Metagenomic Sequencing for Diagnosing Listeria-Induced Rhombencephalitis in Patient and Contaminated Cheese Samples: A Case Report.

Among the various causes of rhomboencephalitis, infection is the most common. However, conventional microbiological methods often yield negative results, making diagnosis challenging and leading to extensive, often inconclusive, diagnostics. Advanced molecular techniques like metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offer a powerful and efficient approach to pathogen identification.

Relationship Between the Use of Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches for Monitoring Physical Activity and the Sociodemographic Characteristics of Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Lockdown.

: The use of wearable fitness technology is a trend nowadays and has significant potential in promoting an active lifestyle among long-term care (LTC) residents. The objectives of this observational study were to examine the use of fitness trackers and smartwatches for monitoring physical activity and to analyze the relationship between the use of these technological solutions and the sociodemographic characteristics of LTC residents during the COVID-19 lockdown. : Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 198 LTC residents stationed in eleven organizational units that provide long-term accommodation services for older adults in the city of Zagreb in Croatia.

Atypical Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) Associated with a Novel MT-CYB:m.15309T>C(Ile188Thr) Variant.

The study presents a detailed examination and follow-up of a Slovenian patient with an Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON)-like phenotype and bilateral optic neuropathy in whom genetic analysis identified a novel variant :m.15309T>C (Ile188Thr). We provide detailed analysis of the clinical examinations of a male patient with bilateral optic neuropathy from the acute stage to 8 years of follow-up.

Genomic Rewilding of Domestic Animals: The Role of Hybridization and Selection in Wolfdog Breeds.

: The domestication of the grey wolf () and subsequent creation of modern dog breeds have significantly shaped the genetic landscape of domestic canines. This study investigates the genomic effects of hybridization and breeding management practices in two hybrid wolfdog breeds: the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (CSW) and the Saarloos Wolfdog (SAW). : We analyzed the genomes of 46 CSWs and 20 SAWs, comparing them to 12 German Shepherds (GSHs) and 20 wolves (WLFs), which served as their ancestral populations approximately 70-90 years ago.

The Impact of Storage Conditions on DNA Preservation in Human Skeletal Remains: A Comparison of Freshly Excavated Samples and Those Stored for 12 Years in a Museum Depot.

As the field of ancient DNA research continues to evolve and produce significant discoveries, it is important to address the crucial limitations it still faces. Under conducive conditions, DNA can persist for thousands of years within human skeletal remains, but, as excavation occurs, the environment abruptly changes, often leading to the loss of DNA and valuable genetic information. Proper storage procedures are needed to mediate DNA degradation and maintain sample integrity.

Insights into the Allosteric Regulation of Human Hsp90 Revealed by NMR Spectroscopy.

Human heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is one of the most important chaperones that play a role in the late stages of protein folding. Errors in the process of the chaperone cycle can lead to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the activity of Hsp90 must be carefully regulated.

Association of Corticosteroid Inhaler Type with Saliva Microbiome in Moderate-to-Severe Pediatric Asthma.

: Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are common inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) inhaler devices. The difference in formulation and administration technique of these devices may influence oral cavity microbiota composition. We aimed to compare the saliva microbiome in children with moderate-to-severe asthma using ICS via MDIs versus DPIs.

Systemic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Childhood Obesity: Sex Differences in Adiposity Indices and Cardiovascular Risk.

Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are fundamental contributors to the onset of conditions related to childhood obesity, such as cardiovascular (CV) diseases. We aimed to assess CV risk in childhood obesity by examining sex differences in adiposity indices, cardiometabolic profiles, inflammation, and oxidative stress biomarkers. We also aimed to assess the potential of the interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11) as a novel biomarker.

Phytochemical and Bioactivity Evaluation of Bee Pollen and Androecia of , , and Species.

Qualitative and quantitative differences in the chemical composition between bee pollen originated from (Türkiye and Slovenia), spp. (Türkiye and Slovenia), and spp. (Türkiye) and androecia of , , and (apetalous trees) were evaluated for the first time by new high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) methods using marker compounds.

Mitigation of Mycotoxin Content by a Single-Screw Extruder in Triticale ( Wittmack).

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extrusion processing parameters-moisture content ( = 20 and 24%), feeding rate ( = 20 and 25 kg/h), and screw speed ( = 300, 390 and 480 RPM), on the content of deoxynivalenol (DON), 15-Acetyl Deoxynivalenol (15-AcDON), 3-Acetyl Deoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), HT-2 Toxin (HT-2), tentoxin (TEN) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), using a pilot single-screw extruder in whole-grain triticale flour. The temperature at the end plate of the extruder ranged between 97.6 and 141 °C, the absolute pressure was from 0.

Digoxin for reduction of circulating tumor cell cluster size in metastatic breast cancer: a proof-of-concept trial.

The presence of circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters is associated with disease progression and reduced survival in a variety of cancer types. In breast cancer, preclinical studies showed that inhibitors of the Na/K ATPase suppress CTC clusters and block metastasis. Here we conducted a prospective, open-label, proof-of-concept study in women with metastatic breast cancer, where the primary objective was to determine whether treatment with the Na/K ATPase inhibitor digoxin could reduce mean CTC cluster size.

Plant secondary metabolites against biotic stresses for sustainable crop protection.

Sustainable agriculture practices are indispensable for achieving a hunger-free world, especially as the global population continues to expand. Biotic stresses, such as pathogens, insects, and pests, severely threaten global food security and crop productivity. Traditional chemical pesticides, while effective, can lead to environmental degradation and increase pest resistance over time.

