Search Results (46)

This study investigates the transformations of the Hungarian Catholic clergy during the 20th century in its social relations, self-perception, and attitudes, with a particular focus on the Diocese of Pécs. It concentrates on events that caused collective shock, such as the advance of the front and the Soviet occupation during World War II; the confiscation of church property; the enforced migration processes; and the impact of the Communist regime’s ecclesiastical and social policies. The analysis emphasizes the role- and context-dependent patterns discernible in the documents produced by the clergy concerning these events, particularly in the parish Historia Domus. The study models the impact of these violent reconfigurations on clergy dispositions within the framework of Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, specifically the notions of “cleft” and “plural habitus”, highlighting the significance of behavior patterns in praxis transmitted through generations of clergy. It interprets the discrepancy between the altered context of action and the long-established, “interiorized” habitus, considering the phenomenon of asynchronicity, and identifies general and context-specific characteristics through a method of historical comparison. Overall, the study offers a perspective that perceives the historically evolved specificities of the norm as intrinsically linked to the local context. Full article

Background and Objectives: Implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is increasingly performed in elderly and comorbid patients, for whom minimizing perioperative complications—including pain and systemic drug use—is critical. Traditional local infiltration often provides insufficient analgesia. The ultrasound-guided PECS II block, an interfascial regional technique, offers promising analgesic benefits in thoracic wall procedures but remains underutilized in cardiac electrophysiology. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, controlled, non-randomized clinical study including 106 patients undergoing de novo CIED implantation. Patients were assigned to receive either a PECS II block (n = 53) or standard lidocaine-based local anesthesia (n = 53). Pain intensity was assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS) intraoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the need for rescue analgesia, procedural duration, length of hospitalization, and patient satisfaction. Results: Patients in the PECS II group reported significantly lower NRS scores at all time points (mean intraoperative score: 2.1 ± 1.2 vs. 5.7 ± 1.6, p < 0.001; at 1 h: 2.5 ± 1.5 vs. 6.1 ± 1.7, p < 0.001). Rescue analgesia (metamizole sodium) was required in only four PECS II patients (7.5%) vs. 100% in the control group within 1 h. Hospital stay and procedural time were also modestly reduced in the PECS II group. Patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the intervention group. Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided PECS II block significantly reduces perioperative pain and the need for additional analgesia during CIED implantation, offering an effective, safe, and opioid-sparing alternative to conventional local infiltration. Its integration into clinical protocols for device implantation may enhance procedural comfort and recovery. Full article

Regional anesthesia techniques such as the ultrasound-guided PECS II (pectoral nerve block) block are increasingly employed to optimize perioperative analgesia while minimizing systemic anesthetic exposure. Ropivacaine is commonly used for its favorable pharmacological profile; however, clinical data on its pharmacokinetics and systemic metabolite behavior following interpectoral administration remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the plasma concentration–time profile of ropivacaine and its main active metabolite, 3-OH-ropivacaine, in patients undergoing interpectoral nerve block, using a validated LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) method. Venous blood samples were collected from 18 patients at predefined time points (0, 1, 3, 6, and 24 h) following a PECS II block performed with a ropivacaine-lidocaine mixture. Plasma concentrations were quantified via a validated LC-MS/MS protocol in accordance with FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EMA (European Medicines Agency) guidelines. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived using non-compartmental analysis. Ropivacaine reached a mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax—maximum concentration) of 167.5 ± 28.3 ng/mL at 1.3 ± 0.2 h (Tmax—maximum time). The metabolite 3-OH-ropivacaine peaked at 124.1 ± 21.4 ng/mL at 2.3 ± 0.3 h. The terminal elimination half-life was 19.4 ± 2.8 h for ropivacaine and 29.2 ± 3.1 h for its metabolite. Plasma levels demonstrated prolonged systemic exposure with predictable pharmacokinetics. The PECS II block using ropivacaine results in sustained systemic levels of both the parent drug and its primary metabolite, supporting its role in prolonged perioperative analgesia. These data provide a pharmacokinetic foundation for personalized regional anesthesia protocols. This strategy facilitates the adaptation of anesthetic protocols to the individual characteristics of each patient, aligning with the principles of personalized medicine, particularly in patients with altered metabolic capacity. Full article

