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Abstract Peripheral Nerve Injuries (PNI) affect more than 20 million Americans and severely impact quality of life by causing long-term disability. PNI is characterized by nerve degeneration distal to the site of nerve injury resulting in long periods of skeletal muscle denervation. During this period, muscle fibers atrophy and frequently become incapable of “accepting” innervation because of the slow speed of axon regeneration post injury. We hypothesize that reprogramming the skeletal muscle to an embryonic-like state may preserve its reinnervation capability following PNI. To this end, we generate a mouse model in which NANOG, a pluripotency-associated transcription factor is expressed locally upon delivery of doxycycline (Dox) in a polymeric vehicle. NANOG expression in the muscle upregulates the percentage of Pax7+ nuclei and expression of eMYHC along with other genes that are involved in muscle development. In a sciatic nerve transection model, NANOG expression leads to upregulation of key genes associated with myogenesis, neurogenesis and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation. Further, NANOG mice demonstrate extensive overlap between synaptic vesicles and NMJ acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) indicating restored innervation. Indeed, NANOG mice show greater improvement in motor function as compared to wild-type (WT) animals, as evidenced by improved toe-spread reflex, EMG responses and isometric force production. In conclusion, we demonstrate that reprogramming muscle can be an effective strategy to improve reinnervation and functional outcomes after PNI.

Abstract Background Major psychotic disorders (MPD), including schizophrenia (SCZ) and schizoaffective disorder (SAD), are severe neuropsychiatric conditions with unclear causes. Understanding their pathophysiology is essential for better diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Recent research highlights the role of inflammation and the immune system, particularly the Interleukin 17 (IL-17) family, in these disorders. Elevated IL-17 levels have been found in MPD, and human IL-17 A antibodies are available. Changes in chemokine levels, such as CCL20, are also noted in SCZ. This study investigates the relationship between serum levels of IL-17 A and CCL20 in MPD patients and their clinical characteristics. Method We conducted a case-control study at the Ibn Sina Psychiatric Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) in 2023. The study involved 101 participants, of which 71 were MPD patients and 30 were healthy controls (HC). The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was utilized to assess the symptoms of MPD patients. Serum levels of CCL20 and IL-17 A were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. We also gathered data on lipid profiles and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS). Results The mean age of patients was 41.04 ± 9.93 years. The median serum levels of CCL20 and IL-17 A were significantly elevated in MPD patients compared to HC (5.8 (4.1–15.3) pg/mL and 4.2 (3–5) pg/mL, respectively; p

Abstract Background Although the skeleton remains a common target of primary hyperparathyroidism, the classic bone disease “osteitis fibrosa cystica” is currently rare due to early diagnosis. This case represents severe classic bone manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism due to delayed diagnosis and delayed medical attention. Case presentation A 19-year-old young female was symptomatically managed for chronic back pain and nonspecific bone pain in the small joints of both hands over 2 months by a general practitioner. The patient had delayed seeking for treatment for 3 months. Later, she was evaluated for tuberculosis, hematological malignancies and rheumatic disorders following a fractured T12 vertebra and underwent pedicle screw fixation. However, clinical examination and investigations, including biochemistry, imaging and histology, ruled out the above conditions. Unfortunately, serum calcium level was not performed at the initial presentation. Later, primary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed on the basis of moderate hypercalcaemia and elevated intact PTH levels (2064 pg/ml). She had sufficient vitamin D levels and normal kidney function. Her DXA scan revealed severe secondary osteoporosis with the lowest Z score of -8 at the total lumbar spine. Ultrasonography of the thyroid revealed a hypo echoic mass in the left lower neck, and localization studies with technetium-99 m sestamibi and 4D-CT revealed a left inferior parathyroid adenoma (1.6 × 1.5 × 1.6 cm). CT scan also revealed brown tumors in the mandible and vertebrae and diffuse bony changes in the skull, sternum, humerus and vertebrae. Her radiographs revealed subperiosteal bone resorption on the radial aspects of the middle and distal phalanges and brown tumors in both the ulna and fibula. We excluded MEN and other hereditary syndromes in our patient with a personal and family history and with a normal pituitary hormone profile because of poor resources for genetic testing. She underwent parathyroid adenoma excision, and the postoperative period was complicated with hungry bone syndrome, requiring high doses of calcium and active vitamin D supplements. These supplements were gradually weaned off over 6 months, and she recovered with normal biochemical investigations. Histology revealed parathyroid adenoma without malignant features. Conclusion In developing countries where routine calcium screening is not available, clinicians should be aware of various manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism to allow diagnosis as soon as possible without delay to prevent further progression, as it is a treatable condition.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between family communication and the psychological impact of COVID-19 on university students in Kosovo. A total of 765 university students across Kosovo responded to an online survey assessing anxiety, family communication, and mental health impact of COVID-19 through the GAD-7 questionnaire, FACES-IV, and self-rated mental health, respectively. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and regression analyses were conducted. Anxiety was reported by 41.3% of the students, and every fourth student had a perception of poor mental health (25%). Students who reported the most severe levels of anxiety also reported the lowest levels of family communication; severity of anxiety increased with a decrease in family communication. The COVID-19 infection seem to have impacted family communication; however, more in-depth studies, including cultural context factors, are needed to thoroughly examine changes in family communication dynamics and the impact of relevant factors on student's mental health.

