Behavior of Weathering Steel in Artificial Harsh Environment.

The safety and durability of engineering structures, like bridges, which are designed from weathering steels, are conditioned by the development of a sufficiently protective layer of corrosion products. Air pollution, the microclimate around the bridge, the time of wetness, the structural solution of the bridge, and the position and orientation of the surface within the bridge structure all influence the development of protective layers on the surface of the weathering steel. The condition of the formed patina relies on the working conditions of the structure.

Expression Patterns of MOTS-c in Adrenal Tumors: Results from a Preliminary Study.

Adrenal tumors, such as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), adrenocortical adenoma (ACA), and pheochromocytoma (PCC) are complex diseases with unclear causes and treatments. Mitochondria and mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are crucial for cancer cell survival. The primary aim of this study was to analyze samples from different adrenal diseases, adrenocortical carcinoma, adrenocortical adenoma, and pheochromocytoma, and compare them with normal adrenal tissue to determine whether the expression levels of the mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c (MOTS-c) gene and protein vary between different types of adrenal tumors compared to healthy controls using qPCR, ELISA, and IHC methods.

Reconstruction of the real 3D shape of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The photographs of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus taken by electron transmission microscopy and cryoelectron microscopy provide only a 2D silhouette. The viruses appear to look like distorted circles. The present paper questions the real shape of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and makes an attempt to give an answer.

Impaired Expression of Humanin during Adrenocortical Carcinoma.

The discovery of mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) has provided a new perspective on mitochondrial function. MDPs encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can act as hormone-like peptides, influencing cell survival and proliferation. Among these peptides, humanin has been identified as a crucial factor for maintaining cell survival and preventing cell death under various conditions.

Inferring mechanical properties of the SARS-CoV-2 virus particle with nano-indentation tests and numerical simulations.

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has claimed more than 6.5 million lives worldwide. This global challenge has led to accelerated development of highly effective vaccines tied to their ability to elicit a sustained immune response.

The Enhanced Expression of ZWILCH Predicts Poor Survival of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Patients.

Zwilch kinetochore protein (ZWILCH) plays a key role in proper cell proliferation. The upregulation of the gene was observed in many types of cancers, but the association of ZWILCH with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) was not investigated so far. The main aim of the presented study was to verify if the enhanced level of the gene can be used as a diagnostic marker for ACC development and progression, as well as a predictor of survival time for ACC patients.

Finite element modeling of α-helices and tropocollagen molecules referring to spike of SARS-CoV-2.

The newly developed finite element (FE) modeling at the atomic scale was used to predict the static and dynamic response of the α-helix (AH) and tropocollagen (TC) protein fragments, the main building blocks of the spike of the SARS-CoV-2. The geometry and morphology of the spike's stalk and its connection to the viral envelope were determined from the combination of most recent molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and images of cryoelectron microscopy. The stiffness parameters of the covalent bonds in the main chain of the helix were taken from the literature.

Biological response of adrenal carcinoma and melanoma cells to mitotane treatment.

A previous case report described an adrenal incidentaloma initially misdiagnosed as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), which was treated with mitotane. The final diagnosis was metastatic melanoma of unknown primary origin. However, the patient developed rapid disease progression after mitotane withdrawal, suggesting a protective role for mitotane in a non-adrenal-derived tumor.

Corrosion Assessment of a Weathering Steel Bridge Structure after 30 Years of Service.

The first steel with improved resistance towards atmospheric corrosion, the so-called weathering steel, was patented in the USA in 1933 and was initially used for coal railway cars, and after that, in building and bridge engineering. Weathering steels show higher corrosion resistance than carbon steels in many types of atmosphere due to their ability to form a compact, stable, adherent and protective patina during the time of exposure. Morphological evaluation of the appearance of the corrosion product layer, together with phase analysis of its components, can enable determination of the type of patina and the degree of protection of the steel.

Effect of receptors on the resonant and transient harmonic vibrations of Coronavirus.

The paper is concerned with the vibration characteristics of the Coronavirus family. There are some 25-100 receptors, commonly called spikes protruding from the envelope shell of the virus. Spikes, resembling the shape of a hot air balloon, may have a total mass similar to the mass of the lipid bi-layer shell.

Adropin Stimulates Proliferation and Inhibits Adrenocortical Steroidogenesis in the Human Adrenal Carcinoma (HAC15) Cell Line.

Adropin is a multifunctional peptide hormone encoded by the (energy homeostasis associated) gene. It plays a role in mechanisms related to increased adiposity, insulin resistance, as well as glucose, and lipid metabolism. The low adropin levels are strongly associated with obesity independent insulin resistance.

Effect of working environment and procedural strategies on mechanical performance of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds.

Polymeric bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS), at their early stages of invention, were considered as a promising revolution in interventional cardiology. However, they failed dramatically compared to metal stents showing substantially higher incidence of device failure and clinical events, especially thrombosis. One problem is that use of paradigms inherited from metal stents ignores dependency of polymer material properties on working environment and manufacturing/deployment steps.

