Search Results (251)

This article presents the results of high-resolution multimodal remote sensing surveys which were performed in the Roman city of Caesarea Maritima at the sunken Herodian harbour of Sebastos. A joint team of scholars from the Universities of Malta and Haifa conducted the surveys at the area of the harbour’s entrance in order to answer questions related to its original architecture, long-term functioning, and gradual degradation processes. The core methodology employed comprised teams of divers performing a meticulous photogrammetric survey in order to generate a high-resolution 3D plan of the harbour’s entrance. The results present two different architectural styles on either side of the harbour entrance, which suggests two different building stages, potentially deriving from a late renovation attempt. The current state of the entrance channel, still deep and wide enough for the passage of vessels despite collapse and sedimentation processes, suggests the long-term functionality of the entrance, even while other parts of the harbour have structurally deteriorated and gone out of use. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mini—dose glucagon (MDG) is a safe and effective option for managing hypoglycemia during prolonged, repetitive fasts in people with type 1 diabetes (pwT1D) during Ramadan. We aimed in this study to evaluate the effectiveness and patient satisfaction of MDG for the management of fasting—induced hypoglycemia from the perspective of pwT1D fasting during Ramadan. Methods: We conducted an online survey shared via social media platforms and email announcements from May 2021 to April 2023 to collect feedback from 136 (72 female) persons with T1D about their experiences using MDG. In the survey, participants were asked to answer questions about diabetes history, hypoglycemia management during Ramadan, the efficacy of MDG treatment, the psychological impact of breaking the fast, side effects, injection experiences, and preferred future treatments for hypoglycemia caused by fasting. Results: After using MDG, 123 (91%) of participants reported they were able to complete their fasts. A total of 110 (80%) of participants reported that they prefer to use MDG over oral options in the future to correct fasting—induced hypoglycemia. Furthermore, participants showed significant change in their habits, which would otherwise have left them exposed to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia for longer periods of time during fasts. Conclusions: These data demonstrate positive user experience and satisfaction following MDG as a treatment for fasting—induced hypoglycemia in pwT1D. Furthermore, MDG can promote the successful completion of fasts in Ramadan and encourage a change in unhealthy habits that may lead to prolonged hypoglycemia during fasts. Full article

Background: CDK 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) are the first-line treatment for metastatic luminal-like breast cancer (BC). These drugs induce macrocytosis without anemia in most patients. The mechanism for the red blood cell (RBC) changes is unknown. In vitro and animal studies show that RBCs from CDK6-knockout mice have increased membrane fragility, but the clinical impact of CDK4/6is on human RBC lifespan is not known. We sought to determine the impact of CDK4/6is on RBC lifespan and detect changes in the regulation of hemoglobin production. Using the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) measurements at several time points, we can study the evolution of MCV, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and RBC count over time. From this, one can estimate the RBC lifespan under CDK4/6is. Methods: We performed a unicentric retrospective study. Based on published models of RBC population dynamics, we have coded a biologically inspired model which allowed us to extract values for biological parameters, including the RBC lifespan. Results: A total of 122 patients were identified, and 1959 laboratory measurements were analyzed. After the pre-treatment RBCs were replaced, the mean MCV increased by 12.6 femtoliter (fL) (95% Bayesian credible interval [CdI] 13–14), the MCHC increased slightly by 0.69 g/dL (95% CdI 0.42–0.96), and the RBC count decreased by 0.77 × 10⁹/L (95% CdI 0.42 × 10⁹/L–0.96 × 10⁹/L). The net result was a 0.64 g/dL (95% CdI 0.48–0.80) rise in hemoglobin. The mean total RBC lifetime was 118 days (95% CdI 114–122), similar to the value measured in healthy persons. Discussion and Conclusions: These findings suggest that, despite changes in RBC volume, CDK4/6is do not predispose patients to RBC destruction and do not impair regulation of hemoglobin homeostasis. We show that CDK4/6is do not decrease the RBC lifespan in pre-treatment erythrocytes. Unfortunately, this method cannot determine the lifespan of post-treatment RBCs, but further research could help answer this question. Full article