Aref Shahini,1 Mostafa Yazdimamaghani,2 Kenneth J Walker,2 Margaret A Eastman,3 Hamed Hatami-Marbini,4 Brenda J Smith,5 John L Ricci,6 Sundar V Madihally,2 Daryoosh Vashaee,1 Lobat Tayebi2,7 1School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, 2School of Chemical Engineering, 3Department of Chemistry, 4School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 5Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA; 6Department of Biomaterials and Biomimetics, New York University, New York, NY; 7School of Material Science and Engineering, Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK, USA Abstract: Bone healing can be significantly expedited by applying electrical stimuli in the injured region. Therefore, a three-dimensional (3D) ceramic conductive tissue engineering scaffold for large bone defects that can locally deliver the electrical stimuli is highly desired. In the present study, 3D conductive scaffolds were prepared by employing a biocompatible conductive polymer, ie, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), in the optimized nanocomposite of gelatin and bioactive glass. For in vitro analysis, adult human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded in the scaffolds. Material characterizations using hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance, in vitro degradation, as well as thermal and mechanical analysis showed that incorporation of PEDOT:PSS increased the physiochemical stability of the composite, resulting in improved mechanical properties and biodegradation resistance. The outcomes indicate that PEDOT:PSS and polypeptide chains have close interaction, most likely by forming salt bridges between arginine side chains and sulfonate groups. The morphology of the scaffolds and cultured human mesenchymal stem cells were observed and analyzed via scanning electron microscope, micro-computed tomography, and confocal fluorescent microscope. Increasing the concentration of the conductive polymer in the scaffold enhanced the cell viability, indicating the improved microstructure of the scaffolds or boosted electrical signaling among cells. These results show that these conductive scaffolds are not only structurally more favorable for bone tissue engineering, but also can be a step forward in combining the tissue engineering techniques with the method of enhancing the bone healing by electrical stimuli. Keywords: conductive polymers, bone scaffold, gelatin, bioactive glass nanoparticles, PEDOT:PSS, conductive scaffold

This paper examines the persistent issue of corruption in Albania, which continues to plague crucial areas of higher education such as learning assessment. Emphasising the significant impact of political influence on student evaluations, the article draws on survey results to address the issue. It suggests that this influence stems from historical factors and current political dynamics. In addition, the paper analyzes the exploitation of anti-corruption rhetoric in higher education as a tool for political control, and discusses the considerable challenges which anti-corruption campaigns face due to political interference and institutional resistance. In conclusion, the paper argues that a holistic approach, considering historical, institutional, and political contexts, is essential for effectively observing corruption in higher education.

