Biofilms in modern CaCO-supersaturated freshwater environments reveal viral proxies.

Biofilms are mucilaginous-organic layers produced by microbial activity including viruses. Growing biofilms form microbial mats which enhance sediment stability by binding particles with extracellular polymeric substances and promoting growth through nutrient cycling and organic matter accumulation. They preferentially develop at the sediment-water interface of both marine and non-marine environments, and upon the growing surfaces of modern tufa and travertine.

Controlled therapeutic cholesterol delivery to cells for the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes.

The challenge of enhancing wound healing and skin regeneration, particularly in conditions like burns and diabetic wounds, necessitates innovative solutions. Cholesterol, often associated with cardiovascular diseases, plays vital roles in cellular functions, maintaining skin integrity and preserving the skin barrier. Here, we explore cholesterol's significance, its influence on keratinocytes, and its potential application in skin regeneration.

Synergistic effect of antibiotics, α-linolenic acid and solvent type against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation.

Background: A promising approach to the treatment of bacterial infections involves inhibiting the quorum sensing (QS) mechanism to prevent the formation and growth of bacterial biofilm. While antibiotics are used to kill remaining bacteria, QS inhibitors (QSIs) allow for antibiotic doses to be reduced. This study focuses on evaluating the synergy between gentamicin sulphate (GEN), tobramycin (TOB), or azithromycin (AZM) with linolenic acid (LNA) against the formation of an early Staphylococcus aureus biofilm.

The Possibility of Improving the Range and Quality of Air-to-Ground WebRTC-Based IoT Communication in Emergency Situations by Employing an External Transceiver.

The proliferation of new services, either interpersonal or machine-oriented, has generated new demands concerning the flexibility and efficiency of transmission. The ubiquity of multimedia communication in the current internet is seamlessly and successfully supported by the WebRTC concept. This paper reports on the study of the usage of a solution employing a proxy transmission unit for air-to-ground delivery of video streaming multiplexed with sensor data in the UAV-IoT system when using the WebRTC protocol stack.

Application of X-Ray Computed Tomography to Identify Defects in Lost Wax Ceramic Moulds for Precision Casting of Turbine Blades.

This article presents the results of testing the suitability of X-ray computed tomography for the quality control of the casting moulds used for producing turbine blades. The research was focused on the analysis of cross-sectional images, spatial models and the porosity of moulds using a Phoenix L 450 microtomograph. The research material consisted of samples from three mixtures of ceramic materials and binders intended for producing casting moulds using the lost wax method.

Hydrogenation Properties of the TiZrYNi (5 ≤ x ≤ 10) and the TiYZrNi (5 ≤ z ≤ 15) Mechanically Alloyed Materials.

The amorphous materials of the TiZrNi composition synthesized by mechanical alloying are widely recognized for their ability to store hydrogen with gravimetric densities above 2 wt.%. It is also known that those alloys can form a quasicrystalline state after thermal treatment and their structural and hydrogen sorption properties can be altered by doping with various elements.

The Influence of Thermal Treatment of Activated Carbon on Its Electrochemical, Corrosion, and Adsorption Characteristics.

Activated carbons can be applied in various areas of our daily life depending on their properties. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of thermal treatment of activated carbon on its properties, considering its future use. The characteristics of activated carbon heat-treated at temperatures of 1500, 1800, and 2100 °C based on its future use are presented.

Snowflake Iron Oxide Architectures: Synthesis and Electrochemical Applications.

The synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanostructures, specifically snowflake architecture, are investigated for their potential applications in electrochemical sensing systems. A Raman spectroscopy analysis reveals phase diversity in the synthesized powders. The pH of the synthesis affects the formation of the hematite (α-FeO) and goethite (α-FeOOH).

Positive Effects of Aerobic-Resistance Exercise and an Ad Libitum High-Protein, Low-Glycemic Index Diet on Irisin, Omentin, and Dyslipidemia in Men with Abdominal Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in body composition, adipokine levels, and dyslipidemia parameters in males with abdominal obesity following two distinct interventions: exercise alone and exercise combined with an ad libitum diet.

Methods: This study included 44 males with abdominal obesity (mean age 34.7 ± 5.

Effect of ultrasound on the physicochemical, mechanical and adhesive properties of micro-arc oxidized coatings on Ti13Nb13Zr bio-alloy.

Implant surgeries are increasingly challenging due to their rising number. Achieving the desired biomaterial surface properties to ensure a strong bond with human tissue is a significant issue. This study investigates the influence of ultrasound (US) during the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) process on Ti13Zr13Nb bio-alloy, an area not previously explored, to enhance titanium alloy coatings' properties for biomedical applications.

