Individual Variations in Vergence and Accommodation Responses Following Virtual Reality Gameplay.

Virtual reality (VR) can challenge the visual system, leading to temporary oculomotor changes, though the degree of change varies among individuals. While the vergence and accommodation system plays a crucial role in VR perception, it remains unclear whether individuals whose visual functions fall outside clinical norms experience larger changes. Thus, our study aimed to investigate whether changes in vergence and accommodation responses following VR gameplay differ between individuals with and without non-strabismic binocular and accommodative disorders.

Latvian Healthcare Professionals' Self-Reported Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Pregnancy Prevention Program Materials for Valproate-Containing Medicines.

Background: Valproates are recognized for their significant teratogenic risks, which can lead to physical defects and developmental disorders when used during pregnancy. To mitigate these risks, the Pregnancy Prevention Program (PPP) was developed by European regulators for patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Despite the crucial nature of this program, the implementation of the PPP does not appear to be fully effective.

Psychometric Properties of the Lactation Assessment and Comprehensive Intervention Tool (LAT).

Background: Despite the short- and long-term acknowledged benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and their infants, worldwide rates trail behind international goals. Prior research confirms that breastfeeding is a nurse sensitive indicator and that problems with latching the baby and painful breastfeeding rank high among the reasons given for not continuing to breastfeed. The Lactation Assessment Tool (LAT) was previously evaluated in a study conducted in Latvia by nurse midwives.

Visualization and Estimation of 0D to 1D Nanostructure Size by Photoluminescence.

We elaborate a method for determining the 0D-1D nanostructure size by photoluminescence (PL) emission spectrum dependence on the nanostructure dimensions. As observed, the high number of diamond-like carbon nanocones shows a strongly blue-shifted PL spectrum compared to the bulk material, allowing for the calculation of their top dimensions of 2.0 nm.

Immunolocalization of Na(+)-Dependent Glucose Co-Transporters in Chicken Kidneys in Norm and During T-2 Mycotoxicosis (Primary Study).

The kidney plays an essential role in the proper homeostasis of glucose. In the kidney, glucose transport is carried out across cell membranes by two families of glucose transporters-facilitated diffusion glucose transporters (GLUTs) and Na(+)-dependent glucose co-transporters (SGLT family). Among the transporters, sodium-dependent glucose co-transporters play a major role in the kidney's ability to reabsorb glucose.

Sex-Dependent Efficacy of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Agonist FTY720 in Mitigating Huntington's Disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor deficits, cognitive decline and psychiatric disturbances. An early and significant morphological hallmark of HD is the activation of astrocytes triggered by mutant huntingtin, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators. Fingolimod (FTY), an FDA-approved sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammatory disease, and has shown therapeutic promise in other neurological conditions.

Relative effectiveness of the second booster COVID-19 vaccines against laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers: VEBIS HCW VE cohort study (1 October 2022-2 May 2023).

Introduction: Repeated COVID-19 booster vaccination was recommended in healthcare workers (HCWs) to maintain protection. We measured the relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of the second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine compared to the first booster, against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study among HCWs from 12 European hospitals, we collected nasopharyngeal or saliva samples at enrolment and during weekly/fortnightly follow-up between October 2022 and May 2023.

Glucose control and variability assessed by continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has emerged as a superior method to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) monitoring for glycemic control assessment in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The association between CGM parameters and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has not been extensively researched. The aim of the present study was to compare CGM metrics between patients with stable and progressive DKD and T1D.

Indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cause-of-death analysis of life expectancy changes in 24 countries, 2015 to 2022.

Worldwide, mortality was strongly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both directly through COVID-19 deaths and indirectly through changes in other causes of death. Here, we examine the impact of the pandemic on COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 mortality in 24 countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, England and Wales, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Poland, Russia, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. Using demographic decomposition methods, we compare age- and cause-specific contributions to changes in female and male life expectancy at birth in 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 with those before the COVID-19 pandemic (2015-2019).

In Situ Column Modification of Silica Monoliths With Pentafluorophenyl Ligands for the HPLC Separation of Eight Tocochromanols.

Silica-based monoliths offer higher separation efficiency per unit pressure drop compared to particle-packed columns. Their application is limited by the commercial availability of different column chemistries. Pentafluorophenyl ligands enable hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, π-π, and hydrophobic interactions, facilitating the separation of various compounds.

Migration routes and adult survival of the critically endangered yellow-breasted bunting Emberiza aureola.

Migratory animals rely on multiple sites during their annual cycles. Deteriorating conditions at any site can have population-level consequences, with long-distance migrants seen as especially susceptible to such changes. Reduced adult survival caused by persecution at non-breeding sites has been suggested a major reason for the catastrophic decline of a formerly abundant, long-distance migratory songbird, the Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola.

The problem of resilience of families with the consequences of war psychotrauma.

Objective: Аim: To determine the characteristics of family resilience to the consequences of war psychotrauma.

Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: The experimental group included 23 young families (46 people, average age 28,20 ± 1,33 years) forcibly resettled from the zone of active hostilities; the control group consisted of 25 young families (50 people, average age 28,16 ±1,72 years) from Kyiv, who did not change their place of residence and did not witness active hostilities. The following psychodiagnostic methods were used questionnaires: "Diagnosis of personality behavior in a conflict situation"; "Communication in the family"; Marriage satisfaction test-questionnaire; Connor-Davidson-10 resilience scale.

Recognition of Noncanonical RNA Base Pairs Using Triplex-Forming Peptide Nucleic Acids.

Noncanonical base pairs play an important role in enabling the structural and functional complexity of RNA. Molecular recognition of such motifs is challenging because of their diversity, significant deviation from the Watson-Crick structures, and dynamic behavior, resulting in alternative conformations of similar stability. Triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have emerged as excellent ligands for the recognition of Watson-Crick base-paired double helical RNA.

Effect of multispecies swards on ruminal fermentation, methane emission and potential for climate care cattle farming - an in vitro study.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock ruminants, particularly methane (CH), nitrous oxide, and indirectly ammonia (NH) significantly contribute to climate change and global warming. Conventional monoculture swards for cattle feeding, such as perennial ryegrass or Italian ryegrass, usually require substantial fertiliser inputs. Such management elevates soil mineral nitrogen levels, resulting in GHG emissions and potential water contamination.

Evaluating the need for standardised disease manifestation categories in patients infected with the tick-borne encephalitis virus: A Delphi panel.

Categorization systems for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection lack consistency in classifying disease severity. To evaluate the need for a standard, consensus-based categorisation system for TBEV infection across subtypes, we gathered an expert panel of clinicians and scientists with diverse expertise in TBEV infection. Consensus was sought using the Delphi technique, which consisted of 2 web-based survey questionnaires and a final, virtual, consensus-building exercise.

Global impact of ten-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease in all ages (the PSERENADE project): a global surveillance analysis.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) that are ten-valent (PCV10) and 13-valent (PCV13) became available in 2010. We evaluated their global impact on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence in all ages.

Methods: Serotype-specific IPD cases and population denominators were obtained directly from surveillance sites using PCV10 or PCV13 in their national immunisation programmes and with a primary series uptake of at least 50%.

FACTORS AFFECTING COVID-19 OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES.

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are considered to have a high risk of developing severe and life-threatening infections including COVID-19 because of immune deficiency and immunosuppressive treatments. Although the COVID pandemic spread worldwide, morbidity and mortality data varied from country to country. A more accurate identification of risk factors would allow the improvement of the clinical management of HM patients.

Workshop on the Latest Advances in Biomedical Applications of Octacalcium Phosphate.

The first workshop on the "latest advances in biomedical applications of octacalcium phosphate (OCP)" was organized as a satellite symposium to the Bioceramics33 conference in Solothurn, Switzerland, in October 2023. The event brought together leading researchers and industry representatives to present and discuss their latest groundbreaking research aimed at developing and commercializing advanced OCP-based biomaterials for bone regeneration. The topics presented by the six invited speakers ranged from a fundamental understanding of the OCP crystal chemistry to advanced processing and characterization methods, functionalization, biomineralization, and commercialization.

Unveiling underlying factors for optimizing light spectrum to enhance microalgae growth.

Emerging research highlights the potential of specific light spectral regions to significantly enhance microalgae biomass production compared to conventional white light illumination. However, conflicting results of existing studies on the most optimal wavelengths reveal a knowledge gap regarding the underlying factors for optimal spectrum. The present paper aims to address this gap by critically analyzing existing studies on light spectral quality and its impact on microalgae growth.

Can triad forestry reconcile Europe's biodiversity and forestry strategies? A critical evaluation of forest zoning.

Balancing increasing demand for wood products while also maintaining forest biodiversity is a paramount challenge. Europe's Biodiversity and Forest Strategies for 2030 attempt to address this challenge. Together, they call for strict protection of 10% of land area, including all primary and old growth forests, increasing use of ecological forestry, and less reliance on monocultural plantations.

Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Brain Damage in Methanol Poisoning: A Case of Rapid Deterioration.

BACKGROUND Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is often ingested accidentally or intentionally. Its metabolites can induce severe visual disturbances, metabolic acidosis, and neurological dysfunction, which can frequently become life-threatening. CASE REPORT A 44-year-old woman with a history of depression and alcohol use was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit after cardiopulmonary reanimation.

Artificial intelligence in surgical pathology - Where do we stand, where do we go?

Surgical and neuropathologists continuously search for new and disease-specific features, such as independent predictors of tumor prognosis or determinants of tumor entities and sub-entities. This is a task where artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) systems could significantly contribute to help with tumor outcome prediction and the search for new diagnostic or treatment stratification biomarkers. AI systems are increasingly integrated into routine pathology workflows to improve accuracy, reproducibility, productivity and to reveal difficult-to-see features in complicated histological slides, including the quantification of important markers for tumor grading and staging.

Global Distribution of Colorectal Cancer Staging at Diagnosis: An Evidence Synthesis.

Background And Aims: Stage at diagnosis is a key prognostic factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) survival. We aimed to assess the global distribution of CRC staging at diagnosis using population-based or hospital-based registry data.

Methods: We systematically searched in MEDLINE and Embase from their inception until 6 December 2023.