The Dynamics of Antibody Titres Against SARS-CoV-2 in Vaccinated Healthcare Workers: A Systemic Literature Review.

Given that COVID-19 vaccination is a relatively recent development, particularly when compared to immunisation against other diseases, it is crucial to assess its efficacy in vaccinated populations. This literature review analysed studies that monitored antibody titres against SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers who received COVID-19 vaccines. Using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparators, Outcomes) model recommended in the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines we included 43 publications which analyse antibody dynamics following primary vaccination, the effects of booster doses, and the influence of factors such as COVID-19C infection, age, and sex on antibody kinetics.

Advances in Pharmaceutical Science in Electrochemotherapy: A Tribute to Prof. Jolanta Saczko.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the memory of Professor Jolanta Saczko (1964-2023), a remarkable leader whose guidance and dedication were instrumental in advancing electroporation-based research in Poland [...

The Mosquito Microbiota: A Key Player in Vector Competence and Disease Dynamics.

Mosquitoes are well-known vectors for a range of pathogens, including parasites, which cause malaria in reptiles, birds, and mammals [...

Development of Piezoelectric Inertial Rotary Motor for Free-Space Optical Communication Systems.

This paper presents the design, development, and investigation of a novel piezoelectric inertial motor whose target application is the low Earth orbit (LEO) temperature conditions. The motor utilizes the inertial stick-slip principle, driven by the first bending mode of three piezoelectric bimorph plates, and is compact and lightweight, with a total volume of 443 cm and a mass of 28.14 g.

A Spectroscopy Solution for Contactless Conductivity Detection in Capillary Electrophoresis.

This paper introduces a novel contactless single-chip detector that utilizes impedance-to-digital conversion technology to measure impedance in the microfluidic channel or capillary format analytical device. The detector is designed to operate similarly to capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detectors for capillary electrophoresis or chromatography but with the added capability of performing frequency sweeps up to 200 kHz. At each recorded data point, impedance and phase-shift data can be extracted, which can be used to generate impedance versus frequency plots, or phase-shift versus frequency plots.

The First Neotropical Record of the Genus (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Elachistinae) with Keys to the World Species and a Description of a New Species from Honduras.

The genus Stainton (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Elachistinae) is recorded for the first time from the Neotropical region, with the description of a new species, sp. nov., from Honduras.

Molecular Profiles of Sensitization to Non-Specific Lipid Transfer Proteins in Lithuania: Single Center Experience.

Non-specific Lipid Transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are relevant allergens of several pollens and plant foods. Sensitization to nsLTPs is not typical in our region. Still, it has become an increasingly common cause of IgE-mediated food allergies and food-induced anaphylaxis in Northern Europe in recent decades.

Correction: Auskalnis et al. Synchronous Seminoma of Testis and Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report. 2024, , 1553.

In the published publication [...

Evaluating and Gene Polymorphisms and Serum Protein Levels and Their Association with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Its Treatment Efficiency.

: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness, affecting millions worldwide. Its pathogenesis involves the death of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), followed by photoreceptor degeneration. Although AMD is multifactorial, various genetic markers are strongly associated with the disease and may serve as biomarkers for evaluating treatment efficacy.

Therapeutic Impact of Ascorbic Acid on Oral and Periodontal Tissues: A Systematic Literature Review.

: Ascorbic acid (AA), a non-metabolized substance in the human body, is acquired from plant-based foods or supplements and is renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, widely utilized in medicine, particularly in aesthetic practices. In dentistry, exploring adjunctive therapies like AA has gained traction to complement conventional treatments. This systematic literature review aims to assess the effects of ascorbic acid on oral and periodontal health.

Five-Year Trends in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Management in a Primary Healthcare Centre in Kaunas.

: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a marker of cardiovascular risk and its management. This study evaluated LDL-C control trends in patients treated at a primary healthcare center in Lithuania. : Five-year (2019-2023) data on patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with dyslipidemia were extracted from a real-world data and analytics platform, TriNetX.

Long-Term Pulmonary Sequelae and Immunological Markers in Patients Recovering from Severe and Critical COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Comprehensive Follow-Up Study.

: Severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia can lead to long-term complications, especially affecting pulmonary function and immune health. However, the extent and progression of these complications over time are not well understood. This study aimed to assess lung function, radiological changes, and some immune parameters in survivors of severe and critical COVID-19 up to 12 months after hospital discharge.

Impact of Modified Diet, Swallowing Exercises, and Neuromuscular Electrostimulation on Severity of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia of Geriatric Patients.

: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a common swallowing disorder, characterized by difficulties in moving food and liquids from the mouth to the esophagus; it is particularly prevalent among older adults with neurological conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-term complex treatment protocol combining dietary modifications, swallowing exercises, and transcutaneous neuromuscular electrostimulation in reducing the oropharyngeal dysphagia severity and aspiration risk among geriatric patients. : A total of 64 participants aged 60 and older, with oropharyngeal dysphagia, at LSMU Kaunas Hospital between May 2021 and April 2023, were included in the study after excluding those with significant comorbidities.

The Association of Thyroid Disease with Risk of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review.

: Cognitive impairment is defined as a reduced ability to perform one or more cognitive functions, potentially leading to dementia if the condition worsens. With dementia being a rapidly growing public health issue affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide, understanding modifiable risk factors such as thyroid disease is crucial for prevention and early diagnosis. Thyroid hormones play a vital role in brain development and functioning, impacting processes such as neuron growth, myelination, and neurotransmitter synthesis.

