Articles

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which began in late 2019, initially manifested with acute respiratory symptoms, including bilateral pneumonia, and later emerged as a systemic disease. This brief report assesses changes in the clinical profiles of psychiatric outpatients before, during, and after the pandemic’s most severe periods, focusing on mood, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms. Data from a private psychiatric facility in Rome reveal that both pandemic-related stressors and SARS-CoV-2 infection itself may contribute to enduring affective and cognitive symptoms in both older and younger adult subgroups. Notably, during the pandemic, older patients showed elevated psychopathology scores (BPRS-24) compared to younger individuals. In the post-pandemic period, younger adults exhibited increased positive symptoms on the PANSS Positive subscale, suggesting a gradual worsening in symptoms post-pandemic ( = 0.47). Cognitive assessments (MMSE and PM38) further highlighted fluctuating performance over time, with older adults showing two distinct declines during the pandemic and in 2024. This work underscores the importance of sustained mental health interventions to address the pandemic’s psychosocial and neuroinflammatory legacy. This perspective also considers new data on the CNS effects of “toxin-like peptides” synthesized by microbiome bacteria.

This paper presents the results of experiments to investigate the influence of thermal characteristics of the environment on the thermal modes of transparent boxes. To conduct experiments on the non-stationary thermal model of solar greenhouses developed by us, two identical transparent boxes with dimensions of 0.80 x 0.65 x 0.80 m were constructed. The transparent boxes have rectangular shapes. One transparent box has glass walls and the other with polyethylene walls. The influence of the thermal characteristics of the environment and the thermal conditions inside the transparent boxes with film and glass transparent walls are investigated. The experimental results show that at a maximum ambient air temperature of 42 °C on 27.06.2024 at 13:48 hours, the air temperature increases to 10% and 23% in transparent boxes with polyethylene and with glass walls, respectively, and at 05:10 hours, the humidity decreases to 8% and 11%, respectively. Thus, the influence of the thermal characteristics of the environment on the thermal conditions of transparent boxes with glass walls, at the maximum ambient temperature, is greater by 1.2 times than in transparent boxes with polyethylene walls, and humidity decreases by half.

Numerous instances of consecrated communion wafers turning into human tissue and blood have been reported throughout history and the contemporary international media, referred to as Eucharistic miracles. Various suggestions have been put forth to explain such phenomena, ranging from miraculous to natural. Here, a novel demonstration is provided showing that the appearance of a bleeding host can occur by placing ordinary, non-consecrated wafers under similar conditions as described for many of these events. Using basic forensic methods, distinctions between ensuant reddish areas and genuine blood were noted. In previous studies with miracle wafers, isolated DNA was resistant to amplification with human-specific primers, which has been attributed to its divine nature. The current study shows that multiple types of non-human DNA existed in unconsecrated wafers, providing an alternative explanation for such findings. Finally, a minimal protocol of scientific examination is outlined to aid in the standardization of such investigations in the future, including a distinctive approach to authenticate the genuine shared origin of such occurrences.

Fibrothecal tumors of the ovary are rare neoplasms, comprising less than 4% of all ovarian tumors and primarily affecting post-menopausal women. These benign tumors arise from the stromal tissue of the ovary and may produce hormones, particularly estrogen. Their diagnosis presents considerable challenges, frequently leading to misclassification as malignant ovarian tumors or uterine myomas. This report describes the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with abdominal distension and pelvic pain. Clinical examination revealed a large, lobulated mass and imaging studies classified the right ovarian mass as ORADS 4. An exploratory laparotomy confirmed the absence of metastasis, resulting in total hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy, and omentectomy. The anatomopathological analysis identified the latero-ovarian mass as a fibrothecoma. Generally, fibrothecal tumors are benign with a favorable prognosis following surgical intervention. Common symptoms include pelvic pain and abdominal distension, and diagnosis typically relies on imaging techniques such as ultrasound and CT, with definitive confirmation achieved through histopathological examination. Given their potential to mimic malignant ovarian cancer, accurate diagnosis is critical and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.

The role of physical exercise in cancer treatment is gaining increasing recognition as part of a holistic approach to patient care. Traditionally, cancer treatment has focused on surgical, hormonal, chemotherapeutic, as well as radiotherapeutic interventions. However, recent studies underscore the significant benefits of integrating physical exercise into treatment plans, not merely as a supplementary activity but as a core component of cancer care [1].

