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BackgroundManually analyzing public health-related content from social media provides valuable insights into the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals, shedding light on trends and patterns that can inform public understanding, policy decisions, targeted interventions, and communication strategies. Unfortunately, the time and effort needed from well-trained human subject matter experts makes extensive manual social media listening unfeasible. Generative large language models (LLMs) can potentially summarize and interpret large amounts of text, but it is unclear to what extent LLMs can glean subtle health-related meanings in large sets of social media posts and reasonably report health-related themes.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the feasibility of using LLMs for topic model selection or inductive thematic analysis of large contents of social media posts by attempting to answer the following question: Can LLMs conduct topic model selection and inductive thematic analysis as effectively as humans did in a prior manual study, or at least reasonably, as judged by subject matter experts?MethodsWe asked the same research question and used the same set of social media content for both the LLM selection of relevant topics and the LLM analysis of themes as was conducted manually in a published study about vaccine rhetoric. We used the results from that study as background for this LLM experiment by comparing the results from the prior manual human analyses with the analyses from 3 LLMs: GPT4-32K, Claude-instant-100K, and Claude-2-100K. We also assessed if multiple LLMs had equivalent ability and assessed the consistency of repeated analysis from each LLM.ResultsThe LLMs generally gave high rankings to the topics chosen previously by humans as most relevant. We reject a null hypothesis (P

Artificial neural networks trained using deep-learning methods to solve a simple reference game by optimizing a task-specific utility develop efficient semantic categorization systems that trade off complexity against informativeness, much like the category systems of human languages do. But what exact type of structures in the semantic space could result in efficient categories, and how are these structures shaped by the contexts of communication? We propose a NN model that moves beyond the minimal dyadic setup and show that the emergence of convexity, a property of semantic systems that facilitates this efficiency, is dependent on the amount of variability in communication contexts across partners. We use a method of input representation based on compositional vector embeddings that is able to achieve a higher level of communication success than regular non-compositional representation methods, and can achieve a better balance between maintaining the structure of the semantic space and optimizing utility.

BackgroundNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with steatosis, hepatocellular injury, inflammation and fibrosis. In a Phase 2 trial in adults with NASH (NCT02912260), resmetirom, an orally administered, liver-targeted thyroid hormone receptor-β selective agonist, significantly reduced hepatic fat (via imaging) and resolved NASH without worsening fibrosis (via liver biopsy) in a significant number of patients compared with placebo.AimsTo present the design of the Phase 3 MAESTRO clinical programme evaluating resmetirom for treatment of NASH (MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 [NCT04197479], MAESTRO-NAFLD-OLE [NCT04951219], MAESTRO-NASH [NCT03900429], MAESTRO-NASH-OUTCOMES [NCT05500222]).MethodsMAESTRO-NASH is a pivotal serial biopsy trial in up to 2000 adults with biopsy-confirmed at-risk NASH. Patients are randomised to a once-daily oral placebo, 80 mg resmetirom, or 100 mg resmetirom. Liver biopsies are conducted at screening, week 52 and month 54. MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 is a 52-week safety trial in ~1400 adults with NAFLD/presumed NASH (based on non-invasive testing); ~700 patients from MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 are enrolled in MAESTRO-NAFLD-OLE, a 52-week active treatment extension to further evaluate safety. MAESTRO-NASH-OUTCOMES is enrolling 700 adults with well-compensated NASH cirrhosis to evaluate the potential for resmetirom to slow progression to hepatic decompensation events. Non-invasive tests (biomarkers, imaging) are assessed longitudinally throughout, in addition to validated patient-reported outcomes.ConclusionThe MAESTRO clinical programme was designed in conjunction with regulatory authorities to support approval of resmetirom for treatment of NASH. The surrogate endpoints, based on week 52 liver biopsy, serum biomarkers and imaging, are confirmed by long-term clinical liver-related outcomes in MAESTRO-NASH (month 54) and MAESTRO-NASH-OUTCOMES (time to event).

