comorbid conditions, our findings highlight the need for greater involvement from skilled clinical and community pharmacists in disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease manifesting with progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Its pathogenesis is strictly associated with vascular disfunction and damage. Salusin-α and salusin-β, endogenous peptides regulating secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and vascular smooth muscle proliferation, may potentially play a role in SSc pathogenesis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of salusins in sera of patients with SSc and healthy controls and to evaluate correlations between the salusins levels and selected clinical parameters within the study group. Materials and methods: 48 patients with SSc (44 women; mean age, 56.4, standard deviation, 11.4) and 25 adult healthy volunteers (25 women; mean age, 55.2, standard deviation, 11.2) were enrolled. All patients with SSc were treated with vasodilators and twenty-seven of them (56%) also received immunosuppressive therapy. Results: Circulating salusin-α was significantly elevated in patients with SSc in comparison to healthy controls (U = 350.5, p = 0.004). Patients with SSc receiving immunosuppression had higher serum salusin-α concentrations compared with those without immunosuppressive therapy (U = 176.0, p = 0.026). No correlation was observed between salusins concentrations and skin or internal organ involvement parameters. Conclusions: Salusin-α, a bioactive peptide mitigating the endothelial disfunction, was elevated in patients with systemic sclerosis receiving vasodilators and immunosuppressants. Increased salusin-α concertation may be associated with the initiation of atheroprotective processes in patients with SSc managed pharmacologically, which requires verification in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report measurements of hypersatellite radiation of argon ions in the electron energy region of 5200 eV to 7500 eV. Here, we observed a strong enhancement of this hypersatellite  K α h  production. Trielectronic recombination (TR) is discussed as a possible channel for  K α h  production leading to this enhancement where main TR resonances are expected to occur. Data analysis was mainly based on the extracted intensity ratio of hypersatellite  K α h  to  K α  lines ( K α h / K α ). In addition, the collisional excitation and the collisional ionisation of the K-shell ions were modeled as main background processes of the K α  X-ray production. The  K α h / K α  intensity ratio shows a significant rise around 6500 eV electron energy by a factor of about two above the background level. This observation is compared with calculations of the expected electron energies for the resonant  K α h  emission due to the KK TR process. The observed rise as a function of the electron collision energy, which occurs in the vicinity of the predicted TR resonances, is significantly stronger and energetically much wider than the results of theoretical calculations for the TR process. However, the experimental evidence of this process is not definitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) combines various modes of transportation to present mobility services to travellers based on their transport needs. This paper proposes a knowledge-based framework based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to integrate various mobility data types and provide travellers with customized services. The proposed framework includes a knowledge acquisition process to extract and structure data from multiple sources of information (such as mobility experts and weather data). It also adds new information to a knowledge base and improves the quality of previously acquired knowledge. We discuss how AI can help discover knowledge from various data sources and recommend sustainable and personalized mobility services with explanations. The proposed knowledge-based AI framework is implemented using a synthetic dataset as a proof of concept. Combining different information sources to generate valuable knowledge is identified as one of the challenges in this study. Finally, explanations of the proposed decisions provide a criterion for evaluating and understanding the proposed knowledge-based AI framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 remains a significant clinical issue worldwide, with frequent neurological manifestations. In this study, the authors combine data obtained from the patient's medical history, physical examinations, and additional test results in the pursuit of any clinically relevant connections. Fifty-eight adult patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology and Infectiology over a five-months period were retrospectively enrolled in this study. On admission, all patients included in this study were classified as mild or moderate COVID-19 cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Laboratory tests, Electroencephalography (EEG), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were performed. There was no statistically significant difference in the Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients who reported to the hospital within a week from the symptoms' onset and in those who reported later. In total, 49.06% of patients with eligible EEG recordings presented abnormal brain activity, while 27.59% of the study population had COVID-19-associated MRI findings. EEG and MRI abnormality occurrence did not correlate with the incidence of mild neurological symptoms (headache, olfactory, and gustatory disorders) of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. In three patients in this study population, unprovoked generalized epileptic seizures occurred for the first time in their life. Non-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection causes functional and structural abnormalities within the central nervous system. Brain microhemorrhages are frequently present in non-severe COVID-19 patients. There is no significant association between mild neurological symptoms of COVID-19 and additional test abnormalities. The time from SARS-CoV-2 infection's onset to hospital admission does not seem to influence the prognostic value of CRP, IL-6, and NLR in non-severe COVID-19. Mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection can be a trigger factor for epilepsy and epileptic