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This study investigates the potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) as a biological tool for reclaiming saline soils in the arid regions of South Kazakhstan. Licorice was cultivated over three growing seasons in weakly, moderately, and highly saline soils to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing soil salinity and improving soil fertility. The results show that licorice cultivation significantly reduced total salt concentrations and improved organic matter content in weakly saline soils. For instance, in some areas, total salts decreased by 50%, and humus content increased from 1.55% to 1.70%, indicating enhanced soil fertility. In moderately saline soils, the reduction in salt levels was less significant, and the plant's biomass yield dropped to 40 t/ha, compared to 50 t/ha in weakly saline soils. However, licorice still demonstrated its ability to moderately improve soil structure and nutrient availability. In strongly saline soils, licorice's effectiveness was considerably limited, with only minor reductions in salinity and a significant decrease in biomass yield to 20-30 t/ha. The study concludes that while Glycyrrhiza glabra is highly effective in reclaiming weakly saline soils, its impact in moderately and highly saline soils requires supplemental interventions, such as leaching, to optimize its phytoremediation potential. These findings suggest that integrating biological and traditional soil reclamation methods can offer a sustainable solution for managing saline soils in arid regions.

Abstract Background Physicians faced increased workloads during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed them to considerable physical and psychological stress. Gaining insight into shapers of job morale of physicians can help healthcare administrators assess the effectiveness of current work conditions and support systems, enabling them to develop policies that improve work environments and prepare healthcare systems for future resurgences of COVID-19 and other future unknown challenges. Therefore, the present study aimed to improve the understanding of physicians’ experiences of job morale in Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was an explanatory sequential mixed method study that adopted an online structured questionnaire and semi-structured individual interviews as tools for data collection. The Warr-Cook-Wall scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel, and Beck Depression Inventory were used to measure job morale indicators. The interview topic guide, in turn, covered two key areas: general views on physicians’ job morale during the COVID-19 pandemic and specific experiences which worsened or improved job morale during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics and regression models were utilised to analyse the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Results A total of 2086 survey responses and 30 interviews were analysed. Although job motivation was moderate, physicians were rather satisfied with their jobs. The prevalence of burnout was 30.97%, and signs of severe depression symptoms were detected among 3.69% of participants. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) fear of uncertainty; (2) media scrutiny; (3) resurgence in appreciation; and (4) heightened sense of duty. Conclusions Despite the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians in Kazakhstan’s public healthcare sector maintained generally positive job morale. This was mainly due to their strong sense of calling and a renewed appreciation for their role. Future research should rigorously examine longitudinal changes in job morale and the relationship between physicians’ job morale and patient experiences.

The relevance of the research stems from the nature of the approaches to the definition and measurement of regional welfare still debated in the extant research. Particular importance attached to this problem is related to the concept of sustainable development, which centres on promoting prosperity while protecting the planet. The paper aims to form an original theoretical model depicting the mutual influence of sustainable regional development and regional welfare. The fundamental propositions of the concept of sustainable development and welfare economics, as well as regional and spatial development theories constitute the methodological basis of the study. The methods used are comparative analysis, synthesis, and conceptual modelling. The findings confirm that regional welfare acts simultaneously as a target due to having the elements identical to the spheres of sustainable development in its struc ture, and as the key factor in the sustainable regional development due to incorporat ing a set of material and non-material, economic and non-economic goods, which build up the economic, social, environmental, and institutional elements ensuring an incessant process of changes in the regional socio-ecological-economic system impacted by interregional, national and international factors of external environment of a region. The proposed conceptual model advances scientific ideas about the main tenance of sustainable regional development, contributes to the theory of welfare, and creates a basis for devising a method to measure regional welfare.

Abstract Background Face2Gene (F2G) is a software program, widely used in clinical genetics and dysmorphology for recognizing children with genetic disorders. In order to assess its accuracy in real clinical context, we applied F2G to patients from our genetic counseling center. Results We randomly selected 151 children, who were referred to genetic counseling because of dysmorphic features and later diagnosed with a particular genetic condition. A frontal photograph was uploaded to the program, and at least three phenotypic traits were selected for each case. Date of birth, sex, weight, height, and head circumference were also entered in the software. The efficacy of the program to correctly diagnose the syndrome based on the facial analysis and/or phenotypic traits was assessed. In 56% (84 cases) of the patients, the F2G program accurately identified the correct diagnosis in its top three suggestions. Forty-seven percent (71 cases) of the patients had the correct diagnosis after applying only facial analysis. There was a statistically significant difference between the two types of analysis—p = 0.001. In 19 of the cases where F2G was unable to identify the correct diagnosis among the top three options based on phenotypic and facial analysis, the diagnosis was included among the 30 suggested syndromes, yielding a total success rate of 68%. The diagnosis was found in the ultra-rare syndromes’ suggestions area in six more cases. Conclusions Our results show that F2G has a good overall performance, but adding phenotypic features to the case under study may increase even further its diagnostic capacity.

Background. Uterine fibroid (UF) is one of the most relevant conditions in modern gynecology, adversely impacting the quality of life of patients with a symptomatic course. In addition, it can be a risk factor for reduced fertility or even infertility, significantly limiting reproductive potential. The impact of a benign tumor on the endometrium state is currently being actively discussed, which may become another potential target in UF therapy. Aim. To evaluate the effect of hormonal therapy of symptomatic UF on the endometrium morphological and functional features and receptivity in patients of reproductive age. Materials and methods. A pilot randomized prospective study was conducted, which included 45 patients of reproductive age with UF sized less than 12 obstetric weeks, mostly intramural localization (types 3–6 according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics). Group 1 (n=24) included patients with UF who were treated with a selective progesterone receptor modulator, mifepristone 50 mg per day, and group 2 (n=21) – with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist triptorelin acetate 3.75 mg once every 28 days for 3 months. The samples from all patients were subjected to immunohistochemical examination before the start of drug therapy and at the first menstruation after the end of treatment. Results. After 3 months of therapy, a more prominent improvement in the endometrium receptor status was noted in the mifepristone group due to a decrease in the ratio of progesterone to estrogen [2.21±0.47 vs 3.34 (1.42; 5.83) in group 1 and 2.35±0.35 vs 3.78 (3.11; 5.05) in group 2] and normalization of the level of leukemia inhibitory factor (mean value 9.4±3.51 vs 6.95±1.76). Conclusion. A personalized approach to UF drug therapy is pathogenetically justified and helps to alleviate UF symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. Selective progesterone receptor modulators increase fertility, improve the receptivity and morphological and functional features of the endometrium, and reduce the need for surgeries, which is especially important in patients of reproductive age.