BACKGROUND: Liver histopathologic assessment is the accepted surrogate endpoint in NASH trials; however, the scoring of NASH Clinical Research Network (CRN) histologic parameters is limited by intraobserver and interobserver variability. We designed a consensus panel approach to minimize variability when using this scoring system. We assessed agreement between readers, estimated linear weighted kappas between 2 panels, compared them with published pairwise kappa estimates, and addressed how agreement or disagreement might impact the precision and validity of the surrogate efficacy endpoint in NASH trials. METHODS: Two panels, each comprising 3 liver fellowship-trained pathologists who underwent NASH histology training, independently evaluated scanned whole slide images, scoring fibrosis, inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, and steatosis from baseline and month 18 biopsies for 100 patients from the precirrhotic NASH study REGENERATE. The consensus score for each parameter was defined as agreement by ≥2 pathologists. If consensus was not reached, all 3 pathologists read the slide jointly to achieve a consensus score. RESULTS: Between the 2 panels, the consensus was 97%-99% for steatosis, 91%-93% for fibrosis, 88%-92% for hepatocyte ballooning, and 84%-91% for inflammation. Linear weighted kappa scores between panels were similar to published NASH CRN values. CONCLUSIONS: A panel of 3 trained pathologists independently scoring 4 NASH CRN histology parameters produced high consensus rates. Interpanel kappa values were comparable to NASH CRN metrics, supporting the accuracy and reproducibility of this method. The high concordance for fibrosis scoring was reassuring, as fibrosis is predictive of liver-specific outcomes and all-cause mortality.

Background. Table tennis players often use topspin shots in order to score. For many athletes, this stroke is crucial to winning, making it a favorite among players. It is more probable that accurate topspin strokes will make it harder for opponents to return the ball. As a result, players who can maintain topspin stroke accuracy over time are more likely to win matches. Objectives. This study aimed to examine the association between self-confidence (SC) and cognitive processing speed (CPS) with topspin accuracy (TPA) in table tennis. Materials and methods. This study used a correlation method with a quantitative approach. A total of 82 participants (aged: 20.0 ± 0.6 years) were involved in this study. Data on topspin accuracy was collected by administering a topspin accuracy test, followed by administering a self-confidence questionnaire and cognitive processing speed test. Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis were used to determine the association between the variables. Results. The findings of this study show (1) a positive relationship between self-confidence and topspin accuracy (r = 0. 430, p < 0.05); (2) a positive relationship between cognitive processing speed and topspin accuracy (r = 0.374, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Topspin accuracy is influenced by cognitive processing speed and self-confidence. Therefore, in order to improve table tennis topspin performance, coaches should take these factors into account. The results of this study can have a significant impact on training programs, where mental skills training, such as boosting self-confidence and enhancing cognitive processing speed, should be integrated into technical and tactical training routines. This approach will allow athletes to not only refine their physical skills but also strengthen their psychological resilience, ultimately leading to better performance in competitive matches.

Abstract Purpose of Review Embedding machine learning workflows into real-world hospital environments is essential to ensure model alignment with clinical workflows and real-world data. Many non-healthcare industries undergoing digital transformation have already developed data labelling and data quality management services as a vertically integrated business process. Recent Findings In this paper, we describe our experiences developing and implementing a first-of-its-kind clinical NLP (natural language processing) service in the National Health Service, United Kingdom using parallel harmonised platforms. We report on our work developing clinical NLP resources and implementation framework to distil expert clinical knowledge into our NLP models. To date, we have amassed over 26,086 annotations spanning 556 SNOMED CT concepts working with secondary care specialties. Summary Our integrated language modelling service has delivered numerous clinical and operational use-cases using named entity recognition (NER). Such services improve efficiency of healthcare delivery and drive downstream data-driven technologies. We believe it will only be a matter of time before NLP services become an integral part of healthcare providers.

Global concern revolves around the persistent attributes of harmful non-biodegradable contaminants, especially heavy metals and metalloids, which draws attention to environmental pollution. As regards to soil ecosystem, microorganisms have a significant impact on heavy metal concentrations, either actively or passively. Heavy metal toxicity profoundly impacts the metabolic activities of microbial communities, leading to disruptions in essential cellular processes. Heavy metals interfere with the enzymatic reactions necessary for energy of metabolism, nutrient cycling, and organic matter degradation, resulting in reduced microbial growth and activity. The Biolog Ecoplate method is used as an effective tool for assessing microbial activity. The potential use of Biolog Ecoplate in the study of microbial community structure and diversity in heavy metal-polluted soil was investigated. In order to achieve this goal, multiple keywords combinations were used to filter the most important results in the field. In metal-contaminated soils, the use of Biolog Ecoplate has led to notable changes in microbial community composition, marked by increased populations of resistant and metal-reducing microorganisms.

