Three-dimensional characterization of nanoporous membranes by capillary filling using high speed interferometry.

A high-speed interferometric system was developed to analyze nanostructured porous silicon (PS) membranes by measuring reflectance variations during capillary filling from both sides. A high-speed camera was employed to capture the reflectance evolution of the entire sample area with the necessary temporal resolution, providing quantitative information on filling dynamics. By integrating these data with a simple fluid dynamic model, it is possible to examine the internal structure of the membranes and determine the effective pore radii profiles along their thickness.

Differences in phenological term changes in field crops and wild plants - do they have the same response to climate change in Central Europe?

Phenological shifts in wild-growing plants and wild animal phenophases are well documented at many European sites. Less is known about phenological shifts in agricultural plants and how wild ecosystem phenology interacts with crop phenology. Here, we present long-term phenological observations (1961-2021) from the Czech Republic for wild plants and agricultural crops and how the timing of phenophases differs from each other.

Muscle-specific miRNAs in plasma and skeletal muscle of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy are modulated by disease and training.

Objectives: Objective of this work was to examine myomiR levels in plasma, skeletal muscle, and skeletal muscle cells of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), their interrelations with the disease-related clinical phenotypes and with the effects of the disease-modifying 6-month training-intervention.

Methods: Samples of vastus lateralis muscle (n = 12/13) and plasma (n = 20/21) were obtained from IIM patients and healthy controls, respectively. Muscle and plasma were obtained before and after a 6-month training-intervention in 7 patients.

Applying fractional calculus to malware spread: A fractal-based approach to threat analysis.

Malware is a common word in modern era. Everyone using computer is aware of it. Some users have to face the problem known as Cyber crimes.

LEGO-Lipophosphonoxin membrane activity is enhanced by presence of phosphatidylethanolamine but hindered by outer membrane.

Finding effective antibiotics against multi-resistant strains of bacteria has been a challenging race. Linker-Evolved-Group-Optimized-Lipophosphonoxins (LEGO-LPPOs) are small modular synthetic antibacterial compounds targeting the cytoplasmic membrane. Here we focused on understanding the reasons for the variable efficacy of selected LEGO-LPPOs (LEGO-1, LEGO-2, LEGO-3, and LEGO-4) differing in hydrophobic and linker module structure and length.

Intestinal tissue levels of anti-TNF alpha, antibodies, and cytokines in paediatric Crohn disease.

The aim was to explore factors associated with intestinal tissue levels of anti-TNF alpha (anti-TNF), anti-TNF antibodies, and cytokines in pediatric patients with Crohn Disease (CD). In a prospective exploratory study of CD patients undergoing ileocecal resection or colonoscopy between 6/2020 and 1/2023, we analysed tissue levels of anti-TNF, anti-TNF antibodies, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-17, IL-1β, IFN-γ) from intestinal biopsies. Mixed-effects regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used.

Strange features are no better than no features: predator recognition by untrained birds.

Predator recognition is essential for prey survival, allowing for appropriate antipredator strategies. Some bird species, such as the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), distinguish not only between predators and non-threatening species but also between different predator species. Earlier studies have identified general predator "key features", especially beak shape and talons, as critical for predator recognition.

Click beetle larvae from Cretaceous Burmese amber represent an ancient Gondwanan lineage.

The click beetles (Elateridae) represent the major and well-known group of the polyphagan superfamily Elateroidea. Despite a relatively rich fossil record of Mesozoic Elateridae, only a few species are described from the Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber. Although Elateridae spend most of their lives as larvae, our knowledge on immature stages of this family is limited, which is especially valid for the fossils.

TMJ Metastasis: Evaluation of 3 Patients.

Metastases of the articular process, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), are rare findings. Their frequency is around 5% of patients with metastatic involvement of the mandible. The most common primary tumor is adenocarcinoma of the lung in women and adenocarcinoma of the prostate in men.

