Experiences of childbirth care among mothers in Lithuania during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare practices, especially the provision of face-to-face services due to restrictions and social distance. The aim of the study was to analyze the experience of childbirth care among mothers in Lithuania during the pandemic. A qualitative design was adopted in the study.

The Influence of Abutment Selection in the Tridimensional Implant Position: Considerations for Predictable Implant Restorative Long-Term Outcomes.

Objective: To explore the influence of abutment selection on 3D implant positioning, emphasizing the synergy between surgical and prosthetic considerations for achieving predictable long-term outcomes in implant-supported restorations.

Main Considerations: Implant dentistry has transitioned from a purely surgical approach to a prosthetically driven methodology that prioritizes implant-supported restoration (ISR). This shift has been bolstered by advancements in digital technologies and abutment designs, which allow for more precise implant positioning and better management of biological, mechanical, and esthetic outcomes.

Men and women choose moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors with a "hot" mind rather than a "cold" one.

Background: The primary aim of our study is to explore how moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA), vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior (SB) in men and women (ages 18-74; 4545 females and 1824 males) are associated with age, education, psychological factors (cognitive reflection/"cold" mind, emotional intelligence (E), impulsivity, perceived stress), health behaviors (overeating, breakfast consumption, smoking, alcohol use), body mass index (BMI), and sleep duration.

Methods: The information was collected by means of an online survey ( https://docs.google.

Development of photoactive biomaterial using modified fullerene nanoparticles.

Medical device-associated biofilm infections continue to pose a significant challenge for public health. These infections arise from biofilm accumulation on the device, hampering the antimicrobial treatment. In response, significant efforts have been made to design functional polymeric devices that possess antimicrobial properties, limiting or preventing biofilm formation.

Aortic pulse wave velocity predicts cardiovascular mortality among middle-aged metabolic syndrome subjects without overt cardiovascular disease.

Background: The objective of this cohort study was to assess the predictive value of main arterial markers for cardiovascular death in middle-aged subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: This prospective longitudinal study analyzed data from 5829 metabolic syndrome subjects without overt cardiovascular disease aged between 40 and 64 years and enrolled in the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk primary prevention program. Initial assessment comprised the evaluation of aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid stiffness index, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), ankle-brachial index (ABI), aortic augmentation index adjusted for a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIXHR75), and endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).

Adaptive immune response to a wild boar-derived recombinant hepatitis e virus capsid protein challenge in pigs.

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) is a zoonotic pathogen capable of infecting human, porcine, and other animal hosts. Despite a broad host range and abundance of species that act as reservoirs for human infections, no commercially available animal vaccines against HEV-3 are currently available. In the present study, we tested the capacity of recombinant aa 112-608 wild boar-derived HEV-3 capsid protein (rORF2p) to induce an immune response in immunized pigs.

Central and peripheral kynurenine pathway metabolites in COVID-19: Implications for neurological and immunological responses.

Long-term symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairments are commonly observed in individuals affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Metabolites of the kynurenine pathway have been proposed to account for cognitive impairment in COVID-19 patients. Here, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites in 53 COVID-19 patients and 12 non-inflammatory neurological disease controls in Sweden were measured with an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system (UPLC-MS/MS) and correlated with immunological markers and neurological markers.

Effects of carbon black particles on human monocyte-derived macrophages: type-dependent pro-inflammatory activation in vitro.

Carbon black is a key component of air-borne particulate matter, linked to adverse health outcomes, such as increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and chronic pulmonary disease exacerbations. Fine and ultrafine particles can penetrate the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and induce pathogenetic events. Macrophages play a crucial role in responding to inhaled particles, including carbon black, by initiating an innate immune response and upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-oxidative enzymes.

Endophytic bacterial community dynamics in sweet cherry in vitro shoot culture and their role in shoot adaptation after cryopreservation.