Soil microorganisms play a key role in carbon and nutrient cycling processes, which includes the creation and decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM). At the same time, microorganisms use organic C as an energy source, for their development, and to support their functions. Based on our literature search we identified only one model proposed to date for necromass cycle which includes four key stages of the necromass continuum: production, recycling, stabilization, and destabilization. We further scrutinized factors to better understand/explain the processes related to this vital cycle. Microbial necromass is a significant and enduring part of the soil organic carbon (SOC), which is the primary C reservoir in terrestrial ecosystems. Assessing microbial necromass C stocks and understanding how they respond to global changes has become a standard approach in soil C cycle research. Nevertheless, the conventional proxies used to estimate necromass C levels do not provide insights into the dynamic processes and transformations that occur within the soil, ultimately shaping the persistence of microbial necromass.

A functionalized product (tincture) was developed using blackberries leaves (Rubus caesius L., Fam. Rosaceae, subfam. Rosoideae species) at different stages, since they provide biologically active compounds. Physicochemical analyzes were performed, such as the evaluation of the total poly-phenol content (TPC), the antioxidant potential, evaluation of the a chlorophyll, b chlorophyll and total chlorophyll for the raw material. The influence of solvents type on the extraction and the content of the total polyphenols and the antioxidant potential were also assessed. Moreover, the antibacterial potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis and Bacillus cereus was revealed. The green and red leaves registered a decrease in TPC during maceration, meaning the polyphenols were transferred to the tinctures. In the acetone extract of the green leaves, highest TPC of 538.59 mg GAE/100g was determined, with an antioxidant potential of 93.13 %RSA DPPH inhibited, which was not statistically different from the antioxidant values of the extracts obtained with other solvents. The red leaves exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity on the tested strains, except for Salmonella typhimurium, which exhibited resistance towards each tested extract. The current study demonstrates the potential usage of blackberry leaves from sustainable sources.

Abstract Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are key cell surface receptors involved in cell communication and signal transduction, with great importance in cell growth, differentiation, survival, and metabolism. Dysregulation of RTKs, such as EGFR, VEGFR, HER2 or ROR, could lead to various diseases, particularly cancers. ROR1 has emerged as a promising target in hematological malignancies. The development of ROR1 targeted therapies is continuously growing leading to remarkable novel therapeutical approaches using mAbs, antibody-drug conjugates, several small molecules or CAR T cells which have shown encouraging preclinical results. In the hematological field, mAbs, small molecules, BiTEs or CAR T cell therapies displayed promising outcomes with the clinical trials data encouraging the use of anti-ROR1 therapies. This paper aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape of ROR1-targeted therapies in hematological malignancies marking the innovative approaches with promising preclinical and clinical. Offering a better understanding of structural and functional aspects of ROR1 could lead to new perspectives in targeting a wide spectrum of malignancies.

Abstract Stem cells are a hallmark of animal multicellularity. Sox and POU transcription factors are associated with stemness and were believed to be animal innovations, reported absent in their unicellular relatives. Here we describe unicellular Sox and POU factors. Choanoflagellate and filasterean Sox proteins have DNA-binding specificity similar to mammalian Sox2. Choanoflagellate—but not filasterean—Sox can replace Sox2 to reprogram mouse somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through interacting with the mouse POU member Oct4. In contrast, choanoflagellate POU has a distinct DNA-binding profile and cannot generate iPSCs. Ancestrally reconstructed Sox proteins indicate that iPSC formation capacity is pervasive among resurrected sequences, thus loss of Sox2-like properties fostered Sox family subfunctionalization. Our findings imply that the evolution of animal stem cells might have involved the exaptation of a pre-existing set of transcription factors, where pre-animal Sox was biochemically similar to extant Sox, whilst POU factors required evolutionary innovations.

Recorded fatalities as a result of road accidents place Romania at the top of the European countries with the most worrying statistics, situating the mobility management in a deficient position, often motivated by the vulnerability of the road infrastructure. The present paper, conducted with the statistics provided by the Romanian Police, analyzes the impact of road quality on the occurrence of accidents in determining the severity of injuries to participants. This study was carried out over a period of 5 years in Brasov County.

