Adolescents' academic performance: what helps them and what hinders them from achievement and success?

Introduction: Research on adolescents' academic performance has mostly focused on the contribution of objective factors, such as socioeconomic situation of the family or individual cognitive skills and school results. Evidence with a focus on adolescents' subjective experiences is scarce. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore factors related to adolescents' academic performance from their perspectives.

Cellular Effects of Cationic Copper(II) Schiff Base Complexes: Anti-Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Properties.

A series of potassium isothiocyanato-(N-salicylidene-aminoacidato) cuprates (1-5) with the general formula of the monomeric unit K[Cu(sal-aa)(NCS)] ⋅ xHO (x=0 or 2), containing a Schiff-base ligand (Hsal-aa) derived from natural amino acids such as glycine, DL-α-alanine, DL-valine, DL-phenylalanine and β-alanine, and salicylaldehyde, was screened for in vitro antiradical and major cellular effects against selected cancerous and normal cells. The complexes exhibited strong antioxidant properties against superoxide in vitro and a protective effect on DNA under Fenton-like reaction conditions. Screening of their cellular effects revealed moderate in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines (A2780, A2780R and MCF-7), with IC values of 25-35 μM, and relatively low toxicity to normal fibroblast MRC-5 cells (with IC values>50 μM).

Enhancing collective entanglement witnesses through correlation with state purity.

This research analyzes the adverse impact of white noise on collective quantum measurements and argues that such noise poses a significant obstacle for the otherwise straightforward deployment of collective measurements in quantum communications. Our findings then suggests addressing this issue by correlating outcomes of these measurements with quantum state purity. To test the concept, a support vector machine is employed to boost the performance of several collective entanglement witnesses by incorporating state purity into the classification task of distinguishing entangled states from separable ones.

Understanding the Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Early Childhood Development in Marginalised Roma Communities: The Role of Parental Education and Household Equipment.

This study aimed to explore the effect of socioeconomic disadvantage accumulated in marginalised Roma communities (MRCs) on early childhood development and to assess the role of selected socioeconomic indicators in the association between belonging to MRCs vs. the majority and early childhood development. We obtained cross-sectional data from 232 mother-child dyads from MRCs and the majority population.

Intestinal parasitic infections in children from marginalised Roma communities: prevalence and risk factors.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections remain a significant global health issue, particularly affecting poor and marginalised populations. These infections significantly contribute to children's diseases, malnutrition, poor school performance, cognitive disorders, and future economic losses. This study aimed to explore and compare the occurrence of intestinal parasites in early childhood among the group of infants from the Slovak majority population and from marginalised Roma communities (MRCs).

Multiparametric analysis of the specific immune response against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, has killed more than 7 million people worldwide. Understanding the development of postinfectious and postvaccination immune responses is necessary for effective treatment and the introduction of appropriate antipandemic measures.

Objectives: We analysed humoral and cell-mediated anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses to spike (S), nucleocapsid (N), membrane (M), and open reading frame (O) proteins in individuals collected up to 1.

Mothers in stress: Hair cortisol of mothers living in marginalised Roma communities and the role of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Roma living in marginalised communities are among the most disadvantaged groups in Slovakia. Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with higher hair cortisol concentrations (HCC), including in parents. The aim of this study is therefore to assess differences in HCC, reflecting the levels of stress, between mothers living in MRCs and from the majority population, to assess the association of socioeconomic disadvantage with HCC, and whether disadvantage mediates the MRC/majority differences in HCC.

Studies on Food Physical Characterization.

With the growing focus on sustainable food production, there has been a surge in research aimed at developing innovative and eco-friendly food alternatives [...

Differences in the body image based on physical parameters among young women from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Background: The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Czech Republic and Slovakia has led to heightened emphasis on weight control, particularly among women. Our aim is to explore body image perceptions among women in both countries and compare their attitudes, focusing on the relationship between body image and body mass index (BMI), height, weight, body fat and the weight control.

Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 358 female students from the University of Pardubice and Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, with equal representation from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Pharmacological Significance of with Special Insights into Shikonin and Its Potential in the Food Industry.

Shikonin is a naphthoquinone pigment present in the hairy roots of the plant species from the family. The compound has been well investigated for its highly efficient medicinal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Various extraction methodologies have been employed to maximise yield while minimising waste production of shikonin and its derivatives.

Ideas Behind the Tryptophan-Mediated Petasis Reaction (TMPR) Concept for Peptide Stapling.

This Concept short review offers an insightful analysis of pivotal research papers and explores the key synthetic ideas behind the intersection of two realms in peptide chemistry: using tryptophan and Petasis multicomponent reactions for macrocyclisation and labelling of peptides. The recently published tryptophan-mediated Petasis reaction (TMPR) concept represents a critical junction between these two worlds, highlighting how combining such methodologies leads to more effective and versatile synthetic strategies, setting a potentially new direction for future research in the field of peptide-drug conjugates.

