Doxorubicin or Epirubicin Versus Liposomal Doxorubicin Therapy-Differences in Cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an important drug used in the treatment of many malignancies. Unfortunately DOX causes various side effects, with cardiotoxicity being the most characteristic. Risk factors for DOX induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) include cumulative dose of DOX, preexisting cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, along with the use of other cardiotoxic agents.

Does randomization assert the balance across trial arms? Revisiting Worrall's criticism.

We revisit John Worrall's old but still prominent argument against the view that randomization balances the impact of both known and unknown confounders across the treatment and control arms. We argue that his argument involving indefinitely many possible confounders is at odds with statistical theory as it (1) presumes that the purpose of randomized studies is obtaining perfect point estimates for which perfect balance is needed; (2) mistakes equalizing each confounder with the overall (average) impact of all confounders, and (3) assumes that the joint effect of an infinite series of confounders cannot be bounded. We defend the role of randomization in balancing the impact of confounders across the treatment and control arms by putting forward the statistical sense of the balance claim.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: the role of ICG fluorescence after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence as an alternative to traditional sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) techniques in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Specifically, the study aimed to assess sentinel node identification rates and the effectiveness of ICG in axillary staging without the use of radioactive tracers.

Methods: This retrospective study included 71 BC patients treated with NAC, who underwent SLNB using ICG fluorescence between 2020 and 2024.

Novel and recurrent genetic variants associated with male and female infertility.

Recently, the knowledge of the genetic basis of fertility disorders has expanded enormously, mainly thanks to the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, the genetic cause of infertility, in the majority of patients, is still undefined. The aim was to identify novel and recurrent pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in patients with isolated infertility or puberty delay using a targeted NGS technique.

The use of the Prospector calculator reduces antibiotic therapy in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations frequently cause patient consultations in both out- and inpatient settings. Recent data suggest that only 40-60% of exacerbations are of bacterial origin and mandate antibiotic treatment. However, a reliable tool to justify prescribing antibiotics for COPD exacerbation is still lacking.

The structural biology of deoxyhypusination complexes.

Deoxyhypusination is the first rate-limiting step of the unique post-translational modification-hypusination-that is catalyzed by deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH). This modification is essential for the activation of translation factor 5A in eukaryotes (eIF5A) and Archaea (aIF5A). This perspective focuses on the structural biology of deoxyhypusination complexes in eukaryotic and archaeal organisms.

Activation of the 20S proteasome as a possible strategy to counteract amylin oligomerization in type 2 diabetes.

Human amylin, called also islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), is the principal constituent of amyloid deposits in the pancreatic islets. Together with hyperglycemia, hIAPP-derived oligomers and aggregates are important culprits in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Preventing aggregation, and in particular inhibiting the formation and/or stimulating degradation of toxic amylin oligomers formed early in the process, may reduce the negative effects of T2DM.

Examining homology between MPXV and immunogenic VACV-derived peptides.

The mpox virus (MPXV) came to global attention with the 2022 global outbreak. Current vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis against MPXV consists of live vaccinia whole virus-based vaccines including ACAM2000®, JYNNEOS™, and LC16m8 originally developed against smallpox. Here, we analyzed 152 vaccinia-derived peptides we identified by mass spectrometry for homology with MPXV-1 and MPXV-2 sequences to evaluate their potential relevance to MPXV-specific immunity.

Multi-Scale Pyramid Squeeze Attention Similarity Optimization Classification Neural Network for ERP Detection.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) can reveal brain activity elicited by external stimuli. Innovative methods to decode ERPs could enhance the accuracy of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and promote the understanding of cognitive processes. This paper proposes a novel Multi-Scale Pyramid Squeeze Attention Similarity Optimization Classification Neural Network (MS-PSA-SOC) for ERP Detection.

Structural and dynamical investigation of glassforming smectogen by X-ray diffraction and infra-red spectroscopy aided by density functional theory calculations.

Molecular arrangement in the chiral smectic phases of the glassforming (S)-4'-(1-methylheptylcarbonyl)biphenyl-4-yl 4-[7-(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutoxy) heptyl-1-oxy]benzoate is investigated by X-ray diffraction. An increased correlation length of the positional short-range order in the supercooled state agrees with the previous assumption of the hexatic smectic phase. However, the registered X-ray diffraction patterns are not typical for the hexatic phases.

AI-derived automated quantification of cardiac chambers and myocardium from non-contrast CT: Prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events in asymptomatic subjects.

Background And Aims: The significance of left ventricular mass and chamber volumes from non-contrast computed tomography (CT) for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) has not been studied. Our objective was to evaluate the role of artificial intelligence-enabled multi-chamber cardiac volumetry from non-contrast CT for long-term risk stratification in asymptomatic subjects without known coronary artery disease.

Methods: Our study included 2022 asymptomatic individuals (55.

Diagnostic and prognostic perspectives of fabry disease via fiber evanescent wave spectroscopy advanced by machine learning.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare disorder resulting from a genetic mutation characterized by the accumulation of sphingolipids in various cells throughout the human body, leading to progressive and irreversible organ damage, particularly in males. Genetically-determined deficiency or reduced activity of the enzyme (alpha - Galactosidase; α-Gal) leads to the accumulation of sphingolipids in the lysosomes of various cell types, including the heart, kidneys, skin, eyes, central nervous system, and digestive system, triggering damage, leading to the failure of vital organs, and resulting in progressive disability and premature death. FD diagnostics currently depend on costly and time-intensive genetic tests and enzymatic analysis, often leading to delayed or inaccurate diagnoses, which contribute to rapid disease progression.