Fans are, more often than not, individuals who focus all their attention and energy in a specific direction. Fans don’t leave the TV, no matter what happens. They defend their favorites at all costs. And when a fan is present, anything can happen. In the paper "Maintaining Fan Engagement in Cases of Low Sports Performance", we provide a brief overview of the concept of sports fans, the unexpected influence they can have over a team or club, and we conclude the article with a small survey conducted among a group of fans to determine if there are any changes in their behavior when their favorite team or athlete experiences periods of reduced performance.

The transformation of milk into acidic products has led to a significant increase in its nutritional and biological value. Containing all the components of milk, but in a more easily digestible form, readily metabolizable calcium, significant amounts of vitamins (from the B complex, synthesized by microorganisms in starter cultures), acid-dietetic products hold a significant and well-deserved share in human nutrition. Consequently, through this work, we aimed to identify qualitative parameters of raw milk, and of some assortments of acidic products obtained in a traditional system. In the case of raw milk, the parameters were within the limits imposed by company standards (acidity 17.1±0.60°T; density 1.027±0.002, fat 3.5±0.4%; average delivery temperature of 6±0.50°C) with fluctuations generated by the season. The Buttermilk assortment presented organoleptic and physico-chemical characteristics close to those provided in standards (characteristic taste and color, acidity 145±100°T, fat 2.1±0.1%, proteins 2.9±0.2%). In the case of the Sana assortment, the physico-chemical parameters showed slight modifications compared to the standard, with lower acidity (115±100°T), hence the weak expression of some sensory characteristics. The most important conclusion of this case study was that regardless of the classification of the unit, the physico-chemical and sensory properties of the products obtained are decisively influenced by strictly adhering to the technologies, otherwise risking severe deviations from the imposed standards.

Research on the importance of quail eggs has shown that regular consumption leads to a significant increase in resistance to diseases, stress, and revitalization of the body. In Romania, there has been observed a consistent consumer appetite for this category and their constant presence in the market, especially at supermarkets, since 2018-2019. Due to the inability of Romanian aviculture to consistently satisfy supply demands, products are partly imported. Hence, the main purpose of this paper is to establish the quality of quail eggs. Quality evaluation was based on determining specific physical indicators (weight, specific weight, white and yolk index, Haugh index, shell thickness), and chemical composition (% water, D.M., fats, and proteins). The values obtained for physical indicators were within the limits accepted by the literature (although there were differences of up to 8% in weight between batches, freshness indices showed close values, highlighting the freshness of the product, and shell thickness fluctuated insignificantly with shell integrity at 100%). Chemical properties were characteristic of fresh eggs, with no significant differences between batches or literature references. The overall conclusion of the study was that marketed quail eggs comply with current norms, regardless of their origin.

Aneurysms of the splenic artery are relatively rare, being found in patients with portal hypertension, multiparous, atherosclerosis, or in young people with various genetic diseases. In the uncomplicated forms, splenic artery aneurysms are often difficult to diagnose either because of the asymptomatic evolution, or because of the non-specific symptoms. In cases of trauma or large sizes, aneurysms can be complicated by rupture, which can cause hemoperitoneum with the risk of death if specific treatment is not initiated as soon as possible. Depending on the location of the splenic aneurysm, comorbidities, the patient's general condition or lifethreatening complications, laparotomy, laparoscopy, endovascular techniques or combined procedures can be performed. The case of a 33-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and later syncope is presented. The patient was referred to the radiology department, and computed tomography revealed a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm with hemoperitoneum. The splenic artery aneurysm and the spleen were excised by emergency surgery, with a favorable postoperative outcome. The young age of diagnosis and treatment probably implies a genetic component, so that she was referred for additional investigations after discharge.

Introduction. Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICCs) play a critical role in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility and have been implicated in various functional gastrointestinal disorders. Recent research indicates a possible association between ICCs and the tumor risk of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs). This research aims to examine the clinical, histopathological, and biomolecular characteristics of ICCs and their relevance in assessing GIST risk. Materials and Methods. This study examined fourteen GIST patients who underwent surgical intervention at the Surgery Department of Carol Davila Nephrology Hospital in Bucharest. Parameters including age, gender, tumor location/ dimensions were scrutinized. Immunohistochemistry employing markers CD117, DOG-1, and CD34 was employed to ascertain the presence of ICCs and GISTs. Results. The GIST risk stratification revealed distribution with 35.71% very low-risk, 21.42% low-risk, 14.28% intermediate-risk, and 28.57% high-risk categories. Predominantly, 57.14% of cases fell within the very low-risk and low-risk categories. Positive immunoreactivity for CD117 and DOG-1 was noted in 92.86% of patients, while CD34 exhibited positivity in 85.71% of cases. Gastric GISTs manifested heightened marker expression. Notably, immunohistochemistry unveiled robust positivity for CD117, DOG-1, and CD34, illustrating a positive correlation between elevated ICC levels and high-risk GISTs. Conclusions. The findings propose an association between ICC levels and high-risk GISTs, accentuating the diagnostic utility of CD117, DOG-1, and CD34 markers in GIST assessment.