Background and Objectives: Self-medication includes the use of drugs or herbal preparations based on one’s own discretion or the recommendation of another person, often a family member, friend, neighbor, or even a pharmacist, without prior examination and consultation with a doctor. The goal of this study was to determine respondents’ reasons for using self-medication, determine the frequency of self-medication, and analyze differences in respondents’ attitudes about self-medication in relation to several factors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional observational study. The respondents were patients seeking medical examination at the Health Center in Jagodina who had used over-the-counter medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 175 respondents participated in the study. The study design provided answers to questions about the respondents’ self-medication habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: More than half of the respondents (53.71%) bought medicines without a prescription, with most cases involving analgesics (52.83%). Almost three-quarters of the respondents were completely vaccinated (74.29%) against COVID-19. Additionally, 39.62% of participants used vitamins as part of their self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the vitamins, respondents most commonly used a combination of vitamins C and D (20.75%), vitamin D (5.66%), vitamin C (5.66%), and vitamin A (1.89%). Conclusions: Self-medication for the treatment of coronavirus is more often used by younger respondents, who are not yet married, do not have their own income, and rarely visit a doctor. As for supplements, respondents used zinc, and as for vitamins, respondents mostly used a combination of vitamins C and D. Full article

Dam and reservoir (D&R) systems, during their long history, have suffered from hundreds of failures, whose mechanisms have been accelerated by climate change and climate hazards. The following research question is posed: “which are the potentially significant climate hazards of D&R systems?” To answer this question, the vulnerability of D&R systems to climate change is assessed via a typologized methodology that is consistent with the technical guidelines of the European Commission on the climate proofing of infrastructure. The main steps of the methodology, which are (1) a description of the D&R system, (2) climate change assessment, and (3) vulnerability assessment, are performed using literature surveys, expert opinions, and climate models. The methodology is applied to the Almopeos D&R system in Greece, which is in the design stage, and the following conclusions are drawn: (1) the potentially significant groups of climate hazards are (i) temperature increase and extreme heat, (ii) precipitation decrease, aridity, and droughts, and (iii) extreme precipitation and flooding, and (2) the vulnerability assessment identified the climate indicators, the most important effects, and the most vulnerable components of the D&R system that can be used in the risk assessment that follows to identify the significant climate hazards and to propose targeted adaptation strategies to reduce their risks to an acceptable level. Full article

Background: Lipid-lowering therapies are an option for stabilizing lipid levels. Icosapent ethyl (IPE) is a highly purified formulation of eicosapentaenoic acid, which can reduce lipid action, improve plaque stabilization, reduce platelet aggregation, lower TG, and prevent cardiovascular events. IPE is frequently used with statins to manage elevated TG levels. However, the evidence on IPE as a lipid-lowering agent is limited, and no updated systematic review and meta-analysis have been published considering the recent advancements in the field and newly published studies. Therefore, we aim to fill this gap. Methods: We used the PRISMA guidelines and the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome) framework to conduct this review, aiming to answer the question, “Can IPE benefit patients at cardiovascular risk?” GRADE was used to evaluate evidence levels to adhere to the highest criteria. Results: Predominantly, the evaluated population presented TG levels between ≥135 mg/dL and 500 mg/dL and LDL-C levels between >40 mg/dL and ≤100 mg/dL. The included studies showed a reduction in TG and LDL-C and a decrease in cardiovascular events. It means that, according to our systematic review evidence analysis, IPE has been effective in lowering blood lipid levels, including TG, and reducing cardiovascular death and events, such as non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for unstable angina. However, it is worth noting that these results were primarily from patients undergoing statin therapy. According to our meta-analysis, IPE may not be considered a lipid-lowering drug, as limited action associated with its use was evident in the quantitative results. However, caution is necessary, as only two studies were suitable for inclusion due to the differing outcomes in the analyzed samples. Conclusions: Despite the quantitative synthesis, IPE possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-atherogenic properties, highly related to cardiovascular protection. Based on our included studies, IPE was considered a promising therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in conjunction with other lipid-lowering therapies, particularly statins, for patients with extremely high TG levels. The limitations of the reviewed studies may include small sample sizes, varying outcomes, and a small duration of interventions. Future clinical trials with similar outcomes, sample sizes, and intervention durations must be designed, and updated meta-analyses must be published in the following years to fully assess the effects of IPE as a lipid-lowering and cardiovascular protector drug. Full article

