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This article explores the psychological defense mechanism of dissociation within the context of trauma and micro-traumas, particularly its impact on primary and secondary capacities as defined in Positive Psychotherapy (PPT). Dissociation initially acts as a protective mechanism, allowing temporary detachment from overwhelming emotional realities. However, it can become maladaptive, disrupting the balance between primary capacities (e.g., love, trust, and hope) and secondary capacities (e.g., punctuality, honesty, and achievement). Through the framework of PPT, the study highlights how dissociation compartmentalizes psychological functioning, impairing self-integration and balance across the four domains of life: body/senses, work/achievement, relationships/contact, and future/meaning/goals. Employing therapeutic autoethnography and insights from trauma theory, this analysis demonstrates how PPT’s distinctive tools, such as differential analysis and transcultural approach, facilitate nuanced and gradual healing. PPT fosters post-traumatic growth by integrating cultural sensitivity, metaphors, and storytelling, empowering individuals to transform dissociative mechanisms into resources for resilience and balanced self-functioning. This study underscores the need for culturally informed, holistic therapeutic strategies to address the multifaceted impacts of trauma.

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are cell-released vesicles ranging from 30-150nm in size. They have garnered increasing attention because of their potential for both the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The diversity of sEVs derives from their biological composition and cargo content. Currently, the isolation of sEV subpopulations is primarily based on bio-physical and affinity-based approaches. Since a standardized definition for sEV subpopulations is yet to be fully established, it is important to further investigate the correlation between the biomolecular composition of sEVs and their physical properties. In this study, we employed a platform combining single-vesicle surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and machine learning to examine individual sEVs isolated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The biomolecular composition of each vesicle examined was reflected by its corresponding SERS spectral features (biomolecular "fingerprints"), with their roots in the composition of their collective Raman-active bonds. Origins of the SERS spectral features were validated through a comparative analysis between SERS and mass spectrometry (MS). SERS fingerprinting of individual vesicles was effective in overcoming the challenges posed by EV population averaging, allowing for the possibility of analyzing the variations in biomolecular composition between the vesicles of similar and/or different sizes. Using this approach, we uncovered that each of the size-based fractions of sEVs contained particles with predominantly similar SERS spectral features. Indeed, more than 84% of the vesicles residing within a particular group were clearly distinguishable from that of the other EV sub-populations, despite some spectral variations within each sub-population. Our results suggest the possibility that size-based EV fractionation methods produce samples where similarly eluted sEVs are correlated with their respective biochemical contents, as reflected by their SERS spectra. Our findings therefore highlight the possibility that the biogenesis and respective biological functionalities of the various sEV fractions may be inherently different.

We notice that our society has been going through a series of radical transformations for some time that leave their mark in all areas of life: the accelerated pace of innovation through the development of technology, the digitalization of services, the economic changes that lead to the redistribution of the poles of well-being, competitiveness and opportunity among the workforce work, reducing the amount of available resources and increasing the struggle for the already existing ones, including in the labor market. These forces, which until now seemed to draw new patterns only at the macro, business level, are increasingly felt at the individual level as well. And this is how, in the midst of the digital revolution, managers are also challenged to continuous change. We are thus witnessing the emergence of a new type of manager, in which his role as a leader leaves the sphere of the discourses of capitalist organizations, entering also into the personal plane.

IntroductionThe composite breed Brangus combines the resilience and adaptability of the Bos t. indicus breed Brahman with the superior meat quality and fertility traits of the Bos t. taurus breed Angus. Its diverse genetics not only enables optimal production performance but also adaptability to hot and humid environmental conditions. From a research perspective, this makes Brangus an ideal model for identifying genomic signatures that reveal the effects of both artificial selection and natural adaptation. The aim of this study was to detect genomic signatures of selection by analyzing changes in breed origin of allele (BOA) frequencies across the genome.MethodsUsing a multi-breed Angus and Brahman herd (n = 4,516) as a reference, population structure was measured via principal component analysis and admixture analysis in two commercial Brangus herds (n = 4,720). BOA was estimated in these herds using LAMP-LD, followed by a signature of selection analysis utilizing a median-based Z-score approach and Fst analyses to detect genomic regions under selection.ResultsThe analysis revealed a genome-wide increase in Angus ancestry in both Brangus populations (71.46%, 68.7%), reflecting intense selection for traits associated with this lineage. BOA-based intra- and inter-population analyses identified significant shifts in Brahman and Angus ancestry across the genome, indicating potential selection for breed-specific genetics. Key genomic regions were identified on chromosomes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 27, and 28, and were linked to traits such as fertility, growth, heat tolerance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality.DiscussionExpected genes showing signatures of selection included MC1R, responsible for black coat color, and PLAG1, integral to growth, fertility, and carcass traits, underscoring the effectiveness of this methodology. Novel genes under selection, such as CCNB2 (critical for fertility), MTCH2 (associated with meat quality and fertility) and PRLR (associated with coat length and heat tolerance), were also identified. These findings provide deeper insights into the genetic mechanisms driving adaptation and production performance in cattle and offer valuable information for strategic breeding practices aimed at optimizing the strengths of both parental breeds.