Introduction. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a new patient-centered concept that aims to deliver high-quality perioperative care to surgical patients. This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of the pain management measures in an ERAS-protocol versus the traditional approach of postoperative pain. Materials and Methods. A comparative prospective study was performed on 50 patients admitted in the Fourth General Surgery of University Emergency Hospital of Bucharest between 2022 and 2024, with the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, undergoing emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients were randomly assigned into two study groups, an ERAS-group and a Traditional group, according to the type of perioperative care applied. The evaluated outcomes were length-of-stay; preoperative anxiety level, leukocyte count at admission and 24 hours postoperatively, postoperative pain levels quantified using Visual Analog Scale 24 hours after surgery and postoperative nausea and vomiting events. Results. The two study subgroups were comparable in terms of demographic and clinical preoperative characteristics. Statistical analysis showed significant lower values of preoperative anxiety level in ERAS group (p

Diabetes mellitus presents an increasing prevalence and severe multisystemic complications, with notable personal, professional and social implications. Diabetes is generally known by hyperglycemia and subsequent metabolic disorders. In addition to hyperglycemia, it appears that other factors (related to anthropometric-pathophysiology and genome-based subphenotyping) are involved not only in the clinical course but also in the occurrence of diabetes complications. This review presents several diabetes-induced complications on the digestive tract (periodontal disease, xerostomia, oral infections, dental caries, taste disturbances, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroparesis, gastric ulcer and cancer, diabetic enteropathy, inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer, etc.), many of them with major implications and unfavorable long-term prognosis. Consequently, prompt recognition and treatment of diabetes and its complications, as well as strict follow-up education, still remain essential for the effective management of this complex metabolic disease.

Despite substantial improvements in survival rates for most cancers, pancreatic cancer still remains a leading cause of death from malignancy. The disease has no symptoms in the initial stages, it can early invade the surrounding organs, and treatment methods have poor long-term prognosis. In addition, this neoplasia is starting to be diagnosed more and more frequently in young people. High incidences have been found in developed regions such as Europe, North America, Australia, but recent data show that this condition is increasing in other regions as well. Pancreatic cancer involves multiple factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, inherited genetic factors, recent studies also correlating pancreatic cancer with abnormal metabolism of human microorganisms, blood type, as well as glucose and lipid levels. This review aims to update knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. The goal is to encourage screening and early diagnosis methods, as well as to stimulate further research on this oncological topic, insufficiently studied to date.

Abstract Prisons, due to various risk factors, are environments that are conducive to infectious disease transmission, with significantly higher prevalence of infectious diseases within prisons compared to the general population. This underscores the importance of preventive measures, particularly vaccination. As part of the international project “Reaching the hard-to-reach: Increasing access and vaccine uptake among the prison population in Europe” (RISE-Vac), this study aimed to map the availability and delivery framework of vaccination services in prisons across Europe and beyond. A questionnaire designed to collect data on the availability and delivery model of vaccination services in prisons was validated and uploaded in SurveyMonkey in July 2023. Then, it was submitted to potential participants, with at least one representative from each European country. Potential participants emailed an invitation letter by the RISE-Vac partners and by the European Organization of Prison and Correctional Services (EUROPRIS). Twenty European countries responded. Vaccines are available in European countries, although their availability differs by country and type of vaccine. The first dose is offered to people living in prisons (PLP), mostly within one month, COVID-19 is the most widely offered vaccine. In all countries, vaccines are actively offered by healthcare workers; in most countries, there is no evaluation of vaccination status among people who work in prison. The survey shows variance in vaccine availability for PLP and staff across countries and vaccine types. Quality healthcare in prisons is not only a matter of the right to health but also a critical public health investment: enhancing vaccine uptake consistently among PLP and staff should be prioritized.