In-Depth Analysis of Low-Cost Micro Electromechanical System (MEMS) Accelerometers in the Context of Low Frequencies and Vibration Amplitudes.

Shock and vibration hazards to civil structures are common and come not only from earthquakes but most often from mining operations or foundation work involving the installation of piles using hammer-driving and vibrating technology. The purpose of this study is to present test methods for low-cost MEMS accelerometers in terms of their selection for low-amplitude acceleration vibration-prone object-monitoring systems. Tests of 24 commercially available digital accelerometers were carried out on a custom-built test bench, selecting four models for detailed tests conducted on a specially built precision vibration table capable of inflicting accelerations at frequencies of 1-2 Hz, using displacements as small as a few micrometers.

Effects of Cannabinoids on Intestinal Motility, Barrier Permeability, and Therapeutic Potential in Gastrointestinal Diseases.

Cannabinoids and their receptors play a significant role in the regulation of gastrointestinal (GIT) peristalsis and intestinal barrier permeability. This review critically evaluates current knowledge about the mechanisms of action and biological effects of endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids on GIT functions and the potential therapeutic applications of these compounds. The results of ex vivo and in vivo preclinical data indicate that cannabinoids can both inhibit and stimulate gut peristalsis, depending on various factors.

Scapular foramina - a systematic review with meta-analysis based on 3316 scapulae.

Purpose: In the present study, we want to systematize the previous studies on the scapular foramina (SF) and nutrient foramina (NF) with emphasis on the clinical relevance of this topic. Although seemingly not important, radiologists, clinicians and surgeons should be aware of the presence and characteristics of the SF and NF and look out for possible mistakes that may cause harm to the patients during either the diagnostic process or surgery.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar.

Validation of the Polish version of the Hand Function Scoring system.

Background: The Hand Function Scoring (HFS) system was created to assess the results of rehabilitation treatment after hand injuries. A perceived hand function improvement in patients who underwent carpal tunnel syndrome surgery prompted us to use the Watts HFS questionnaire in our study.

Objectives: The study aimed to: 1) translate and validate the new questionnaire into Polish; 2) analyze the usefulness of the scale in the preand post-operative assessment of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome; and 3) compare the results with other questionnaires recognized as the gold standard in carpal tunnel treatment evaluation.

Dual effect of vitamin D on breast cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in the tumor microenvironment. Despite the well-known in vitro antitumoral effect of vitamin D (VD), its impact on breast CAFs is almost unknown. In this study, we analyzed the ex vivo effects of calcitriol on CAFs isolated from breast cancer tissues.

Calcitriol promotes M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages in 4T1 mouse mammary gland cancer via the induction of proinflammatory cytokines.

Our research found that vitamin D (VD) treatment increased lung metastasis in mice with 4T1 murine breast cancer (BC). This study aims to investigate the impact of VD on the activation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in BC. Mice bearing 4T1, E0771, 67NR BC cells, and healthy mice, were fed diets with varying VD contents (100-deficient, 1000-normal, and 5000 IU/kg-elevated).

Prognostic value of plasma secretoneurin concentration in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in one-year follow-up.

Background: This is the first study to examine the clinical utility of measuring plasma secretoneurin (SN) levels in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), as a predictor of unplanned hospitalization, and all-cause mortality independently, and as a composite endpoint at one-year follow-up.

Methods: The study group includes 124 caucasian patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes II to IV. Plasma SN concentrations were statistically analyzed in relation to sex, age, BMI, etiology of HFrEF, pharmacotherapy, clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters.

Microbiological hazards associated with the use of water in the post-harvest handling and processing operations of fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables and herbs (ffFVHs). Part 1 (outbreak data analysis, literature review and stakeholder questionnaire).

The contamination of water used in post-harvest handling and processing operations of fresh and frozen fruit, vegetables and herbs (ffFVHs) is a global concern. The most relevant microbial hazards associated with this water are: , spp., human pathogenic and enteric viruses, which have been linked to multiple outbreaks associated with ffFVHs in the European Union (EU).

Determining the Possibilities of Reducing Visible Quality Defects in Commercial Elements of Turkey Carcasses Using an Alternative Stunning Device.