With the rapid global increase in the use of digital devices and electric vehicles, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have emerged as promising candidates for all-solid-state batteries. They are expected to resolve safety concerns and overcome the limitations of energy density and charging speed associated with traditional Li-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. However, a limited understanding of ionic conduction mechanisms remains a significant barrier to their further development and practical application. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations using the COMPASS II force field under NPT/NVT ensembles at 298 K to investigate the static and dynamic properties of poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC) electrolytes at various salt concentrations. Key analyses included the radial distribution function, solvation free energy, and mean-square displacement (MSD) of individual Li cations. Based on their MSD data, Li cations were categorized into “faster” or “slower” groups, corresponding to conductivity levels above or below the average in each model. Our findings reveal that, at higher concentrations, a smaller fraction of faster Li cations contributes disproportionately more than slower Li cations to the overall mobility, highlighting that targeted manipulation of solvation structures could enhance ion transport efficiency in highly concentrated SPEs. Additionally, changes in coordination number and solvation free energy for both faster and slower Li cations suggest the existence of three different solvation patterns as salt concentration increases. These insights provide a deeper understanding of ionic transport and solvation structures in PEC electrolytes, with potential implications for the design of more efficient all-solid-state batteries. Full article

Background: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon condition defined by the compression of neurovascular structures within the thoracic outlet. When conservative management strategies fail to alleviate symptoms, surgical decompression becomes necessary. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of regional anesthesia (RA) using spontaneous breathing in contrast to general anesthesia (GA) for patients undergoing surgical intervention for TOS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study involving 68 patients who underwent trans-axillary first rib resection for TOS. The patient cohort was divided into two groups: 29 patients in the GA group and 39 patients in the RA group. The RA technique employed consisted of supraclavicular brachial plexus (SBP) and pectoral nerve (PECS II) blocks, accompanied by deep sedation. Key outcome measures such as pain scores, opioid consumption, and various perioperative parameters were systematically analyzed. Results: Postoperative pain levels recorded in the recovery room were significantly lower in the RA group, with a median numerical rating scale (NRS) score of zero compared to two in the GA group (p = 0.0443). Additionally, both intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption showed a marked reduction in the RA group, with p-values of less than 0.001 and 0.0418, respectively. The RA approach was associated with shorter surgical durations (p = 0.0008), a decrease in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (p = 0.0312), and a lower occurrence of intraoperative lung injuries (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the length of hospital stay was significantly reduced for patients in the RA group. Conclusions: Although both groups reported low postoperative pain scores, the regional anesthesia approach exhibited distinct advantages in terms of opioid consumption, surgical duration, and overall perioperative outcomes. The utilization of SBP and PECS II blocks facilitated surgical procedures and mitigated complications, thereby positively influencing the postoperative recovery trajectory. Future prospective studies are essential to validate these findings further and to investigate long-term outcomes associated with the use of regional anesthesia in TOS surgery. Full article

To date, the assessment of risks related to nanoplastics (NPLs) has been incipient. Attempts to establish safety levels to support decisions regarding restrictions on the use or reuse of materials derived from petrochemicals are critical, but the complexity of datasets makes it difficult to communicate potential NPLs-related environmental risks. Therefore, it seems essential to reduce the relevant data to a factor/number that makes it easier to clarify whether there is a risk and, above all, easily report relevant information to legislators so that prohibition, reductions, and/or readjustments to monitoring programs can be implemented accordingly. Accordingly, this study aimed to propose an improved and tiered risk assessment for NPLs following the NORMAN network, which may be outlined as follows: (i) conducting screenings to assess the risk level through deterministic methodologies (involving the collection of effective concentrations or, in their absence, the no-effect or lowest-effect concentrations, also known as NOEC and LOEC, respectively); (ii) comparing exceedance levels of risk values obtained previously in relation to predicted non-environmental effective concentrations (PNECs); and (iii) ranking the different NPL types based on prioritization indeces to facilitate future decision-making. Of a total of six polymers for which data are available, it was only possible to deliver prioritization indices for three (two freshwater and one saltwater) due to the lack of PNEC or predicted environmental concentrations (PECs). The majority of the research on this topic is focused on PS. PS is classified as a high-priority polymer, since its estimated prioritization index was ≥65 (the base value is 1). Furthermore, in freshwater, PE was also indicated to be a priority polymer (with a prioritization index exceeding 1000). It should be noted that for other widely used polymers (such as PMMA or PVC), there is insufficient data. It is therefore clear that current management and control measures for products containing PS and PE must be reconsidered to reduce NPLs’ environmental impacts. Full article

