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Disorders of the vaginal microbiota can lead to many complications and affect fertility. This study evaluates the role of Lactobacillus in the vagina and its impact on the incidence of colonization by pathogenic microorganisms, analyzing the results of 1,039 women of reproductive age (18–49 years) who underwent a microbiological examination of the reproductive tract in 2020. Samples were examined by microscopy, culture, and NAAT. As the number of Lactobacillus increases, the chance of developing symptoms decreases. In fact, it has been shown that the higher the number of Lactobacillus spp. the less frequently Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus group B are observed. As the concentration of Lactobacillus spp. increases by one category, the risk of G. vaginalis after adjustment to age and pH decreases by 80% (p < 0.001). Similarly, the correlation between Lactobacillus spp. and vaginal pH was shown. After adjustment to age, the odds of prevalence pH > 4.5 for people with Lactobacillus category higher 1 is 76% lower.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, are the most commonly prescribed drugs. Treatment with PPIs alters gut microbiota composition and reduces the production of reactive oxygen (ROS) and proinflammatory IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokines. Here, using the T cell-dependent contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response, an animal model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) that affects up to 30% of the population, we demonstrated that a two-week omeprazole treatment suppresses the development of CHS. Omeprazole treatment before CHS induction, reduced inflammatory response in ears measured by ear swelling, ear biopsy weight, MPO activity, and proinflammatory cytokine production. These changes were associated with reduced frequency of TCRαβ+ CD4+ IL-17A+ and TCRαβ+ CD8+ IL-17A+ T cells and increased frequency of TCRαβ+ CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Treg, and TCRαβ+ CD4+ IL-10+ Tr1 cells in peripheral lymphoid organs. Omeprazole treatment decreased the production of ROS, TNF-α, and IL-6, which supported Th17 cell induction, and increased the frequency of Clostridium cluster XIVab and Lactobacillus, implicated in Treg cell induction. The fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment confirmed the role of omeprazole-induced changes in gut microbiota profile in CHS suppression. Our data suggests that omeprazole ameliorates inflammatory response mediated by T-cells.

The article presents the first implementation of the Signal Doppler Frequency (SDF) location method on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) named Autonomous System of Location radio EmmiteRs (ASLER), employing a DJI Matrice UAV as its mobile platform for the radio sensor. The system is used for position estimation, i.e., determining the location coordinates of localized radio emitters. Such functionality is the basis of radio reconnaissance, electronic warfare, or combat systems, and many radio navigation systems. The ASLER localization procedure is based on the Doppler localization method, also known as the SDF. Its distinctive feature is the use of a single moving platform for localization. In addition, the SDF allows simultaneous localization of multiple emission sources, which is an innovative distinction compared to other solutions of this class. ASLER is the first autonomous implementation of the SDF method on a flying platform. This paper illustrates the hardware and software implementation of location sensor, and results of the first empirical studies.

Dietary butyrate is considered to have mostly positive impacts on the ruminal epithelium. However, its supplementation in a high-concentrate diet may not be justified as excessive ruminal butyrate may negatively affect the rumen. Furthermore, butyrate impact on the rumen may depend on its source. Thirty-two Świniarka growing rams (30.6 ± 2.5 kg; 11–14 months of age) were used to investigate the effect of a high-concentrate diet and sodium butyrate (SB) or tributyrin (TB) supplementation in a high-concentrate diet on the rumen structure and selected functions. The rams were allocated to four treatments and fed diets with: (1) low concentrate inclusion (22.5% of diet DM; L); (2) high concentrate inclusion (60% of diet DM; H); (3) H with SB (3.2% of diet DM; H+SB); and (4) H with TB (2.93% of diet DM; H+TB). The preplanned contrasts were used for treatment comparisons (L vs H treatments (H, H+SB, and H+TB), H vs H+SB, and H vs H+TB). The BW, BW gain and DM intake did not differ between treatments. In the atrium ruminis, epithelium thickness did not differ between the L and H treatments (P = 0.46), tended to be higher for H+SB than for H (P = 0.09) but did not differ between H+TB and H (P = 0.61). The expression of downregulated in adenoma was higher for L than for H treatments (P = 0.03) but was not affected by SB or TB supplementation (P ≥ 0.26). In the ventral rumen, the mucosa surface and epithelium thickness were lower for L than for H treatments (P

Abstract Background Sarcoptic mange is rare in cats. The main symptoms reported in cases of feline sarcoptic mange include crusty lesions and pruritus, although these may vary in severity among individuals. Objectives This report describes three cats infested with Sarcoptes scabiei, all presenting with pruritus and excoriation. Methods The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic observation of skin scrape samples. Results All three cats were treated successfully using moxidectin and imidacloprid, selamectin and ivermectin, respectively. Conclusions The clinical presentation of feline scabies appears to be more variable in cats than in dogs. Infestation with S. scabiei should be considered a differential diagnosis for cats presenting with pruritic inflammatory skin disease.