Background and objectives. Nephrological diseases in children are common, representing an important burden on patients and healthcare. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the transition of the most recent advances in the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) field, including point-of-care (POC) testing methods, to the clinical practice in pediatrics. Materials and methods. Testing indications for pediatric nephrological diseases were identified in the available clinical guidelines and, for comparison, the developments in the IVD field were reviewed based on scientific literature about testing methods, performance evaluation, and POC testing implementation. Results. Testing in the context of nephrological diseases is widely addressed in the available clinical guidelines. While performant POC tests have been developed, the recommendations for testing do not address this progress, nor their integration with traditional laboratory tests. For example, urine dipstick testing has a central role in the management of urinary tract infections of children and it is a basis for clinical decisions, the same method being available for both POC and laboratory tests. Conclusions. Specific testing recommendations for nephrological conditions must be elaborated, based on the availability of the methods and their performances. Implementing POC testing is a challenge, but it can provide benefits for both the patient and the healthcare systems, in addition to the standard laboratory testing.

The world is facing more complex and interconnected challenges than ever. Crises, which often stem from unpredictable factors, can have widespread and varied impacts. This is particularly evident in the tourism sector, which is highly vulnerable during times of crisis and natural or anthropogenic disasters. The unpredictability and global reach of crises pose significant challenges for tourist destinations as they rely heavily on people, natural and cultural resources, and financial capital. This study aims to identify the type and characteristics of crises and unpredictable situations and to appreciate their consequences on tourist destinations. By combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, this study provides useful information to those who manage tourist destinations, tourism companies, and all interested parties.

This paper aims to determine the relationship between parameters of lower limb strength and balance in 5-8-year-old children practicing dance. Methods. So, an exploratory study was organized with a group of 24 children aged 5-8 years from the National Palace of Children of Bucharest. Tests used: Test 1 (15 jumps free arms), Test 2 - static balance (SB), Test 3 – lateral dynamic balance (LDB) and Test 4 vertical dynamic balances (VDB). Parameters: performance, front and back inside (LDB), left and right inside (VDB), avg. deviation. In this regard, establishing the relationship degree between lower limb strength parameters and balance in 5-8-year-old dancers depends on the number of negative correlations, especially between average deviation parameters.

Background/Aims Gastrointestinal bleeding is a significant and potentially lethal event. We aimed to review the efficiency and safety of self-assembling peptides for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal tract bleeding. Methods We conducted a systematic search for studies describing the endoscopic use of self-assembling peptides for treatment or prevention of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract in a parallel, independent fashion. The primary outcomes were rates of successful initial hemostasis, delayed bleeding, and rebleeding. The secondary outcomes were adverse events and ease and volume of gel used. Results Seventeen studies were analyzed. Overall success rate of self-assembling peptides in gastrointestinal bleeding was 87.7% (38%–100%), regardless of etiology or associated treatments. Rebleeding rate ranged from 0% to 16.2%, with a mean of 4.7%, and overall delayed bleeding rate was 5% (range, 0%–15.9%). Only three adverse events were reported in a pooled number of 815 patients. The volume of gel used varied (0.43 to 3.7 mL) according to indication and type of bleeding. Conclusions The limited available data on the use of self-assembling peptides in gastrointestinal endoscopy suggest a high efficiency and good safety profile.

Although the role of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in extracellular RNA (exRNA) biology is well established, their exRNA cargo and distribution across biofluids are largely unknown. To address this gap, we extend the exRNA Atlas resource by mapping exRNAs carried by extracellular RBPs (exRBPs). This map was developed through an integrative analysis of ENCODE enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (eCLIP) data (150 RBPs) and human exRNA profiles (6,930 samples). Computational analysis and experimental validation identified exRBPs in plasma, serum, saliva, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and cell-culture-conditioned medium. exRBPs carry exRNA transcripts from small non-coding RNA biotypes, including microRNA (miRNA), piRNA, tRNA, small nuclear RNA (snRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), Y RNA, and lncRNA, as well as protein-coding mRNA fragments. Computational deconvolution of exRBP RNA cargo reveals associations of exRBPs with extracellular vesicles, lipoproteins, and ribonucleoproteins across human biofluids. Overall, we mapped the distribution of exRBPs across human biofluids, presenting a resource for the community.