Background. Minimally invasive surgical techniques can reduce the degree of surgical injury during osteosynthesis in peri- and intraarticular pilon fractures. However, these techniques do not always achieve anatomical reduction of the articular component and stable fixation of all columns of the distal tibia. Aim of the study — to test the hypothesis regarding the clinical advantages of multicolumn fixation for comminuted pilon fractures over traditional single-column fixation. Methods. The study enrolled 55 patients with extra- and intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia and fibula, all of whom underwent minimally invasive osteosynthesis. Patients were divided into two groups based on the number of fixed columns. These groups were comparable in terms of gender and age. The first group consisted of 28 patients who underwent osteosynthesis with one anatomically precontoured plate. The second group consisted of 27 patients who underwent osteosynthesis with two or more plates placed on different tibial columns. The quality of bone fragment reduction was analyzed using control X-rays performed the day after the operation. Functional outcomes were evaluated according to the AOFAS scale at 6 and 12 months post-operation. The incidence of early and delayed complications of osteosynthesis was also determined. Results. No statistically significant difference was found between the two study groups in terms of quality of reduction (p = 0.23). The median functional outcome score in the first group at 6 months was 63 points [IQR 50.00-73.00] and at 12 months was 74 points [IQR 65.00-83.25]. In the second group, the median scores were 75 points [IQR 67.50-81.00] and 85 points [IQR 71.00-94.50], respectively. Multicolumn fixation of the pilon fracture resulted in statistically significantly higher functional outcome scores at both follow-up periods: at 6 months (p = 0.015) and at 12 months (p = 0.028). The probability of complications in the first group was 4.4 times higher than in the second group: OR = 4.444 (95% CI 1.066-18.528). Conclusion. Multicolumn fixation of complete periarticular and intraarticular pilon fractures leads to better functional results compared to single-column fixation. It also reduces the risk of complications due to increased stability of the fragment fixation and the resistance of the implant-bone system to physiological stress.

Malignant melanoma is among the leading forms of cancer on a global scale, accounting for 1 in 5 skin cancers. Over the past decades, the treatment of melanoma has significantly improved following the development of therapies such as MAPK molecular therapy targeted at BRAF and MEK signaling pathways. We present real-world evidence from clinical practice in Bulgaria on the treatment of malignant melanoma with dabrafenib and trametinib from 2018 to 2022. Treatment outcomes from the real-world data are compared against the pivotal clinical trials, namely COMBI-d and COMBI-v. Outcomes are compared on the basis of metrics, including overall survival, progression-free survival, and clinical benefit. Further, iterational proportional fitting is performed to control for differences in characteristics across the patient cohorts. Results show that real-world overall survival and progression-free survival outperform results from the clinical trials, particularly with respect to COMBI-d.

The study of the growth and reproductive capacity of woody plants in new habitat conditions, comparative assessment and selection of population progenies contribute to increasing the efficiency of plantations created from these plants. The study has been conducted in order to establish the influence of the geographical origin of the parent Siberian cedar pine stands on the growth and seed production of its seed progeny of the Altai (area optimum zone), Leninogorsk and Yartsevo ecotypes. The parent stands are located from 50°12ʹ N (the Leninogorsk origin) to 61°00ʹ N (the Yartsevo origin). The object of the study has been a 55-year-old Siberian cedar pine growing on the “Meteostation” plantation in the suburban area of Krasnoyarsk. The height, diameter of the stem and crown, the crown length and the length of the needles have been measured. The lifespan of needles, the number of whorls and branches in them, the number of shoots with microstrobilae and cones, as well as microstrobilae and cones on the shoot and on the tree have been determined. It has been found that the average tree height and stem diameter differ between the variants by 9.3 and 16.6 %, respectively. The Altai population progeny significantly exceeds others in these indicators. The crown length is 88.4–92.7 % of the tree height, the crown volume is 148.79–309.09 m3, depending on the variant. The needles on the tree in the Leninogorsk variant last for up to 3.4 years, in the Altai variant – for up to 3.7 years, in the Yartsevo variant – for up to 4.7 years. In terms of seed productivity, the progeny of the Altai origin also stands out. The Yartsevo variant is distinguished by a smaller number of cones on the tree. The determination of pollen productivity has shown that 14.5–23.1 pcs. of shoots with microstrobilae are formed on the tree. The excess in the number of cones amounts to 299.0 % of the average value. The trees have been selected based on seed and pollen productivity and are recommended for drawing up mixing schemes when creating forest seed plantations, while it is better to use not only fast-growing, yielding trees, but also pollinating specimens, which will help increase yields on forest seed plantations.

The Clemens saga is a biography of St. Clement of Rome, compiled in the 1220s from translations of two Latin hagiographical works, the Recogniciones and the Passio Sancti Climentis. The Old Norse author made the translation in accordance with the peculiarities of the “saga” style: he changed the narrative modus, added didactic comments on Latin book culture, and used motifs and elements from Scandinavian folk literature. In addition, the Clemens saga is almost devoid of the philosophical and dogmatic Christian discourses that characterize the Recollections. One of such episodes altered in content is the philosophical contest between Faustinianus and his three sons - Aquila, Nikita and Clement, touching upon important questions of being from a Christian position and refuting epistemological views. In the Clemens saga this plot takes the form of a contest in the Seven Liberal Arts between Faustinianus and Clement, caused by a misunderstanding of the consubstantial nature of the almighty God. Despite the fact that a contest in skills or a duel is a frequent plot in Scandinavian sagas and poetry, comparing their structure and literary motifs with the Clemens saga, we can conclude that the author, interpreting the original, does not rely on examples from his own popular culture. Instead, he turns to Latin secular literature, turning the philosophical disputation into a contest in the Seven Liberal Arts, which are rarely found in the saga corpus. By combining methods of interpretation with reliance on Latin secular and religious or Scandinavian folk literature, the scribe not only influences the structure and style of the text, but also its content.

The textile and garment care industries significantly impact ecological conditions and resources worldwide. Possible ways of minimizing the harmful influence on the environment include giving a preference to natural textiles; reducing the consumption rate by extending the lifespan of clothes, e.g., preserving colors and fibers; and using biodegradable garment care products. Wool is a natural fabric that must be washed with special laundry care products to preserve its initial appearance. Currently, there are no approaches that focus not only on preserving but also restoring wool fibers. To investigate the efficacy of biodegradable technology, consisting of natural-derived shikimic acid and L-arginine, in the restoration of wool fabric, SEM was applied. To analyze the obtained data, a novel three-point scale was suggested. In comparison with untreated samples, the composition promoted a smoothing of the scale structure of wool fibers of up to 34.87%. The system has shown efficacy in both the low pH (fabric softener) and high pH (laundry gel) systems. To further investigate biodegradable technology, the color retention of dark-colored cotton fabric was tested. It was shown that the composition promotes 96.15% color preservation after 10 laundry cycles when used in the fabric softener. Biodegradable technology is a promising solution for the maintenance of wool fabrics and color preservation solutions.

The lack of a unified approach to the assessment of professional risks in fuel and energy companies (FEC) in the national regulatory environment and a high degree of subjectivity of the results of hazard identification and risk assessment makes mathematically sound recruitment of an expert group urgent and necessary. The article presents the results of a comprehensive study on hazard identification and risk assessment at 6,105 workplaces in 24 branches of a FEC company based on the application of the expert assessment method and a scientifically sound qualitative and quantitative selection of experts. The priority vectors of factors are determined, global priorities are calculated, the size of the expert group (15 persons) is determined and mathematically substantiated for carrying out hazard identification and risk assessment at workplaces with sufficient reliability of results. For the first time, a set of factors characterizing the FEC companies that influence the determination of professional competence of experts is proposed. The formed expert group presented more precise, objective and consistent results of risk assessment. Standards for free distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and wash-off agents to 7,234 company employees for implementation and trial use were developed. A fragment of the results obtained for a driller's workplace is presented. This approach allows a significant increase in objectivity and efficiency of the professional risk management system and provision of the PPE to employees in the concept of a risk-oriented approach helping to prevent industrial injuries and improve the level of occupational safety culture in fuel and energy companies taking into account global practice.

