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Abstract There are available studies assessing the development of maxillary sinuses in relation to the viscerocranium. However, there are no publications analyzing the development of maxillary sinuses in relation to the development of the cranium, i.e. both the viscerocranium and the neurocranium. The aim of the study was to analyze the correlation between the dimensions of maxillary sinuses and anthropometric measurements of the cranium in children. The study was retrospective and was conducted at the based on the results of head computed tomography investigation. The study group included 180 girls and 180 boys, aged from birth to 18 years. To assess the correlation between the degree of development of the paranasal sinuses and the growth of the cranium, standard anthropometric points on the skull and strictly defined dimensions of the height, length, width, and volume of right and left maxillary sinuses were used. In the study group, both in girls and boys, a statistically significant positive correlation was found at the significance level of p

Abstract Background Brain imaging suggests the involvement of the limbic system, particularly the cingulate gyrus (GC), in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE). Hypothesis A correlation exists between the side of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and the volume of the ipsilateral GC (GCe) in dogs with IE. Animals Dogs admitted to the neurological consultation (32 with epileptic seizures and 13 control) were included. Methods This retrospective, blinded study followed the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force recommendations for diagnosing IE at the Tier III confidence level. The IE group included 18 and 14 dogs with IEDs in the left and right hemispheres, respectively (median age: 36 months, median weight: 19.5 kg), whereas the control group included 13 dogs (median age: 32 months, median weight: 20 kg). Whole‐brain and GC‐volumetric assessments were performed by a semiautomated method. Results In the control group, the volume of the GC was: left, from 743.63 to 1001.61 mm3, right, from 789.35 to 1015.86 mm3. In the study group, the volume of the GC was: left, from 720.88 to 1054.9 mm3 and right, from 566.29 to 987.77 mm3. In dogs with IE, GCe volume was significantly lower than the mean volume of the GC in the control group relative to total intracranial volume (TIV; P = .00044). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Alterations in the volume of the GC provide insights into structural changes during IE. The use of semiautomatic volumetry provides an advantage by reducing the potential for human error.

Abstract Human-induced disturbances of the environment are rapid and often unpredictable in space and time, exposing wildlife to strong selection pressure favouring plasticity in specific traits. Measuring wildlife behavioural plasticity in response to human-induced disturbances such as hunting pressures is crucial in understanding population expansion in the highly plastic wild boar species. We collected GPS-based movement data from 55 wild boars during drive hunts over three hunting seasons (2019–2022) in the Czech Republic and Sweden to identify behavioural plasticity in space use and movement strategies over a range of experienced hunting disturbances. Daily distance, daily range, and daily range overlap with hunting area were not affected by hunting intensity but were clearly related to wild boar hunting experience. On average, the post-hunt flight distance was 1.80 km, and the flight duration lasted 25.8 h until they returned to their previous ranging area. We detected no relationship in flight behaviour to hunting intensity or wild boar experience. Wild boar monitored in our study showed two behavioural responses to drive hunts, “remain” or “leave”. Wild boars tended to “leave” more often with increasing hunting experience. Overall, this study highlights the behavioural plasticity of wild boar in response to drive hunts.

Abstract Functional data analysis is typically performed in two steps: first, functionally representing discrete observations, and then applying functional methods to the so-represented data. The initial choice of a functional representation may have a significant impact on the second phase of the analysis, as shown in recent research, where data-driven spline bases outperformed the predefined rigid choice of functional representation. The method chooses an initial functional basis by an efficient placement of the knots using a simple machine-learning algorithm. The knot selection approach does not apply directly when the data are defined on domains of a higher dimension than one such as, for example, images. The reason is that in higher dimensions the convenient and numerically efficient spline spaces use tensor bases that require knots located on a lattice. This fundamentally limits flexible knot placement which is fundamental for the approach. The goal of this research is two-fold: first, to propose modified approaches that circumvent the issue by coding the irregular knot selection into the topology of the spaces of tensor-based splines; second, to apply the approach to a classification problem workflow for functional data that utilizes knot selection. The performance is preliminarily accessed on a benchmark dataset and shown to be comparable to or better than the previous methods.

Abstract Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a severe developmental condition resulting from exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine the concentrations of hormones involved in appetite regulation—ghrelin, leptin, and putative peptide YY-3 (PYY)—in the serum of individuals with FASD. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between these hormone levels and clinical indicators. We conducted an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on samples collected from 62 FASD patients and 23 individuals without the condition. Our results revealed a significant decrease in leptin levels among FASD patients compared to the control group (5.124 vs. 6.838 ng/mL, p = 0.002). We revealed no statistically significant differences in the levels of other hormones studied (ghrelin and PYY). Comparisons of hormone levels were also conducted in three subgroups: FAS, neurobehavioral disorders associated with prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD risk, as well as by sex. Assignment to FASD subgroups indicated changes only for leptin. Sex had no effect on the levels of hormones. Moreover, the levels of leptin showed a negative correlation with cortisol levels and a positive correlation with BMI and proopiomelanocortin. Alterations in appetite regulation can contribute to the improper development of children with FASD, which might be another factor that should be taken into consideration in the proper treatment of patients.

