Comparison of dark-field chest radiography and CT for the assessment of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background: Dark-field chest radiography allows the assessment of the structural integrity of the alveoli by exploiting the wave properties of x-rays.

Purpose: To compare the qualitative and quantitative features of dark-field chest radiography in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia with conventional CT imaging.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective study conducted from May 2020 to December 2020, patients aged at least 18 years who underwent chest CT for clinically suspected COVID-19 infection were screened for participation.

Assessing Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Western Honey Bees in the Czech Republic Using 22 Microsatellite Loci.

To date, no study has been conducted to investigate the diversity in honeybee populations of in the Czech Republic. Between 2022 and 2023, worker bees were collected from colonies distributed throughout the Czech Republic in 77 districts, and their genetic differences were examined using 22 microsatellite loci. The samples were obtained from hives ( = 3647) and through the process of capture on flowers ( = 553).

Simulated low-dose dark-field radiography for detection of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background: Dark-field radiography has been proven to be a promising tool for the assessment of various lung diseases.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of dose reduction in dark-field chest radiography for the detection of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Materials And Methods: Patients aged at least 18 years with a medically indicated chest computed tomography scan (CT scan) were screened for participation in a prospective study between October 2018 and December 2020.

Optimizing convolutional neural networks for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease detection in clinical computed tomography imaging.

We aim to optimize the binary detection of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) based on emphysema presence in the lung with convolutional neural networks (CNN) by exploring manually adjusted versus automated window-setting optimization (WSO) on computed tomography (CT) images. 7194 contrast-enhanced CT images (3597 with COPD; 3597 healthy controls) from 78 subjects were selected retrospectively (01.2018-12.

Dark-field radiography for the detection of bone microstructure changes in osteoporotic human lumbar spine specimens.

Background: Dark-field radiography imaging exploits the wave character of x-rays to measure small-angle scattering on material interfaces, providing structural information with low radiation exposure. We explored the potential of dark-field imaging of bone microstructure to improve the assessment of bone strength in osteoporosis.

Methods: We prospectively examined 14 osteoporotic/osteopenic and 21 non-osteoporotic/osteopenic human cadaveric vertebrae (L2-L4) with a clinical dark-field radiography system, micro-computed tomography (CT), and spectral CT.

Illusory movements for immobile patients with extensive burns (IMMOBILE): A randomized, controlled, cross-over trial.

Introduction: Patients who have sustained extensive burns frequently exhibit substantial damage to skeletal muscle and associated complications. The rehabilitation of these patients can be challenging due to the nature of the injury and the subsequent complications. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that functional proprioceptive stimulation (illusory movements) may facilitate effective rehabilitation in patients with limited physiotherapy options.

[Fatigue and sensorimotor instability : Neurologically controlled conversion of post-COVID-19 patients].

Background: For the treatment of the symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome, no causal therapy is currently widely recommended according to evidence-based criteria. The overarching goal of the intervention study over a 3-year period (Q1-2021-Q4-2023) was to evaluate the changes in the key symptoms of fatigue and sensorimotor instability through individualized stress-controlled training therapy and through intensified cognitive behavioral therapy.

Material And Methods: In the 3‑year period 407 vaccinated nucleocapsid positive patients were treated at the Post-COVID-19 Center Lausitz (Senftenberg).

Lipid measures are associated with cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: An association between lipid measures and cognitive decline in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate relationships between lipid profile and cognitive performance in a large observational cohort of MS patients.

Materials And Methods: We included 211 patients with 316 available pairs of lipid and cognitive measures performed over follow-up.

A program for real-time surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 genetics.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought forth an urgent need for widespread genomic surveillance for rapid detection and monitoring of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. It necessitated design, development, and deployment of a nationwide infrastructure designed for sequestration, consolidation, and characterization of patient samples that disseminates de-identified information to public authorities in tight turnaround times. Here, we describe our development of such an infrastructure, which sequenced 594,832 high coverage SARS-CoV-2 genomes from isolates we collected in the United States (U.