An emerging alternative to conventional piezoelectric technologies, which continue to dominate the ultrasound medical imaging (US) market, is Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUTs). Ultrasound transducers based on this technology offer a wider frequency bandwidth, improved cost-effectiveness, miniaturized size and effective integration with electronics. These features have led to an increase in the commercialization of CMUTs in the last 10 years. We conducted a review to answer three main research questions: (1) What are the commercially available CMUT-based clinical sonographic devices in the medical imaging space? (2) What are the medical imaging applications of these devices? (3) What is the performance of the devices in these applications? We additionally reported on all the future work expressed by modern studies released in the past 2 years to predict the trend of development in future CMUT device developments and express gaps in current research. The search retrieved 19 commercially available sonographic CMUT products belonging to seven companies. Four of the products were clinically approved. Sonographic CMUT devices have established their niche in the medical US imaging market mainly through the Butterfly iQ and iQ+ for quick preliminary screening, emergency care in resource-limited settings, clinical training, teleguidance, and paramedical applications. There were no commercialized 3D CMUT probes. Full article

Background: Pancreatic organoids are a rapidly advancing field of research with new discoveries being made every day. A literature review was performed to answer the question of how relevant 3D pancreatic organoids are for surgery. Materials and Methods: We started our investigation by identifying articles in PubMed within the last 5 years using the keywords ((“pancreatic organoid”, OR “organ-on-a-chip”, OR “pancreatic chip” OR “3D culture methods”) AND pancreatic surgery). Only English articles were included in this literature review. This literature review was performed in a non-systematic way; articles were chosen without a predetermined protocol of inclusion and were based on the aim of the review. Results and Conclusions: There are many promising innovations in the field of 3D cultures. Drug sensitivity testing in particular holds great potential for surgical application. For locally advanced PDAC, EUS-FNB obtained cancer tissue can be cultured as organoids, and after 4 weeks, neoadjuvant treatment could be adjusted for each patient individually. Utilizing this approach could increase the number of R0 resections and possibly cure the disease. Furthermore, microfluidic devices, as a platform for pancreatic islet pre-transplant evaluation or cultivation of beta cells derived from HiPSC in vitro, promise broad application of islet transplantation to T1DM patients in the near future. Full article

The research considered in this publication aims to contribute to developing perovskite-based technologies by conducting basic research on perovskite materials. The materials described in the paper are thin films of hybrid perovskite MEAPbI₃ made using the PVco-D method in three different compositions—perovskite samples differ in the percentage of organic methylammonium and inorganic iodide parts. This publication discusses the influence of the composition of the thin perovskite layer on its structural and optical properties and the influence of the temperature of the environment of the perovskite thin film on optical properties. To answer these questions, the surface topography was analyzed using the AFM method, spectroscopic measurements were carried out in the UV-Vis-NIR range, and photoluminescence measurements were performed in a wide temperature range—from about 80 K to 310 K. The results indicate that the composition changes the surface topography, forming increasingly higher crystallites (up to 606%) with increasing methylammonium content. The transition temperature from the orthorhombic to the tetragonal phase was determined for each composition at about 140 K. For the composition of 30% MEAI + 70% PbI2, the phase transition temperature from tetragonal to cubic was determined at a temperature close to RT. Full article

Three-dimensional object recognition is crucial in modern applications, including robotics in manufacturing, household items, augmented and virtual reality, and autonomous driving. Extensive research and numerous surveys have been conducted in this field. This study aims to create a model selection guide by addressing key questions we need to answer when we want to select a 6D pose estimation model: inputs, modalities, real-time capabilities, hardware requirements, evaluation datasets, performance metrics, strengths, limitations, and special attributes such as symmetry or occlusion handling. By analyzing 84 models, including 62 new ones beyond previous surveys, and identifying 25 datasets 14 newly introduced, we organized the results into comparison tables and standardized summarization templates. This structured approach facilitates easy model comparison and selection based on practical application needs. The focus of this study is on the practical aspects of utilizing 6D pose estimation models, providing a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners. Full article