The European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET), part of the Aerosols, Clouds and Trace gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS), organized an intensive observational campaign in May 2020, with the objective of monitoring the atmospheric state over Europe during the COVID-19 lockdown and relaxation period. Besides the standard operational processing of the lidar data in EARLINET, for seven EARLINET sites having collocated sun-photometric observations in the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), a network exercise was held in order to derive profiles of the concentration and effective column size distributions of the aerosols in the atmosphere, by applying the GRASP/GARRLiC (from Generalized Aerosol Retrieval from Radiometer and Lidar Combined data – GARRLiC – part of the Generalized Retrieval of Atmosphere and Surface Properties – GRASP) inversion algorithm. The objective of this network exercise was to explore the possibility of identifying the anthropogenic component and of monitoring its spatial and temporal characteristics in the COVID-19 lockdown and relaxation period. While the number of cases is far from being statistically significant so as to provide a conclusive description of the atmospheric aerosols over Europe during this period, this network exercise was fundamental to deriving a common methodology for applying GRASP/GARRLiC to a network of instruments with different characteristics. The limits of the approach are discussed, in particular the missing information close to the ground in the lidar measurements due to the instrument geometry and the sensitivity of the GRASP/GARRLiC retrieval to the settings used, especially for cases with low aerosol optical depth (AOD) like the ones we show here. We found that this sensitivity is well-characterized in the GRASP/GARRLiC products, since it is included in their retrieval uncertainties.

Abstract Background Textbook outcome (TO) is a composite measure reflecting various aspects of services provided to patients with solid malignancies. We sought to evaluate the importance of various TO components previously proposed for gastric cancer. Methods Prospectively maintained electronic databases of 1,743 patients treated in two academic surgical centres were reviewed. Six candidate definitions of TO were evaluated based on their ability to accurately predict patients’ prognosis by Cox proportional hazards modelling. Results TO definition combining 10 measures corresponding to complete tumour resection with an uneventful postoperative course showed the best goodness of fit by achieving the lowest values of Akaike (AIC) and Bayesian (BIC) information criteria and the best predictive performance based on the highest value of c-index. The overall median survival was significantly longer for patients with than without textbook outcome (69.0 vs 20.1 months, P

Czy w obrębie polskiego systemu szkolnictwa wyższego sztuka jest nauką? Choć w oficjalnych dokumentach mowa o „poziomie artystycznym prowadzonej działalności naukowej”, kluczowa instytucja narodowa promująca badania naukowe nie finansuje działalności artystycznej. Rodzi się zatem pytanie o obecność sztuki i kryteria jej ewaluacji nie tylko w ramach dyscyplin artystycznych, lecz również nauk humanistycznych i społecznych. Mowa tu o praktykach opartych na sztuce (Art Based Research), przekraczających konwencje zarówno sztuki, jak i badań naukowych. Włączenie sztuki w obszar nauki jest bowiem równoznaczne z wyborem sposobu, poprzez który świat ma być opisywany i doświadczany, wpływa na dobór tematów i pytań badawczych. Wzbudzając emocje, kwestionuje dominującą rolę słowa, podważa pozytywistyczną dychotomię fakt–fikcja, racjonalne–emocjonalne. Jednocześnie otwiera się na otoczenie społeczne, dążąc ku generowaniu wiedzy społecznie i politycznie zaangażowanej. Nowe formy przedstawienia wymagają nie tylko wypracowania przez badaczy nowych kompetencji, lecz również ustalenia nowych kryteriów oceny badań naukowych, a być może również redefinicji podstawowych pojęć, takich jak nauka, wiedza czy badanie. Ustalenie i wdrożenie tych kryteriów jest zależne od decyzji państwowego systemu szkolnictwa, od władzy ewaluacyjnej kształtującej również sektor nauki.