This study explores the application of a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach based on q-rung orthopair fuzzy numbers to identify the origin of mechanical parts found at vehicle accident scenes. The primary objective is to determine the most likely vehicle to which these parts belong by evaluating key criteria such as compatibility, damage level, serial number matching, and color compatibility. Q-rung orthopair fuzzy numbers offer an advanced method to handle the inherent uncertainty and vagueness associated with forensic evaluations, particularly in scenarios where data is incomplete or imprecise. The proposed methodology involves defining the criteria, assigning membership and non-membership degrees using q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets, and applying an aggregation process to effectively rank alternatives. This approach facilitates flexible decision-making by accommodating different levels of confidence and uncertainty, making it particularly suitable for forensic applications where evidence is often ambiguous. The findings demonstrate that integrating q-rung orthopair fuzzy numbers into the MCDM framework significantly enhances the accuracy and reliability of identifying vehicle components involved in accidents. The proposed methodology provides a systematic tool to support forensic investigations, aiding in the determination of liability and contributing to more robust outcomes in mechanical evidence analysis.

Objective: Caesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancies (CSEP) pose distinct diagnostic and management challenges. This study investigates the risk factors, treatment options, and outcomes for CSEP cases treated at Prince Sultan Medical Military City, Riyadh.Methods: Over a two-year period, medical records of 28 patients with CSEP were reviewed, collecting data on patient demographics, obstetric history, and treatment outcomes. This analysis aimed to identify influential risk factors and assess the effectiveness of various management strategies.Results: Treatment success was achieved in 85.7% of cases, with Methotrexate (MTX) proving effective in over half of the cases. The findings suggest significant risk factors and best practices for managing this rare condition.Conclusion: Early detection, risk factor awareness, and tailored treatment strategies are key to optimizing outcomes in patients with CSEP.

The Enterprise Radiation Forest (ERF) study was initially introduced as a topic of discussion at the Institute of Forest Genetics, USDA, USFS, in the late 1960s. During that period, a program was endorsed for investigating the impacts of radiation on the forest ecosystem. The rationale for this was to facilitate the prediction of potential outcomes in the occurrence of a nuclear disaster. The research location was situated within the forested lands in Enterprise of Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. The radiation source in question was a 10,000 curie source of Cesium-137, characterized by a halflife of 33 years. Furthermore, a study concerning lichens was also carried out, the data, photographs, and micrographs were meticulously gathered to illustrate the pre-irradiation activity of the species. This subject holds significant value for dissemination among peers in the scientific community, particularly considering the resilience exhibited by natural ecosystems in response to varying levels of radiation. The information is reviewed with the objective of the entire program to ascertain the potential consequences for a northern forest ecosystem in the event of a nuclear disaster, in addition to the two publications from the Atomic Energy Commission.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with coronary angioplasty being a crucial intervention for patients with significant disease. This study aimed to identify and analyze the causes of coronary angioplasty denial in patients with significant coronary artery disease in Afghanistan, focusing on demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors.A case-control study was conducted with a sample size of 213 patients diagnosed with significant CAD at tertiary care center in Afghanistan. The case group consisted of 106 patients who were denied angioplasty, and the control group included 107 patients who underwent the procedure. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, education, residence, functional status, income, and the reasons for angioplasty denial. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with denial.The primary reasons for angioplasty denial were financial constraints (45.3%, p < 0.001), limited hospital facilities (15.1%, p = 0.045), patient refusal (23.6%, p < 0.001), and physician preference for conservative management (12.3%, p = 0.091). Denial rates were higher among patients who were older, had multiple comorbidities, were from rural areas, and had lower education and income levels. Illiteracy and cultural beliefs contributed significantly to patient refusal, while inadequate healthcare infrastructure disproportionately affected rural populations.Financial and infrastructural barriers are the leading causes of coronary angioplasty denial in Afghanistan, exacerbating disparities in healthcare access, particularly among low-income and rural patients. Addressing these issues through policy reforms, improved healthcare infrastructure, and targeted public health education is essential to reducing CAD-related morbidity and mortality in the country.

Calorie restriction has been shown to slow the aging process in numerous organisms including primates. Caloric excess states, such as type 2 diabetes, are associated with accelerated aging and the incidence and severity of chronic diseases. The nutrient-sensing pathways and intestinal microbiome are important systems that affect aging and chronic disease development. This manuscript reviews the various pathways involved with aging and chronic disease development and examines the pharmacological manipulation of these systems which appear to slow aging and the chronic diseases of aging in experimental model organisms and collaborating human data when available. Finally, the abundance of experimental and human data suggesting the newer diabetic medications, the sodium-glucose transport inhibitors, are potent anti-aging agents is provided.