Endophyte Inoculation and Elevated Potassium Supply on Productivity, Growth and Physiological Parameters of Spring Barley ( L.) Genotypes over Contrasting Seasons.

In recent years, recurrent droughts have significantly affected spring barley production, reducing the quantity and quality of grain. This study aims to identify genotype-specific traits and the drought resilience of six different L. (spring barley) genotypes, while also examining the potential of potassium application and fungal endophyte inoculation to mitigate the negative effects of dry periods during the growing season.

1,5-Disubstituted tetrazoles as PD-1/PD-L1 antagonists.

The progress in cancer survival and treatment has witnessed a remarkable transformation through the innovative approach of targeting the inhibitory immune checkpoint protein PD-1/PD-L1 complex by mAbs, pembrolizumab (Keytruda). While generating 17.2 billion U.

Association of socioeconomic disadvantage and ethnicity with perinatal neonatal, and infant mortality in Slovakia.

Background: Infant mortality rates are reliable indices of the child and general population health status and health care delivery. The most critical factors affecting infant mortality are socioeconomic status and ethnicity. The aim of this study was to assess the association between socioeconomic disadvantage, ethnicity, and perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality in Slovakia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Childhood in Marginalized Roma Communities: Health Risks and Health Outcomes.

Objectives: This study aims to compare selected early childhood health risks and health outcomes of children from marginalized Roma communities (MRCs) in Slovakia with those of the majority.

Methods: We obtained cross-sectional data from mother-child dyads from the majority (N = 109) and MRCs (N = 143) via questionnaires and from medical records. Socioeconomic status, health risks and health outcomes were compared using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests in SPSS.

Parallel process as a tool for supervision and therapy: A cognitive behavioral and schema therapy perspective.

Introduction: The parallel process is a psychosocial phenomenon where the relationship dynamics between the therapist and the client are repeated in the supervisory relationship between the therapist and the supervisor. The concept of the parallel process can be a useful tool for understanding and solving problems in therapy. However, it can induce supervision drift or block the supervision process.

Management and outcome of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in blast phase in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era - analysis of the European LeukemiaNet Blast Phase Registry.

Blast phase (BP) of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) still represents an unmet clinical need with a dismal prognosis. Due to the rarity of the condition and the heterogeneity of the biology and clinical presentation, prospective trials and concise treatment recommendations are lacking. Here we present the analysis of the European LeukemiaNet Blast Phase Registry, an international collection of the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of blast phases which had been diagnosed in CML patients after 2015.

The Potential for Genotoxicity, Mutagenicity and Endocrine Disruption in Triclosan and Triclocarban Assessed through a Combination of In Vitro Methods.

Triclosan and Triclocarban, preservatives widely used in cosmetics and other consumer products, underwent evaluation using a battery of new-approach methodologies in vitro (NAMs). Specifically, the Microplate Ames Test (MPF™ Test, Xenometrix, Allschwil, Switzerland) was employed to assess mutagenicity, the Comet assay in vitro on the HaCat cell line and the Mammalian Chromosome Aberration Test were utilized to evaluate genotoxicity, and the XenoScreen YES/YAS assay was applied to investigate endocrine disruption. The chemicals did not exhibit any positive responses for mutagenicity.

Direct elemental analysis of plant oils by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Simple sample dilution combined with oxygen introduction into the plasma.

Assessment of trace metal concentrations in plant oils has been considered a crucial quality control marker for potential health risks, oil flavour, and oxidative stability. A straightforward inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methodology was developed and validated through introduction of argon:oxygen gas mixture into plasma, allowing for a direct elemental analysis of organic matrices. This approach offers the advantage of a simple one-step preparation of plant oil samples with negligible contamination risks.

Corrigendum: Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Czech citizens: how do depression and anxiety symptoms influence cognitive, behavioral, and emotional changes?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.

Perceived Stress of Mothers, Harsh Discipline, and Early Childhood Mental Health: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study in Marginalized Roma Communities.

This study aims to compare the early childhood mental health of children from marginalized Roma communities (MRCs) in Slovakia with that of the majority and explore possible mediating pathways of mothers' perceived stress and harsh discipline practices. We used data from the first wave of the longitudinal RomaREACH study collected in 2021-2022. Two populations were included in the sample: 94 mother-child dyads from MRCs and 79 from the majority population (children aged 14-18 months).

Long-term shift towards shady and nutrient-rich habitats in Central European temperate forests.

Biodiversity world-wide has been under increasing anthropogenic pressure in the past century. The long-term response of biotic communities has been tackled primarily by focusing on species richness, community composition and functionality. Equally important are shifts between entire communities and habitat types, which remain an unexplored level of biodiversity change.

A novel strategy to study apomixis, automixis, and autogamy in plants.

The combination of a flow cytometric seed screen and genotyping of each single seed offers a cost-effective approach to detecting complex reproductive pathways in flowering plants. Reproduction may be seen as one of the driving forces of evolution. Flow cytometric seed screen and genotyping of parents and progeny are commonly employed techniques to discern various modes of reproduction in flowering plants.