ABSTRACTBackground Caffeine (CAF) ingestion improves performance in a broad range of exercise tasks. Nevertheless, the CAF-induced, dose-dependent effect on discipline-specific performance and cognitive functions in CrossFit/High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute supplementation of three different doses of CAF and placebo (PLA) on specific performance, reaction time (RTime), postural stability (PStab), heart rate (HR) and perceived exertion (RPE).Methods In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, acute pre-exercise supplementation with CAF (3, 6, or 9 mg/kg body mass (BM)) and PLA in 26 moderately trained CrossFit practitioners was examined. The study protocol involved five separate testing sessions using the Fight Gone Bad test (FGB) as the exercise performance evaluation and biochemical analyses, HR and RPE monitoring, as well as the assessment of RTime and PStab, with regard to CYP1A2 (rs762551) and ADORA2A (rs5751876) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).Results Supplementation of 6 mgCAF/kgBM induced clinically noticeable improvements in FGBTotal results, RTime and pre-exercise motor time. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between any CAF doses and PLA in FGBTotal, HRmax, HRmean, RPE, pre/post-exercise RTime, PStab variables or pyruvate concentrations. Lactate concentration was higher (p

IntroductionThis randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel study aimed to evaluate the effect of 3-month supplementation of bovine colostrum (BOV-COL; 8x400 mg per day) on the outcomes of depression treatment in hospitalized patients with substance use disorder (SUD). The hypothesis is that BOV-COL supplementation as an add-on treatment results in favorable alternations in selected blood inflammatory markers or neurotransmitters, leading to better depression treatment outcomes compared with placebo (PLA).MethodsPatients with a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 score ≥60 points were enrolled. Twenty-nine participants (n=18 in the BOV-COL group and n=11 in the PLA group) completed the protocol.ResultsThe mean Beck Depression Inventory-II score was significantly reduced after supplementation in both groups. However, the mean 17-point Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score was decreased in the BOV-COL group, but not in the PLA group. In the BOV-COL group, there was a reduction in interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, the IL-6:IL-10 ratio, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), while in the PLA group only IL-6 decreased. Favorable alternations in the total count and differentials of white blood cell subsets were more pronounced in the BOV-COL. There were no changes in neurotransmitter concentrations.ConclusionsBOV-COL supplementation is a promising add-on therapy in patients with depression and SUD.

Abstract In 2023, 14 Member States were affected by African swine fever (ASF), including Croatia and Sweden where ASF emerged (wild boar outbreaks only) and Greece where ASF re‐emerged after being free since 2021. The number of ASF outbreaks among domestic pigs in the EU was five times higher than in 2022, reaching a similar magnitude to that in 2019. This was predominantly driven by the introduction and subsequent spread of ASF in Croatia and its resurgence in Romania, representing 96% of the EU outbreaks. ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs were clearly seasonal in all countries, with 88% of outbreaks reported between July and October. Most of the ASF outbreaks among domestic pigs were detected through clinical suspicion (94%), followed by tracing from affected establishments (3%), and the weekly testing of at least two dead pigs in establishments (3%). In wild boar, a 10% increase in the number of notified outbreaks was observed in the EU in comparison with 2022, with considerable variations between countries. A winter peak was observed only in Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. The epidemiological situation in wild boar improved in Germany and Hungary, as suggested by the decrease in the number of outbreaks and in the proportions of PCR‐positive samples from dead wild boar. Overall, 31% of wild boar carcasses found during passive surveillance tested positive by PCR, representing 69% of the ASF outbreaks in wild boar in the EU. In contrast, 0.4% of hunted wild boar tested positive, representing 31% of the outbreaks. Despite the introduction of ASF into new countries and the increase in the number of outbreaks, the size of restricted zones in the EU remained stable, due to the highly clustered outbreaks in Croatia, and the reduction of restricted zones in Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria (in domestic pigs), and Hungary (in wild boar).