Objectives: This article compares metabolic, pancreatic, and gut-derived hormone responses to isomaltulose ingestion, before versus during submaximal sustained exercise, in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using automated insulin delivery systems. Methods: In a randomized, cross-over trial, eight participants with T1D being treated with automated insulin pumps (five females, age: 47 ± 16 years, BMI: 27.5 ± 3.8 kg·m², diabetes duration: 23 ± 11 years, HbA1c: 8.3 ± 0.9 [67.5 ± 9.5]% [mmol/mol]) attended the laboratory on two separate occasions and consumed an isocaloric amount of isomaltulose as either (1) a single serving (0.75g CHO·kg⁻¹ BM) with a 25% reduction in bolus insulin 90 min before 45 min of cycling (PEC) or (2) three separate isocaloric servings (0.25g CHO·kg⁻¹ BM each) without bolus insulin during exercise (DEC). Plasma glucose (PG), gut incretins (GLP-1 and GIP), pancreatic glucagon, exogenous insulin, and whole-body fuel oxidation rates were determined. Data were treated via a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, with p ≤ 0.05 accepted as significant. Results: PG concentrations throughout exercise were higher and less variable with DEC compared to PEC. The exercise-induced change in PG was directionally divergent between trials (PEC: ∆ − 3.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L vs. DEC: ∆ + 1.7 ± 1.5 mmol/L, p < 0.001), changing at a rate of −0.07 ± 0.03 mmol/L/min with PEC and +0.04 ± 0.03 mmol/L/min with DEC (p < 0.001 between conditions). Throughout the exercise period, GLP-1, GIP, glucagon, and total insulin concentrations were lower with DEC (all p ≤ 0.02). The oxidation rates of carbohydrates were lower (p = 0.009) and of lipids were greater (p = 0.014) with DEC compared to PEC. Conclusions: The consumption of smaller servings of isomaltulose during, rather than as a single isocaloric serving before, submaximal sustained exercise provided (i) a better glycemic protective effect, (ii) a lesser push on pancreatic and gut-mediated glucoregulatory hormones, and (iii) a lower reliance on whole-body carbohydrate oxidation. Such information serves to remind us of the potential importance of nutrition for modulating the metabolic fate of an acute bout of exercise and may help inform best practice guidelines for exercise management in the T1D-sphere. Full article

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer surgeries offer challenges in perioperative pain management, especially in the presence of inherent risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). Inappropriate opioid consumption was speculated as one of the reasons. Through this study, the influence of objective pain monitoring through a nociception level monitor (NOL) on perioperative course in breast surgeries was investigated. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomized study conducted at a regional hospital. Sixty female patients posted for breast cancer surgery were randomized equally into study and control groups. Both groups were monitored using BIS and NOL, but in the control group, the NOL monitor was blinded by a cover. Both groups received propofol and remifentanil through target-controlled infusions (TCIs) along with interpectoral, pectoserratus (PECS II), and superficial pectointercostal block. The primary outcome was intraoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes were PONV, eligibility for discharge from the recovery room, and symptoms of PMPS after three months. Results: Two patients were excluded. The study group received significantly less remifentanil (0.9 mg in the study group vs. 1.35 mg in the control group, p = 0.033) and morphine (2.5 mg in study group vs. 5 mg in control group, p = 0.013). There was no difference in PMPS symptoms between the groups. The study group showed longer duration of inadequate analgesia (i.e., 7% vs. 10% of the total intraoperative period in control and study group, respectively, p = 0.008). There was no difference in time to eligibility for discharge from the recovery room between the groups. Conclusions: NOL monitor-guided analgesic delivery reduces intraoperative opioid consumption. No difference was demonstrated on PONV, eligibility for discharge from the recovery room, or PMPS symptoms. Full article