The author has investigated the history of scientific relations and cooperation between Russian and Soviet scientists in the field of plant physiology with their French colleagues in the period from the end of the XIX century to the 1970s. The authors consider the changes that took place in the relations between scientific communities after the Great Russian Revolution of 1917, between the two world wars, and the beginning of the Cold War. The specific areas of cooperation between the scientists, the problems that aroused the greatest interest of plant physiologists of the two countries are reflected upon in the article. Through the article there is an analysis of the development of scientific ties with the help of scientific trips of plant physiologists to France and the USSR, which became, on the one hand, an important part of scientific diplomacy, and on the other hand, a factor that allowed a new impetus to the development of science in the two states.

Introduction. The paper is devoted to a study of archaeological and anthropological features of the four Pre-Scythian burials from the burial grounds of the Volga-Don interfluves. Material and Methods. In the course of the study, materials from the monuments Marinovka, Kurgan, 1 burial 17 have been examined; Pervomaisky VII, kurgan 46, burial 8; Pervomaisky VIII, kurgan 5, burial 1 and Baranovka I, kurgan10, burial 11. In order to evaluate the archaeological context, a typological research method and the results of radiocarbon dating are applied; for the purpose of studying anthropological features, craniological analysis and pathological conditions analysis were conducted. Analysis and Discussion. The study of the funeral rite and the material culture grave goods of the Pre-Scythian period made it possible to attribute the three burials to the so-called “Chernogorovsky type” and one to the “Novocherkassk type”. The dates comparison obtained by the relative chronology method with radiocarbon dating showed some underestimation of the existent burials timing in absolute dates. Individual skulls features revealed heterogeneity of composition which is associated with both the previous Late Bronze Age population from this territory who practiced the crouched position of the deceased in funeral rituals, and with newcomer groups morphologically similar to the population of the Bronze Age of Southern Siberia (Karasuk) who use elongated bones practice in the funeral rite. Furthermore, a series of the skulls pathological features showed their similarity to the population of the Sauromatian-Sarmatian period who practiced nomadic lifestyle. Conclusions: The materials from the monuments of the Volga-Don interfluve described in the paper illustrate the burial traditions similarity and morphological specificity of the Pre-Scythian population from the Northern Black Sea, the Lower Don and the Ciscaucasia regions.

Background: In India, the Ayushman Bharat Program aims to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to underprivileged communities, guided by the 2017 National Health Policy and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. This study explores healthcare workers’ perspectives on the implementation, impact, and challenges of Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY) in Kashmir, focusing on primary care services. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted over ten months (October 2020 to August 2021) across ten districts in Kashmir. Fifty healthcare professionals, including 30 mid-level healthcare providers (MLHPs) and 20 medical officers, participated in semi-structured interviews and completed structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for quantitative data. Results: Demographics: Among the respondents, 64% were under 30 years, and 56% were female. Positions included 40% medical officers and 60% MLHPs. Qualitative Findings: Both MLHPs and medical officers had varying levels of awareness about ABY. Key challenges included inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, additional duties, and long commutes. Effective communication and collaboration between MLHPs and medical officers were deemed crucial for successful implementation. Ongoing training and support were highlighted as essential needs. Quantitative Findings: Significant issues included irregular payments (66.6% MLHPs reported receiving regular incentives), staffing shortages (50% medical officers), and lack of training (35% medical officers). Common ailments managed included hypertension (33.33%) and infections (26.66%). Conclusion: The study highlights the challenges and insights from healthcare workers regarding the ABY program in Kashmir. Addressing infrastructure deficiencies, improving communication, and providing ongoing training and financial stability are essential for enhancing the program’s effectiveness. Policymakers must consider these findings to improve healthcare delivery and ensure the sustained success of the Ayushman Bharat initiative.

Current approaches to treating multiple sclerosis aim at controlling disease activity. Despite the variety of agents that have proven their effectiveness and were introduced in practice in the last decade, the use of the interferon β group remains relevant. The article presents clinical cases of long-term use of interferons β in treating multiple sclerosis.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death around the world, claiming the lives of over 17 million people annually. In Russia, CVDs occupy a central place among all causes of mortality and disability. Circulatory system diseases account for 57 % of the total mortality structure in Russia. Nearly 20 % of the population die at working age. In 90 % of cases, the cause of death is coronary heart disease or stroke. The purpose of this article was to review the existing knowledge of the role of intestinal microbiota in the development of CVDs, with an emphasis on laboratory testing of metabolites and the ways of treating dysbiosis according to scientific literature and guidelines. The sample included 607 works on the role of microbiota in the development of CVDs published between 2019 and 2023. The following databases were searched: Cyberleninka, eLIBRARY.RU, SpringerLink, Web of Science, Frontiers, Google Scholar and others. In the last 10 years, studies on the intestinal microbiome have shown that the human microbial ecosystem not only serves as an additional neuro-endocrine organ, but also plays an important role in the development and prevention of CVDs, circulatory pathologies, and serious metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, as well as thyroid and autoimmune diseases. In this regard, studies into the effect of microbiota on the development of CVDs using new biochemical markers of the qualitative composition of the microbiome and intestinal metabolome, demonstrating an association with the risk of developing CVDs, are viewed as extremely relevant. Probiotic and prebiotic agents combined with long-term physical training can be used to prevent the development and progression of CVDs and to personalize treatment.

Introduction: Primary tumor resection can prevent future tumor-related complications in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer. This may influence the quality of life and prevent colostomies associated with the emergency surgery. Laparoscopic approach plays an important role in attempts to reduce perioperative complications in this specific group of patients. Purpose: The aim is to assess early perioperative results in a group of 17 patients with stage IV colorectal cancer—multiple incurable liver metastases and/or pulmonary/peritoneal metastases of the disease. On the other hand, postoperative complications may delay administration of chemotherapy and influence survival. Materials and methods: We analyze retrospectively the perioperative results in a group of 17 patients with laparoscopic palliative colorectal resections for stage IV colorectal cancer. Assessment includes perioperative complications, median hospital stay, perioperative blood loss, need for blood transfusion, operative time, and type of surgical procedure. Results: We performed totally laparoscopic 10 sigmoid resections, five left colectomies, and two right colectomies. Fourteen simultaneous liver biopsies were performed during laparoscopy. No perioperative deaths were registered. Perioperative mortality rate is 0%. Perioperative morbidity rate is 0%. No perioperative complications. The median perioperative stay is 5.3 days. Median blood loss is 47.9 mL. Overall, three units of blood were transfused. The median transfusion rate is 0.17 units per patient. The median operative time is 130.2 minutes. Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach is associated with very good perioperative results in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer and palliative resection of the primary tumor. Early hospital discharge and minimal operative trauma may not influence early administration of chemotherapy.

