Search

Anna Florczak,1,2 Andrzej Mackiewicz,1,2 Hanna Dams-Kozlowska1,21Department of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan 60-806, Poland; 2Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan 61-866, PolandCorrespondence: Hanna Dams-KozlowskaDepartment of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 15 Garbary St., Poznan 61-866, PolandTel +48 61 885 0874Fax +48 61 852 8502Email hanna.dams-kozlowska@wco.plBackground: The development of nanocarrier technology has attracted great interest in the last decade. Biodegradable spheres made of functionalized silk have considerable potential to be used as drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. A targeting ligand displayed at the surface of a carrier, with a specific affinity towards a particular receptor, can further enhance the accumulation and uptake of nanoparticles at the site of a tumor.Materials and methods: The hybrid constructs were obtained by adding a Her2-binding peptide (H2.1) to MS1 and MS2 bioengineered silks based on the MaSp1 and MaSp2 proteins from N. clavipes, respectively. The H2.1MS1 and H2.1MS2 proteins were blended at a weight ratio of 8:2. Stable silk particles were formed by mixing a soluble protein with potassium phosphate using a micromixing technique. We used specific inhibitors of endocytosis to determine the cellular uptake pathway of the silk nanoparticles in human Her2-positive breast cancer cells. The subcellular distribution of silk particles was investigated by evaluating the signal colocalization with organelle-specific tracker. Moreover, lysosomal and exosomal inhibitors were implemented to evaluate their impact on the silk spheres behavior and degradation.Results: The functionalized spheres were specifically taken up by Her2-positive cancer cells. Silk particles facilitated the entry into cells through both the clathrin- and caveola-dependent pathways of endocytosis. Upon entering the cells, the particles accumulated in the lysosomes, where intracellular degradation occurred.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated directly that the lysosomal function was essential for silk-based carrier elimination. The degradation of the carrier is of great importance to develop an optimal drug delivery system.Keywords: silk spheres, endocytosis, nanoparticle trafficking, lysosomal degradation, targeted drug delivery, cancer therapy

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide and poses a significant challenge to effective treatment due to its complexity. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is one of the cancer hallmarks and is a critical process in tumor growth and metastasis. The pivotal role of angiogenesis in cancer development has made antiangiogenic treatment a promising strategy for cancer therapy. To develop an effective therapy, it is essential to understand the basics of the physiological and tumor angiogenesis process. This review presents the primary factors related to physiological and tumor angiogenesis and the mechanisms of angiogenesis in tumors. We summarize potential molecular targets for cancer treatment by focusing on the vasculature, with the VEGF/VEGFR pathway being one of the most important and well-studied. Additionally, we present the advantages and limitations of currently used clinical protocols for cancer treatment targeting the VEGF/VEGFR pathway.

The process of increasing the importance of the financial sector in the economy is referred to as financialisation. This process can be observed in many sectors of the economy. The article aimed to identify the differentiation in the financialisation of European Union countries. The article verified the research hypothesis according to which the differentiation of EU countries due to financialisation, determined using cluster analysis, consent with the division into groups of countries according to geographical criteria. The k-means cluster analysis method was used to assign countries to individual groups. Six variables were adopted for the research (the ratio of the current level of budget balance to GDP, the ratio of public debt to GDP, the ratio of public expenditure to GDP, the ratio of household debt to GDP, the ratio of household consumption expenditure to GDP, the investment rate of non-financial enterprises). Based on the average values of indicators for the period 2011-2021, EU countries were assigned to characteristic groups differing in the specificity of financialisation. The results indicate that the countries of Central and Eastern Europe were classified into one cluster, while the countries of Southern Europe were classified into two separate clusters. It seems essential to classify the countries of Western Europe and Northern Europe into one cluster. The literature on the subject includes studies of financialisation and its impact on the economy. However, it is difficult to find studies that divide countries according to characteristics related to financialisation.