Digital tools that enable the production and manipulation of interactive external representations (IER) could be vital in strengthening collaboration and boosting performance. This experimental study with 40 participants working in dyads at a Large Interactive Surface examined the effects of IER on the collaborative processes and solution quality. The results show that even minor changes in interactivity can influence both collaborative processes and solution quality. Specifically, higher interactivity led to higher convergence of mental models and solution quality. Additionally, the dyads in the higher interactivity condition tended to focus on different aspects of the problem space, i.e. macro vs. micro-level interaction. Although the level of interactivity did not directly affect conversational turn-taking, the cross-recurrence quantification analysis revealed that it may change dyads' collaborative patterns. High interactive external representations may foster more complex collaboration dynamics with a plurality of patterns. Unexpectedly, turn-taking had no bearing on the solution quality, which is especially surprising considering the results of previous research. The findings contribute to understanding team cognition by taking a nuanced view of digital technology's role in team efficiency and convergence of the mental models. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Background and Study Aim. Dancesport significantly contributes to segmental coordination development in 6-8-year-old children through rhythmic movements and interaction with dance partner. The study aimed to investigate the impact of dancesport on segmental coordination development in children aged 6 to 8. Material and Methods. The study involved a group of 14 children aged 6 to 8 from the National Children's Palace in Bucharest. Research was conducted from February to June 2023. Segmental coordination assessment for upper limbs was done using Witty SEM, with 16 impulses of the smart semaphores (Lap L1-16) at 4 difficulty levels. Parameters measured: visual reaction time for each Lap (seconds), Lap mean (seconds), and total time (seconds). During the study period, a program with dancesport elements (Standard and Latino styles) was implemented for 36 hours, 2 hours per week. Comparative analysis between difficulty levels was done using ANOVA test, Single Factor Analysis of Variance, and Paired Comparison for Means. Statistical significance was set at p

Background: Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, plays a pivotal role in wound healing, particularly in surgical contexts. Methods and results: However, this process can be significantly impaired in patients with childhood obesity, resulting in delayed healing and additional complications. The biological process of wound healing is complex, involving angiogenesis, cell proliferation, inflammation, and tissue remodeling. This review aims to explore recent advancements in research on angiogenesis in surgical wounds in patients with childhood obesity, with a focus on growth factors, inflammation, microcirculation, and innovative therapeutic strategies. Conclusions: It highlights therapeutic approaches such as the administration of growth factors and the application of biomaterials to enhance angiogenesis.

Mechanical ventilation is a critical intervention for intubated patients suffering from respiratory complications, such as excess mucus accumulation in the trachea, which can obstruct airflow. In this study, we investigate the impact of a Fresubin-water emulsion (1g/50ml), simulating mucus, on airflow resistance in a square-profile tube representing a simplified tracheal segment. The hypothesis predicate that the emulsion will increase airflow resistance under mechanical ventilation, mimicking the obstructive effects of mucus in patients. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was employed to evaluate the airflow characteristics within the tube, focusing on velocity profiles and pressure drop. The results confirmed that the viscoelastic properties of the emulsion significantly altered airflow behavior, producing non-uniform velocity distributions and an elevated pressure gradient along the tube. These findings suggest that the emulsion effectively replicates the behavior of mucus in the trachea, offering valuable insights for improving mechanical ventilation strategies in patients with respiratory obstructions.

The extracellular RNA communication consortium (ERCC) is an NIH-funded program aiming to promote the development of new technologies, resources, and knowledge about exRNAs and their carriers. After Phase 1 (2013-2018), Phase 2 of the program (ERCC2, 2019-2023) aims to fill critical gaps in knowledge and technology to enable rigorous and reproducible methods for separation and characterization of both bulk populations of exRNA carriers and single EVs. ERCC2 investigators are also developing new bioinformatic pipelines to promote data integration through the exRNA atlas database. ERCC2 has established several Working Groups (Resource Sharing, Reagent Development, Data Analysis and Coordination, Technology Development, nomenclature, and Scientific Outreach) to promote collaboration between ERCC2 members and the broader scientific community. We expect that ERCC2's current and future achievements will significantly improve our understanding of exRNA biology and the development of accurate and efficient exRNA-based diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic biomarker assays.

