Gustatory-Visual Interaction in Human Brain Cortex: fNIRS Study.

Background: Many studies, for example, on taste-visual dissonance, have shown that the influence of the visual cortex on taste sensation is enormous. The presented work aims to investigate, using fNIRS, whether a taste stimulus, in this case, the taste of bitter, also causes stimulation of the visual cortex in the fNIRS study.

Methods: fNIRS was used to examine 51 participants (204 examinations, 9996 records), collecting signals from the left hemisphere.

Exploring the Dimensions of Perfectionism in Adolescence: A Multi-Method Study on Mental Health and CBT-Based Psychoeducation.

Background: Perfectionism in adolescents can have both adaptive and maladaptive forms, with implications for mental health and school performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation in adolescents and to evaluate the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions.

Methods: Two studies were conducted: (1) A cross-sectional study ( = 261) examined the correlations among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation.

Assessment of Changes in Executive Functions and Attention of Cadets as a Result of Military Parachute Jumping.

Objectives: This study analyzed the effects of parachute jump stress on the executive functions and attention of cadets. Executive functions, which includes processes such as attentional control and cognitive flexibility, are crucial for soldiers, especially in situations requiring rapid decision-making. Parachute jumping, as an intense stressor, mobilizes cognitive resources, which can lead to short-term improvements in executive functions.

Digital Image Analysis of Vertebral Body S1 and Its Ossification Center in the Human Fetus.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the growth dynamics of the first sacral vertebra and its ossification center in the human fetus, based on their linear, planar, and volumetric parameters.

Methods: The examinations were carried out on 54 human fetuses of both sexes (26 males and 28 females) aged 18-30 weeks of gestation, which had been preserved in 10% neutral formalin solution. Using CT, digital image analysis software, 3D reconstruction, and statistical methods, the size of the first sacral vertebra and its ossification center was evaluated.

Factors Determining Rehabilitation Needs After Intradural Spinal Tumor Surgery: A Prospective Study.

Background/objectives: While most studies on the postoperative condition of patients with spinal cord tumors describe long-term outcomes, data are needed on immediate surgical outcomes demanding rehabilitation to make informed assessments for postoperative planning. The aim of this study was to identify factors predicting function and rehabilitative needs after intradural spinal tumor surgery.

Methods: Eighty-five prospectively recruited patients underwent surgery for intradural intramedullary (ID-IM; = 23) and extramedullary (ID-EM; = 62) tumors.

Schizophasia and Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: A Literature Review.

Background: Cognitive functions are the basis for the development of language skills. Cognitive disorders occur in schizophrenia and may be present even before the first symptoms of psychosis. Language deficits are also mentioned as one of the diagnostic symptoms of this disease.

Development of Speech and Communication in Polish Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/objectives: 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic disease caused by aberration of chromosome 22 that results in some phenotypic features and developmental disorders. This paper presents a cross-sectional study on speech and communication of Polish children with 22q11DS.

The Role of Immersive Experience in Anxiety Reduction: Evidence from Virtual Reality Sessions.

Background/objectives: Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology with the potential to transform digital experiences, particularly in relation to mental health concerns such as anxiety. Therefore, this study investigates the potential of a newly designed VR experience to alleviate anxiety by focusing on the mediating role of VR-induced immersion.

Methods: The study included 419 individuals aged 10 to 80 years, with 29 aged 10-15 years and 390 above 15 years, who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups on the basis of project-defined criteria, including a random allocation to the wheelchair-using group.

Comment on 'CAM-QUS guided self-tuning modular CNNs with multi-loss functions for fully automated breast lesion classification in ultrasound images'.

An analysis of the methodology used by the authors of the commented article is presented and errors related to data preparation are pointed out.

Mechanistic insights of methylcinnamate in improving oxidative stress and inflammation in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxic mice by upregulating Nrf2 pathway.

Background: Methylcinnamate (MC), a safe flavoring agent naturally found in Occimum basilicum L. is reported to have an anti-inflammatory responses in various disease models. Acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity is a significant contributor to acute liver injury, which leads to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Neuroinflammation in the Post-Ischemic Brain in the Presence of Amyloid and Tau Protein.

Ischemia-induced brain neurodegeneration is a leading cause of mortality and permanent disability worldwide, with no definitive cure. The development of neuroinflammation following ischemic events plays a dual role; it is essential for brain repair and homeostasis and can also exacerbate post-ischemic damage and worsen neurological outcomes. Neuroinflammation represents a complex process involving interactions between infiltrating immune cells from the bloodstream and resident immune cells within the affected brain regions.

Gated myocardial perfusion SPECT for evaluating left ventricular dyssynchrony in cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates: a systematic review.

Objectives: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an intervention for heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction who exhibit specific electrocardiographic indicators of electrical dyssynchrony. However, electrical dyssynchrony does not universally correspond to left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD). Gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion allows for the assessment of LVMD, yet its role in the CRT selection process remains debated.

Understanding mental health in older adults: exploring the interplay of wisdom, perceived poor health, and attitudes toward aging.