Accuracy of approximate methods for the calculation of fluorescence-type linear spectra with a complex system-bath coupling.

Much can be learned about molecular aggregates by modeling their fluorescence-type spectra. In this study, we systematically describe the accuracy of various methods for simulating fluorescence-type linear spectra in a dimer system with a complex system-environment interaction, which serves as a model for various molecular aggregates, including most photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes (LHCs). We consider the approximate full cumulant expansion (FCE), complex time-dependent Redfield (ctR), time-independent Redfield, and modified Redfield methods and calculate their accuracy as a function of the site energy gap and coupling, excitonic energy gap, and dipole factor (i.

Computational study on water based hybrid photovoltaic systems with different absorber configurations.

The current study assesses several water-based PVT system thermal absorber configurations. The thermal absorber in PVT system plays a vital role in efficiency evaluation as it lowers PV temperature and collects heat energy. The current study aims to discover and analyze advanced thermal absorber design by comparing well-received spiral circular absorbers and non-cooled PV with proposed semi-circular thermal absorbers with varying flow configurations.

Aspirin and Hemocompatibility After LVAD Implantation in Patients With Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: A Secondary Analysis From the ARIES-HM3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The Aspirin and Hemocompatibility Events With a Left Ventricular Assist Device in Advanced Heart Failure (ARIES-HM3) study demonstrated that aspirin may be safely eliminated from the antithrombotic regimen after HeartMate 3 (HM3 [Abbott Cardiovascular]) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. This prespecified analysis explored whether conditions requiring aspirin (prior percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG], stroke, or peripheral vascular disease [PVD]) would influence outcomes differentially with aspirin avoidance.

Objective: To analyze aspirin avoidance on hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) at 1 year after implant in patients with a history of CABG, PCI, stroke, or PVD.

Phlebotomus perniciosus response to volatile organic compounds of dogs and humans.

The olfactory response of insect vectors such as phlebotomine sand flies is a key facet for investigating their interactions with vertebrate hosts and associated vector-borne pathogens. Such studies are mainly performed by assessing the electrophysiological response and the olfactory behaviour of these arthropods towards volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by hosts. Nonetheless, few studies are available for species of the subgenera Lutzomyia and Nyssomyia in South America, leaving a void for Old World sand fly species of the genus Phlebotomus.

Complex immunohistochemical and molecular study on 5 cases of ovarian juvenile granulosa cell tumors reveals a consistent alteration in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Background: Juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) of the ovary is a rare tumor with distinct clinicopathological and hormonal features primarily affecting young women and children. We conducted a complex clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis of five cases of JGCT.

Methods: The immunohistochemical examination was performed with 32 markers, including markers that have not been previously investigated.

Safety and efficacy of the therapeutic DNA-based vaccine VB10.16 in combination with atezolizumab in persistent, recurrent or metastatic HPV16-positive cervical cancer: a multicenter, single-arm phase 2a study.

Background: Second-line treatment options for persistent, recurrent or metastatic (r/m) cervical cancer are limited. We investigated the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of the therapeutic DNA-based vaccine VB10.16 combined with the immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)16-positive r/m cervical cancer.

Clinical management of female patients with Fabry disease based on expert consensus.

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that causes accumulation of glycosphingolipids in body tissues and fluids, leading to progressive organ damage and life-threatening complications. It can affect both males and females and can be classified into classic or later-onset phenotypes. The disease severity in females ranges from asymptomatic to the more severe, classic phenotype.

Pervasive horizontal transmission of Wolbachia in natural populations of closely related and widespread tropical skipper butterflies.

Background: The endosymbiotic relationship between Wolbachia bacteria and insects has been of interest for many years due to their diverse types of host reproductive phenotypic manipulation and potential role in the host's evolutionary history and population dynamics. Even though infection rates are high in Lepidoptera and specifically in butterflies, and reproductive manipulation is present in these taxa, less attention has been given to understanding how Wolbachia is acquired and maintained in their natural populations, across and within species having continental geographical distributions.