Abstract Most genetic association studies focus on binary variants. To identify the effects of multi-allelic variation of tandem repeats (TRs) on human traits, we perform direct TR genotyping and phenome-wide association studies in 168,554 individuals from the UK Biobank, identifying 47 TRs showing fine-mapped associations with 73 traits. We replicate 23 of 31 (74%) of these associations in the All of Us cohort. While this set includes several known repeat expansion disorders, novel associations we found are attributable to common polymorphic variation in TR length rather than rare expansions and include e.g. a coding polyhistidine motif in HRCT1 influencing risk of hypertension and a poly(CGC) in the 5’UTR of GNB2 influencing heart rate. Fine-mapped TRs are strongly enriched for associations with local gene expression and DNA methylation. Our study highlights the contribution of multi-allelic TRs to the “missing heritability” of the human genome.

Rare breast neoplasms are found by physicians in clinical practice. Phyllodes tumor of the breast accounting for 0.3–1% of all breast neoplasms is one of these neoplasms. Today, the phyllodes tumor etiology is unclear, the same as its pathogenesis. The paper reports an example of successful surgical treatment of malignant phyllodes tumor.

The changes undergone by the tourism industry in the past four years have dramatically affected its way of doing business and communicating with customers. A trend in this process is the penetration of digital technologies and their use as a communication channel and tool of influence. A new way of interacting with tourists has arisen, accompanied by adaptive and innovative business strategies. Bearing in mind these structural and functional changes, the present study aims to analyse one of their aspects, namely the significance of the usage of various online communication tools in the restaurant sector in Bulgaria. The assumption that the interactivity of restaurant websites helps to increase interest and attract visitors, thereby stimulating development, is investigated. The study focuses on five-star restaurant websites and outlines specific insights and challenges related to digital experiences. Through the use of qualitative and quantitative methods, new knowledge is generated for the digitalization of the high-end restaurant sector in Bulgaria and its importance to business success. The results are indicative of the need to rethink the development policies of these restaurants, especially as regards the follow-up and integration of new approaches to operating.

Numerous bacterial species can both suppress plant pathogens and promote plant growth. By combining these bacteria with stabilizing substances, we can develop biological products with an extended shelf life, contributing to sustainable agriculture. Bacillus subtilis is one such bacterial species, possessing traits that enhance plant growth and offer effective protection, making it suitable for various applications. In this study, we successfully incorporated B. subtilis into hybrid materials composed of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) fibers coated with chitosan film. The polymer carrier not only supports the normal growth of the bioagent but also preserves its viability during long-term storage. For that reason, the impact of chitosan molecular weight on the dynamic viscosity of the solutions used for film formation, as well as the resulting film’s morphology, mechanical properties, and quantity of incorporated B. subtilis, along with their growth dynamics was investigated. SEM was used to examine the morphology of B. subtilis, electrospun PHB, and PHB mats coated with chitosan/B. subtilis. The results from mechanical tests demonstrate that chitosan film formation enhanced the tensile strength of the tested materials. Microbiological tests confirmed that the bacteria incorporated into the hybrid materials grow normally. The conducted viability tests demonstrate that the bacteria incorporated within the electrospun materials remained viable both after incorporation and following 90 days of storage. Moreover, the prepared biohybrid materials effectively inhibited the growth of the plant pathogenic strain Alternaria. Thus, the study provides more efficient and sustainable agricultural solutions by reducing reliance on synthetic materials and enhancing environmental compatibility through the development of advanced biomaterials capable of delivering active biocontrol agents.

The paper discusses the communicative techniques of reputation management of the executive power bodies in the Russian media space. Comparing the concepts of digital reputation and digital image, the authors argue that, unlike image which is purposefully implemented in the media environment, reputation reflects the internet users’ real opinion about the activities performed by state institutions. The essential features of digital reputation are accumulative character, unpredictability and inertia. The authors define the discursive factors affecting reputation: ambiguously wide audience of the internet, distribution of target groups on different web sites, the unpredictability of users’ assessments, some citizens’ aggressive speech behaviour, etc. More than 2.5 thousand posts by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation published in the VKontakte social network and Telegram messenger were selected as the material for the research. The impact of content on the internet audience was evaluated with the ERpost rate at the Popsters service. The authors argue that effective techniques of digital reputation management are the following: communication on a particular internet platform with regard to its target audience, attractive hashtags, the tone of involvement with the interlocutor, rejection of formal style clichés, and some others. The discursive factors of new formal communication are established, and the techniques of managing governmental bodies’ positive digital reputation are described.

The study advances Crossmodal Alignment Framework to explore multimodal discourse in its three formats – semiotic, communicative and perceptive – via multimodal experiment. It considers the alignment patterns obtained from two semiotic modes (text and image), transferred in two communicative modes (speech and gesture), sensed by two perception modes (visual and audial). The common research framework determines the patterns as modulated by discourse tasks. The study features the results of multimodal experiments with the participants engaged in three discourse tasks: 1) receptive, which presumes obtaining information from text and image stimuli; semiotic alignment patterns are identified indirectly via participants’ gaze response; 2) productive, in which the participants communicate the information in monological format; communicative alignment patterns are identified directly via their speech and gesture; 3) receptive-productive, which presupposes the participants perceive information visually and audially; alignment patterns are identified directly via participants’ gaze behavior contingent on the stimuli areas of interest and indirectly via their speech response. Data analysis allows to determine and scale the degree of crossmodal alignment to discourse tasks, which helps identify the input of each mode to solving these tasks. The research framework and obtained results contribute to further development of multimodal discourse methods.

Abstract Blood transcriptional biomarkers of acute viral infections typically reflect type 1 interferon (IFN) signalling, but it is not known whether there are biological differences in their regulation that can be leveraged for distinct translational applications. We use high frequency sampling in the SARS-CoV-2 human challenge model to show induction of IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression with different temporal and cellular profiles. MX1 gene expression correlates with a rapid and transient wave of ISG expression across all cell types, which may precede PCR detection of replicative infection. Another ISG, IFI27, shows a delayed but sustained response restricted to myeloid cells, attributable to gene and cell-specific epigenetic regulation. These findings are reproducible in experimental and naturally acquired infections with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus. Blood MX1 expression is superior to IFI27 expression for diagnosis of early infection, as a correlate of viral load and for discrimination of virus culture positivity. Therefore, MX1 expression offers potential to stratify patients for antiviral therapy or infection control interventions. Blood IFI27 expression is superior to MX1 expression for diagnostic accuracy across the time course of symptomatic infection and thereby, offers higher diagnostic yield for respiratory virus infections that incur a delay between transmission and testing.

Precambrian rocks are widespread within all continents of the Earth; that said, sedimentary associations of these deposits are of special interest in search for oil and gas fields. A wide range of paleontological, lithological and geochemical methods is utilized for conducting integrated geological-geochemical analysis and evaluating the initial hydrocarbon generating potential of organic matter of Precambrian source rocks. Investigated were peculiarities of depositional environments of the organic matter, specific features of its composition in sedimentary rocks and its generation characteristics. Own research efforts were performed in combination with generalization of other authors’ publications focused on Precambrian sequences enriched in organic matter – their occurrence, isotopic and biomarker characteristics and realization schemes of the hydrocarbon generation potential of Precambrian organic matter in the process of catagenesis. Geochemical peculiarities of initial organic matter are illustrated on various examples, type of the organic matter is determined together with the character of evolution of realization of its initial generation potential.