Abstract Nowadays, direct absorption solar collectors are a new concept of solar collectors which have attracted special attention. The type of heat transfer fluid (HTF) has a significant influence on the efficiency of this kind of collector. Therefore, in this study, a wide range of working fluids including mono nanofluid (Al 2 O 3 and CuO), binary nanofluid, and especially the incorporation of a new hybrid combination of nanofluid and microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM), are used as the working fluids of a triple‐walled direct absorption evacuated tube solar collector. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used for simulating the collector and investigating the effect of different parameters including volume fraction, base fluid, mass flow rate, and type of absorber tube structure (double‐ and triple‐walled) on collector thermal performance. Results show that binary nanofluids of 0.06% Al 2 O 3/0.002% CuO/water and 0.06% Al 2 O 3/0.002% CuO/ethylene glycol (EG) have the largest working fluid temperature differentials equal to 48.31 and 66.5 K, respectively. It was inferred that, at the mass flow rate of 2.7 kg / h, the efficiency is obtained to be 60.29% employing binary/EG nanofluid, which is 8.68% and 15.31% higher than CuO/EG and Al 2 O 3/EG nanofluids, respectively. Inserting the hybrid CuO nanofluid/MPCM leads to an improvement of 1.14% and 1.22% in the efficiency of triple‐ and double‐walled collectors, respectively, with respect to the individual usage of the nanofluid. The thermal efficiency of the double‐walled structure is higher than triple‐walled considering all HTFs.

The evolution of society creates new trends that significantly affect the legal status of public administration, which necessitates an up-to-date study of the accompanying changes. The study therefore aims to analyse the current legal system of Albania and other countries in terms of the impact of legal acts on the entire system of public administration, including local self-government. A set of methods was used in the study, including the analysis, grouping, induction, formal legal and comparative legal approaches. The study identified the overall impact of legal regulation on the entire governance system and society, which was used to formulate specific aspects in which the real interaction of state mechanisms and legal influence takes place. The study analysed the current political and economic situation in Albania, which revealed the main trends in the country’s current strategic directions. Subsequently, the identified directions were studied in detail, which ultimately made it possible to substantiate the importance of the list of strategic legal acts in shaping the development of the entire public administration system. Examples from other countries, such as Germany, the United Kingdom and China, were also used to study this topic, identifying the main differences in the impact of legal regulation on the development of the system under consideration, considering the specific legal, social and economic situation of each country. In addition, the complex also examined the institution of local self-government, which showed how the level of decentralisation of such bodies can affect the success and efficiency of their functioning. In practical terms, this study can be useful for scholars who can deepen their understanding of the dynamics of public administration development and for officials who want to understand the essence of the interaction discussed in the study

Considering the impact of pandemic condition on mental health and functioning in daily life, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Big Five personality traits, coping strategies and emotional problems such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to create a model of the impact of coping strategies as mediating factors in the relationship between Big Five personality traits personality traits and emotional problems. For the purposes of this study, a sample of 200 Kosovar respondents was used, where the age of the participants varies from 18 to 54 years. As a result of the pandemic situation created, the method of data collection for this study was done in the form of self-reporting, divided into physical questionnaires and online ones. The BFI Personality Inventory is used to classify Big Five personality traits, the Coping Control Checklist (WCCL) to classify coping strategies, and the Adult Self-Reporting Questionnaire (ASR) used to identify emotional problems. The analysis of the results in this study was done by means of the statistical package of SPSS and R program. After the analysis, it is seen that there is a significant correlation between Big Five personality traits (extraversion and neuroticism) and coping strategies (seeking social support and avoidance), as well as there is a correlation between Big Five personality traits (compliance and neuroticism) and emotional problems (symptoms of anxiety and depression). An association was also found between coping strategies (avoidance) and emotional problems (anxiety symptoms). As for gender differences in experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms and using desired thoughts as coping strategies, it was found that women are more predisposed to experience anxiety symptoms and use desired thoughts than men. The findings highlighted the part that coping strategies are significant mediator factors in the relationship between Big Five personality traits and emotional problems., Author(s): Donjeta Gashi [sup.1] , Florim Gallopeni [sup.1] , Greta Imeri [sup.1] , Mimoza Shahini [sup.2] , Shegë Bahtiri [sup.1] [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) Heimerer College, , Prishtina, Kosovo (2) [...]