The development of the quality and commercial value of poultry meat is related to the formation of visible quality defects (hemorrhages) in muscles during the first stage of production (stunning). The production of meat with an unusual appearance for the consumers affects their purchasing decisions and, consequently, the company's economics. The aim of this research was to determine the possibility of reducing visible quality defects (large and small hemorrhages) in commercial turkey carcass elements (fillet, loin, wing) using an alternative device (AD) for the electrical stunning of animals in comparison to the quality effects obtained using the conventional device (CD) in plant X.

Shaping Poultry Meat Quality Attributes in the Context of Consumer Expectations and Preferences-A Case Study of Poland.

The optimisation of poultry meat quality attributes at the industrial level requires getting to know the changing customer needs and expectations to justify further measures taken in the future to improve the production process. This article was aimed at the following: (1) to identify and assess consumer expectations and behaviour in relation to the quality criteria for poultry meat offered on the market in Poland, and (2) to identify the significance of the sensory characteristics of poultry meat, mainly variegated colours on its surface, as a criterion for creating the expected quality in a shop. The study results showed that the attributes which significantly lower the quality and commercial value of meat are the defects noticeable on the fillet surface, namely discolouration and hematomas, which are mainly caused during the poultry stunning.

Prognostic Value of Plasma Catestatin Concentration in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Two-Year Follow-Up.

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of measuring plasma catestatin (CST) concentration in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) as a predictor of unplanned hospitalization and all-cause death independently and as a composite endpoint at 2-year follow-up. The study group includes 122 hospitalized Caucasian patients in NYHA classes II to IV. Patients who died during the 24-month follow-up period ( = 44; 36%) were significantly older on the day of enrollment, were more likely to be in a higher NYHA class, had lower TAPSE, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and platelet count, higher concentrations of CST, NT-proBNP, troponin T, creatinine, and glucose, and higher red cell distribution width value and leukocyte and neutrocyte count than patients who survived the follow-up period.

Electrical Parameters as Diagnostics of Fresh Engine Oil Condition-Correlation with Test Voltage Frequency.

The aim of this study was to assess whether electrical parameters (capacitance and conductivity) of fresh engine oils-tested over a wide range of measurement voltage frequencies-can be used for oil quality assessment and its identification, based on physicochemical properties. The study encompassed 41 commercial engine oils with different quality ratings (American Petroleum Institute (API) and European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA)). As part of the study, the oils were tested for their total base number (TBN) and total acid number (TAN), as well as their electrical parameters, including impedance magnitude, phase shift angle, conductance, susceptance, capacitance and quality factor.

Inclisiran-Safety and Effectiveness of Small Interfering RNA in Inhibition of PCSK-9.

Dyslipidemia is listed among important cardiovascular disease risk factors. Treating lipid disorders is difficult, and achieving desirable levels of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) is essential in both the secondary and primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. For many years, statins became the basis of lipid-lowering therapy.

Beta-blockers in cardiac arrhythmias-Clinical pharmacologist's point of view.

β-blockers is a vast group of antiarrhythmic drugs which differ in their pharmacokinetic and chemical properties. Some of them block β-adrenergic receptors selectively while the others work non-selectively. Consequently, they reduce the influence of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart, acting negatively inotropic, chronotropic, bathmotropic and dromotropic.

Cannabidiol and Nano-Selenium Increase Microvascularization and Reduce Degenerative Changes in Superficial Breast Muscle in -Infected Chickens.

Here, we demonstrated the potential of -derived cannabidiol (CBD) and nanosized selenium (nano-Se) for the modulation of microvascularization and muscle fiber lesions in superficial breast muscle in -challenged chickens. The administration of CBD resulted in a decreased number of atrophic fibers (3.13 vs.

Safety of PCSK9 inhibitors.

annually in Europe, 4 million people die from cardiovascular diseases, the main cause of which is atherosclerosis. In order to slow down the development of atherosclerotic plaques, the main therapeutic goal is to lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) level. Undoubtedly, statins are the basis of lipid-lowering therapy for many years.

Cannabidiol affects breast meat volatile compounds in chickens subjected to different infection models.

No study has demonstrated the use of dietary Cannabis-derived cannabidiol (CBD) to alter the stress response in chickens or examined its effects on meat volatile compounds (VOCs). Here, we subjected chickens to dysbiosis via C. perfringens infection or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and investigated the potential link between meat VOCs and cecal bacterial activity and the ameliorative effect of CBD.