Objective: to study the effectiveness of type II pectoral nerve block (PEC II) for breast augmentation with submuscular implants by assessing opioid consumption and pain scale in the immediate postoperative period, from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to 24 h postoperatively. Methods: A prospective, controlled, randomized, and double-blind study. Thirty-four patients were analyzed during the perioperative period and in the PACU, with one group receiving bilateral PEC II combined with general anesthesia and the control group receiving only general anesthesia. Results: There was no difference between the groups regarding demographic data, surgical and anesthetic times, or intraoperative opioid use. Opioid consumption in the control group was consistently higher at all the time intervals studied, with an average morphine consumption 38.7% greater. The largest variation in morphine consumption occurred at the fourth and sixth hours postoperatively. The greatest difference in postoperative pain was 36% higher in the control group compared to the intervention group. Conclusions: patients who underwent general anesthesia combined with PEC II had lower opioid consumption and a lower postoperative pain score without associated complications, confirming the effectiveness of the procedure. Full article

Photoanodes with ample visible-light absorption and efficient photogenerated charge carrier dynamics expedite the actualization of high-efficiency photoelectrochemical water splitting (PEC-WS). Herein, we fabricated the heterojunction nanostructures of In₂S₃/MoS₂ on indium-doped tin oxide glass substrates by indium sputtering and sulfurization, followed by the metal–organic chemical vapor deposition of 2D MoS₂ nanosheets (NSs). The photocurrent density of In₂S₃/MoS₂ was substantially enhanced and higher than those of pristine In₂S₃ and MoS₂ NSs. This improvement is due to the MoS₂ NSs extending the visible-light absorption range and the type-II heterojunction enhancing the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. This work offers a promising avenue toward the development of an efficient photoanode for solar-driven PEC-WS. Full article

The aim of our study was to compare the characteristics and time to initial physician contact in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a large Hungarian cancer center. This was a retrospective study of patients 18 years or older presenting at the regional cancer center of Pécs Clinical Center with HNSCC between 1 January 2017, and 15 March 2020 (the pre-COVID-19 period) and between 16 March 2020, and 13 May 2021 (the COVID-19 period). Demographic and clinical data were collected, and the time between initial symptom onset and initial physician contact (TTP) was determined. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses were performed. On average, the number of patients diagnosed with HNSCC per month during the pandemic decreased by 12.4% compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. There was a significant increase in stage I and stage II cancers (from 15.9% to 20.3% and from 12.2% to 13.8%, respectively; p < 0.001); a decrease in stage III and IVa,c cancers; and a significant increase in stage IVb cancers (from 6% to 19.9%; p < 0.001) during the pandemic. The median TTP increased during the pandemic from 43 to 61 days (p = 0.032). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the effect of COVID-19 on patients with HNSCC in the Central–Eastern European region. We found a bidirectional shift in cancer stages and increased TTP during the pandemic. Our findings highlight the necessity for more nuanced analyses of the effects of COVID-19. Full article

The emerging heteropathotype shigatoxigenic (STEC) and extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) O80:H2 has been the second leading cause of pediatric HUS in France since the mid-2010s. In contrast with other highly pathogenic STEC serotypes, for which ruminants have clearly been identified as the main human infection source, this heteropathotype’s reservoir remains unknown. In this context, we describe for the first time the isolation of seven STEC O80:H2 strains from healthy cattle on a single cattle farm in France. This study aimed at (i) characterizing the genome and (ii) investigating the phylogenetic positions of these O80:H2 STEC strains. The virulomes, resistomes, and phylogenetic positions of the seven bovine isolates were investigated using in silico typing tools, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and cgMLST analysis after short-read whole genome sequencing (WGS). One representative isolate (A13P112V1) was also subjected to long-read sequencing. The seven isolates possessed ExPEC-related virulence genes on a pR444_A-like mosaic plasmid, previously described in strain RDEx444 and known to confer multi-drug resistance. All isolates were clonally related and clustered with human clinical strains from France and Switzerland with a range of locus differences of only one to five. In conclusion, our findings suggest that healthy cattle in France could potentially act as a reservoir of the STEC-ExPEC O80:H2 pathotype. Full article

The photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) performing high-efficiency conversions of solar energy into both electricity and high value-added chemicals are highly desirable but rather challenging. Herein, we demonstrate that a PEC using the oxidatively electropolymerized film of a heteroleptic Ru(II) complex of [Ru(bpy)(L)₂](PF₆)₂ Ru1 {bpy and L stand for 2,2′-bipyridine and 1-phenyl-2-(4-vinylphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline respectively}, polyRu1, as a working electrode performed both efficient in situ synthesis of hydrogen peroxide and photocurrent generation/switching. Specifically, when biased at −0.4 V vs. saturated calomel electrode and illuminated with 100 mW·cm⁻² white light, the PEC showed a significant cathodic photocurrent density of 9.64 μA·cm⁻². Furthermore, an increase in the concentrations of quinhydrone in the electrolyte solution enabled the photocurrent polarity to switch from cathodic to anodic, and the anodic photocurrent density reached as high as 11.4 μA·cm⁻². Interestingly, in this single-compartment PEC, the hydrogen peroxide yield reached 2.63 μmol·cm⁻² in the neutral electrolyte solution. This study will serve as a guide for the design of high-efficiency metal-complex-based molecular systems performing photoelectric conversion/switching and photoelectrochemical oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide. Full article

Background and Objectives: The increase in the incidence and diagnosis rate of breast cancer demands the optimization of resources. The aim of this study was to assess whether the supplementation of the interpectoral-pectoserratus plane block (PECS II) reduces surgery and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) time in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective data-analysis study. In 2016, PECS II block was introduced as a supplement to general anesthesia for all mastectomies with or without axillary resections in South Jutland regional hospital, Denmark. The perioperative data of patients operated 3 years before and 3 years after 2016 was retrieved through the Danish anesthesia database and patient journals and systematically analyzed. Female patients aged over 18 years, with no use of muscle relaxant, intubation, and inhalation agents, were included. The eligible data was organized into two groups, i.e., Block and Control, where the Block group received PECS II Block, while the Control group received only general anesthesia. Parameters such as surgery time, anesthesia time, PACU time, opioid consumption, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in PACU were retrieved and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 172 patients out of 358 patients met eligibility criteria. After applying exclusion criteria, 65 patients were filtered out. A total of 107 patients, 51 from the Block and 56 from the Control group, were eligible for the final analysis. The patients were comparable in demographic parameters. The median surgery time was significantly less in the Block group (78 min (60–99)) in comparison to the Control group (98.5 min (77.5–139.5) p < 0.0045). Consequently, the median anesthesia time was also shorter in the Block group (140 min (115–166)) vs. the Control group (160 min (131.5 to 188), p < 0.0026). Patients from the Block group had significantly lower intraoperative fentanyl consumption (60 µg (30–100)) as compared with the Control group (132.5 µg (80–232.5), p < 0.0001). The total opioid consumption during the entire procedure (converted to morphine) was significantly lower in the Block group (16.37 mg (8–23.6)) as compared with the Control group (31.17 mg (16–46.5), p < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was found in the PACU time, incidences of PONV, and postoperative pain. Conclusions: The interpectoral-pectoserratus plane (PECS II) block supplementation reduces surgery time, anesthesia time, and opioid consumption but not PACU time during breast cancer surgery. Full article

Given that pectin is a well-known substance used for drug delivery, we aimed to obtain and further examine the efficacy of interpolyelectrolyte complexes based on citrus or apple pectin and the Eudragit^® EPO for using these carriers in oral drug delivery. To characterize the physicochemical properties of these compounds, turbidity, gravimetry, viscosity, elementary analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and DSC analysis were utilized. Diffusion transport characteristics were evaluated to assess the swelling ability of the matrices and the release of diclofenac sodium. To examine the release parameters, mathematical modeling was performed by using the Korsmayer–Peppas and Logistic equations as well. During the turbidity study, stoichiometry compositions were selected for the developed IPECs EPO/PecA and EPO/PecC at pH values = 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0. The FTIR spectra of the complexes were characterized by an increase in the intensity of the bands at 1610 cm⁻¹ and 1400 cm⁻¹. According to the DSC analysis, IPEC has a certain Tg = 57.3 °C. The highest release rates were obtained for IPEC EPO/PecC_1 and EPO/PecC_4. The mechanism of drug transport from the matrices IPEC EPO/PecC, IPEC EPO/PecA_3, and EPO/PecA_4 can be characterized as Super Case II. Anomalous release (non-Fickian release) is typical for IPEC EPO/PecA_1 and EPO/PecA_2. Thus, the resulting systems can be further used for the effective delivery of the drugs to the colon. Full article