Abstract We report on a quantum interface linking a diamond NV center quantum network node and 795nm photonic time-bin qubits compatible with Thulium and Rubidium quantum memories. The interface makes use of two-stage low-noise quantum frequency conversion and waveform shaping to match temporal and spectral photon profiles. Two-photon quantum interference shows high indistinguishability between converted 795nm photons and the native NV center photons. We use the interface to demonstrate quantum teleportation including real-time feedforward from an unbiased set of 795nm photonic qubit input states to the NV center spin qubit, achieving a teleportation fidelity well above the classical bound. This proof-of-concept experiment shows the feasibility of interconnecting different quantum network hardware.

The research focuses on the automatic annotation of a linguistic corpus using large language models (LLMs). Annotating a corpus is a crucial step in its creation, as it determines the practical scope and applications of the resource being developed. This study explores the annotation of oral speech transcripts at the pragmatic level using speech acts that reflect the speaker's intent and purpose. Typically, this task is performed manually by experts, which greatly limits the volume of annotated data that can be produced. In this work, an attempt was made to automatically annotate speech acts using five LLMs commonly used for processing Russian texts – ChatGPT, GigaCHAT, YandexGPT, Mistral, and Gemini. A comparative analysis of the automatic annotation results was conducted, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each model. . The findings suggest that employing LLMs for corpus annotation is a promising approach, with ChatGPT and Gemini demonstrating particular effectiveness in speech act categorization. However, for Russian, language-specific models like GigaCHAT and YandexGPT are preferred when language-specific information is needed.

Exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing bacteria were isolated from the intestines of freshwater fish as prebiotics. Among the isolates, Bacillus sp. P1 was the potent EPS producer, with a high EPS production, and was then identified as Bacillus subtilis P1 based on 16S rRNA and biochemical characteristics. The produced microbial EPS was characterized by its functional groups by FTIR, showing a 90.20% correlation to inulin, while the EPS molecular weight was approximately 105 Da with a high PDI (>1.5). Moreover, the EPS from B. subtilis P1 was assessed for prebiotic properties by growing probiotic bacteria, and significant cell growth occurred in sugar-free TSB with 0.5% EPS (p < 0.05). EPS exhibited approximately 55.37% DPPH radical scavenging at 20 mg/mL and inhibited certain fish pathogens at 400 μg/mL (10–13 mm inhibition zone). Low EPS cytotoxicity was confirmed (Oreochromis niloticus) diet supplementation. Nile tilapia growth and immune response were monitored after feeding with control (C), basal diet (BD), and treatment (T): BD + EPS 5 g/kg. In the T-group, the weight gain (WG), % specific growth rate (SGR), and average daily gain (ADG) significantly increased compared to the control (p < 0.05) by week 4, with no negative effects on blood chemistry parameters. Lysozyme activity and respiratory burst activity in T-groups were significantly higher than the control (p < 0.05), with a 50% RLP survival rate of Nile Tilapia infected by Aeromonas veronii in the T-group after a two-week challenge. On the other hand, the proximate analysis revealed higher protein content in the T-group. These findings suggest that EPS from B. subtilis P1 in fish diets efficiently supports fish growth and stimulates innate immune response in Nile Tilapia, thus showing potential as the immunobiotics for aquaculture.

Background. Every year, the number of patients who face cancer without having time to realize their reproductive function increases. In view of this, there is a growing need to develop and improve various ways to preserve fertility in this category of patients. The most common techniques are in vitro maturation of oocytes and controlled ovarian stimulation followed by vitrification of oocytes and embryos. At the same time, transvaginal puncture (TVP) has a risk of developing complications such as bleeding or an infectious process. Disorders of the vaginal microflora also increase the likelihood of inflammatory diseases. In this regard, the correction of vaginal dysbiosis is an integral part of the protocols of assisted reproductive technologies before the TVP. Aim. Development of an integrated approach to the preservation of reproductive material in patients with oncological pathology. Materials and methods. A prospective randomized study of 39 women with an identified oncological process and bacterial vaginosis was conducted. The patients were divided into 2 groups: oral probiotic was added to clindamycin therapy in group 1, and vaginal probiotic in group 2. The ovarian reserve was examined for everyone, the qualitative composition of the vaginal microflora was determined, pH-metry was performed and related specialists were consulted if necessary. Results. The patients are comparable in age and ovarian reserve. When using an oral probiotic, an improvement in the qualitative composition of the microflora was noted due to a decrease in opportunistic flora (Gardnerella vaginalis) and an increase in the number of lactobacilli. The vaginal probiotic showed comparable results, but the recurrence rate was 28%, while in group 1 it was 18%. It was noted that when taking Enterolactis Duo, the symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatment decrease. During the study, 396 oocytes were obtained, of which 212 are suitable for vitrification and fertilization. Conclusion. Currently, the development of oncofertility methods and their improvement remain one of the urgent problems. Taking an oral probiotic helps to normalize the vaginal microflora, neutralize the risks of infectious complications in TVP, reduce the likelihood of recurrence of dysbiosis and the development of adverse events associated with chemotherapy. The use of ovulation stimulation demonstrates higher rates compared to in vitro maturation. However, a combination of these procedures can be used to increase the amount of material obtained, which is subsequently used in assisted reproductive technology protocols.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was detected in dead seals on Tyuleniy Island in eastern Russia, in the Sea of Okhotsk. Viruses isolated from dead northern fur seals belong to clade 2.3.4.4b and are closely related to viruses detected predominantly in the Russian Far East and Japan in 2022–2023.

The aim of this study is to assess the risk for immune and hematologic adverse events in perioperative transfusion of blood components. Our second goal is to propose methods for the selection of an optimally compatible donor in order to limit the negative impact of complications following blood component transfusion on the hospital outcome of patients admitted to clinics of general, gastrointestinal, thoracic, and vascular surgery. The largest group of patients included in this study were patients with gastrointestinal disorders (614 patients; 31%) and patients with diseases of the organs of the blood and lymphatic system (589 patients; 30%). This was followed by patients with diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (368 patients; 18%) and patients with benign and malignant neoplasms (365 patients; 18%). The remaining 65 patients (3%) were diagnosed with diseases of the endocrine system, trauma patients, and patients with genitourinary disorders. The methods used for optimal selection of compatible blood components in this study are enzyme tests, Coombs tests, and tests in agglutinating medium. The study shows that clinically significant antibodies, which could provoke a post-transfusion hemolytic reaction, were detected in 4.3% of the screened patients. In the majority of patients, the specificity of antierythrocyte antibodies cannot be established. For those patients where the specificity of anti-erythrocyte antibodies could be established, the type of antibody and the antigen system to which it belonged were as follows (in descending order): 1. Anti-erythrocyte antibodies belonging to the Rh system: 37% (n = 17) of all screened patients (1.6% of all patients), including anti-E type (5 patients), anti-D (8 patients), anti-C-1, anti-C (2 patients), and anti-Cw (1 patient). 2. In 3 (6% or anti-erythrocyte antibodies belonging to other erythrocyte antigen systems—Kidd-1 patients, Lewis-2 patients—6% of the screened patients (0.3% of all patients). 3. In 57% (n = 26) of those screened (2.4% of all patients), alloantibodies without any known specificity were identified. The largest number of identified antibodies were directed against the D antigen belonging to the Rh system. Most of the anti-D alloantibodies found in Rhesus D (-) negative patients with no history of prior transfusion of D (+) positive red blood cell (RBC) concentrate possibly have resulted from prior Rh isoimmunization during pregnancy, provided that anti-D antibodies persist for a long time after birth—in some of the studied patients, 15–20 or more years. A greater number of alloimmunizations were found in women—28 (61%), compared to men—18 (39%), due to previous sensitization with different blood group antigens during pregnancy. This study shows that timely diagnosis is essential for the selection of appropriate RBC concentrate, for the avoidance of adverse reactions, and for the improvement of hematological parameters after transfusion of blood components. Graphical abstract:

