Search Results (22,117)

Maize, along with wheat and rice, is the most important crop for food security. Ear rots caused by Fusarium species are among the most important diseases of maize. The distribution of Fusarium species provides essential epidemiological information for disease management. The effect of weather conditions, climate change and geographic localization on the Fusarium population in Poland was evaluated between 2015 and 2018. Grain samples (n = 233) were collected from hybrids at 16 locations (L1–L16). The differences in altitude between locations ranged from 39 to 243 m above sea level, longitude varied between 15°55′ and 23°12′ E, and latitude spanned from 50°12′ to 54°01′ N. Isolates were identified using molecular techniques. The highest Fusarium species frequency was recorded for 2016 (30.70%) and 2017 (28.18%), and the lowest for 2018 (5.36%). F. verticillioides and F. temperatum were the most frequent. Altitude has an effect on F. vericillioides frequency: F. graminearum showed a negative correlation with both latitude and longitude. In Polish conditions, from silking to harvesting, the number of days with higher precipitation and lower temperatures is associated with an increased frequency of F. verticillioides, F. temperatum, F. graminearum and F. avenaceum. This suggests that the Fusarium presence in Poland is significantly influenced not only by climate change but also by extreme weather changes. Full article

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and vascular stiffness and metabolic syndrome (MetS), as well as its components in individuals over the age of 65, overall and by sex. Methods: The subjects of the study were people over 65 years of age, with a full record of all variables analyzed from the EVA, MARK, and EVIDENT studies. Data from 1280 subjects with a mean age of 69.52 ± 3.58 years (57.5% men) were analyzed. The MD was recorded with the validated 14 item MEDAS questionnaire. MetS was defined following the guidelines of the joint scientific statement from the Programa Nacional de Educación sobre el Colesterol III. Vascular stiffness was evaluated with the VaSera VS-1500^® device by measuring the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Results: The mean MEDAS score was 6.00 ± 1.90, (5.92 ± 1.92 in males, 6.11 ± 1.88 in females; p = 0.036). CAVI: 9.30 ± 1.11 (9.49 ± 1.05 males, 9.03 ± 1.13 females; p = <0.001). baPWV: 15.82 ± 2.56 (15.75 ± 2.46 males, 15.92 ± 2.68 females; p = <0.001). MetS was found in 51% (49% males, 54% females; p = 0.036). Subjects with MetS had lower MD adherence and higher vascular stiffness values than subjects without MetS. Overall, we found a negative association with MD score and the number of MetS components (β = −0.168), with glycemia (β = −0.007), triglycerides (β = −0.003), waist circumference (β = −0.018), CAVI (β = −0.196) and baPWV (β = −0.065), and a positive association with HDL cholesterol (β = 0.013). Regarding sex, associations followed the same direction but without reaching statistical significance with blood glucose and triglycerides in females and with HDL cholesterol and waist circumference in males. Conclusions: The results indicate that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet decreases vascular stiffness and the percentage of subjects with MetS, although results differed in the association with MetS components by sex. Full article

Background/Objectives: Addictive and substance-related disorders represent a substantial public health challenge, marked by rising incidence and prevalence rates. Men and women exhibit different patterns of help-seeking for health and social issues including addictions. This research aimed to analyze the help-seeking process among men with addiction to improve understanding and develop more effective, person-centered treatments. Methods: This systematic review was performed based on the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The protocol of the revision was registered in advance in PROSPERO. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Results: Based on the literature search, 16 studies were included in the current systematic review. The analyzed studies included seven on substance-use disorders, three on gambling disorder, two on tobacco-use disorder, two addressing substance-related disorders in general, one on opioid-use disorder, and one focused on marijuana use. Gender differences influenced help-seeking behavior, with women generally exhibiting a higher propensity to seek assistance for addiction-related issues than men. Seeking help for addiction—whether substance use or gambling—can be hindered by several barriers, particularly public stigma and discrimination, which tend to be more pronounced for alcohol and gambling compared to tobacco. Additional barriers in the help-seeking process include negative beliefs and attitudes toward seeking help, often associated with traditional male gender roles. Each substance-use disorder was analyzed in depth to gain a better understanding of the barriers faced by this population. Conclusions: Integrating a gender perspective into the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of addiction is essential. As addiction patterns vary between men and women, approaches must be tailored accordingly. Recognizing men as a distinct group in research and clinical practice is also crucial for developing more effective and personalized treatments. Full article