Medicated jellies are widely used by a large part of patients, especially by people with swallowing difficulties. Preformulation studies play an essential role in the development of new pharmaceutical formulations. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate medicated jellies containing perphenazine, an antipsychotic drug from the group of phenothiazine compounds used to treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders. Typical gelling agents such as sodium alginate (Alg), gelatine (Gel), and pectin (Pec) were used to develop the medicated jellies. In addition to the biopolymers, components such as benzoic acid (BenzAc), citric acid (CitAc), sodium citrate (NaCit), sorbitol (Sorb) and xylitol (Xyl) were also used. Before preparing the jellies, the moist binary mixture between each component of the jelly and the active substance was analysed to investigate the compatibility of the substances. The active substance, moist binary mixture, and medicated jellies were analysed by FTIR_UATR spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetry.

Hydrogels are a viable option for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to incorporate various healing agents while maintaining their biological efficacy. This study focused on the preparation and characterization of novel hybrid hydrogels enriched with the natural algae compound Ulvan for potential use in wound dressings. The characterization of the hydrogel membranes involved multiple methods to assess their structural, mechanical, and chemical properties, such as pH measurements, swelling, moisture content and uptake, gel fraction, hydrolytic degradation, protein adsorption and denaturation tests, rheological measurements, SEM, biocompatibility testing, and scratch wound assay. The hydrogel obtained with a higher concentration of Ulvan (1 mg/mL) exhibited superior mechanical properties, a swelling index of 264%, a water content of 55%, and a lower degradation percentage. In terms of rheological properties, the inclusion of ULV in the hydrogel composition enhanced gel strength, and the Alginate + PVA + 1.0ULV sample demonstrated the greatest resistance to deformation. All hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility, with cell viability above 70% and no obvious morphological modifications. The addition of Ulvan potentiates the regenerative effect of hydrogel membranes. Subsequent studies will focus on encapsulating bioactive compounds, investigating their release behavior, and evaluating their active biological effects.

Postural disorders in children and adolescents have an increasing incidence. The aim of this study was to identify the type of postural defects in school-age and preschool children, as well as the external risk factors determined by an inadequate lifestyle. The research included 134 children aged between 5 and 18 years, in whom postural defects were identified. The project involved an examination of the children’s body posture, a survey of the parents to determine the children’s lifestyle, blood tests, and spinal X-rays. A significant percentage (76%) of the children included in the study were underweight. The examination of postural defects in the students revealed scoliosis in 21% of the patients, kyphosis in 7.5%, and lordosis in 1.5%, while 70% of the patients presented an association between at least two postural defects. As far as risk factors are concerned, we identified the presence of rickets sequelae in 70% of the patients, the presence of pectus excavatum in 43% of the patients, genu varum in 15%, and flat foot in 12%. Additionally, 90% of the children had an incorrect posture at the desk, while 42% incorrectly carried their backpack on one shoulder only. In terms of diet quality, associations between an inadequate diet and postural disorders were found for kyphosis, scoliosis, and other deformities. In conclusion, postural abnormalities in children have an increased incidence from an early age and are a result of the change in lifestyle in recent years, represented by sedentarism, a lack of physical activity, the excessive use of electronic devices, stress, and an inadequate diet.

Zero-valent copper and silver metals (Ms) nanoparticles (NPs) supported on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were synthesized for treating Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbriae 4 (ETEC:F4), a major cause of diarrhea in post-weaned pigs. The antibacterial properties of Cu0/CMC and Ag0/CMC were assessed on infected porcine intestinal enterocyte IPEC-J2, an in vitro model mimicking the small intestine. The lower average particle size (218 nm) and polydispersity index [PDI]: 0.25) for Ag0/CMC, when compared with those of Cu0/CMC (367 nm and PDI 0.96), were explained by stronger Ag0/CMC interactions. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ag0/CMC were lower in both bacteria and IPEC-J2 cells than those of Cu0/CMC, confirming that silver nanoparticles are more bactericidal than copper counterparts. IPEC-J2, less sensitive in MNP/CMC treatment, was used to further investigate the infective process by ETEC:F4. The IC50 of MNP/CMC increased significantly when infected IPEC-J2 cells and ETEC were co-treated, showing an inhibition of the cytotoxicity effect of ETEC:F4 infection and protection of treated IPEC-J2. Thus, it appears that metal insertion in CMC induces an inhibiting effect on ETEC:F4 growth and that MNP/CMC dispersion governs the enhancement of this effect. These results open promising prospects for metal-loaded biopolymers for preventing and treating swine diarrhea.