Diabesity and the related complications are challenging problems in the current era. Conventionally, glucagon was known for its benefit in the management of hypoglycemia due to its involvement in the counter-regulatory mechanism. The studies in the last decade have brought a tremendous change in the therapeutic benefits of glucagon, due to the identification of multiple pleiotropic effects of it. This has resulted in the development of newer therapies for diabetes and obesity by the incorporation of glucagon agonism into incretin-based therapies. These novel dual/triple agonists containing glucagon and incretins give promising and synergistic advantages in the management of metabolic complications of diabesity. The metabolic effects of glucagon receptor antagonists have been disappointing. In addition, novel stable formulations have been developed for the management of hypoglycemia. Dual-hormone automated delivery systems containing insulin and glucagon are another attractive advancement on the process of development to minimize hypoglycemia in long-standing diabetes parallelly with improvement in glycemic control. We summarize the novel mechanisms of glucagon identified and the glucagon-based advancements in the management of diabetes mellitus.

The European agricultural market is currently in a state of uncertainty – climate change, military operations on arable land and the partial blocking of traditional grain export routes have changed the usual food security balances and brought the world closer to the risks of global hunger. The study aimed to provide recommendations for the development of the Albanian agricultural sector, considering the current situation and the historical background of the country’s agriculture. Using such methods as statistical analysis, induction, classification, comparison and synthesis, the dynamics of development of both the Albanian economy as a whole and the specifics of its agricultural sector in the period from 1992 to 2022 were investigated. Modelling and generalisation methods were also used. The study obtained and analysed statistical information from previous years on such a basic economic indicator as gross domestic product and studied the dynamics of agricultural field crop production and the structure of their crops. Separately, the volume of Albania’s foreign trade in the agro-industrial complex was analysed in terms of imports of agricultural products, exports, and the balance of these two indicators. The elasticity of private farms was assessed and steps to reform the national assortment policy were proposed. These recommendations were developed considering the Albanian specifics of the relatively small average land area of rural households. In addition, the result of the work is the development of proposals for joint farming and the creation of a national unique trade advantage in the agricultural sector, which will have an economic effect in foreign markets. The practical significance of the study lies in an objective assessment of the current economic situation in the Albanian agroeconomy and the development of several recommendations that may be useful to representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania

The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of stock market development on economic growth for nine developed European countries.

One of the most essential procedures for individuals with biliopancreatic disorders is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). It is based on the combination of endoscopy and radiology to study the biliopancreatic ducts and apply therapeutic solutions. ERCP is currently used to treat choledocholithiasis with or without cholangitis, as well as pancreatic duct stones, benign bile, and pancreatic leaks. On the other hand, ERCP is an unpleasant procedure that must be conducted under anesthetic (moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia). With procedures becoming more challenging, the role of anesthesia in ERCP has become even more relevant, and the use of general anesthesia has become better defined. In the last decades, many drugs have been used and some new drugs, like dexmedetomidine, have been recently introduced for sedation or anesthesia during ERCP. Moreover, the scientific community is still divided on the level of sedation to be applied, as well as on appropriate airway management. We therefore performed a narrative review of the literature to assess currently available anesthetic medications for elective ERCP and evidence supporting their effectiveness.

The implementation of preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 in Kosovo resulted in the closure of educational institutions for all levels of education. The transitioning process from face-to-face to virtual or online classes' format was also coordinated for pre-school children, enabling their development at home. The research aims to shed light on the problems, needs, and difficulties the children of preparatory classes, their parents, and teachers face since the implementation of distance learning measures. For completing this survey, a qualitative research design was used. The empirical research was carried out through discussion in focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Our sample included 22 teachers and 22 parents of children and six leaders, from two municipalities of Kosovo, in Pristina and Gjilan, with a total of 50 respondents. The results of the research show that the new circumstances created as a result of the COVID-19 spread, including changes in education, have caused a range of difficulties for children, parents and teachers in Kosovo. Findings from the study confirm the common concerns of the reporting groups concerns, and assessments about the education achieved by the end of the school year 2019/2020. These concerns have been influenced by the lack of experienced teachers and parents have in supporting their pupils or children in online learning, the inadequate level of skills and knowledge in the use of technology, the absence of children in school environments, the inability to socialize and cooperate with peers, low attention and concentration in learning, and loss of creative skills, which can cause issues in the period of first-grade learning.