This paper presents the process of the optimization of linear ball bearings with four-point connection using a genetic algorithm and the finite element method. Currently, modern steering systems without an intermediate shaft—steer-by-wire systems—are being developed. The focus of this paper was on the optimization of linear ball bearings with four-point connection, embedded between the outer and inner columns tube in terms of the number of balls in the bearing and the clearance between balls. The aim of the research was to maximize the first two natural frequencies in the steering system, which is crucial for improving the stability and efficiency of the system. Various factors influencing natural vibration such as bearing geometry, raceway and ball materials, and operating conditions (preload) were taken into account in the research. Preload is a major factor affecting not only linear motion but also natural frequency. In order to speed up the calculations, the author’s simplified model of a linear bearing with the use of a system of springs was proposed. The nonlinear properties of the spring were determined on the basis of Hertz’s theory. A genetic optimization process resulted in a linear bearing structure that meets the natural frequency criteria. In addition, the full reference model was numerically compared with the simplified one, which showed convergent results of natural frequencies.

Between 14 March and 21 April 2022, an extensive investigation of an extraordinary Saharan dust intrusion over Europe was performed based on lidar measurements obtained by the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). The dust episode was divided into two distinct periods, one in March and one in April, characterized by different dust transport paths. The dust aerosol layers were studied over 18 EARLINET stations, examining aerosol characteristics during March and April in four different regions (M-I, M-II, M-III, and M-IV and A-I, A-II, A-III, and A-IV, respectively), focusing on parameters such as aerosol layer thickness, center of mass (CoM), lidar ratio (LR), particle linear depolarization ratio (PLDR), and Ångström exponents (ÅE). In March, regions exhibited varying dust geometrical and optical properties, with mean CoM values ranging from approximately 3.5 to 4.8 km, and mean LR values typically between 36 and 54 sr. PLDR values indicated the presence of both pure and mixed dust aerosols, with values ranging from 0.20 to 0.32 at 355 nm and 0.24 to 0.31 at 532 nm. ÅE values suggested a range of particle sizes, with some regions showing a predominance of coarse particles. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) simulations from the NAAPS model indicated significant dust activity across Europe, with AOD values reaching up to 1.60. In April, dust aerosol layers were observed between 3.2 to 5.2 km. Mean LR values typically ranged from 35 to 51 sr at both 355 nm and 532 nm, while PLDR values confirmed the presence of dust aerosols, with mean values between 0.22 and 0.31 at 355 nm and 0.25 to 0.31 at 532 nm. The ÅE values suggested a mixture of particle sizes. The AOD values in April were generally lower, not exceeding 0.8, indicating a less intense dust presence compared to March. The findings highlight spatial and temporal variations in aerosol characteristics across the regions, during the distinctive periods. From 15 to 16 March 2022, Saharan dust significantly reduced UV-B radiation by approximately 14% over the ATZ station (Athens, GR). Backward air mass trajectories showed that the dust originated from the Western and Central Sahara when, during this specific case, the air mass trajectories passed over GRA (Granada, ES) and PAY (Payerne, CH) before reaching ATZ, maintaining high relative humidity and almost stable aerosol properties throughout its transport. Lidar data revealed elevated aerosol backscatter (baer) and PLDR values, combined with low LR and ÅE values, indicative of pure dust aerosols.

Understanding the structural changes taking place during the assembly of single atoms leading to the formation of atomic clusters and bulk materials remains challenging. The isolation and theoretical characterization of medium-sized clusters can shed light on the processes that occur during the transition to a solid-state structure. In this work, we synthesize and isolate a continuous 24-atom cluster Ge244-, which is characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, showing an elongated structural characteristic. Theoretical analysis reveals that electron delocalization plays a vital role in the formation and stabilization of the prolate cluster. In contrast with carbon atoms, 4 s orbitals of Ge-atoms do not easily hybridize with 4p orbitals and s-type lone-pairs can be localized with high occupancy. Thus, there are not enough electrons to form a stable symmetrical fullerene-like structure such as C24 fullerene. Three aromatic units with two [Ge9] and one [Ge6] species, connected by classical 2c-2e Ge-Ge σ-bonds, are aligned together forming three independent shielding cones and eventually causing a collapse of the global symmetry of the Ge244- cluster.

The aim of this research was to prepare the basis for the certification of the apple orchard protection program by determining disappearance models for active ingredients (AIs) of plant protection products (PPPs) in fruits. Field trials were carried out in a conventional apple orchard protected with PPPs in accordance with the currently adopted program. Residues of their AIs were determined using Agilent GC-MS/MS 7000D and LC-MS/MS 6470 QQQ, and their decreases were expressed by the exponential formula: R t = R 0 × e–k × t. Of all the AIs found in mature fruits, captan disappeared at the fastest rate [t (1/2) in the range of 9 to 13 days], followed by fluopyram [t (1/2) = 13 days], tebuconazole [t (1/2) = 14 days] and carbendazim [t (1/2) in the range of 24 to 32 days]. With the exception of dithiocarbamates and some fungicides (e.g., Captan 80 WDG) based on captan and methyl thiophanate, other insecticides and fungicides currently recommended can be used up to 3 months before harvest practically with virtually no restrictions. From July 15 to August 15, the chemicals effective at application rates not exceeding 0.3 kg of AI per ha should be used. To protect apples against storage diseases, PPPs that are effective at a dose ≤ 0.1 kg AI per ha (e.g., certain triazoles or strobilurins) and applied not later than 1 month before harvest, should be used.