Research background: The importance of the financial sector for the real economy has increased as there has been a transition from industrial capitalism to financial capitalism in recent years. The increasing importance of the financial sector is referred to as financialisation, and it is undoubtedly associated with finance, financial operations, or an increase in the importance of profits generated by financial activities. Financialisation is a long‑term process characterised by the growth of the banking sector. Purpose of the article: This article compares the effectiveness of banking sectors in the European Union (EU) countries from the financialisation perspective. Methods: The study determined the efficiency of the banking sectors for the 28 EU countries using an input‑oriented, non‑radial BCC model in 2017 and assessed changes in the efficiency of the entities studied using the Malmquist index between 2008 and 2017. Findings & value added: With certain outlays and effects, the banking sectors of seven countries were effective in 2017 from the financialisation perspective: Cyprus, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Malta, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The effectiveness of individual inputs for the banking sectors from each country was then determined, and benchmark leaders were identified. The analysis of the dynamics of changes in the efficiency of the banking sectors showed that Sweden had the highest values of the Malmquist index between 2008 and 2017 (where efficiency increased by 37.7%).

Telemedicine applications present virtually limitless prospects for innovating and enhancing established and new models of patient care in the field of Internal Medicine. Although there is a wide range of innovative technological solutions in Europe, there are overarching elements associated with such technologies when applied to the practices of Internal Medicine specialists. The European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) strongly advocates for active leadership and influence from the Internal Medicine societies and specialist physicians across Europe in the development and application of telemedicine and digital technologies in healthcare. This position paper’s conclusions were drawn via Delphi method, which was developed collaboratively from July 2021 to December 2023. The panel, consisting of experts in clinical medicine, public health, health economics and statistics, assessed various aspects related to telemedicine. Participants assigned scores on a Likert scale reflecting perceived value and potential risks. The findings were consolidated in a comprehensive checklist aligning with relevant literature and a SWOT analysis. Specifically, key issues that need to be addressed include promoting the professional development of e-health competencies in the healthcare and medical workforce, using educational campaigns to promote digital literacy among patients and caregivers, designing and implementing telemedicine applications tailored to local conditions and needs and considering the ethical and legal contexts under which these applications are employed. Importantly, there is currently no consensus on care models or standardized protocols among European Internal Medicine specialists regarding the utilization of telemedicine. This position paper aims to outline the opportunities and challenges associated with the application of telemedicine in Internal Medical practice in Europe.

The coronavirus crisis led to severe restrictions of numerous fundamental rights almost globally, amongst which the right to vote was also concerned. Our research article aims to integrate the experience of the Visegrád region into the emerging strand of international legal scholarship from the long-term impact of the public health emergency on electoral frameworks. Based on a research collaboration funded by the International Visegrád Fund, the study presents the adaptative measures implemented by the four Visegrád countries to hold national or municipal elections in the shadow of the global pandemic, and contextualizes these interventions in the light of the global electoral tendencies. Finally, based on our research, the expected features of post-COVID electoral frameworks in the Visegrád region were also provided. Alternative electoral regimes are discussed for the promotion of flexibility and resilience, which are grounded on the combined elements of the traditional voting system, on additional public health requirements, and also on the extensive application of postal- and electronic voting.

Since Poland started the transformation from a country of emigration to a country of immigration, the legal environment related to the employment of foreigners has been constantly changing. These changes seem to be of a bumpy nature, although they implement in a relatively consistent manner certain assumptions that can be called systemic. This article will analyse main directions of legal changes related to the employment of foreigners in Poland, specifying at the same time the objectives that the legislator intended to achieve when introducing them. This will make it possible to show the organisational priorities of labour market regulation and the values that the national legislator aims to protect. Such an analysis, in turn, will make it possible to assess legislative actions and (in the case of their approval) to indicate further necessary improvements made in the spirit of the existing ones or (in the case of their criticism) to set new directions of actions. ASJC: 3308, JEL: K31