Molecular allergy diagnosis enabling personalized medicine.

Allergic patients are characterized by complex and patient-specific IgE sensitization profiles to various allergens, which are accompanied by different phenotypes of allergic disease. Molecular allergy (MA) diagnosis establishes the patient's IgE reactivity profile at a molecular allergen level and has moved allergology into the "Precision Medicine" era. Molecular allergology started in the late 1980s with the isolation of the first allergen-encoding DNA sequences.

Twenty years of studying the origins and fate of atmospheric mercury over the Mediterranean Sea.

This study provides a review of 13 oceanographic campaigns between 2000 and 2017 to measure Hg in the Mediterranean, highlighting major findings from measurement and modelling activities during the Med-Oceanor program. The initial campaigns showed that high concentrations of RGM could be found far from industrial source regions and the observed daily variation in concentration, with peaks at midday and lower concentrations during darkness gave the first indications that photochemically mediated oxidation reactions were producing RGM in the MBL. Later atmospheric chemistry modelling studies showed the feasibility of Hg oxidation by bromine containing oxidants, which are released as a result of the acidification of sea salt aerosols in the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL).

The Role of Prenatal Exposure to Lead and Manganese in Child Cognitive Neurodevelopment at 18 Months: The Results of the Italian PHIME Cohort.

Prenatal lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) exposure can impair neurodevelopment, targeting the central nervous system. This study investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to Pb and Mn on neurodevelopment in children at 18 months of age, using data from 607 Italian mother-child pairs enrolled in the Northern Adriatic Cohort II (NAC-II). All children born at term (≥37 weeks) were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition.

Development and Validation of a Survey on Inclusive Judo: Judo Teachers' Attitudes Towards Including Participants with Intellectual Developmental Disorders (J-TAID).

This study developed and refined the Judo Teachers' Attitudes Towards Including Participants with Intellectual Developmental Disorders (J-TAID) survey, addressing the need to assess attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention regarding inclusion, and grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior. The survey, translated into English, Portuguese, French, and Slovenian, was administered to 163 participants in order to assess its reliability and validity using Cronbach's alpha, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Internal consistency regarding attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral Constructs ranged from 0,79 to 0.

Adjuvant Treatment with Empagliflozin or Semaglutide Increases Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Subjects with Well-Controlled Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are promising markers of vascular damage and endothelial regeneration potential. We focused on the detection of CECs and EPCs using flow cytometry with regard to analytical challenges and its suitability for routine testing. As part of a clinical validation, CECs and EPCs were measured in blood samples from 83 subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), evaluating an adjuvant intervention with two different antidiabetic drugs, empagliflozin (N = 28) and semaglutide (N = 29).

A Pilot Study on the Age-Dependent, Biomechanical Properties of Longitudinal Ligaments in the Human Cervical Spine.

The cervical spine ligaments, including the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) and posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), play a key role in maintaining spinal stability by limiting excessive movements. This study investigates how ageing affects the mechanical properties of these ligaments. We analysed 33 samples from 12 human cervical spines (15 ALL, 18 PLL), averaging data from the same donors for independent analysis, resulting in 18 final samples (8 ALL, 10 PLL).

Effect of Age on the Biomechanical Properties of Porcine LCL.

The Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL), one of the four major ligaments in the knee joint, resides on the outer aspect of the knee. It forms a vital connection between the femur and the fibula. The LCL's primary role is to provide stability against Varus forces, safeguarding the knee from undue rotation and tibial displacement.

Acute effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on rectus femoris muscle stiffness: a dose-response shear-wave elastography study.

Introduction: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching is widely used to increase range of motion, but its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This experimental, parallel group design study investigated the acute effects of PNF stretching on rectus femoris muscle stiffness and explored a potential dose-response relationship.

Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (23 females, 7 males) were randomly assigned to either a PNF stretching group (n = 15; 22.

Management of Systemic Anti-psoriatic Drugs in Psoriasis Patients with Concurrent Paraplegia or Tetraplegia: Insights From a 6-Year Multicenter, Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Patients with psoriasis (PsO) and permanent spinal cord injuries (SCI) resulting in paraplegia and tetraplegia may experience a higher rate of infections compared to patients with PsO without SCI. It can result in further challenges for therapeutic management with immunosuppressants (biological and non-biological treatments). Thus,  we aimed to evaluate the rate of infections in patients with PsO and SCI treated with systemic immunosuppressants.

Melting Temperature Hidden Behind Liquid-Liquid Phase Transition in Glycerol.

Liquid-liquid phase transitions play a pivotal role in various scientific disciplines and technological applications, ranging from biology to materials science and geophysics. Understanding the behavior of materials undergoing these transitions provides valuable insights into complex systems and their dynamic properties. This review explores the implications of liquid-liquid phase transitions, particularly focusing on the transition between low-density liquid (LDL) and high-density liquid (HDL) phases.

Fifteen Years of NOVA Food-Processing Classification: "Friend or Foe" Among Sustainable Diet Indicators? A Scoping Review.

It has been 15 years since the introduction of the NOVA food-processing classification. While it was designed to identify ultra-processed foods linked to noncommunicable diseases, the NOVA system has a holistic concept that fits with sustainable nutrition. However, NOVA's connection to other sustainable diet indicators has not been thoroughly explored.