Results: We used whole genome sequencing data to investigate the phylogenetics, demographic history, and infection rate dynamics of Wolbachia in four species of the Spicauda genus of skipper butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), a taxon that presents sympatric and often syntopic distribution, with drastic variability in species abundance in the Neotropical region.

The genus in Benin, with the description of , sp. nov.

Intensive mycological surveys in southern Benin focused on species of (Pleosporales) resulted in the collection and sequencing of numerous specimens on dead plant debris of different hosts. Majority of the collections belonged to the monomorphic species , except for two specimens of a hitherto unknown species, which is introduced as . The fungus was collected on dead twig of still attached to the tree and dead peduncle of .

Superconducting critical temperature elevated by intense magnetic fields.

Below a critical temperature [Formula: see text], superconductors transport electrical charge without dissipative energy losses. The application of a magnetic field [Formula: see text] generally acts to suppress [Formula: see text], up to some critical field strength at which [Formula: see text] 0 K. Here, we investigate magnetic field-induced superconductivity in high-quality specimens of the triplet superconductor candidate UTe[Formula: see text] in pulsed magnetic fields up to [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 70 T.

Current real-world evidence on characteristics and treatment patterns of lung cancer in the single cancer center in the Czech Republic - data from Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute registry in 2018- 2022.

Background: Lung cancer (LC) represents the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Czech Republic. Over the past decade, there have been notable advancements in LC treatment based on findings from controlled clinical trials (CTs). However, patients enrolled in CTs may not fully represent the diversity of real-world patient populations from routine clinical practice.

Diagnostic-therapeutic management of pulmonary nodules.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with incidence and mortality significantly affected by population ageing and changes in the prevalence of risk factors. Lung nodules, which are often detected incidentally on imaging studies, pose a significant diagnostic challenge as they may indicate both benign and malignant processes. Correct diagnosis and management of these nodules is therefore essential to optimize clinical outcomes.

Regulation of Cell-Nanoparticle Interactions through Mechanobiology.

Bio-nano interactions have been extensively explored in nanomedicine to develop selective delivery strategies and reduce systemic toxicity. To enhance the delivery of nanocarriers to cancer cells and improve the therapeutic efficiency, different nanomaterials have been developed. However, the limited clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapies, largely due to issues associated with poor targeting, requires a deeper understanding of the biological phenomena underlying cell-nanoparticle interactions.

Solid-State Photoswitching of Hydrazones Based on Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer.

The development of new photochromic systems is motivated by the possibility of controlling the properties and functions of materials with high spatial and temporal resolution in a reversible manner. While there are several classes of photoswitches operating in solution, the design of systems efficiently operating in the solid state remains highly challenging, mainly due to limitations related to confinement effects. Triaryl-hydrazones represent a relatively new subclass of bistable hydrazone photoswitches exhibiting efficient / photochromism in solution.

Membrane-Active Singlet Oxygen Photogenerators as a Paradigm for Broad-Spectrum Antivirals: The Case of Halogenated (BOron)-DIPYrromethenes.

Enveloped viruses, such as flaviviruses and coronaviruses, are pathogens of significant medical concern that cause severe infections in humans. Some photosensitizers are known to possess virucidal activity against enveloped viruses, targeting their lipid bilayer. Here we report a series of halogenated difluoroboron-dipyrromethene (BODIPYs) photosensitizers with strong virus-inactivating activity.

Worldwide Chronic Retrieval Experience of Helix-Fixation Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers.

Background: The growing use of leadless pacemaker (LP) technology requires safe and effective solutions for retrieving and removing these devices over the long term.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate retrieval and removal of an active helix-fixation LP studied in worldwide regulatory clinical trials.

Methods: Subjects enrolled in the LEADLESS II phase 1 investigational device exemption, LEADLESS Observational, or LEADLESS Japan trials with an attempted LP retrieval at least 6 weeks postimplantation were included.