This article focuses on the influence of occupants on the concentration of contaminants (radon Rn-222 and CO2) as well as the thermal comfort parameters. A series of sensors were placed to measure the concentration of the contaminants, temperature, and relative humidity in the test room at the Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN in Krakow (IFJ PAN), Poland. The test room is an office that is typical of the offices used in the facility. The occupants that used the space kept a detailed diary of their entry, exit, and number of people entering. The results showed that the accumulation of contaminants in such spaces may be severe and risks the health and safety of occupants. The accumulation of CO2 was extremely noticeable and did not diminish to the background level between the re-entry of the occupants to the office. The same was consistent for the radon concentration. The study shows how ventilation methods and small changes in occupant work strategy may influence the contaminant concentration within a test zone.

Globally, an increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) prompts a need for the development of new methods for early tumor detection. MicroRNAs (also referred to as miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression. MiRNAs are effectively transferred to extracellular vesicle (EVs) membrane sacs commonly released by cells. Our study aimed to examine the expression of miRNAs in four CRC cell lines and EVs derived from them (tumor EVs) in comparison to the normal colon epithelium cell line and its EVs. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from the culture supernatant of SW480, SW620, SW1116, HCT116 and normal CCD841CoN cell lines and characterized according to the MISEV2023 guidelines. MiRNAs were analyzed by small RNA sequencing and validated by quantitative PCR. The performed analysis revealed 22 common miRNAs highly expressed in CRC cell lines and effectively transferred to tumor EVs, including miR-9-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-196b-5p, miR-200b-5p, miR-200c-3p, miR-425-5p and miR-429, which are associated with development, proliferation, invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells, as well as in vesicle maturation and transport-associated pathways. In parallel, normal cells expressed miRNAs, such as miR-369 and miR-143, which play a role in proinflammatory response and tumor suppression. The analysis of selected miRNAs in plasma-derived EVs and tumor samples from CRC patients showed the similarity of miRNA expression profile between the patients’ samples and CRC cell lines. Moreover, miR-182-5p, miR-196-5p, miR-425-5p and miR-429 were detected in several EV samples isolated from patients’ plasma. Our results suggest that miR-182-5p, miR-196b-5p and miR-429 are differentially expressed between EVs from CRC patients and healthy donors, which might have clinical implications.

One of the methods to reduce long-term excessive plastic waste is the development and use of composite materials based on biodegradable polymers and natural fibres. Composites with natural fibres can exhibit very good mechanical properties, and the presence of natural fibres can significantly accelerate the degradation of the material. This study aimed to manufacture and analyse the biodegradation process of composites based on biodegradable polylactide (PLA) filled with flax and sheep wool fibres. The effect of flax and wool fibres and their content on the degradation rate compared to that of pure PLA was investigated. The degradation progress and properties of the composites were studied using an optical microscope, SEM, measurement of surface roughness, and contact angle. Additionally, flexural strength tests, a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted. The effect of natural fibres on the phase transition and degree of crystallinity was analysed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that PLA degrades only under UV light, but not in the composter simulating the natural environment. However, the incorporation of both types of fibres accelerated degradation of PLA/fibres composites in soil. Flax fibre composites exhibited better mechanical properties than pure PLA. For composites with wool fibres, although they showed a significant acceleration of the degradation process in the soil, their large content in the composite caused a reduction of mechanical properties. This research showed the positive effect of the addition of natural fibres on the biodegradation of PLA.

One requirement posed by customers is to achieve adequate durability levels as described in technical requirement documents. Modal analysis is one of the design assessments aimed at identifying the risks of high cycle fatigue (HCF). This article presents a novel application of an artificial immune system (AIS) in the optimization of a nozzle guide vane’s modal characteristics. The aim is to optimize the system’s natural frequencies in the vibration vane and adjacent hardware (turbine casing). The geometrical characteristics accounted for in the optimization process include the shell thicknesses on the turbine casing side and the nozzle outer band features (hook thickness, leaning and position). The optimization process is based on a representative model established from FEM analysis results. The framework is robust because of the applied metamodel and does not require time-consuming FEM analysis in order to evaluate the fitness function. The aim is to minimize the model area (a derivative of the system weight) with constraints imposed on the frequency (a penalty function). The optimum design is given as the solution with an increased shell thickness in the turbine casing and leaning nozzle outer band hooks to obtain the maximum stiffness of the system. The results obtained by means of the artificial immune system (AIS) and a novel variant based on an additional costimulation procedure (CAIS) are compared with the solution obtained by means of a genetic algorithm implemented in the commercial CAE software (Ansys version 19.2).