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth leading cancer and the fifth cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with a poor 5-year survival. SOX family genes play a role in the processes involved in cancer development such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), the maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the regulation of drug resistance. We analyzed the expression of SOX2-OT, SOX6, SOX8, SOX21, SOX30 and SRY genes in HNSCC patients using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, to assess their biological role and their potential utility as biomarkers. We demonstrated statistically significant differences in expression between normal and primary tumor tissues for SOX6, SOX8, SOX21 and SOX30 genes and pointed to SOX6 as the one that met the independent diagnostic markers criteria. SOX21 or SRY alone, or the panel of six SRY-related genes, could be used to estimate patient survival. SRY-related genes are positively correlated with immunological processes, as well as with keratinization and formation of the cornified envelope, and negatively correlated with DNA repair and response to stress. Moreover, except SRY, all analyzed genes were associated with a different tumor composition and immunological profiles. Based on validation results, the expression of SOX30 is higher in HPV(+) patients and is associated with patients’ survival. SRY-related transcription factors have vast importance in HNSCC biology. SOX30 seems to be a potential biomarker of HPV infection and could be used as a prognostic marker, but further research is required to fully understand the role of SOX family genes in HNSCC.

Magnesium alloys, because of their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, are increasingly used in many industries. When used in external elements, the key factor is to provide adequate anticorrosion protection. High-temperature, cured-powder coatings are widely used to protect most metals, but their use on magnesium alloys is difficult as a result of the instability of the magnesium substrate at elevated temperatures. Another problem is ensuring the proper adhesion of the organic coating to the magnesium substrate. This paper presents the procedure for the synthesis of a duplex coating on AZ91 magnesium alloy. The topcoat was a powder coating based on acrylic resin, the main ingredient of which was glycidyl methacrylate. Because of the presence of epoxy groups, the coating was cured using ultraviolet (UV) radiation (low-temperature technology). The conversion subcoating was produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in an alkaline silicate electrolyte. The synthesized coating system was tested, among others, for microscopic (SEM), adhesive (mesh of cuts), and anticorrosion (EIS). The duplex PEO/UV-curable powder coating showed very good adhesion to the metal and increased the anticorrosion properties of the magnesium substrate, compared to the powder coating produced directly on the magnesium alloy and on an alternative conversion coating (synthesized in the process of chemical zircon phosphating).

Herein we show an accessible technique based on Faraday waves that assist the rapid assembly of osteoinductive β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) particles as well as human osteoblast pre-assembled in spheroids. The hydrodynamic forces originating at ‘seabed’ of the assembly chamber can be used to tightly aggregate inorganic and biological entities at packing densities that resemble those of native tissues. Additionally, following a layer-by-layer assembly procedure, centimeter scaled osteoinductive three-dimensional and cellularized constructs have been fabricated. We showed that the intimate connection between biological building blocks is essential in engineering living system able of localized mineral deposition. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the possibility to obtain three-dimensional cellularized and acellularized anisotropic constructs using Faraday waves.

The banking industry is a crucial sector for any country's economic growth. Therefore, it is essential to study factors that affect bank performance as the findings of this research help regulators and managers make better decisions. Thus, the paper will aim to determine the efficiency level of the banking sectors of the 27 EU countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article applies the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to measure the performance and efficiency of banking sectors belonging to 27 EU countries. The operationalisation of the objective/methodology will be done by using data from the Eurostat database. The authors will verify the research hypothesis that the number of efficient banking sectors in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic is lower than before the pandemic. The research period covers years between 2008-2020. The hypothesis was verified negatively because the number of efficient banking sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher than previously. The number of effective banking sectors in the research period wasn't constant. Six effective banking sectors operated in 2020 (the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic), one even more effectively than in 2019. Those effective ones in the entire study period were banking sectors from Cyprus, Luxembourg and Romania.

Subject and purpose of work: This study explores the characteristics of a social enterprise as laid down in the relevant act currently in force, and analyzes how the tendencies to normatively define a social enterprise have changed over the years with subsequent amendments and modifications of the applicable draft laws.