A Prospective Study of Nephrocalcinosis in Very Preterm Infants: Incidence, Risk Factors and Vitamin D Intake in the First Month.

: Nephrocalcinosis (NC) is a common condition characterized by the deposition of calcium salts in the kidneys of very preterm infants due to tubular immaturity, intensive treatment and nutritional supplements. However, optimal vitamin D supplementation remains unclear. In most patients, NC spontaneously resolves within the first year of life, but long-term kidney function data are lacking.

Overuse of CT for Minor Head Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis from Poland and Lithuania Trauma Centres.

: Head trauma is one of many conditions that trauma centres deal with daily. This study aimed to analyse the utilisation of head CT scans for patients with minor head trauma in two major hospitals in Lithuania and Poland. : We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study of CT utilisation in minor head trauma patients presenting to the Level 1 trauma centre Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics (HLUHS KC) and Jan Biziel University Hospital in Bydgoszcz emergency departments (EDs), during the study period from 01 February to 30 April 2023.

Abstracts of the 16th European Congress of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology .

PAG aims to foster a collaborative environment that bridges knowledge from various disciplines to ensure the highest quality of care for children and adolescents with gynaecological issues. The European Association of PAG and HellenicPAG, like all National PAG Societies, support research and education to advance new insights, improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and protect future fertility. Additionally, PAG promotes international cooperation by proposing guidelines for good clinical practice in terms of prevention, diagnosis, procedures, and treatment.

Plasma microRNAs as Biomarkers for Predicting Radiotherapy Treatment-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is the second most common malignancy and stands as a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Currently, one of the main treatment options for lung cancer is radiotherapy, but this treatment is associated with complications, such as an increased risk of cardiac-related morbidity and mortality. However, currently available methods for predicting radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) remain suboptimal.

Methuosis, Alkaliptosis, and Oxeiptosis and Their Significance in Anticancer Therapy.

Understanding morphological, biochemical, and functional aspects of cell death is essential for targeting new cancer therapies. Even though many different mechanisms of cell death are identified, it is crucial to highlight the role of new and lesser-known pathways, including methuosis, alkaliptosis, and oxeiptosis. The aim of this review was to summarize the data about cell death mechanisms-methuosis, alkaliptosis, and oxeiptosis-and their role in cancer treatment.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Different Types of Professional Tooth Whitening: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that improves the color of natural teeth, making them whiter and brighter; this review aimed to evaluate the greater effectiveness of in-office, at-home, and combined bleaching with hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, also in relation to possible relapses and side effects (tooth sensitivity).

Methods: A literature search has been carried out through electronic databases, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, focused on the use of the effectiveness of in-office, at-home, and combined dental bleaching. This review has been registered on PROSPERO (ID613248).

Diagnostic Potential of Cytokine Biomarkers in Endometriosis: Challenges and Insights.

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, characterized by the abnormal presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Although endometriosis was first described over 300 years ago, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, and accurate, prompt diagnosis continues to be challenging. Currently, there is a lack of effective, non-invasive diagnostic methods, and available treatments often come with significant side effects and high recurrence rates.

Serum T2-High Inflammation Mediators in Eosinophilic COPD.

Eosinophils are central inflammatory cells in asthma; however, a portion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have blood or sputum eosinophilia, a condition termed eosinophilic COPD (eCOPD), which may contribute to the progression of the disease. We hypothesize that eosinophilic inflammation in eCOPD patients is related to Type 2 (T2)-high inflammation seen in asthma and that serum mediators might help us to identify T2-high inflammation in patients and choose an appropriate personalized treatment strategy. Thus, we aimed to investigate ten serum levels of T2-high inflammation mediators in eCOPD patients and compare them to severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma (SNEA) patients.

Novel Antimicrobial and Antitumor Agents Bearing Pyridine-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione-hydrazone Scaffold: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Investigation.

A series of target 4-substituted-5-(2-(pyridine-2-ylamino)ethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones and their chloro analogs - were synthesized in a reaction of the selected aldehydes with the corresponding 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones and , which were obtained from 3-(pyridin-2-ylamino)propanoic acid () or 3-((5-chloropyridin-2-yl)amino)propanoic acid (), respectively, with thioacetohydrazide. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the synthesized hydrazones were screened against the bacteria , , and and the fungi and by agar diffusion and serial dilution methods. 4-Amino-5-(2-((5-chloropyridin-2-yl)amino)ethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione () and 4-(benzylideneamino)-5-(2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)ethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione () were identified as exceptionally active (MIC 0.

Exploring the Association Between Adolescents' Health Literacy and Health Behavior by Using the Short Health Literacy (HLS-Q12) Questionnaire.

Background: Health literacy (HL) is an important element of public health that is linked to health behavior in children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the structural validity and reliability of the HLS-Q12 in the adolescent population, to measure the general HL of adolescents, and to assess the relationship between adolescents' HL and health behavior.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 825 students aged 15-19 years attending Lithuanian gymnasiums.

Sexual Body Size Dimorphism in Small Mammals: A Case Study from Lithuania.

We assessed the sexual size dimorphism (SSD), analyzing standard morphometric traits in juveniles, subadults, and adults, of 14 species of voles, mice, and shrews in Lithuania on the basis of long-term surveys, updating information published 35 years ago and in the context of data from other countries. ANOVA, -tests, and a 5% threshold were used in the analyses. Male-biased SSD was observed in and , which was subject to Rensch's rule, and in three other meadow vole species, with the strongest expression in adult individuals.