NRAS belongs to the RAS family of GTPases. In colorectal cancer (CRC), NRAS mutations are rare compared to KRAS, but may lead to worse outcomes. We report the functional characterization of the novel NRAS mutants—G48C, Q43K, and E37K—identified in Filipino young-onset CRC patients. Unlike previously characterized NRAS mutants with no apparent effects on cell proliferation, these mutants enhanced proliferation of both HCT116 and NIH3T3 cells. This was confirmed in 3D spheroid assays to mimic the spatial organization of cells. G48C and E37K showed apoptosis resistance in both cell lines, and Q43K showed resistance in HCT116 cells. All three showed no effect on cellular migration in NIH3T3, but G48C enhanced the migration rate of HCT116 cells. Actin staining of NIH3T3 cells expressing the mutants showed a shrunken cytoplasm and transient structures associated with motility and invasiveness. Docking simulations show that GDP is only able to bind fully within the binding pocket of wild-type NRAS, but not in the mutants. Further, G48C, Q43K, and E37K all have less negative ΔG values, indicating a weaker GDP-binding affinity compared to wild-type NRAS. Taken together, the results suggest that oncogenic readouts of NRAS mutants are codon- and mutation-specific, with potential repercussions on the aggressiveness, resistance, and therapeutic response. Full article

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cognitive impairment (CI), and this risk is the highest in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). As a multifactorial disease, CI may be influenced by several potentially modifiable lifestyle and behavioral factors that may reduce or increase the risk of dementia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between the known modifiable risk factors for dementia and the risk of CI in patients with ESKD treated with renal replacement therapy. The Charlson Comorbidity Index and the risk of CI in patients with ESKD were also assessed. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 225 consecutive patients with ESKD treated with different modalities of renal replacement therapy were assessed for cognitive decline using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE III) test. Information was also collected on modifiable risk factors for dementia, medical history and demographics. Results: This study included 117 patients after kidney transplantation (KT) and 108 patients with ESKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. The prevalence of modifiable risk factors for dementia differed between the groups; KT patients were more likely to be physically active, residing in cities with populations of less than 500,000 inhabitants, and were less likely to suffer from depression. Furthermore, the KT group had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index score, indicating less severe comorbidities, and a lower risk of CI (3.6 ± 1.67 vs. 5.43 ± 2.37; p = 0.001). In both the KT and dialysis groups, patients with CI were more likely to have a sedentary lifestyle (45% vs. 9%, p = 0.001 and 88% vs. 48%, p = 0.001, respectively), whereas lower educational attainment and depression had a significant negative impact on ACE III test results, but only in KT patients. Finally, cognitive function in dialysis patients was negatively affected by social isolation and living in urban areas. Conclusions: Modifiable risk factors for dementia, particularly a sedentary lifestyle, are associated with a higher risk of CI in patients treated with different renal replacement therapy modalities. As CI is an irreversible condition, it is important to identify lifestyle-related factors that may lead to dementia in order to improve or maintain cognitive function in patients with ESKD. Full article

This study investigates the complex interplay between organizationally prescribed perfectionism (OPP), job insecurity, counterproductive work behavior (CWB), and self-efficacy in learning artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of modern organizations. Based on several theories, the current research suggests and tests a moderated mediation model. Using a three-wave time-lagged design with data collected from 412 workers across various South Korean corporations, we examine how OPP influences CWB both directly and indirectly through job insecurity, and how self-efficacy in AI learning moderates the OPP–job insecurity link. Our results show that OPP is positively linked to CWB, and this association is partially mediated by job insecurity. Moreover, AI learning self-efficacy functions as a moderator in the OPP–job insecurity link, such that the positive link is weaker for members with higher levels of AI learning self-efficacy. These findings extend our understanding of perfectionism in organizational settings and highlight the role of technological self-efficacy in mitigating the negative impacts of perfectionist cultures. This research may contribute to the literature on perfectionism, CWB, and technological adaptation at work, and has important implications for managing high-performance cultures in the period of rapid technological advancement. Full article