Este artigo apresenta uma análise teórica, de natureza qualitativa, por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica para tentar esclarecer se as fakes news podem ser caracterizadas como obstáculo epistemológico na aprendizagem do conhecimento científico, nas disciplinas de Ciências e Biologia, no contexto da pandemia da covid-19 e da disseminação de notícias falsas ou fake news. Para desenvolver essa proposta pretende-se identificar na obra de Gaston Bachelard a noção de obstáculo epistemológico ao reconstruir, de modo breve, a narrativa do autor, na tentativa de indicar caminhos para o conhecimento científico e as implicações das fake news nesse processo. Sabe-se que o excesso de informações, a infodemia, apresenta-se como barreira em função da dificuldade de critérios na seleção de informações relevantes e seguras como aliadas no processo educacional. Percebe-se um intenso movimento anticientífico, que não é novo, mas é possível observar seu crescimento mundial nos últimos anos. Será importante que o educador assuma uma postura investigativa e reflexiva para que o sentimento de fracasso não passe despercebido quando o comportamento instintivo não se apresente em sua prática pedagógica, por ser o detentor do conhecimento porque dessa forma todo conselho referente aos erros pedagógicos que cometem será absolutamente inútil. Sendo assim, as fake News, configuraram-se em um fenômeno do pensamento fraco ou em obstáculo epistemológico da experiência primeira, que significa deixar-se levar pelo impulso, pelo arrebatamento natural, causado pela informação, sem considerá-la criticamente, porque é na criticidade que o espírito científico se forma e se reforma, retificando saberes, quando não oferecemos resistência ao novo conhecimento.

Objective: To conduct a comprehensive multivariate analysis of variables associated with deep sternal wound infection, after open-heart surgery via median sternotomy. Method: A retrospective cohort of all adult patients, who underwent open-heart surgery at Odense University Hospital between 01‐01-2000 and 31-12-2020 was extracted from the West Danish Heart Registry. Data were analyzed using maximum likelihood logistic regression. Results: A total of 15,424 patients underwent open-heart surgery and 244 developed a deep sternal wound infection, equivalent to 1,58 %. After data review 11,182 entries were included in the final analysis, of which 189 developed DSWI, equivalent to 1,69 %. Multivariate analysis found the following variables to be associated with the development of deep sternal wound infection (odds ratios and 95%confidens intervals in parentheses): Known arrhythmia (1.70; 1.16–2.44), Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (1.66; 1.02–2.58), Body Mass Index 25–30 (1.66; 1.12–2.52), Body Mass Index 30–35 (2.35; 1.50–3.71), Body Mass Index 35–40 (3.61; 2.01–6.33), Body Mass Index 40+ (3.70; 1.03–10.20), Age 60–69 (1.64; 1.04–2.67), Age 70–79 (1.95; 1.23–3.19), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (1.77; 1.21–2.54), Reoperation (1.63; 1.06–2.45), Blood transfusion in surgery (1.09; 1.01–1.17), Blood transfusion in intensive care unit (1.03; 1.01–1.06), Known peripheral atherosclerosis (1.82; 1.25–2.61), Current smoking (1.69; 1.20–2.35), Duration of intubation (1.33; 1.12–1.57). Conclusion: Increased risk of deep sternal wound infection after open-heart surgery is a multifactorial problem, while some variables are unchangeable others are not. Focus should be on optimizing the condition of the patient prior to surgery e.g. weight loss and smoking. But also factors surrounding the patient e.g. preventing blood loss and minimizing intubation time.

In this study, conversion coatings were produced on the AM50 magnesium alloy by a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process in alkaline-silicate electrolyte with the addition of potassium hexafluorophosphate, using a unipolar pulse power source. The coating microstructure and its composition were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion resistance of the conversion coatings was evaluated by means of potentiodynamic polarization tests (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a dilute Harrison solution (DHS). It has been found that the properties (microstructure, composition, and coating thickness) of the obtained layer and, therefore, their anticorrosive resistance strongly depend on the electrolyte composition. The best anticorrosive properties were observed in the layers obtained in the presence of 2.5 g/L KPF6. It was found that the conversion coating produced with the addition of hexafluorophosphate is characterized by a different morphology (sponge-like) and better anticorrosion properties, in comparison to the coating obtained with the addition of fluoride and orthophosphate salts commonly used in PEO synthesis. The sponge-like structure, which is similar to bone structure in combination with the presence of phosphates in the layer, can increase the biocompatibility and the possibility of self-healing of this coating. However, neither Mg(PF6)2, nor any other compounds containing PF6−, have been found in the layers produced.