Introduction Migraine, a prevalent neurological disorder affecting a substantial portion of the global population, poses a significant burden on individuals' overall quality of life. While the exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying migraine headache attacks remain elusive, the involvement of trigeminal pathway activation is well-documented. A multitude of factors, collectively termed triggers, have been identified as capable of precipitating migraine episodes, ranging from dietary components to environmental stimuli such as bright lights and weather fluctuations. Migraine headaches typically manifest as throbbing pain localized predominantly on one side of the head and are often accompanied by a constellation of additional symptoms including photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea. The management of migraine involves a diverse array of therapeutic modalities tailored to the specific characteristics of the pain experienced. These may include the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol, triptans, and antiemetics, among others. This study endeavors to explore the most prevalent triggers implicated in migraine onset, as well as contemporary treatment strategies, with an emphasis on incorporating the latest research findings and therapeutic advancements in this evolving field. Aim of the study This review aims to identify symptoms, triggers of acute migraine and solutions in its treatment process, including latest developments. Material and method This article presents the current state of knowledge about acute migraine, triggers and treatment options in various scientific articles. Publications describing acute migraine attacks and treatments including the most recent reports in the field were reviewed using the PubMed platform. The search included the keywords ‘migraine, 'migraine triggers', 'triptans', 'migraine with aura'.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to assess the association of cartilage metabolism biomarkers and vitamin D metabolite levels with muscle biomechanical functions in professional rowers and canoeists. The serum levels of aggrecan, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were determined in elite male sweep-oar rowers (n = 24) and canoeists (n = 15). This was followed by a biomechanical study consisting in isometric measurement of peak torque (PT) of muscles involved in the rowing cycle in the athletes. There were found significant correlations of COMP with the ratio of trunk PT flexor to extensor (p

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is defined as a group of congenital, autosomal, and recessive disorders associated with functional limitations or deficiency of one of the key enzymes in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones leading to hypocortisolaemia and most frequently excessive androgen production. The most common abnormality is associated with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Activity at the level of 20–70% of normal enzyme function leads to the development of a non-classic form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH). In contrast to classic CAH, patients with NCAH manifest normal or partially mild cortisol deficiency and moderate hyperandrogenism without a deficit of mineralocorticoids. Due to nonspecific symptoms, NCAH is often never recognized or is misdiagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recognition can be based on the measurement of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) for screening purposes, but the cosyntropin stimulation test with a measurement of 17OHP should be the gold standard. Pharmacological treatment is initiated only in those who manifest significant clinical symptoms.

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

This paper presents the results of computer simulations of fracture in three laboratory tests: the three-point bending of a notched beam cut from sandstone, the pull-out test of a self-undercutting anchor fixed in sandstone, and the pull-out test of a bar embedded in concrete. Five material failure criteria were used: Rankine, Coulomb–Mohr, Drucker–Prager, Ottosen–Podgórski, and Hoek–Brown. These criteria were implemented in the Abaqus® FEA system to work with the crack propagation modeling method—extended finite element method (X-FEM). All criteria yielded similar force–displacement relationships and similar crack path shapes. The improved procedure gives significantly better, close-to-real crack propagation paths than can be obtained using the standard subroutines built into the Abaqus® system.

Background During physical exercise, the level of hematological parameters change depending on the intensity and duration of exercise and the individual’s physical fitness. Research results, based on samples taken before and after exercise, suggest that hematological parameters increase during incremental exercise. However, there is no data confirming this beyond any doubt. This study examined how red blood cell (RBC) parameters change during the same standard physical exertion in athletes representing different physiological training profiles determined by sport discipline. Methods The study included 39 highly trained male members of national teams: 13 futsal players, 12 sprinters, and 14 triathletes. We used multiple blood sampling to determine RBC, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit value (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) before, during (every 3 min), and after (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min) an incremental treadmill exercise test until exhaustion. Results There were no significant exercise-induced differences in RBC parameters between athletic groups. No significant changes were recorded in RBC parameters during the low-intensity phase of exercise. RBC, Hb, and Hct increased significantly during incremental physical exercise, and rapidly returned to resting values upon test termination. Conclusions The general pattern of exercise-induced changes in RBC parameters is universal regardless of the athlete’s physiological profile. The changes in RBC parameters are proportional to the intensity of exercise during the progressive test. The increase in hemoglobin concentration associated with the intensity of exercise is most likely an adaptation to the greater demand of tissues, mainly skeletal muscles, for oxygen.

Introduction Snowboarding is an activity that appears to be gaining popularity among people who are interested in winter sports. The dynamic evolution of the method of snowboarding comes with it the risk of injuries, the consequences of which can be catastrophic. As a result of the fact that this sporting activity is distinguished by a diverse riding technique and calls for the use of specialized equipment, the mechanism of damage is also distinct from that which is known in, for instance, skiing. In addition, comparable to skiing, snowboarding has a sub-discipline that is linked with the execution of tricks and jumps. In a disproportionate manner, this raises the probability of an accident occurring. Wrist, shoulder, and ankle joints are among the most often injured structures in the body. Trauma to the brain and spine are remarkably uncommon, nonetheless, they are the ones that have the most serious repercussions. It is imperative that special attention be made to the avoidance of these incidents, which is why both medical professionals and proprietors of ski resorts stress the need of people wearing helmets and other protective gear, such as wrist guards. It is anticipated that the implementation of these techniques will lead to a decrease in the occurrence of the most common and serious forms of injuries, as well as a reduction in the strain placed on the organization that provides medical care. Aim of the study This review aims to characterize the most common injuries acquired during snowboarding, analyze their mechanism and to show methods of prevention. Material and method This article presents the current state of knowledge on snowboarding injuries, their mechanisms and prevention in various scientific articles. Publications describing injuries that occur while snowboarding were reviewed using the PubMed platform. The search included the keywords 'snowboard', 'injuries', 'fracture', ‘trauma’.