seizures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disorder manifesting by eczematous lesions and intense pruritus. Atopic dermatitis develops primarily as a result of an epidermal barrier defect and immunological imbalance. Advances in understanding these pathogenetic hallmarks, and particularly the complex role of interleukins as atopic dermatitis drivers, resulted in achieving significant therapeutic breakthroughs. Novel medications involve monoclonal antibodies specifically blocking the function of selected interleukins and small molecules such as Janus kinase inhibitors limiting downstream signaling to reduce the expression of a wider array of proinflammatory factors. Nevertheless, a subset of patients remains refractory to those treatments, highlighting the complexity of atopic dermatitis immunopathogenesis in different populations. In this review, we address the immunological heterogeneity of atopic dermatitis endotypes and phenotypes and present novel interleukin-oriented therapies for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the flowering phenology of selected 95 Elepidote Rhododendron taxa. The flowering period was assessed, distinguishing ten developmental stages. Flowering was observed every three days. The comparative scale prepared indicates the exact succession of bloom of taxa. Flowering of 95 taxa lasted from the end of April to the second half of June. The flowering period of individual cultivars ranged from 2 to 9 weeks. The flowering time of cultivars belonging to the same species was mostly similar. The term of cultivars flowering was in the following tendency order: R. caucasicum–R. wardii–R. forestii–R. williamsianum–R. catawbiense–R. ponticum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In electron–ion collisions, recombination processes play a very important role. Recently, multielectron recombination processes have been highly investigated, as they carry information about electron–electron interaction. Among them, the most basic process is dielectronic recombination (DR). The research presented here was conducted using an EBIT at Jagiellonian University. Using X-ray spectroscopy, we conducted research into K-LL, K-LM, K-LN, K-LO and K-MM resonances. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of the intershell higher-order recombination processes in collected spectra. A good resolution for the K-LL DR spectrum made it possible to distinguish structures for He- up to C-like Ar ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triathlon is a demanding endurance multisport, which may strongly affect the nutritional status of athletes. The aim of this study was to find whether there are any differences in energy value and nutrient intake, body mass and body composition, aerobic performance and hair mineral status between training and competition periods and to assess whether there is a link between hair mineral content and physical capacity and nutrition. This observational study covered 20 triathletes aged 32 ± 7 years. The results of our study indicated performance improvement during the competition period (longer time to exhaustion (p = 0.025) and lower maximal oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold (%VO2max_VT; p = 0.047)). However, no differences were recorded in nutrition and body composition between two training vs. competition periods. There was a significant depletion in hair iron content during the competition period (p = 0.010). Furthermore, there were significant relationships between hair calcium content and absolute maximal oxygen uptake and %VO2max_VT during the training period. It is necessary to introduce nutritional education in the group of triathletes focused on exercise-oriented nutritional periodization following the requirements of the training and competition periods, thus preventing the risk of nutrient deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the first drugs to be obtained by synthesis while being the most used. It has experienced the longest lasting commercial success and is considered the most popular drug of the modern era. ASA, originally used as an anti-inflammatory medication, nowadays is predominantly used as an antiplatelet agent for prophylaxis in cardiac patients. Many studies show that the benefits of using ASA far outweigh the potential risk of side effects. With particular emphasis on the possibility of ASA repositioning for new therapies, extending the indications for use beyond the diseases from the spectrum of atherosclerotic diseases, such as cancer, requires shifting the benefit–risk ratio, although very good, even more towards safety. Interesting activities consisting not only of changing the formulation but also modifying the drug molecule seem to be an important goal of the 21st century. ASA has become a milestone in two important fields: pharmacy and medicine. For a pharmacist, ASA is a long-used drug for which individual indications are practically maintained. For a doctor, acetylsalicylic acid is primarily an antiplatelet drug that saves millions of lives of patients with coronary heart disease or after a stroke. These facts do not exempt us from improving therapeutic methods based on ASA, the main goal of which is to reduce the risk of side effects, as well as to extend effectiveness. Modified acetylsalicylic acid molecules already seem to be a promising therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by eczematous lesions, itch, and a significant deterioration in the quality of life. Recently, microbiome dysbiosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Changes in the fungal microbiome (also termed mycobiome) appear to be an important factor influencing the clinical picture of this entity. This review summarizes the available insights into the role of the cutaneous mycobiome in atopic dermatitis and the new research possibilities in this field. The prevalence and characteristics of key fungal species, the most important pathogenesis pathways, as well as classic and emerging therapies of fungal dysbiosis and infections complicating atopic dermatitis, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core−shell nanocomposites comprising barium titanate, BaTiO3 (BTO), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) chains grafted from its surface with varied grafting densities were prepared. BTO nanocrystals are high-k inorganic materials, and the obtained nanocomposites exhibit enhanced