Background: In vitro cultivation and cryopreservation techniques are essential tools for genetic diversity conservation and pathogen-free plant propagation of horticultural crops. The optimisation of cryopreservation protocols typically focuses on minimising the negative effects of pretreatment with cryoprotectors (CPs), cryogenic freezing (CF) treatment, and recovery procedures on explants. However, the impact of in vitro and CF techniques on plant-associated microbiota remains poorly understood, and their potential to improve plant adaptation after cryopreservation is underexplored.

Road to Tokyo Paralympic Games: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mood States of Brazilian Para Athletes.

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the world of sports due to the imposed quarantine and the postponement of regional, national, and international sporting events, which affected physical, socioeconomic, and psychological aspects of athletes. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate changes in the mood state profile of Brazilian Para athletes at 2 different time points during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically during their qualification for the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Design: This study used a longitudinal study design.

The additive effect of 17β-estradiol on the modulation of electrochemotherapy with calcium ions or cisplatin in human clear carcinoma cells.

Calcium electroporation (CaEP) is an efficient approach for ovarian cancer treatment. It causes cell death by introducing elevated levels of calcium into cells. In this work, the research focused on two types of cell lines: CHO-K1, representing normal ovary cells, and OvBH-1, representing ovarian clear carcinoma cells.

Artificial intelligence-powered image analysis: A paradigm shift in infectious disease detection.

The global burden of infectious diseases significantly affects mortality rates, with their varying symptoms making it challenging to assess and determine the severity of infections. Different countries face unique challenges related to these diseases. This study introduces innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) based methodologies to enhance diagnostic accuracy through the analysis of medical imagery.

Practical viewpoints on ethical questions and dilemmas in schema therapy.

Background: Ethics is an inherent part of psychotherapy that protects the interests and rights of all parties engaged in the therapeutic relationship. This article focuses on ethical issues and dilemmas that may arise when using schema therapy.

Method: We created a narrative review by searching the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus with the keywords "psychotherapy", "schema therapy", "therapeutic relationship", "ethics", "ethical questions", and "ethical dilemmas".

Association of meleanocortin 4 receptor gene polymorphism (MC4R:C.92C>T) with feline diabetes.

Objective: (DM) is a prevalent endocrine condition found in cats. Recent research has identified a connection between a higher risk of diabetes in cats and genetic factors. This genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes is associated with genes that control insulin secretion and function, as well as those that impact factors like obesity.

Novel polyomavirus in the endangered garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus.

Background: The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) has experienced a significant population decline across Europe in recent decades. While habitat loss and climate change are often cited as primary factors, pathogen exposure, either to novel or to previously known, may play a role in such a decline. This study aimed to investigate the presence of polyomaviruses in garden dormice, given that these viruses are highly prevalent and can cause disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

A laboratory study to assess the physico-chemical properties of BioRoot RCS and BioRoot Flow exposed to citric acid and EDTA irrigating solutions.

Objective: To assess physico-chemical properties of BioRoot RCS (powder-to-liquid formulation) and BioRoot Flow (pre-mixed formulation) after exposure to citric acid (CA) and EDTA.

Methods: BioRoot RCS and BioRoot Flow specimens (5 × 2 mm) were incubated for 28 days at 37 °C before being treated with test solution (distilled water, 17% EDTA, 10% CA, 20% CA or 40% CA). Changes in mass, ion release (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy), phase composition (X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy), surface morphology (scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy) were evaluated.

The influence of geometric nonconformance of the SB4 tension clamps on their strength and elasticity characteristics.

The paper presents comparative laboratory investigations of tension fastener models that attach rails to concrete sleepers. The aim of the paper was to assess the influence of geometric nonconformity of the actual industrial product that meets the PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.

Imidazo[2,1-][1,3]thiazine Derivatives as Potential Modulators of Alpha-Synuclein Amyloid Aggregation.

Insoluble amyloid fibrils accumulate in the intercellular spaces of organs and tissues, leading to various amyloidosis-related disorders in the human body. Specifically, Parkinson's disease is associated with the aggregation of alpha-synuclein. However, current treatments for Parkinson's primarily focus on managing motor symptoms and slowing disease progression.