Longitudinal comparison of cytokines in peri-implant fluid and gingival crevicular fluid in healthy mouths.

Background: Peri-implant and gingival tissues provide important sealing and protective functions around implants and teeth, but comparisons of the immunologic responses of these tissues after implant placement have not been conducted. Cytokine levels were measured in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as surrogate measures of immune function at subcrestally placed dental implants and healthy periodontal sites during a 1-year monitoring period.

Methods: A total of 27 dental implants were placed subcrestally in 21 periodontally healthy patients (mean age: 49.

Alternative 3' acceptor site in the exon 2 of human PAX8 gene resulting in the expression of unknown mRNA variant found in thyroid hemiagenesis and some types of cancers.

PAX8 gene encodes one of the transcription factors engaged in the regulation of proper development of thyroid gland as well as Müllerian and renal/upper urinary tracts. So far, six alternatively spliced transcripts were reported, however, sequences of only four were deposited in the NCBI database. Here, we evaluate a fragment of a novel variant of PAX8 mRNA formed by an alternative 3' acceptor site located in the second exon.

Treatment of the hemorrhoids and anal mucosal prolapse using elastic band ligature--early and long term results.

Unlabelled: THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to evaluate the results of the treatment of internal hemorrhoids and anal mucosal prolapse using elastic band ligation and to compare this method to chosen surgical procedures.

Material And Methods: The study included 648 patients (363 males and 285 females). 474 patients were treated using an elastic band ligature and 174 patients underwent surgical hemorrhoidectomy.

Massive bleeeding from upper gastrointestinal tract as a symptom of rupture of splenic artery aneurysm to stomach.

Background: Splenic artery aneurysm is the most common aneurysm of visceral vessels. Their rupture usually leads to massive bleeding, being a direct life threat. Splenic artery aneurysms usually rupture into the free peritoneal cavity, and much less frequently into the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.

Local anesthesia in thyroid surgery--own experience and literature review.

Unlabelled: The local anesthesia in thyroid surgery is rarely used, only in selected patients. Majority of centers performing thyroid surgery with local anesthesia have possibility to convert to the general anesthesia. The aim of the study was to present our experiences with partial thyroidectomy under local anesthesia performed in 49 consecutive subjects in the Central African Republic (bilateral subtotal strumectomy, total resection of the one lobe, subtotal resection of the one lobe).

Analysis of orthodontically induced root resorption using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT).

Objective: To establish a protocol for assessing orthodontically induced tooth root resorption (OITRR) in human premolars using micro-computed tomography.

Materials And Methods: Ten extracted maxillary first premolars were obtained from eight healthy adolescent patients; five of these premolars were extracted before any orthodontic movement was applied to them, and the other five premolars were involved in nonextraction orthodontic treatment for 1 year before treatment plan modification lead to extraction treatment. Using reconstructed scanned images, we measured several key resorption lacunae parameters, including the number, volume, and depth on each surface, as well as its extension coronoapically.

Determination of vanadium species in environmental samples.

The distribution of vanadium between different oxidation states plays an important role in its environmental chemistry. As its two most commons forms, vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) have different toxicity, speciation analysis of this element is necessary for environmental and biological samples. This paper presents recent research on the determination of vanadium species.

Partial thyroidectomy under local anaesthesia-the analysis of 49 subsequent cases.

Background And Aims: Partial thyroidectomy under local anaesthesia was performed in 49 subsequent individuals in the Central African Republic. Because of the shortage of medical resources, all patients with goitre were scheduled for an operation under local anaesthesia.

Materials And Methods: There were no inclusion or exclusion criteria applied for patient selection for the procedure.

Sorption behavior of vanadium on silica gel modified with tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin.

Tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) has been loaded on aminopropyl-silica gel by physical adsorption and by direct immobilization through formation of an amide bond to obtain chelating sorbents. These sorbents have been studied for preconcentration and separation of vanadium prior to its determination by atomic absorption spectrometry. Several parameters, such as sorption capacity of the chelating resin, pH for retention of V(IV) and V(V), volume of sample and eluent, were evaluated.

IL-4 primes human endothelial cells for secondary responses to histamine.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a multifunctional cytokine, which is involved in numerous disease states, including atopic asthma. IL-4 not only induces direct responses in cells but can also prime for secondary responses to stimuli. Little is known about the priming effects of IL-4 on endothelial cells; therefore, we chose to examine the ability of IL-4 to prime endothelial cells for platelet-activating factor (PAF) synthesis and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release.

[Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease presenting as laryngeal pathology--epidemiology, symptoms, diagnosis. Preliminary report].

Unlabelled: Symptoms from the ears, throat, nose and larynx--the laryngeal mask's manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are important clinical problem of significant occurrence.

Aim: (1) Determination of GERD's frequency of occurrence, especially within the group of patients with the pathology of the posterior laryngeal commissure. (2) Evaluation of the effective algorithms for detecting and management of patients demonstrating symptoms of laryngeal mask, which develop on the ground of gastroesophageal reflux disease.