Alcohol and Cardiovascular Diseases-Do the Consumption Pattern and Dose Make the Difference?

Excessive consumption of alcohol is not only a social problem, but it also significantly increases the morbidity and mortality rates of many societies. A correlation has been demonstrated between alcohol consumption and increased mortality from cancer, accidents and injuries, liver cirrhosis and other causes. Alcohol abuse increases the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke and the risk of ischemic stroke, induces serious arrhythmias, adversely affects blood pressure and damages the heart muscle.

Modulation of Fibroblast Activity via Vitamin D Is Dependent on Tumor Type-Studies on Mouse Mammary Gland Cancer.

Vitamin D and its analogs are known to modulate the activity of fibroblasts under various disease conditions. However, their impact on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is yet to be fully investigated. The aim of this study was to characterize CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) from the lung of mice bearing 4T1, 67NR, and E0771 cancers and healthy mice fed vitamin-D-normal (1000 IU), -deficient (100 IU), and -supplemented (5000 IU) diets.

Simple Extraction of Cannabinoids from Female Inflorescences of Hemp ( L.).

The high interest in non-psychoactive cannabidiol increases the need for efficient and straightforward cannabidiol (CBD) extraction methods. The research aimed to compare simple methods of cannabinoid extraction that do not require advanced laboratory equipment. This work assesses the content of total CBD and Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) in popular solvents such as water and ethanol extracts.

The importance of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic and repetitive use of levosimendan.

Levosimendan was introduced into routine clinical practice in 2000, obtaining approval for the treatment of decompensation of severe chronic heart failure. Levosimendan increases the calcium sensitivity of contractile proteins by binding to myocardial troponin C (cTnC) in a calcium dependent manner. Apart from the mechanism of action of levosimendan, resulting directly in the improvement of heart function, a number of pleiotropic mechanisms have also been identified, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects.

Alternative proteins for meat and dairy replacers: Food safety and future trends.

Traditionally, meat and dairy products have been important protein sources in the human diet. Consumers are eating more plant-based proteins, which is reflected in current market trends. Assessing how alternative proteins are processed and their impact on food safety helps realize market opportunities while ensuring food safety.

Seaweed Value Chain Stakeholder Perspectives for Food and Environmental Safety Hazards.

With a world population estimated at 10 billion people by 2050, the challenge to secure healthy and safe food is evident. Seaweed is a potential answer to this challenge. Expanding the use of seaweed in food systems requires an emphasis on safe practices to avoid adverse human health effects after consumption and irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.

Micro-RNAs in Response to Active Forms of Vitamin D in Human Leukemia and Lymphoma Cells.

Non-coding micro-RNA (miRNAs) regulate the protein expression responsible for cell growth and proliferation. miRNAs also play a role in a cancer cells' response to drug treatment. Knowing that leukemia and lymphoma cells show different responses to active forms of vitamin D, we decided to investigate the role of selected miRNA molecules and regulated proteins, analyzing if there is a correlation between the selected miRNAs and regulated proteins in response to two active forms of vitamin D, calcitriol and tacalcitol.

The Impact of Exosomes/Microvesicles Derived from Myeloid Dendritic Cells Cultured in the Presence of Calcitriol and Tacalcitol on Acute B-Cell Precursor Cell Lines with Fusion Gene.

Vitamin D analogs (VDAs) may directly inhibit the growth of normal and malignant (derived from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)) B cells, as both types of cells express vitamin D receptor (VDR). We performed anti-proliferative, morphology tests and phenotyping to evaluate the sensitivity of monocytes and iDCs (immature myeloid-derived dendritic cells) on calcitriol and tacalcitol treatment, phenotyping, morphology, and size distribution measurement to determine the characteristics of microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes (EXs) derived from them and, finally, phenotyping and Elisa test to determine the effects of VDAs on modulation of the phenotype of B cells through extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by iDCs. Our results confirmed that both SC cells and iDCs were sensitive to the VDAs and showed altered surface expression of markers associated with monocyte differentiation, which was resulting in the phenotypic changes in EVs derived from them.