Element Changes Occurring in Brain Point at the White Matter Abnormalities in Rats Exposed to the Ketogenic Diet During Prenatal Life.

A large number of clinical studies demonstrate that the ketogenic diet (KD) may be an effective approach to the reduction of epileptic seizures in children and adults. Such dietary therapy could also help pregnant women with epilepsy, especially since most antiseizure drugs have teratogenic action. However, there is a lack of medical data, considering the safety of using KD during gestation for the progeny.

Identifying and presenting key country-specific indicators related to medication adherence: a comprehensive study across European countries.

This study tackles the critical challenge of medication non-adherence in healthcare by pinpointing indicators related to medication adherence (IRMAs) across 39 European countries and Israel. Utilizing a structured expert survey methodology within the European Network to Advance Best Practices and Technology on Medication Adherence (ENABLE; COST Action CA19132), our research identified key country-specific IRMAs and collected data on these indicators to understand the multifaceted nature of medication adherence. The research was conducted in two phases: firstly, defining key IRMAs through a two-round expert survey, and secondly, gathering country-specific data on these IRMAs through literature reviews and additional expert surveys.

Observation of the decay.

Using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of collected by the CMS experiment at , the decay is observed for the first time, with a statistical significance exceeding 5 standard deviations. The relative branching fraction, with respect to the decay, is measured to be , where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is related to the uncertainties in and .

Observation of Enhanced Long-Range Elliptic Anisotropies Inside High-Multiplicity Jets in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV.

A search for collective effects inside jets produced in proton-proton collisions is performed via correlation measurements of charged particles using the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The analysis uses data collected at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. Jets are reconstructed with the anti-k_{T} algorithm with a distance parameter of 0.

From Corn Starch to Nanostructured Magnetic Laser-Induced Graphene Nanocomposite.

Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) is a 3D, conductive, porous material with a high surface area, produced by laser irradiation of synthetic polymers with high thermal stability. Recently, the focus has shifted toward sustainable bioderived and biodegradable precursors, such as lignocellulosic materials. Despite starch being an abundant and cost-effective biopolymer, direct laser scribing on starch-derived precursors has not yet been explored.

Dissecting the importance and origin of circulating myokines in gastric cancer cachexia.

Background: Some experimental data suggest that myokines may play an important role in developing cancer-associated cachexia (CAC), but their relevance in humans remains poorly explored. In our study, we tested the hypothesis that circulating myokines are associated with the pathogenesis of CAC in a model population of gastric cancer.

Methods: A group of 171 treatment naïve patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach were prospectively examined.

A Simplified Calibration Procedure for DEM Simulations of Granular Material Flow.

The discrete element method (DEM) has emerged as an essential computational tool in geotechnical engineering for the simulation of granular materials, offering significant advantages over traditional continuum-based methods such as the finite element method (FEM) and the finite difference method (FDM). The DEM's ability to model particle-level interactions, including contact forces, rotations, and particle breakage, allows for a more precise understanding of granular media behavior under various loading conditions. However, accurate DEM simulations require meticulous calibration of input parameters, such as particle density, stiffness, and friction, to effectively replicate real-world behavior.

Hydrogel Dressing Biomaterial Enriched with Vitamin C: Synthesis and Characterization.

Materials engineering has become an important tool in the field of hydrogel dressings used to treat difficult-to-heal wounds. Hydrogels filled with bioactive substances used as a targeted healing system are worthy of attention. Vitamin C has healing and supporting effects in the treatment of many skin problems.

The Influence of Ag Addition and Different SiO Precursors on the Structure of Silica Thin Films Synthesized by the Sol-Gel Method.

In this work, the structure of silica thin films synthesized with three different SiO precursors and obtained by the sol-gel method and dip coating technique was studied. Additionally, the influence of Ag addition on the obtained silica sols and then gel structure was investigated. Silica coatings show antireflective properties and high thermal resistance, as well as hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties.

The hidden burden of atopic dermatitis in central and Eastern European countries.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) imposes a hidden burden through its negative effects on quality of life and productivity. We aim to estimate this hidden burden in adults and adolescents in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Methods: We created a burden of disease model to quantify AD's hidden burden.

Anatomical theater or full digitization? Students' assessment and preferences in the field of anatomy teaching.

Background: For many years, teaching of anatomy has been based on traditional forms of teaching, but innovative solutions are currently being implemented on a large scale around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning have influenced the development of new technologies in teaching.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted among medical students who studied anatomy in the year preceding the analysis when the restrictions related to the pandemic had been lifted.