Introduction Overactive bladder syndrome poses a major challenge to healthcare, as an accurate estimate of its prevalence proves elusive due to patients' reluctance to disclose the embarrassing symptoms that accompany the disorder. Symptoms such as frequent urination, nocturia and incontinence are not only distressing but also significantly impair patients' quality of life. Effective diagnosis and treatment require the identification of associated risk factors, and behavioural therapy serves as the basis for implementing lifestyle modifications. This comprehensive study delves into the managing of overactive bladder syndrome, shedding light on recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. In particular, it looks at the integration of minimally invasive techniques and new medications that promise to not only alleviate symptoms, but also significantly improve patients' overall quality of life. Aim of the study This review aims to identify risk factors, symptoms, methods of diagnosis of overactive bladder syndrome and solutions in its treatment process. The main aim is to present treatment methods with the latest developments. Material and method This article presents the current state of knowledge about overactive bladder syndrome in various scientific articles. Publications describing overactive bladder syndrome, its symptoms, impact on life comfort and treatment options, including recent reports in the field, were reviewed using the PubMed platform. The search included the keywords ‘overactive bladder’, ‘urgency urinary incontinence’, ‘anticholinergics’, ‘mirabegron’, ‘nocturia’.

The dataset contains LEGO bricks sets item count and pricing history for AI-based set pricing prediction. The data spans the timeframe from June 2018 to June 2023. The data was obtained from three sources: Brickset.com (LEGO sets retail prices, release dates, and IDs), Lego.com official web page (ID number of each set that was released by Lego, its retail prices, the current status of the set) and promoklocki.pl web page (the retail prices for Poland, prices from aftermarket transactions). The data was merged based on the official LEGO set ID. With high granularity of the data (averaged monthly prices per LEGO set) the dataset permits the computation of variables at the set level and could support both aggregate and time-series analyses whereas the sparseness of the data permits the analysis of collector behavior allowing pinpointing of expected qualities from the purchased products and their resale potential. This may be useful to a broad range of researchers and data scientists using statistical methods and machine-learning techniques for price prediction.

Abstract This study compared external training load (ETL) and its temporal changes across repetitions during a speed endurance production (SEP) training comprised of 1 × 1 short-bout, small-sided games (SSGs) in elite youth soccer players. Twenty U18 players were divided into two groups (SEP1 and SEP2) performing six 30 s and 45 s bouts of SSG (work-to-rest ratio 1:4) on a 10 by 15 m field. ETL was characterized by the total distance covered, Player Load, the total number of accelerations/decelerations, and their relative values (per minute). Significant overall decreases in the ETL parameter values across six repetitions in both SSG groups were observed relative to the measurement in the first set beginning in 3rd (SEP1) or 4th (SEP2) repetitions. Significant greater decreases in Player Load (F(5.90) = 2.99, p

The increasing demand placed on professional athletes to enhance their fitness and performance has prompted the search for new, more sensitive biomarkers of physiological ability. One such potential biomarker includes microRNA (miRNA) small regulatory RNA sequences. The study investigated the levels of the selected circulating miRNAs before and after a 10-week training cycle in 12 professional female volleyball players, as well as their association with cortisol, creatine kinase (CK), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), using the qPCR technique. Significant decreases in the miR-22 (0.40 ± 0.1 vs. 0.28 ± 0.12, p = 0.009), miR-17 (0.35 ± 0.13 vs. 0.23 ± 0.08; p = 0.039), miR-24 (0.09 ± 0.04 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02; p = 0.001), and miR-26a (0.11 ± 0.06 vs. 0.06 ± 0.04; p = 0.003) levels were observed after training, alongside reduced levels of cortisol and IL-6. The correlation analysis revealed associations between the miRNAs’ relative quantity and the CK concentrations, highlighting their potential role in the muscle repair processes. The linear regression analysis indicated that miR-24 and miR-26a had the greatest impact on the CK levels. The study provides insights into the dynamic changes in the miRNA levels during training, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for monitoring the adaptive responses to exercise. Overall, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the physiological effects of exercise and the potential use of miRNAs, especially miR-24 and miR-26a, as biomarkers in sports science and medicine.