During the last two decades, an increased number of molecules with multiple mechanisms of action have been approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a substantial increase in the costs related to therapy, which has become a concern for payers, regulators, and healthcare professionals. Biosimilars are biologic medical products that are highly structurally similar to their reference products; have no clinically meaningful differences in terms of immunogenicity, safety, or effectiveness; and are available at a lower price. Materials and Methods: This was an observational prospective study conducted in two IBD centres in Bucharest and included 53 patients, 27 male (M) and 26 female (F), diagnosed with IBD according to standard clinical, endoscopic, radiological, and histological criteria, who were non-medically switched at the indication of the National Insurance House to a biosimilar of Adalimumab. Aims: The aim was to determine the rates of clinical remission, adverse effects, and treatment persistence at one year. Results: No significant differences were found in terms of the faecal calprotectin (FC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels 6 and 12 months after changing from the originator biologic treatment to a biosimilar. Only one patient required a change in their biological treatment following the clinical and biological loss of response. The main adverse effect reported by the patients was pain at the injection site. Of the 53 patients, only 2 reported pain at the injection site, and 1 patient reported experiencing abdominal pain and rectal bleeding immediately after the switch, but no recurrence was observed clinically or endoscopically. Conclusions: This observational study is the first to be carried out in Romania that shows that, after a non-medical switch, biosimilars of Adalimumab are as efficient and safe as the originator Adalimumab in the clinical treatment of patients with IBD.

Abstract There are several overlapping clinical practice guidelines in acute pancreatitis (AP), however, none of them contains suggestions on patient discharge. The Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group (HPSG) has recently developed a laboratory data and symptom-based discharge protocol which needs to be validated. (1) A survey was conducted involving all members of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) to understand the characteristics of international discharge protocols. (2) We investigated the safety and effectiveness of the HPSG-discharge protocol. According to our international survey, 87.5% (49/56) of the centres had no discharge protocol. Patients discharged based on protocols have a significantly shorter median length of hospitalization (LOH) (7 (5;10) days vs. 8 (5;12) days) p

Abstract Background In beef cattle, more than 50% of the energy input to produce a unit of beef is consumed by the female that produced the calf. Development of genomic tools to identify females with high genetic merit for reproductive function could increase the profitability and sustainability of beef production. Results Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using a single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction approach on pregnancy outcome traits from a population of Angus–Brahman crossbred heifers. Furthermore, a validation GWAS was performed using data from another farm. Heifers were genotyped with the Bovine GGP F250 array that contains 221,077 SNPs. In the discovery population, heifers were bred in winter breeding seasons involving a single round of timed artificial insemination (AI) followed by natural mating for 3 months. Two phenotypes were analyzed: pregnancy outcome to first-service AI (PAI; n = 1,481) and pregnancy status at the end of the breeding season (PEBS; n = 1,725). The heritability was estimated as 0.149 and 0.122 for PAI and PEBS, respectively. In the PAI model, one quantitative trait locus (QTL), located between 52.3 and 52.5 Mb on BTA7, explained about 3% of the genetic variation, in a region containing a cluster of γ-protocadherin genes and SLC25A2. Other QTLs explaining between 0.5% and 1% of the genetic variation were found on BTA12 and 25. In the PEBS model, a large QTL on BTA7 was synonymous with the QTL for PAI, with minor QTLs located on BTA5, 9, 10, 11, 19, and 20. The validation population for pregnancy status at the end of the breeding season were Angus–Brahman crossbred heifers bred by natural mating. In concordance with the discovery population, the large QTL on BTA7 and QTLs on BTA10 and 12 were identified. Conclusions In summary, QTLs and candidate SNPs identified were associated with pregnancy outcomes in beef heifers, including a large QTL associated with a group of protocadherin genes. Confirmation of these associations with larger populations could lead to the development of genomic predictions of reproductive function in beef cattle. Moreover, additional research is warranted to study the function of candidate genes associated with QTLs.

This paper presents the main texturing methods of metal surfaces, from the perspective of existing studies. This article explores different surface texturing methods and techniques, with an emphasis on using them to improve mechanical and tribological properties. Through a comprehensive analysis, the article addresses traditional texturing techniques as well as emerging technologies. In addition, the benefits and limitations of each method are highlighted, and recent articles in the field are reviewed to provide a complete picture of current developments in surface texturing