Background and Objectives: Pregnant women face an increased risk of experiencing negative consequences due to COVID-19 infection. Our study aimed to identify outcomes for both mothers and fetuses associated with COVID-19 during each trimester, as well as to identify post-COVID symptoms in this population. Materials and Methods: Among the total population, 14 females were infected during the first trimester, 25 during the second, and 66 during the third trimester. Weekly follow-ups were conducted until delivery. Seventy-five females (71.4%; 95% CI:26.9–115.9%) were admitted to the hospital secondary to COVID-19 infection. Maternal hospitalization was independently associated with COVID-19 severity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.6–9.2 at p = 0.002 relative to the reference group (mild infection)) and the presence of dyspnea at initial assessment (aOR = 6.9; 95% CI: 1.7–28.2 at p = 0.007 relative to nondyspneic patients). Results: The duration of hospitalization (mean ± SD) was higher in the third trimester than the first and second trimesters (10.1 ± 0.8 vs. 4.0 ± 1.2 days and 10.1 ± 0.8 vs. 6.2 ± 1.4 days, respectively, at p < 0.05). The number of maternal deaths in the third trimester was higher than in the first and second trimesters (16 (24.2%) vs. no deaths and 16 (24.2%) vs. 1 (4%) deaths, respectively, at p < 0.05). In terms of fetal outcomes, a good fetal condition was more likely if the mother was infected during the first trimester (92.9%) than the second (80%) or third trimesters (66.7%), but the difference was not significant. The percentage of preterm deliveries was insignificantly higher in the second trimester (16%) than the first (7.1%) and third (4.5%) trimesters. Conclusions: The most common post-COVID symptoms included persistent loss of smell, dry eyes, post-partum depression, knee pain, and myalgia. Post-COVID symptoms were more prevalent in patients infected during the third trimester. The adverse outcomes of COVID-19 infection for both mother and fetus were more severe in cases where the infection occurred during the third trimester compared to the second and first trimesters. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to precautionary measures against COVID-19, prioritize vaccination, and provide comprehensive care for pregnant mothers. Full article

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to an infection that may result in septic shock and death. Recent research has revealed a crucial link between sepsis and alterations in the gut microbiota, showing that the microbiome could serve an essential function in its pathogenesis and prognosis. In sepsis, the gut microbiota undergoes significant dysbiosis, transitioning from a beneficial commensal flora to a predominance of pathobionts. This transformation can lead to a dysfunction of the intestinal barrier, compromising the host’s immune response, which contributes to the severity of the disease. The gut microbiota is an intricate system of protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and viruses that are essential for maintaining immunity and metabolic balance. In sepsis, there is a reduction in microbial heterogeneity and a predominance of pathogenic bacteria, such as proteobacteria, which can exacerbate inflammation and negatively influence clinical outcomes. Microbial compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), perform a crucial task in modulating the inflammatory response and maintaining intestinal barrier function. However, the role of other microbiota components, such as viruses and fungi, in sepsis remains unclear. Innovative therapeutic strategies aim to modulate the gut microbiota to improve the management of sepsis. These include selective digestive decontamination (SDD), probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), all of which have shown potential, although variable, results. The future of sepsis management could benefit greatly from personalized treatment based on the microbiota. Rapid and easy-to-implement tests to assess microbiome profiles and metabolites associated with sepsis could revolutionize the disease’s diagnosis and management. These approaches could not only improve patient prognosis but also reduce dependence on antibiotic therapies and promote more targeted and sustainable treatment strategies. Nevertheless, there is still limited clarity regarding the ideal composition of the microbiota, which should be further characterized in the near future. Similarly, the benefits of therapeutic approaches should be validated through additional studies. Full article