Abstract Solid supported catalysts have several synthetic applications. Herein, finely ground eggshells were used as a solid support for the preparation of transition metal (Ni, Zn, Cu, Sn and Co) based catalysts to synthesize 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (3) and dihydropyrimidinones (7 and 8). The effect of catalyst load, time and temperature on product yield was studied. Box Behnken Model was employed, and three predictors named catalyst amount (A), reaction time (B), and reaction temperature (C) were used to find the correlation of the predictors with the yield. Second order polynomial equation was used to estimate the effects of these factors. According to the statistical model, about 12% increase in yield was observed as a result of one-unit increase in reaction time while all other terms were kept constant. The values of S (18.1616) and R2 (71.2%) indicate that the statistical model gave an adequate fit to data. Quadratic model for the response surface was used for the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, the larger F-values, and smaller p-values indicated that the predictors are in good agreement. The linear model terms of predictors were found to be significantly effective for yield (P

Abstract. The development and application of automated technologies in the agricultural sector have significantly transformed the management and monitoring of farm animals. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of existing technical systems for measuring the physiological parameters of farm animals, particularly focusing on cows. The primary goal of these technologies is to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of health monitoring and to optimize livestock management through continuous data collection and analysis. Key technological solutions include the use of wireless data transmission systems, radio monitoring devices, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These technologies enable real-time tracking of animal health parameters such as body temperature, heart rate, movement patterns, and other critical indicators. The use of various sensors, including ear, neck, and intra-body sensors, plays a crucial role in collecting primary physiological data. These sensors are integrated into a broader system that includes radio modules with built-in controllers for converting raw data into digital formats, enabling wireless transmission to central systems for processing and storage. The radio monitoring of animals allows for the continuous tracking of physiological and behavioral parameters across large areas, providing crucial insights into their well-being. It is particularly beneficial in detecting early signs of disease or health issues, ensuring timely intervention, and preventing potential economic losses for farmers. The integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) further expands the capabilities of monitoring systems, enabling the visual assessment of animals' behavior and movement across vast pastures. Equipped with video cameras and data relays, UAVs collect video footage that is transmitted to a central processing unit for real-time analysis and storage. The combined use of radio monitoring and UAV technology forms a comprehensive framework for livestock management, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions, optimize resource allocation, and improve overall herd health and productivity. By leveraging these automated systems, it becomes possible to reduce the dependency on manual labor, minimize human error, and ensure that animals are closely monitored without the need for constant physical presence. This represents a significant advancement in modern animal farming, aligning with global trends toward smart farming and precision agriculture. In conclusion, the integration of automated physiological monitoring technologies in farm animal management presents an innovative solution for enhancing animal welfare, improving farm efficiency, and reducing operational costs. These systems hold considerable potential for further advancements in the field of animal health monitoring, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and productive farming practices.

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: cyanobacteria Pseudanabaena thermalis, lichenised fungi Acrocordia gemmata, parasitic fungi Peniophora tamaricicola, saprotrophic fungi Hyphonectria buxi, diatom alga Diatoma elongata, mosses Sphagnum medium, Rhizomnium magnifolium, and Weissia squarrosa, monocots Gymnadenia frivaldii, Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, Orchis × angusticruris and Pistia stratiotes, and dicots Astragalus angustifolius subsp. balcanicus, Broussonetia papyrifera, Datura innoxia and Montia arvensis.

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: mycorrhizal fungus Russula sapinea, parasitic fungus Podosphaera polemonii, saprotrophic fungi Ophiognomonia melanostyla and Plagiostoma apiculatum, diatom alga Nitzschia reskoi, stonewort Nitellopsis obtusa, liverwort Mannia triandra, mosses Buxbaumia viridis and Leptodon smithii, monocots Epipactis purpurata and Orchis × beyrichii and dicots Euphorbia orjeni, Fallopia × bohemica, Nuphar lutea and Saxifraga pedemontana subsp. cymosa.

Abstract Background Sex as a biological variable is not a common consideration in molecular mechanistic or preclinical studies of retinal diseases. Understanding the sexual dimorphism of adult RPE and retina under physiological conditions is an important first step in improving our understanding of sex-based physio-pathological mechanisms. Methods Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) were used for quantitative proteomics of male and female mouse retina and RPE (10 mice of each sex for each tissue type). Differentially expressed proteins were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results Differential expression analysis identified 21 differentially expressed proteins in the retina and 58 differentially expressed proteins in the RPE. Ingenuity pathway analysis identified the top canonical pathways differentially activated in the retina to be calcium transport I, nucleotide excision repair, molecular transport and cell death and survival. In the RPE, the top canonical pathways were calcium signaling, dilated cardiomyopathy signaling, actin cytoskeletal signaling and cellular assembly and organization. Conclusions These results provide insights into sex differences in the retina and RPE proteome of mice and begin to shed clues into the sexual dimorphism seen in retinal diseases.

Abstract The respiratory system, including the lungs, is essential for terrestrial life. While recent research has advanced our understanding of lung development, much still relies on animal models and transcriptome analyses. In this study conducted within the Human Developmental Cell Atlas (HDCA) initiative, we describe the protein-level spatiotemporal organization of the lung during the first trimester of human gestation. Using high-parametric tissue imaging with a 30-plex antibody panel, we analyzed human lung samples from 6 to 13 post-conception weeks, generating data from over 2 million cells across five developmental timepoints. We present a resource detailing spatially resolved cell type composition of the developing human lung, including proliferative states, immune cell patterns, spatial arrangement traits, and their temporal evolution. This represents an extensive single-cell resolved protein-level examination of the developing human lung and provides a valuable resource for further research into the developmental roots of human respiratory health and disease.

Physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous mental and physical health benefits. But it has been observed that young people and children frequently participate in low levels of PA, which is especially noticeable when they progress from primary to secondary school. Thus, in order to improve physical health among school-going children, different schools should put in place school-based PA intervention programs. The researchers designing PA intervention protocols for school children encounter various challenges during implementation; hence, this narrative review determines the challenges and barriers faced by the researchers during data collection on PA of school-going adolescent children. The review highlighted the challenges encountered during implementation of school-based PA and fitness among school children. The key issues mentioned in the review involved problems related to communication with schools, recruitment of participants along with the informed consent, implementation and data collection, environment of school, and barriers to PA in school. The documentation of these difficulties can help advance knowledge of the researchers and their efficacy, which will finally result in the development of strengthened and close relationships with school-based educational institutions, leading to implementation of intervention protocols and enhancing physical fitness in school children.