Assessing service usage and protective factors in a pediatric psychiatry clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth with developmental and pre-existing mental health conditions have been particularly vulnerable to declines in psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to first, analyze service usage within an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry clinic in the months preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and second, to examine associations with potential protective factors against mental health concerns in a treatment-engaged sample. Service usage was examined using clinic billing data, and reports on protective factors were gathered via parent survey of 81 children ages 6-17 years who received mental health treatment in an outpatient psychiatry clinic during the pandemic.

Haplotype Diversity in mtDNA of Honeybee in the Czech Republic Confirms Complete Replacement of Autochthonous Population with the C Lineage.

The study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity in the Czech population of using mitochondrial DNA markers, intergenic region and gene. A total of 308 samples of bees were collected from the entire Czech Republic (from colonies and flowers in 13 different regions). Following sequencing, several polymorphisms and haplotypes were identified.

Properties of Cosmic Deuterons Measured by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

Precision measurements by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) on the International Space Station of the deuteron (D) flux are presented. The measurements are based on 21×10^{6} D nuclei in the rigidity range from 1.9 to 21 GV collected from May 2011 to April 2021.

Physicochemical and Adsorption Properties of Nanoporous Activated Biocarbons from Thermochemical Treatment of Horsetail Herb.

In this study, the adsorption characteristics of novel activated biocarbons prepared from horsetail herb (a popular and troublesome weed) by physical activation (using carbon dioxide) and chemical one (using phosphoric(V) acid) in the process of simultaneous proteins immobilization in multicomponent solutions were examined. The carbon materials were characterized in terms of their porous structure, acidic-basic properties, and surface morphology. The binding mechanisms of such proteins as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LSZ), differing in internal stability, were determined alone and in their blends.

Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-Surface (REASON).

The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) is a dual-frequency ice-penetrating radar (9 and 60 MHz) onboard the Europa Clipper mission. REASON is designed to probe Europa from exosphere to subsurface ocean, contributing the third dimension to observations of this enigmatic world. The hypotheses REASON will test are that (1) the ice shell of Europa hosts liquid water, (2) the ice shell overlies an ocean and is subject to tidal flexing, and (3) the exosphere, near-surface, ice shell, and ocean participate in material exchange essential to the habitability of this moon.

Early de-escalation of antibiotic therapy in hospitalized cellular therapy adult patients with febrile neutropenia.

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is an oncologic emergency frequently encountered in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy patients, which requires immediate initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Data regarding antibiotic de-escalation (DE) in neutropenic patients are limited, and guideline recommendations vary. A clinical protocol for antibiotic DE of broad-spectrum agents was implemented if patients were afebrile after 72 hours and had no clinical evidence of infection.

Removal of Organic Dyes, Polymers and Surfactants Using Carbonaceous Materials Derived from Walnut Shells.

A series of new granular carbonaceous adsorbents was prepared via single-stage physical and chemical activation of walnut shells. Their suitability for removing various types of organic pollutants (represented by dyes, surfactants and water-soluble polymers) from the liquid phase was assessed. The activation of the precursor was carried out with CO and HPO using conventional heating.

Significance of aberrant DNA methylation for cancer diagnostics and therapy.

Background: Epigenetics is a scientific field that covers changes in gene expression that are not caused by the alteration of the nucleotide sequence in the DNA strand. Together with sequential changes, epigenetic reprogramming is a recognized cancer hallmark driving carcinogenesis. The underlying mechanisms of epigenetically-driven gene expression changes are diverse.

Sexual dysfunction in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction in males, sexual dissatisfaction, sexual interest/arousal disorders, and dyspareunia in females) has not been the subject of indepth research in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in adults with CF, factors associated with sexual dysfunction, and the impact of sexual dysfunction on quality of life.

Method: We conducted a multicentre study in adults with cystic fibrosis followed in specialist centres in Western France.

Correction for X-Ray Scatter and Detector Crosstalk in Dark-Field Radiography.

Dark-field radiography, a new X-ray imaging method, has recently been applied to human chest imaging for the first time. It employs conventional X-ray devices in combination with a Talbot-Lau interferometer with a large field of view, providing both attenuation and dark-field radiographs. It is well known that sample scatter creates artifacts in both modalities.

Feroxyhyte - from synthesis and characterization to application.

Feroxyhyte (δ-FeOOH) was synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), simultaneous thermal analysis (STA), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements. Its potential application as adsorbent of an anionic and cationic dyes such as C.I.