Primordial black holes and their gravitational-wave signatures.

In the recent years, primordial black holes (PBHs) have emerged as one of the most interesting and hotly debated topics in cosmology. Among other possibilities, PBHs could explain both some of the signals from binary black hole mergers observed in gravitational-wave detectors and an important component of the dark matter in the Universe. Significant progress has been achieved both on the theory side and from the point of view of observations, including new models and more accurate calculations of PBH formation, evolution, clustering, merger rates, as well as new astrophysical and cosmological probes.

Healthcare provision for displaced people in transit: Analyses of routinely collected data from INTERSOS clinics at the Ukrainian border with Moldova and Poland.

Background: The Russian military invasion of Ukraine has sparked Europe's largest forced displacement since World War II, bringing about significant health vulnerabilities for migrants and refugees. European health information systems lack comprehensive data coverage, especially in underrepresented migration stages like transit. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing data from INTERSOS clinics at the Moldovan and Polish borders with Ukraine to identify the common health conditions prompting people to seek healthcare services during transit.

An ecological connectivity dataset for Black Sea obtained from sea currents.

Incorporating ecological connectivity into spatial conservation planning is increasingly recognized as a key strategy to facilitate species movements, especially under changing environmental conditions. However, obtaining connectivity data is challenging, especially in the marine realm. Sea currents are essential for exploring marine structural connectivity, but transforming sea current data into spatial connectivity matrices involves complex and resource-intensive processing steps to ensure accuracy and usability.

An Unexpected Water Channel in the Light-Harvesting Complex of a Diatom: Implications for the Switch between Light Harvesting and Photoprotection.

Many important processes in cells depend on the transfer of protons through water wires embedded in transmembrane proteins. Herein, we have performed more than 55 μs all-atom simulations of the light-harvesting complex of a diatom, i.e.

Resveratrol Supplementation in Wet AMD: Association With Fewer Intravitreal Injections and Reduced Macular Fibrosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the 2-year outcomes of resveratrol oral supplement given as an adjunctive treatment in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that were treated with intravitreal injections of aflibercept.

Patients And Methods: In our retrospective study, 50 treatment-naïve patients suffering from wet-AMD were included. They were assigned to two subgroups of 25 patients each.

Increased serum B-cell maturation antigen levels evaluated with an Elecsys-based serum B-cell maturation antigen assay have a negative prognostic value in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Background: Serum B-cell maturation antigen (sBCMA) levels have emerged as a potential biomarker for disease monitoring in multiple myeloma (MM) with prognostic value.

Methods: Herein, we evaluated the sBCMA levels in 166 patients with newly diagnosed MM with an Elecsys-based sBCMA assay.

Results: Increased sBCMA levels at diagnosis were correlated with inferior survival outcomes in terms of both progression-free and overall survival.

Radical tumor resection of a relapsed high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with an extremely rare mutation: a case report.

Background: Endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS) are rare uterine mesenchymal tumors that histologically resemble endometrial stroma of functioning endometrium. The key characteristic of those tumors is the difficulty to diagnose preoperatively that leads to high rate of misdiagnosis. The aim of this case report is to present an extremely rare mutation of these already rare tumors and urge for more personalized therapies in the future.

Cardiac arrest: Pre-hospital strategies to facilitate successful resuscitation and improve recovery rates.

The estimated annual incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is approximately 120 cases per 100000 inhabitants in western countries. Although the rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of automated external defibrillator are increasing, the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge is no more than 8%. To date, various devices and methods have been utilized in the initial CPR approach targeting to improve survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA patients.

Prioritizing Brain Health in Youth: Bringing Neuroscience to Society and Informing Policy, Lessons Learnt from the European Brain Council Expert Meeting Held at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum 2024.

Good brain health plays a significant role in an individual's well-being and profoundly impacts the collective economy and society. Brain development does not stop at birth, and some aspects continue throughout childhood and adolescence, allowing the full development of cognitive functions. Different determinants related to physical health, healthy environments, safety and security, life-long learning and social connection as well as access to quality services influence the way our brains develop, adapt and respond to stress and adversity.

Ethical considerations on surrogacy†.

Surrogacy is the assisted reproductive technology (ART) practice in which a person becomes pregnant, carries, and delivers a child on behalf of another couple/person, who are the intended parent(s). Surrogacy is an especially complex practice as the interests of the intended parents, the gestational carrier, and the future child may differ. This paper considers ethical questions related to different forms of surrogacy.

Surface Reconstruction of An Integrated CoO-Co2Mo3O8 electrode Enabling Efficient Ampere-Level Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Water or Seawater.