Objectives: Late adulthood is marked by challenges that impact well-being. While perceived health, wisdom, and positive attitudes toward aging correlate with better mental health in later life, their interrelations are not well understood. This study explored if three-dimensional wisdom could buffer the negative impact of poor physical health on mental health, and if positive attitudes toward aging mediated the effects of wisdom and poor health on mental health.

Implementation of Time-Averaged Restraints with UNRES Coarse-Grained Model of Polypeptide Chains.

Time-averaged restraints from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements have been implemented in the UNRES coarse-grained model of polypeptide chains in order to develop a tool for data-assisted modeling of the conformational ensembles of multistate proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), many of which are essential in cell biology. A numerically stable variant of molecular dynamics with time-averaged restraints has been introduced, in which the total energy is conserved in sections of a trajectory in microcanonical runs, the bath temperature is maintained in canonical runs, and the time-average-restraint-force components are scaled up with the length of the memory window so that the restraints affect the simulated structures. The new approach restores the conformational ensembles used to generate ensemble-averaged distances, as demonstrated with synthetic restraints.

Evaluation of liver fibrosis in HCV-infected patients using two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) before and after antiviral treatment.

Aim: Chronic hepatitis C virus infections can lead to liver fibrosis. Appropriate treatment of chronic hepatitis C may result in significant fibrosis reversal. The best method to assess liver fibrosis is an invasive hepatic biopsy.

Extracellular vesicles-a new player in the development of urinary bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer was the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2020. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized membranous structures secreted by all types of cells into the extracellular space. EVs can transport proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids to specific target cells.

Mental preparation of karateka for sports competition in kata.

Mental preparation for sports competition in karate is significant, as it is deeply embedded in the philosophical and ethical values that underpin this combat method. In practice, the mental preparation of karateka varies depending on the type of competition, for example preparation for kata (forms) and kumite (fights). Thus, this perspective offers a concise account of the authors' viewpoint on the leading mental skills required of kata competitors.

Distinct mRNA expression profiles and miRNA regulators of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in breast cancer: insights into tumor progression and therapeutic targets.

Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women, driven by the molecular complexity of its various subtypes. This study aimed to investigate the differential expression of genes and miRNAs involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, a critical regulator of cancer progression.

Methods: We analyzed tumor tissues from five breast cancer subtypes-luminal A, luminal B HER2-negative, luminal B HER2-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)-and compared them with non-cancerous tissues.

Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST) science: Probing the transient and time-variable sky.

The study of transient and variable events, including novae, active galactic nuclei, and black hole binaries, has historically been a fruitful path for elucidating the evolutionary mechanisms of our universe. The study of such events in the millimeter and submillimeter is, however, still in its infancy. Submillimeter observations probe a variety of materials, such as optically thick dust, which are hard to study in other wavelengths.

Comparison of an AI-based mobile pupillometry system and NPi-200 for pupillary light reflex and correlation with glaucoma-related markers.

Introduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, often progressing asymptomatically until significant vision loss occurs. Early detection is crucial for preventing irreversible damage. The pupillary light reflex (PLR) has proven useful in glaucoma diagnosis, and mobile technologies like the AI-based smartphone pupillometer (AI Pupillometer) offer a promising solution for accessible screening.

Impact of the initiation of isCGM soon after type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosis in adults on glycemic indices and fear of hypoglycemia: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improves glycemic control and quality of life. Data on glycemic indices and fear of hypoglycemia (FoH) in newly diagnosed T1DM patients are limited.

Aim: To assess the impact of initiating intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) within 1-6 months of diagnosis on glycemic control and FoH in adults with T1DM.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome in the course of teratoma: a case report.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare neurological inflammatory disease of paraneoplastic, parainfectious or idiopathic origin. It is manifested by the occurrence of opsoclonus, myoclonus, ataxia, as well as behavioral and sleep disorders. The incidence is estimated at 1/5,000,000 people.

Combined Graphene Oxide with 2-Methoxyestradiol for Effective Anticancer Therapy in-vitro Model.

Introduction: This article describes the invention of graphene oxide (GO) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO) functionalised with 2-methoxy estradiol. The presence of polar hydroxyl groups enables the binding of 2-ME to GO/rGO through hydrogen bonds with epoxy and hydroxyl groups located on the surface and carbonyl and carboxyl groups located at the edges of graphene flake sheets.

Methods: The patented method of producing the subject of the invention and the research results regarding its anticancer effectiveness via cytotoxicity in an in vivo model (against A375 melanoma and 143B osteosarcoma cells) are described.

Detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in wastewater samples: a wake-up call, Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, 2024.

In 2024, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in wastewater samples in Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom (UK). All strains were genetically linked, but sequence analysis showed high genetic diversity among the strains identified within individual wastewater sites and countries and an unexpected high genetic proximity among isolates from different countries. Taken together these results, with sequential samples having tested positive in various sites, a broader geographic distribution beyond positive sampling sites must be considered.