Chemically identical chlorophyll (Chl) molecules undergo conformational changes when they are embedded in a protein matrix. The conformational changes will modulate their absorption spectra to meet the need for programmed excitation energy transfer or electron transfer. To interpret spectroscopic data using the knowledge of pigment–protein interactions requires a single pigment embedded in one polypeptide matrix. Unfortunately, most of the known photosynthetic systems contain a set of multiple pigments in each protein subunit. This makes it complicated to interpret spectroscopic data using structural data due to the potential overlapping spectra of two or more pigments. Chl–protein interactions have not been systematically studied to answer three fundamental questions: (i) What are the structural characteristics and commonly shared substructures of different types of Chl molecules (e.g., Chl a, b, c, d, and f)? (ii) How many structural groups can Chl molecules be divided into and how are different structural groups influenced by their surrounding environments? (iii) What are the structural characteristics of pigment surrounding environments? Having no clear answers to the unresolved questions is probably due to a lack of computational methods for quantifying conformational changes in individual Chls and individual surrounding amino acids. The first version of the Triangular Spatial Relationship (TSR)-based method was developed for comparing protein 3D structures. The input data for the TSR-based method are experimentally determined 3D structures from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). In this study, we take advantage of the 3D structures of Chl-binding proteins deposited in the PDB and the TSR-based method to systematically investigate the 3D structures of various types of Chls and their protein environments. The key contributions of this study can be summarized as follows: (i) Specific structural characteristics of Chl d and f were identified and are defined using the TSR keys. (ii) Two and three clusters were found for various types of Chls and Chls a, respectively. The signature structures for distinguishing their corresponding two and three clusters were identified. (iii) Histidine residues were used as an example for revealing structural characteristics of Chl-binding sites. This study provides evidence for the three unresolved questions and builds a structural foundation through quantifying Chl conformations as well as structures of their embedded protein environments for future mechanistic understanding of relationships between Chl–protein interactions and their corresponding spectroscopic data. Full article

Over the past years, numerous novel dosage forms, including gels, have been investigated for paediatric treatment due to the need to provide flexible dose adjustment possibilities, as well as a patient-friendly approach to drug delivery. Simultaneously, 3D printing technology is continuously advancing and gaining interest as a tool for personalised formulation development. Multiple additive manufacturing methods, including the semi-solid extrusion, especially used in gel printing, provide flexibility regarding the dose of active ingredients and the adjustment of the design of soft dosage forms. 3D printing techniques can be considered as a possible answer to the demand for medicines tailored to small patients’ needs. This review intends to present an overview of the current possibilities, comparing gel-like and non-gel-formulated dosage forms and crucial aspects of developing those cutting-edge dosage forms by 3D printing. This paper discusses soft formulations such as chewing gums, which still require extensive evaluation, and explores the question of the three-dimensional printing process. Furthermore, it highlights soft dosage forms, such as gel-based gummies and hydrogels, for which 3D fabrication has been intensively studied in previous years. However, the research still needs to advance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Interest in diversity is growing worldwide. Today, an understanding and social acceptance of diverse people is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between an individual’s gray matter volume (GMV), which is thought to reflect brain health, and their understanding of diversity (gender, sexuality (LGBTQ), and origin). Methods: GMV was determined as the value of the Gray Matter Brain Healthcare Quotient (GM-BHQ) based on MRI image analysis. Meanwhile, participants’ understanding and acceptance of diversity was calculated based on their answers to the psychological questions included in the World Values Survey Wave 7 (WVS7). Results: Our analysis indicated that, in the group of participants with the highest understanding of diversity (PHUD. n = 11), not only the GMV at the whole brain level (t = 2.587, p = 0.027, Cohen’s d = 0.780) but also the GMV of the central executive network (CEN: t = 2.700, p= 0.022, Cohen’s d = 0.814) and saliency network (SN: t = 3.100, p = 0.011, Cohen’s d = 0.935) were shown to be significantly higher than the theoretical value estimated from sex, age, and BMI at the 5% level. In addition, the GMV of the default mode network (DMN: t = 2.063, p = 0.066, Cohen’s d = 0.622) was also higher than the theoretical value at the 10% level. Meanwhile, in the group of others (n = 10), there was no significant difference from the theoretical value. These differences between PHUD and others were also observed when comparing the two with and without controlling for educational and occupational covariates at the 5% or 10% levels. Conclusions: These results suggest that understanding diversity requires a healthy brain, centered on three networks that govern rational judgment, emotion regulation, other-awareness, self-awareness, and the valuing of actions. This is the first study to show that brain structure is related to an understanding and acceptance of the diversity of people. Full article