Introduction. Independent bitemporal interictal discharges are often found in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The likelihood of registering epileptiform activity (EA) is higher during sleep. Assessment of bitemporal interictal epileptiform discharges (BIEDs) with various discharge predominance ratio is used for presurgical evaluation of epilepsy patients and prediction of surgical outcomes. Our objective was to determine the predominant side (PS) in patients with bitemporal epilepsy using the incidence of epileptiform discharges for each sleep stage. Materials and methods. We analyzed 45 recordings of 10–24 h long-term video-EEG monitoring (LTM) in patients with bitemporal EA. For each recording, the total incidence of EA (IEA) and EA incidence for wakefulness and for each sleep stage were calculated individually. We also assessed the discharge predominance index (DPI) as a ratio of IEA in the predominant and contralateral sides for the entire recording and for each sleep stage. Results. We observed an IEA increase with sleep deepening, with maximum values observed during N2 and N3 sleep stages. The minimum IEA values were recorded during REM sleep; nevertheless, most of the REM sleep discharges were detected on the PS. DPI values were the highest and the most stable during N2 and N3 stages. Conclusion. The findings of our study demonstrate an increase in DPI values with non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep deepening in patients with bitemporal localization of EA. Despite the protective effects of REM sleep (i.e., reducing the likelihood of EA), it may be pivotal in lateralization of EA in patients with BIEDs. The PS is generally determined by a higher DPI during N2 and N3 stages.

Introduction: Hydatidosis is one of the most critical parasitic zoonotic diseases worldwide. Lungs are the second most common site of the disease. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, radiological findings, surgical treatment and post-operative complications of pulmonary hydatid cyst in patients referred to the Second Surgery Clinic at St George University Hospital in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Materials and methods: From January 2014 to December 2022, 69 patients were operated on due to pulmonary hydatidosis in the Clinic of Thoracic and Abdominal Surgery at St George University Hospital in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Demographic data of the patients were collected including clinical symptoms, laboratory studies, radiological findings, location of the lung involvement, and surgical procedures and post-operative complications were recorded. Results: Pulmonary hydatidosis was confirmed for 69 (46 male and 23 female) patients. The average age of the study group was 31.59±19.49 years. In 29 of the tested patients, specific antibodies of the IgG class to Echinococcus granulosus were positive, and 23 patients showed negative results. The leading symptom was non-productive cough followed by shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, productive cough; rash was reported in one patient. 91.3% of the cases presented with a typical X-ray image and in 8.7% it was atypical. It turned out that 66.7% of patients with an atypical X-ray findings developed complications in the postoperative period. Right lung was affected in 50.7% of the cases. The average size of the echinococcal cyst was 7.43±3.23 cm. Statistical analysis revealed a correlation between the size of the hydatid cyst and the length of the postoperative period. Dissemination in other organs was found in 16 of the patients. No statistically significant differences were reported in the patients with dissemination, regarding the size of the primary hydatid cyst, complications and duration of the postoperative period. The preferred methods of approach were thoracotomy and VATS. The most commonly performed surgical technique was echinococcectomy and capitonnage a modo Delbet followed by two lobectomies and one wedge resection. The mean postoperative period was 7.00±2.81 days. In 12 of the analyzed patients, complications occurred in the postoperative period, and mortality was reported in one patient. Conclusion: Pulmonary echinococcosis remains a significant health issue in many countries worldwide including Bulgaria. With a prolonged silent period, it is usually diagnosed when clinical symptoms as cough, dyspnea, chest pain and fever start manifesting. Plain chest radiography remains the basic imaging method for initial diagnosis while ELISA test has limited diagnostic accuracy in cases of pulmonary hydatidosis. Irrelevant to surgical approach, Delbet’s capitonnage procedure is associated with good postoperative results and low complication rates.

In recent years, the study of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) has garnered considerable attention due to their potential in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics provides valuable information on microbial stress responses induced by AMPs. This work aims to unravel the proteomic alterations induced by the amyloidogenic antimicrobial peptide R23I, encompassing both inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentrations. This study investigates the effects of the R23I peptide on the protein abundance of Thermus thermophilus (T. thermophilus) at different concentrations (20, 50, and 100 μg/mL). We found 82 differentially expressed proteins, including 15 upregulated and 67 downregulated proteins. We also compared the protein identification results between the PEAKS and IdentiPy programs. Our proteomic analysis revealed distinct patterns of protein expression, suggesting compensatory mechanisms in response to the R23I peptide. Notably, the alterations predominantly affected membrane and cytoplasmic proteins that play a central role in critical cellular processes such as transcription, translation, and energy conversion. This study sheds light on the complex interactions between antimicrobial peptides and bacterial responses, offering insights into microbial adaptability and potential implications for antimicrobial strategies and the understanding of microbial physiology.

Research shows that microbial resistance to antibacterial drugs continues to increase, highlighting the need to find new strategies to combat infections. In this context, previously used antibacterial drugs such as doxycycline have begun to attract renewed attention from the medical community. In addition, recent studies are revealing new properties of this drug that may expand its role in clinical practice, opening up new prospects for use. The review describes the place of doxycycline in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, presents treatment regimens for urethritis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, as well as the non-antimicrobial properties of the drug.

Abstract Background Skin cancer continues to be an imperative global health issue, urging continuous exploration of treatment methodologies. Conventional treatments for skin cancer include surgical interventions, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, these methods often present obstacles like treatment resistance, systemic toxicity, limited effectiveness in advanced stages, infection risk, pain, long recovery, and impact on healthy tissue. Main body of the abstract Nanomedicine holds promise by facilitating precise drug administration, early detection, and heightened therapeutic efficiency via targeted and localized delivery systems. The integration of nanomedicine into skin cancer alleviation therapies demonstrates optimistic outcomes, including refined drug delivery, augmented bioavailability, minimized adverse effects, and potential theranostic applications. Recent breakthroughs in nanomedicine have propelled advancements in skin cancer treatment, showing significant potential in transforming the treatment paradigm. The presents review provides comprehensive aspects of existing skin cancer treatments and their challenges, spotlighting recent breakthroughs propelled by nanomedicine. Short conclusion This abstract delineates the present landscape of skin cancer treatments, underscores their constraints, and highlights recent strides in nanomedicine that have the potential to transform the paradigm of skin cancer treatment, ultimately elevating patient prognosis. Importantly, the present review emphasizes substantial challenges that hinder the clinical translation of nanomedicines and suggests possible remedies to surpass them. Graphic abstract

In 2021 - 2023, in the region of South Central Bulgaria, the influence of three sowing rates (10, 15 and 20 kg/ha) and four levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha) on the productivity of teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) in two stages of development (milk and dough maturity) has been studied. The experiment was based on the method of fractional plots, with the size of the harvest plot 10 m2, under non-irrigated conditions. The statistical processing was carried out with the ANOVA LSD test and the MS Excel software package - 2010. Fertilization with 90 kg/ha of nitrogen resulted in the highest yields (up to 56.7% more green mass and up to 55.5% more dry matter) in all tested sowing rates (10, 15, 20 kg/ha) and harvesting phases (milk and dough maturity). The increase in the sowing rate from 10 to 15 kg/ha increased the yield of green mass and dry matter by up to 5.9% and 3.6%, respectively in the dough maturity phase. Teff productivity is positively correlated with the amount of vegetation precipitation (r = 0.745 – 0.766) and nitrogen fertilization (r = 0.535 – 0.541) and negatively correlated (r = -0.526 – -0.543) with vegetation temperatures. The conditions of the year (68.58 – 72.18%) and nitrogen fertilization (20.25 – 22.81%) have the main influence on the teff productivity. The influence of the sowing rate is weaker - 1.73 - 2.62% of the total variation. The harvesting phase has been shown to affect dry matter yield.