The purpose of this study is to determine the material properties of CFRP composites in the form of a fabric for the construction of racing car bodywork. This work focused on the determination of the strength and tribological properties as well as investigating the effects of the operating environment on the developed material. Three material variants, differing in the number of layers used to produce the reinforcement, were used in this study. The tests were carried out on two-/three-/four-layer sheets produced by infusion. Due to the later use of the tested composites for the sheathing of a racing car, the results obtained were analysed in terms of the most favourable strength properties while keeping the weight as low as possible. In this study, the hardness, impact strength, and tensile and bending stresses of the developed composites were examined. In addition to the strength properties, the density, the effects of immersion in water, and the composite’s resistance to staining and friction in the presence of aggressive media were also checked. The structure and the breakthroughs resulting from the strength tests were observed using a stereoscopic microscope. The material’s resistance to sunlight and UVB was also tested.

Abstract Sharing of data, processing tools, and workflows require open data hosting services and management tools. Despite FAIR guidelines and the increasing demand from funding agencies and publishers, only a few animal studies share all experimental data and processing tools. We present a step-by-step protocol to perform version control and remote collaboration for large multimodal datasets. A data management plan was introduced to ensure data security in addition to a homogeneous file and folder structure. Changes to the data were automatically tracked using DataLad and all data was shared on the research data platform GIN. This simple and cost-effective workflow facilitates the adoption of FAIR data logistics and processing workflows by making the raw and processed data available and providing the technical infrastructure to independently reproduce the data processing steps. It enables the community to collect heterogeneously acquired and stored datasets not limited to a specific category of data and serves as a technical infrastructure blueprint with rich potential to improve data handling at other sites and extend to other research areas.

This article focuses on discussing the adsorption process of phenol and its chloro-derivatives on the HDTMA-modified halloysite. Optimized chemical structures of phenol, 2-, 3-, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichloro-, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol were obtained with computational calculation (the Scigress program). Charge distributions and the hypothetical structure of the system HDTMA-modified halloysite are among their key features. The above-mentioned calculations are applied in order to explain adsorption mechanism details of chlorophenols on the HDTMA-modified halloysite in aqueous solutions. The results of electron density distribution and solvent accessible surface area calculations for phenol and chlorophenols molecules illustrate the impact of chlorine substitution position in a phenol molecule, both on the mechanism and the kinetics of their adsorption in aqueous solutions. Experimental adsorption data were sufficiently represented using the Langmuir multi-center adsorption model for all adsorbates. In addition, the relations between adsorption isotherm parameters and the adsorbate properties were discussed. This study also targets at explaining the role of meta position as a chlorine substituent for mono-chloro derivatives. Given the above findings, two possible mechanisms were utilized as regards chlorophenol adsorption on the HDTMA-modified halloysite, i.e., electrostatic and partition interactions when the chlorophenols exist in a molecular form.

Increased ruminal butyrate production is considered to have a positive impact on rumen epithelium growth and function. However, excessive ruminal butyrate production may affect the rumen negatively, particularly when the rumen is already challenged with low pH. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of concentrates in the diet and sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on ruminal epithelium growth and function in growing rams. Forty-two rams (27.8 ± 7.3 kg; 9–14 months of age) were allocated into six treatments and fed a diet with low (22.5% of diet DM; LOW) or high (60% of diet DM; HIGH) inclusion of concentrates in combination with no (SB0), 1.6% (SB1.6) or 3.2% (SB3.2) of diet DM inclusion of SB. There was no impact of the investigated factors on papilla dimensions and mucosa surface area, either in the atrium ruminis or ventral rumen (P ≥ 0.11). Stratum corneum thickness was higher for HIGH compared to LOW treatments (P ≤ 0.04), independently of the location in the rumen. In the atrium ruminis, the epithelium and living strata thickness quadratically increased due to SB supplementation for LOW treatments but quadratically decreased for HIGH treatments (concentrate inclusion × butyrate supplementation interaction; P ≤ 0.03); conversely, in the ventral sac of the rumen, a thicker epithelium was observed due to both increased concentrate inclusion in the diet and SB supplementation (P