dielectric permittivity, as compared to neat PMMA, and a relatively low level of loss tangent in a wide range of frequencies. The impact of the molecular dynamics, structure, and interactions of the BTO surface on the polymer chains was investigated. The nanocomposites were characterized by broadband dielectric and vibrational spectroscopies (IR and Raman), transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The presence of ceramic nanoparticles in core–shell composites slowed down the segmental dynamic of PMMA chains, increased glass transition temperature, and concurrently increased the thermal stability of the organic part. It was also evidenced that, in addition to segmental dynamics, local β relaxation was affected. The grafting density influenced the self-organization and interactions within the PMMA phase, affecting the organization on a smaller size scale of polymeric chains. This was explained by the interaction of the exposed surface of nanoparticles with polymer chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the activity enhancement effect of noble metal deposited on TiO2 in photocatalytic nitrogen oxides oxidation. Titanium dioxide was decorated with Ag, Au, Pt or Pd in the sol-gel process. Synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurement (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). All catalysts together with pure TiO2 obtained by sol-gel (SG) technique were tested for their photocatalytic activity towards nitrogen oxide oxidation (high concentrations of 50, 150 and 250 ppm). FTIR spectrometry was used to determine the gas phase composition and identify TiO2 surface species. The Ag0.1 sample turned out to be deactivated within 60 min of UV/Vis irradiation. Photocatalytic oxidation rate towards NO2 turned to be the highest over SG (photocatalyst without metal deposition). NO2 formation was also observed for Au0.1, Au0.5, Pt0.1, Pt0.5 and Pd0.1. The best NOx removal, i.e., conversion to final product HNO3 was obtained with the Au0.5 photocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine Activity Recognition (MAR) can be used to monitor manufacturing processes and find bottlenecks and potential for improvement in production. Several interesting results on MAR techniques have been produced in the last decade, but mostly on construction equipment. Forklift trucks, which are ubiquitous and highly important industrial machines, have been missing from the MAR research. This paper presents a data-driven method for forklift activity recognition that uses Controller Area Network (CAN) signals and semi-supervised learning (SSL). The SSL enables the utilization of large quantities of unlabeled operation data to build better classifiers; after a two-step post-processing, the recognition results achieve balanced accuracy of 88% for driving activities and 95% for load-handling activities on a hold-out data set. In terms of the Matthews correlation coefficient for five activity classes, the final score is 0.82, which is equal to the recognition results of two non-domain experts who use videos of the activities. A particular success is that context can be used to capture the transport of small weight loads that are not detected by the forklift's built-in weight sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ilex paraguariensis, the holly tree, is a plant with recognized biological properties, whose aqueous infusions are known as "Yerba mate", that regulate lipid metabolism, reduce obesity, and improve brain stimulation. In the present study, the effect of standardized saponin and terpenoid fractions of a European taxon, Ilex aquifolium, on blood biochemical parameters in a rat model of metabolic disorder, (fa/fa) Zucker, are presented. The profiles of the volatile fractions of two species and six European varieties of Ilex were investigated. After selecting the best variety, the saponin and terpenoid fractions were isolated and standardized, and animals were fed 10 mg kg−1 b.w. for 8 weeks. A statistically significant decrease in liver adiposity was observed, confirmed by histology and quantitative identification (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses of hepatic lipids. RT-qPCR analysis of gene expression in the aorta revealed that the administration of the terpenoid fraction downregulated LOX-1, suggesting a reduction in atherosclerotic stimuli. In addition, a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in PPARγ for the saponin fraction was observed in the liver. The expression of the ACAT-1 gene in the liver, responsible for the formation of cholesterol esters, increased significantly in the group receiving the terpenoid fraction compared to the control, which was also confirmed by the analysis of individual blood biochemical parameters. The opposite effect was observed for saponins. Taking the above into account, it is shown for the first time that Ilex aquifolium can be a source of compounds that positively influence lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the growing demand for sustainable hygiene products (that will exhibit biodegradability and compostability properties), the challenge of developing a superabsorbent polymer that absorbs significant amounts of liquid has been raised so that it can be used in the hygiene sector in the future. The work covers the study of the swelling and dehydration kinetics of hydrogels formed by grafting polymerization of carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and chitosan (Ch). Vanillin (Van) was used as the crosslinking agent. The swelling and dehydration kinetics of the polymers were measured in various solutes including deionized water buffers with pH from 1 to 12 and in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride at 298 and 311 K. The surface morphology and texture properties of the analyzed hydrogels were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of this structure on swelling and dehydration is discussed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses confirmed the interaction between the carboxymethyl starch carbonyl groups and the chitosan amino groups in the resulting hydrogels. Additionally, spectroscopic analyses confirmed the formation of acetal crosslink bridges including vanillin molecules. The chemical dynamics studies revealed that new hydrogel dehydration kinetics strongly depend on the vanillin content. The main significance of the study