Human perceptions of animal consciousness have evolved over time, influencing how they are treated. This study aimed to assess perceptions of animal consciousness in people working in conservation. An online survey of 87 participants evaluated their perceptions of animals’ capabilities across 10 dimensions of consciousness, including self-consciousness, learning, and reasoning. The sum of the answers to the questions was validated as a “perception index” using a principal component analysis. Next, its variation according to taxonomic, demographic, professional factors, and the duration, type, and frequency of interaction with animals was assessed with generalized linear models and stepwise model selection. Participants’ perceptions varied with taxonomic class and the level of education, with mammals obtaining higher indexes than birds (−0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.24, −0.03, p < 0.01) or reptiles (−0.41; 95% CI −0.55, −0.27, p < 0.01), and respondents holding a PhD exhibiting higher perception indexes than those with BScs (−0.19; 95% CI −0.32, −0.06, p < 0.01) or lower education (−0.18; 95% CI −0.32, −0.03, p = 0.01). The attribution of consciousness followed a phylogenetic pattern, but several exceptions (e.g., the octopus and raven) were noted on a finer scale supporting a multifactorial influence on the perception of animal consciousness that emerges upon a baseline phylogenetic pattern. Finally, the results suggest that conservationists are influenced by culture and scientific knowledge, as much as their personal experiences, when evaluating animals’ perceptions, highlighting the need for further research on the convergence between perception, belief, and evidence. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adherence to sports-specific nutritional guidelines can help optimize athlete performance and health. However, adolescent athletes may not have adequate nutrition knowledge and understanding of specific nutritional requirements. The objective of the current study was to examine the nutrition knowledge and perceived dietary requirements of adolescent athletes. Methods: Male (n = 29, age: 15.7 ± 1.3 yrs.; height: 178.9 ± 8.3 cm; body mass: 74.7 ± 17.2 kg; body fat %: 13.9 ± 7.9%) and female (n = 15, age: 16.5 ± 1.4 yrs.; height: 169.9 ± 6.5 cm; body mass: 63.3 ± 4.5 kg; body fat %: 23.7 ± 3.8%) secondary school student-athletes completed body composition testing (hydrostatic weighing) and electronic surveys (Abridged Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (ASNKQ); self-perception of dietary energy and macronutrient requirements). Results: Athletes demonstrated poor sports nutrition knowledge, with no differences observed between sexes for the number of questions answered correctly (males: 45.1 ± 9.8% vs. females: 43.1 ± 12.7%; p = 0.57). No relationships were observed between ASNKQ scores and body composition parameters or between ASNKQ scores and self-reported perception of dietary energy and macronutrient requirements (p > 0.05). Athletes self-reported a lower perceived energy (−560 ± 1272 kcal/d; p = 0.014) and carbohydrate intake (−73 ± 376 g/d; p = 0.014) requirement compared to calculated nutritional recommendations. Athletes self-reported a higher perceived protein intake (263 ± 586 g/d; p = 0.026) requirement compared to calculated nutritional requirements. Conclusions: The current sample of adolescent athletes from the secondary school level appears to have a poor level of sports nutrition knowledge and understanding of energy and macronutrient requirements. Full article