Background: Although insect-based foods (IBFs) have been recently proposed as a way to face climate crisis and starvation, they encounter aversion from Western countries, which express fear, disgust, and high risk. The contribution of psychology research to food choices highlights how decisions are made, not only through reasoned attitudes and goal-directed behavior, but also through more automatic associations (dual-system models). Methods: In this paper, we investigated people’s dispositions towards IBFs by combining (a) explicit attitudes (as assessed via self-report scales), (b) automatic associations (as measured via indirect measures), and (c) intention to taste, and comparing different profiles based on (d) psychological factors, including decision-making style, food neophobia, and trust in science and scientist. A pilot sample of 175 Italian university students participated in the study. Results: The analyses of the general sample highlighted rather negative attitudes. The cluster analysis identified 4 decision-making profiles: ‘the gut feeling’, ‘the suspicious’, ‘the vicarious’, and ‘the mind’. It revealed more favorable opinions in ‘the mind’ profile, characterized by a rational decision-making style and high trust in science, and very aversive reactions from ‘the suspicious’ profile, characterized by high food neophobia and low trust in science. Conclusions: The results underline the importance of psychological factors in interpreting people’s reactions to IBF and changes in dietary habits based on the decision-making process. They suggest possible strategies to promote eco-friendly diets. Full article

Background/Objectives: Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is a common health problem in older adults and is associated with negative health outcomes such as the occurrence of adverse drug events. Several studies have been conducted in different countries and settings to assess the prevalence of PIP, including in Home Care Services. However, data on the prevalence of PIP in home-care services in Saudi Arabia are limited. This study aimed to evaluate PIP use among older patients receiving home healthcare services in Saudi Arabia and to identify the predictors and commonly implicated medications.; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over an 8-month period between January and August 2023. Data were collected from the medical records of patients older than 65 years who were currently receiving home health care services at King Faisal Hospital in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. PIPs were identified using the 2019 updated Beers Criteria.; Results: A total of 375 patients were included. Out of these, 285 PIPs were identified, of which 219 patients (58.4%) received at least one PIP. The most common therapeutic class associated with the PIPs was gastrointestinal medications (66.3%). Patient age and number of medications were significant predictors of PIP.; Conclusions: Our study found a high prevalence of PIP among elderly patients receiving home health care in Taif, Saudi Arabia. This study highlights the need for improved patient data automation and implementation of the Beers criteria to prevent PIPs in the future. Full article

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the saliva of dogs and cats. Despite the frequency of animal bites, infection with Capnocytophaga species is rare, and severe infections are usually associated with underlying risk factors, such as alcohol use disorder, asplenia, or immunosuppression. We describe a case of a man who presented with a purpuric rash, lower extremity edema, and acute renal failure and was found to have tricuspid valve endocarditis and infection-associated glomerulonephritis due to C. canimorsus. Despite treatment with cefepime, the vegetation increased in size and valvular function worsened. He was readmitted with an inferior wall myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism. He underwent an urgent tricuspid valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve. A 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing performed on the resected valve tissue verified involvement of C. canimorsus. Post-operatively, he had several episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage requiring multiple endoscopic interventions and arterial embolization. The recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage combined with his severe functional decline ultimately led to his death. This patient had an uncommon presentation with leukocytoclastic vasculitis and infection-associated glomerulonephritis, which revealed an underlying diagnosis of infective endocarditis due to C. canimorsus, a rare gram-negative bacterial etiology of infective endocarditis. Full article

Growing competition, changing customer needs, and growing environmental protection requirements mean companies are forced to change their approach to business. Traditional product sales are being replaced by systemic solutions focused on meeting specific customer requirements while reducing negative impacts on the environment. One such solution is the Product-Service System (PSS). This allows manufacturers to offer their products’ functionalities and features through related services. By extending the life of products, promoting the reuse of materials, and reducing the amount of waste, the implementation of PSS strongly supports sustainable development. The paper focuses on a new product group—garage boxes (GB). It discusses a new PSS business model that responds to the needs of people living in blocks of flats with no tenant storage lockers or rooms in the basement. The new business model sells the function (storing various possessions) and eliminates problems faced by tenants due to the lack of sufficient storage space. It provides customers with high-quality GB for as long as they need them. Customers can pick and choose equipment with additional services depending on their needs. The idea of the model is the outcome of a nationwide study carried out in Poland on a group of 500 residents of blocks of flats and consultations with manufacturers, homeowner associations, wholesale and retail traders, and the financial sector. The study provided us with information and data that provided a comprehensive picture of the problem of the absence of storage lockers or rooms for residents and the needs connected with GB. The results of the conducted research indicate that the developed business model responds to the diverse requirements of residents and supports sustainable solutions. It is an alternative to the lack of a storage unit assigned to each apartment. The business model developed in the paper is highly innovative and comprehensive. This makes it an attractive solution for residents of apartment blocks, and its implementation can significantly reduce the environmental impact. Full article

Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to obesity and diabetes, with declining lung function in aging increasing diabetes risk, potentially due to elevated serum levels of dioxin-like mitochondria inhibitor substances (MIS) from prolonged exposure to environmental pollutants. However, the mechanisms connecting MIS, mitochondria, lung function, and metabolic disorder remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed data from 1371 adults aged 40–69 years in the 2008 Korean Genome Epidemiologic Study (KoGES) Ansung cohort. We indirectly estimated dioxin-like MIS levels by measuring intracellular ATP (MIS_ATP) and reactive oxygen species (MIS_ROS) in cultured cells treated with the serum of participants. Using correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), we explored the relationships among MIS, mitochondrial function, body mass index (BMI), and lung function (FEV1 and FVC). Our findings revealed that MIS_ATP was associated with BMI in females and with FVC in males, while MIS_ROS correlated with both BMI and FVC in males, not in females. Significant associations between BMI and FVC were found in the highest MIS subgroup in both sexes. SEM analyses demonstrated that MIS negatively influenced mitochondrial function, which in turn affected BMI and lung function. Age-related declines in lung function were also linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. This study underscores the potential of MIS assays as alternatives for assessing mitochondrial function and highlights the importance of mitochondrial health in metabolic disorders and lung function. Full article

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term anatomical and functional prognosis of patients with retinal detachment (RD) secondary to acute retinal necrosis (ARN) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Methods: This retrospective case series included 21 eyes from 21 patients with RD secondary to ARN. The study analyzed vitreous or aqueous biopsy results, the impact of antiviral therapy, time to retinal detachment, changes in visual acuity (VA), and anatomical and surgical outcomes. All cases underwent 23-gauge PPV with silicone oil tamponade, and an episcleral encircling band was used in 11 cases. All patients received systemic antiviral therapy at diagnosis. Results: Retinal reattachment was achieved in 91% of cases during follow-up, with an average follow-up period of 39.5 ± 36.8 months. The average time from ARN diagnosis to RD onset was 33.3 ± 27.5 days. VZV was detected in 10 eyes through PCR analysis. Significant differences in visual prognosis were found between macula-off and macula-on RD (p = 0.048). Eyes with optic nerve head inflammation had worse final VA (p = 0.010). No significant difference was observed between preoperative VA and VA at the end of follow-up (p = 0.665). Conclusions: VZV was the primary virus associated with ARN-related RD. Early involvement of the macula and optic nerve in retinitis negatively impacted the final visual prognosis. Full article

Informal caregivers play a crucial role in the care of individuals with dementia, and their caregiving may significantly impact their own health and well-being. This cross-sectional survey study focuses on the perceived importance of various types and characteristics of formal support in a convenience sample of caregivers aged 65 years or older (n = 175) caring for a spouse with dementia. Participants completed a questionnaire containing 17 items describing different types of support and 12 items describing different characteristics of support, rating their importance. The questionnaire also contained questions on various caregiving-related factors. Principle components analysis (PCA) was carried out on the importance ratings, separately, on the types of support items and the characteristics of support items. Each PCA produced three components. For types of support, they were Proficiency and Opportunity, Supportive Structures, Flexible Counselling. For characteristics of support, they included Respectful and Competent, Timely Support, and Accessible and Acceptable. The three characteristics of the support components all had higher mean importance ratings than the three types of support components. The content of some components indicated that while spouse caregivers rate support for their caregiving needs as important, they may not always differentiate their own needs from those of their partner with dementia. The negative impact of caregiving was the factor most strongly and consistently associated with the components’ importance ratings. This study emphasizes the need for health and social care providers to address the unique needs of spouse caregivers while simultaneously ensuring the delivery of quality care for individuals with dementia. Full article