The artificial intelligence as a tool to guide foreigner employment policies? The global migration is one of the most significant challenges facing global society today. Exactly the same statement can be applied to the phenomena related to the development of artificial intelligence. Therefore there is no doubt that the areas where migration and artificial intelligence meet, require the attention of researchers. The analysis of this article will focus on the phenomenon of labour migration in the context of creating the policy of employing foreigners by means of, or with the use of, artificial intelligence. In view of the current lack of any integrated national migration policy, it is possible to attempt to determine the directions of its creation in the future, taking into account artificial intelligence tools, the proper regulation of which poses a particular challenge, in view of the threat against human rights violations. ASJC: 3308, JEL: K31

Space weather events can have damaging effects on ground-based infrastructure. Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) caused by rapid magnetic field fluctuations during geomagnetic storms can negatively affect power networks, railways as well as navigation systems. To reduce such negative impacts, good forecasting capability is essential. In this study we assess the performance of contemporary magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models in predicting the external-only ground magnetic field perturbations at three United Kingdom observatories during two severe space weather events: September 2017 and March 2015. Simulated magnetic data were acquired via Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC), using the following models: Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF), Open Geospace General Circulation Model (Open GGCM) and Lyon–Fedder–Mobarry (LFM) combined with the Rice Convection Model (RCM). All simulations use spacecraft measurements at L1 as their solar wind input in calculating ground perturbations. Qualitative and quantitative comparison between measured and modelled values suggest that the performance of MHD models vary with latitude, the magnetic component and the characteristics of the storm analysed. Most models tend to exaggerate the magnitude of disturbances at lower latitudes but better capture the fluctuations at the highest latitude. For the two storms investigated, the addition of RCM tends to result in overestimation of the amplitude of ground perturbations. The observed data-model discrepancies most likely arise due to the many approximations required in MHD modelling, such as simplified solar wind input or shift in location of the electrojets in the simulated magnetospheric and ionospheric currents. It was found that no model performs consistently better than any other, implying that each simulation forecasts different aspects of ground perturbations with varying level of accuracy. Ultimately, the decision of which model is most suitable depends on specific needs of the potential end user.

Purpose: In MR electrical properties tomography (MR‐EPT), electrical properties (EPs, conductivity and permittivity) are reconstructed from MR measurements. Phantom measurements are important to characterize the performance of MR‐EPT reconstruction methods, since they allow knowledge of reference EPs values. To assess reconstruction methods in a more realistic scenario, it is important to test the methods using phantoms with realistic shapes, internal structures, and dielectric properties. In this work, we present a 3D printing procedure for the creation of realistic brain‐like phantoms to benchmark MR‐EPT reconstructions. Methods: We created two brain‐like geometries with three different compartments using 3D printing. The first geometry was filled once, while the second geometry was filled three times with different saline‐gelatin solutions, resulting in a total of four phantoms with different EPs. The saline solutions were characterized using a probe. 3D MR‐EPT reconstructions were performed from MR measurements at 3T. The reconstructed conductivity values were compared to reference values of the saline‐gelatin solutions. The measured fields were also compared to simulated fields using the same phantom geometry and electrical properties. Results: The measured fields were consistent with simulated fields. Reconstructed conductivity values were consistent with the reference (probe) conductivity values. This indicated the suitability of such phantoms for benchmarking MR‐EPT reconstructions. Conclusion: We presented a new workflow to 3D print realistic brain‐like phantoms in an easy and affordable way. These phantoms are suitable to benchmark MR‐EPT reconstructions, but can also be used for benchmarking other quantitative MR methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]