Niepełnosprawność to trudny temat, tak jak śmierć, choroba czy wojna. Według Narodowego Spisu Powszechnego Ludności i Mieszkań z 2021 r. osoby niepełnosprawne stanowią ponad 14% polskiego społeczeństwa. Niestety książki dla dzieci o niepełnosprawności nadal odgrywają marginalną rolę na polskim rynku wydawniczym. Autorka koncentruje się na analizie dostępności i popularności książek dla dzieci o niepełnosprawności na polskim rynku wydawniczym, posługując się w tym celu metodą bibliograficzną i analizą treści, a także na roli i znaczeniu ilustracji na wybranych przykładach z lat 2018–2022. Badanie podkreśla znaczenie ilustracji jako narzędzia komunikacji oraz potrzebę lepszej reprezentacji tematyki niepełnosprawności w literaturze dziecięcej. Wnioski dostarczają ważnych informacji autorom, wydawcom, pedagogom i rodzicom, a także stanowią punkt wyjścia do dalszych badań nad wpływem ilustracji na percepcję czytelników i kontynuację tematyki w omawianym obszarze literatury.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contaminated surfaces. While high-traffic locations like hospitals and airports have been studied extensively, detecting significant virus levels in aerosols and on environmental surfaces, campus settings remain underexplored. This study focused on two crowded buildings at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). From December 2021 to March 2022, we collected 16 indoor air samples and 201 samples from high-touch surfaces. During the sampling timeframe, 44.82% of surface samples from the Student Union and 28% from the University Recreational Center (UREC) tested positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Median and average viral RNA copies per swab were higher in UREC (273 and 475) than in Student Union (92 and 269). However, all air samples tested negative. Surface positivity in these high-traffic campus locations was directly correlated with COVID-19 clinical cases in Mecklenburg County. The campus COVID-19 cases, driven by the Omicron wave, peaked a week before the peak detection of surface contamination. These findings underscore the importance of surface hygiene measures and highlight environmental conditions as potential contributors to COVID-19 spread on campuses.

Docetaxel is a commonly used taxane chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, and head and neck cancer. Docetaxel exerts its anti-cancer effects through inhibition of the cell cycle and induction of proapoptotic activity. However, docetaxel also impacts rapidly proliferating normal cells in the scalp hair follicles (HFs), rendering the HFs vulnerable to docetaxel-induced cell death and leading to chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). In severe cases, docetaxel causes persistent or permanent CIA (pCIA) when hair does not grow back completely six months after chemotherapy cessation. Hair loss has severe negative impacts on patients’ quality of life and may even compromise their compliance with treatment. This review discusses the notable prevalence of docetaxel-induced CIA and pCIA, as well as their prevention and management. At this moment, scalp cooling is the standard of care to prevent CIA. Treatment options to promote hair regrowth include but are not limited to minoxidil, photobiomodulation (PBMT), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In addition, a handful of current clinical trials are exploring additional agents to treat or prevent CIA. Research models of CIA, particularly ex vivo human scalp HF organ culture and in vivo mouse models with human scalp xenografts, will help expedite the translation of bench findings of CIA prevention and/or amelioration to the clinic.

The concept of resilience is applied to complex social systems to describe the ability of a territory (or settlement) or local community to recover from external shocks. In this context, resilience complements the concept of sustainable development by revealing the mechanisms that enable systems to regenerate during crises. In recent decades, various approaches for assessing urban resilience, including that of Arctic cities in high-risk zones, have been developed in scientific literature. However, a comprehensive methodology for assessing the resilience of Arctic rural communities has not yet been fully developed or tested. The goal of this article is to assess the resilience of several rural communities in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO), followed by their comparison and classification. Drawing on Russian researchers’ experience in measuring the resilience of Arctic cities, the authors propose their own methodology for assessing the resilience of Arctic rural communities. This methodology involves measuring 11 resilience indicators, which are aggregated into a comprehensive resilience index (R-index). The R-index enables the ranking of Arctic rural communities by their resilience levels. In the course of the study, all surveyed rural communities were classified into four groups based on R-index values: 1) isolated communities with low resilience; 2) vulnerable communities prone to external shocks; 3) administrative centers of rural municipalities with moderate resilience; 4) large and stable rural communities. The primary differentiating factors among these communities include geographical location, transport links and logistics, the structure of local economies, and demographic resources. Overall, Arctic rural communities exhibit a high level of social capital. The novelty of this study lies in its application of the community resilience concept to Arctic rural areas, contributing to a deeper understanding of the factors that shape their development potential. Future research should expand the geographical scope of the study and conduct larger surveys to improve the accuracy and reliability of rural community resilience assessments.

Introduction: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) is a benign cystic neoplasm that has the potential to transform into pancreatic cancer over time. These lesions are usually asymptomatic. A main pancreatic duct IPMN is usually symptomatic and may present as an emergency when occlusion of the common bile duct with thick mucinous secretion and jaundice develop. This complication is hard to manage pharmacotherapeutically or by endoscopic procedure and may require surgical treatment. Purpose: This is a case report of a complicated main pancreatic duct IPMN that required an urgent, two-stage operation. A review of the literature on the topic was carried out. Case description: A 67-year-old male patient with symptoms of jaundice was diagnosed with acute cholangitis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis as complications of the mucinous obstruction of the main pancreatic duct and of the common bile duct (CBD) caused by IPMN. The condition was confirmed by cholangio-pancreatoscopy and biopsy. Stenting of CBD was attempted, but the procedure turned out unsuccessful, and we proceeded to an emergency two-stage operation. The first operation consisted of the clearance of the bile ducts from infected mucinous secretion, cholecystectomy, and hepatico-jejunostomy. A Whipple procedure was performed as a second-stage operation. Discussion: Cases of emergency are not common in patients with IPMN. However, obstructive jaundice by mucinous secretion due to the disease is hard to treat only by endoscopy because of the high risk of obstruction of the endoprosthesis. On the other hand, emergency pancreatic resections are associated with a high risk of perioperative complications. Conclusion: Sometimes, the complicated main pancreatic duct IPMNs can pose a challenge for the interdisciplinary team of invasive gastroenterologists and surgeons, and the key to a successful outcome is surgical interventions in two- or three stages that include complications management as the first stage, followed by surgical resection as a second stage operation. Biliary drainage improvement is usually only temporarily successful with the insertion of biliary stents because of the rapid mucinous occlusion and the remaining risk of cholangitis and cholecystitis.