Immigration of medical personnel from Ukraine to Poland - Context, regulations, and trends.

Background: The migration of healthcare professionals is common phenomenon and shows upwards trends. Poland, which used to be a source country with marginal immigration, has in the past few years received more immigrants due to the simplified access to the labour market for professionals from outside the European Union. We aimed to analyse the immigration of healthcare workforce to Poland with an emphasis on legislative changes regarding the right to practice of medical personnel from outside the EU (mainly from Ukraine).

The effect of ultrasound-assisted maceration of selected cold-pressed oils with lyophilized mullein flowers (Verbascum thapsus L.) on their oxidative stability and chemical composition.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound maceration of cold-pressed oils with freeze-dried mullein flowers (Verbascum thapsus L.) on their oxidative stability and chemical composition. After the maceration process, oils' were subjected to their oxidative stability (80-120 °C) and their chemical composition, Moreover, oils kinetics parameters were calculated.

Towards enhancing phytoremediation: The effect of syringic acid, a plant secondary metabolite, on the presence of phenoxy herbicide-tolerant endophytic bacteria.

Among emerging pollutants, residuals of phenoxy herbicides, including 2-chloro-4-methylphenoxy acid (MCPA), are frequently detected in non-targeted areas. MCPA can be removed from environmental matrices using biological remediation methods including endophyte-assisted phytoremediation. The interactions between selected plants excreting to the rhizosphere plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) and plant-associated bacteria (incl.

Boulder ramps as a restoration measure: Increasing in the resilience of mountain freshwater ecosystems to environmental changes.

Mountain environments, as biodiversity hotspots, are subject to numerous anthropological pressures. In mountain areas, a common threat to stream biocenoses is the timber industry. Timber industry increases the fine sediment input into the mountain rivers; furthermore, timber transport requires the construction of low-water crossings across streams.

The association of HLA-DRB1 allele group but not HLA-B or ERAP1-rs7063 gene polymorphisms with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common dermatoses. According to current data 2.6 % of the world's population suffer from AD.

l-Asparaginase Immobilized on Nanographene Oxide as an Efficient Nanobiocatalytic Tool for Asparagine Depletion in Leukemia Cells.

l-Asparaginase (l-ASNase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-asparagine, leading to its depletion and subsequent effects on the cellular proliferation and survival. In contrast to normal cells, malignant cells that lack asparagine synthase are extremely susceptible to asparagine deficiency. l-ASNase has been successfully employed in treating pediatric leukemias and non-Hodgkin lymphomas; however, its usage in adult patients and other types of cancer is limited due to significant side effects and drug resistance.

Does curcumin supplementation affect inflammation, blood count and serum brain-derived neurotropic factor concentration in amateur long-distance runners?

Curcumin is known for its potential health benefits; however, the evidence remains inconclusive regarding its necessity as a supplement for athletes during the preparatory phase of training. This study aimed to assess the effect of 6-week curcumin supplementation at a dose of 2g/day on selected inflammatory markers, blood count, and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) levels in middle-aged amateur long-distance runners during the preparatory period of a macrocycle. Thirty runners were randomly assigned to either a curcumin-supplemented group (CUR, n = 15) or a placebo group (PLA, n = 15).

A twofold perspective on the quality of research publications: The use of ICTs and research activity models.

Previous studies have highlighted the inherent subjectivity, complexity, and challenges associated with research quality leading to fragmented findings. We identified determinants of research publication quality in terms of research activities and the use of information and communication technologies by employing an interdisciplinary approach. We conducted web-based surveys among academic scientists and applied machine learning techniques to model behaviors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Multidimensional well-being and income inequality in Central and Eastern Europe: A comparative analysis of CEE North and CEE Continental countries.

Central Eastern European countries (CEEc) are characterized both by huge diversity in income inequality and, on average, by lower levels of well-being than in the other European Union (EU) countries. Given that income inequality may affect well-being negatively, the present study aims to explore the links between income inequalities and different dimensions of well-being in the eight CEEc, i.e.

Immobilisation of arsenic and simultaneous degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil in situ by modified electrooxidation.

Improper management of wood impregnation chemicals and treated wood has led to soil contamination at many wood treatment sites, particularly with toxic substances like creosote oil and chromated copper arsenate (CCA). The simultaneous presence of these pollutants complicates the choice of soil remediation technologies, especially if they are to be applied in situ. In this laboratory study, we attempted to immobilise arsenic (As) and simultaneously degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (constituents of creosote oil) by applying a modified electrochemical oxidation method.

Genotype by year interaction and additive and epistasis gene effects for Fusarium stalk rot resistance in doubled haploid lines of maize (Zea mays L.).

Fusarium stalk rot is the main factor reducing the quality of maize grain and leads to significant yield losses, which that ranges from 20 to 100%, depending on the degree of infection and weather conditions. Understanding its genetic mechanism is key to improving grain quality and ultimate yield. An experiment with 26 doubled haploid (DH) lines of maize was conducted in the northern part of the Lower Silesia Province in Poland over a ten-year period (2013-2022).