concerns the positive results of the survey for the new superabsorbent polymer material, coupling high fluid absorbance with biodegradability. The studies on biodegradability indicated that resulting materials show good environmental degradability characteristics and can be considered true biodegradable superabsorbent polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmaceutical industry has developed various highly effective semi-synthetic cephalosporins, which are generated by modifying the side chains of the core molecule 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA). In industrial productions, the 7-ACA nucleus is obtained in vitro from cephalosporin C (CPC) by chemical or enzymatic processes, which are waste intensive and associated with high production costs. Here, we used a transgenic in vivo approach to express bacterial genes for cephalosporin C acylase (CCA) in the CPC producer Acremonium chrysogenum. Western blot and mass spectrometry analyses verified that the heterologous enzymes are processed into α- and β-subunits in the fungal cell. Extensive HPLC analysis detected substrates and products of CCAs in both fungal mycelia and culture supernatants, with the highest amount of 7-ACA found in the latter. Using different incubation times, temperatures, and pH values, we explored the optimal conditions for the active bacterial acylase to convert CPC into 7-ACA in the culture supernatant. We calculated that the best transgenic fungal strains exhibit a one-step conversion rate of the bacterial acylase of 30%. Our findings can be considered a remarkable contribution to supporting future pharmaceutical manufacturing processes with reduced production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the operation of complex assets such heavy-duty vehicles is essential for improving the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of future industry. Specifically, reducing energy consumption of transportation is crucially important for fleet operators, due to the impact it has on decreasing energy costs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Drivers have a high influence on fuel usage. However, reliably estimating driver performance is challenging. This is a key component of many eco-driving tools used to train drivers. Some key aspects of good, or efficient, drivers include being more aware of the surroundings, adapting to the road situations, and anticipating likely developments of the traffic conditions. With the development of IoT technologies and possibility of collecting high-precision and high-frequency data, even such vague concepts can be qualitatively measured, or at least approximated. In this paper, we demonstrate how the driver's degree of attention to the road can be automatically extracted from onboard sensor data. More specifically, our main contribution is introduction of a new metric, called attention horizon (AH); it can, fully automatically and based on readily-available IoT data, capture, differentiate, and evaluate a driver's behavior as the vehicle approaches a red traffic light. We suggest that our measure encapsulates complex concepts such as driver's "awareness" and "carefulness" in itself. This metric is extracted from the pedal positions in a 150 m trajectory just before stopping. We demonstrate that this metric is correlated with normalized fuel consumption rate (FCR) in the long term, making it a suitable tool for ranking and evaluating drivers. For example, over weekly periods we found a negative median correlation between AH and FCR with the absolute value of 0.156 ; while using monthly data, the value was 0.402 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The district heating (DH) industry is facing an important transformation towards more efficient networks that utilise significantly lower water temperatures to distribute the heat. This change requires taking advantage of new technologies, and Machine Learning (ML) is a popular direction. In the last decade, we have witnessed an extreme growth in the number of published research papers that focus on applying ML techniques to the DH domain. However, based on our experience in the field, and an extensive review of the state-of-the-art, we perceive a mismatch between the most popular research directions, such as forecasting, and the challenges faced by the DH industry. In this work, we present our findings, explain and demonstrate the key gaps between the two communities and suggest a road-map ahead towards increasing the impact of ML research in the DH industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green tea extract (GTE) is one of the most popular beverages globally, traditionally prepared from Camelia sinensis leaves. Therefore, it is beneficial to define the impact of GTE and its ingredients on the human organism. Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin in green tea leaves, belonging to the group of tannins and flavonoids, demonstrating pharmacological activity, but so far, it has not been applied as a drug. This is because EGCG does not present sufficient stability and quickly decomposes through epimerization or autooxidation mechanisms under the influence of light, temperature, changes in pH, or the presence of oxygen. Another limiting factor is EGCG's low bioavailability after oral administration. Nevertheless, the growing market of dietary supplements together with increasing growing consumption of green tea extracts should prompt us to pay more attention to the safety of both EGCG itself, as well as its influence on other simultaneously used drugs. Previously published data confirm the relationship between healthcare professionals' access to professional knowledge and their willingness to engage in patient education. For this reason, in this review article, we report the formulations of EGCG and GTE, discuss the data on the safety of EGCG and its possible interactions with drugs, as well as gather various recommendations from medical specialists. Particular attention should be paid to the consumption of green tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in the elderly. Patients taking clozapine, digoxin, and warfarin should avoid consuming GTE extracts and dietary supplements containing EGCG. Professional consultation seems especially important for patients treated with statins, calcium channel blockers, or sildenafil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]