To accelerate the water dissociation in the Volmer step and alleviate the destruction of bubbles to the physical structure of catalysts during the alkaline hydrogen evolution, an integrated electrode of cobalt oxide and cobalt-molybdenum oxide grown on Ni foam, named CoO-Co2Mo3O8, is designed. This integrated electrode enhances the catalyst-substrate interaction confirmed by a micro-indentation tester, and thus hinders the destruction of the physical structure of catalysts caused by bubbles. Electrochemical testing shows the occurrence of a surface reconstruction of the integrated electrode, and CoO is transformed into Co(OH)2, denoted as Co(OH)2-Co2Mo3O8.

RADAR-AD: assessment of multiple remote monitoring technologies for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide, leading to cognitive and functional decline. Early detection and intervention are crucial for enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families. Remote Monitoring Technologies (RMTs) offer a promising solution for early detection by tracking changes in behavioral and cognitive functions, such as memory, language, and problem-solving skills.

Nutraceutical Impact of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Expression Levels of EZH-2 and KRT-14 Genes against DSS-induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Rat Model.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a collection of intestinal disorders that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Prolonged inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. The objective of this study was to fucus on gene expression levels of (KRT-14; associated with epithelial cell integrity) and enhancer of zeste homolog-1 (EZH-2; involved in cellular proliferation) in a IBD rat model in order to rule out impact of nutraceuticals (pumpkin seed oil; PSO) as a complementary approach to conventional treatments of IBD.

Pulsed Field Ablation in the Elderly via a Pentaspline Multielectrode Catheter: Safety, Efficacy, and Comparison with Cryoballoon and Radiofrequency Devices.

Background: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has emerged as a novel energy modality, which relies on high-voltage electric fields to achieve cardiac tissue ablation. Data on its efficacy in the elderly are scarce.

Revealing the enhanced role of hydroxylamine and bimetals in the CuFeO/PMS/HA system towards effective degradation of organic contaminants.

In this study, a hydroxylamine (HA)-enhanced magnetic spinel catalyst CuFeO-activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system (CuFeO/PMS/HA) was constructed to degrade Sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Results from experiments and theoretical calculations indicated that active species generation mechanism involved the direct activation of PMS by HA, the redox cycles acceleration on the surface of CuFeO by HA, and the synergistic action of the low valence Fe and Cu species in CuFeO for PMS activation. The efficacy of other organic pollutants removal was further validated in bio-treated landfill leachate through removal performance and toxicity assessment.

Prospective association between breakfast consumption frequency and BMI z-score among European school-aged children. The Feel4Diabetes Study.

Background: The long-term effects of breakfast on childhood z-BMI remain inconclusive.

Objective: To prospectively assess the impact of stable and altered breakfast consumption habits on z-BMI change over two years, in school-aged children across six European countries.

Methods: Data of 6,528 children (8.

Association between intraoperative fluid management and postoperative outcomes in living kidney donors: a retrospective cohort study.

Optimal fluid strategy for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) remains unclear. LDN has been a domain for liberal fluid management to ensure graft perfusion, but this can result in adverse outcomes due to fluid overload. We compared postoperative outcome of living kidney donors according to the intraoperative fluid management.

Solvent-dripping modulated 3D/2D heterostructures for high-performance perovskite solar cells.

The controlled growth of two-dimensional (2D) perovskite atop three-dimensional (3D) perovskite films reduces interfacial recombination and impedes ion migration, thus improving the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Unfortunately, the random orientation of the spontaneously formed 2D phase atop the pre-deposited 3D perovskite film can deteriorate charge extraction owing to energetic disorder, limiting the maximum attainable efficiency and long-term stability of the PSCs. Here, we introduce a meta-amidinopyridine ligand and the solvent post-dripping step to generate a highly ordered 2D perovskite phase on the surface of a 3D perovskite film.

Validation of the Singing Voice Handicap Index in Greek Singers: Normal and Voice-Disordered Participants.

Objectives: The Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) was culturally adapted and validated in Greek to examine the impacts of voice problems on a singer's everyday life.

Methods: The translated version was administered to 120 singers in total, along with the translated version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), a sort voice history questionnaire, two Self-Rating Dysphonia Severity Scales (SRDSSs), and two visual analog scales. A week after the original completion of the Greek version of SVHI, a second copy of the SVHI was administered to 50% of the participants.

Leveraging Epigenetic Alterations in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma for Clinical Applications.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by late detection and poor prognosis. Recent research highlights the pivotal role of epigenetic alter- ations in driving PDAC development and progression. These changes, in conjunction with genetic mutations, contribute to the intricate molecular landscape of the disease.