Search Results (7,589)

Background/Objectives: Fungal peritonitis is a severe complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) associated with catheter removal, technique failure, and increased mortality. Although Candida albicans was traditionally the predominant pathogen, non-albicans Candida (NAC) species are increasingly reported. This review summarizes the epidemiology and outcomes of PD-associated NAC peritonitis. Methods: A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched (January 1990–March 2026) for NAC peritonitis studies. Case reports and series with species-level identification were included. Results: 31 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 25 individual case reports and 6 case series, totaling 89 NAC isolates. Candida parapsilosis was the most frequently reported species (n = 50), followed by Candida tropicalis (n = 15). Other pathogens included Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, and several rare NAC species. Fluconazole was the most commonly used initial antifungal therapy. Catheter removal was performed in most cases, with the majority of patients requiring transition to hemodialysis. Overall mortality was 20% among individual case reports vs. 24% across case series. Species-specific differences were observed: C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii were generally associated with favorable outcomes, whereas infections involving C. glabrata and other emerging NAC species more frequently required treatment escalation and were linked to poorer outcomes. Conclusions: NAC species are an important cause of fungal peritonitis in PD patients and show considerable heterogeneity in clinical outcomes and antifungal susceptibility. Early species-level identification and prompt catheter removal remain essential for optimal management. Full article

The Springtime of Nations in 1990 was a great victory over the Evil Empire. We will examine some of its background in Croatia, concentrating on cultural phenomena and fine arts in particular. Even under Socialist Realism, there were some flights into “decadence”, such as the EXAT 51 exhibition in Zagreb, as Yugoslavia, threatened by the Russians, wanted to show its “pro-western” leanings. We will examine two outstanding Croatian artists who spanned the periods of Communism and its aftermath. The sculptor, Ljubo Dekarina (b. Rijeka, 1948), has mostly worked in the small Istrian township of Brseč. The painter, Ivan Rabuzin, from the Croatian Zagorje village of Ključ (b. 1921–d. 2008), maintained considerable ties with the Croatian capital of Zagreb. Thanks to them, we have discovered a world of an artistically contrived beauty and truth of eternal presence. Rabuzin’s is one of hills and groves, of rounded trees, and scattered hay-roofed homes, a short cut to paradise. Dekarina’s penetrations are entranceways into secret spaces of the beyond. Rabuzin and Dekarina just see better and know how to better communicate their experiences. It is the humanities that makes us human. Aristotle, as opposed to Plato, saw the arts as an improved and not a debased version of reality. Thus, the art experience comes close to religion, making us better, happier, more complete human beings. Art and religion are two aspects of that same pool. Full article

Dental restorative resins available today still have limitations that may affect their durability. This study explores reinforcing a universal microhybrid dental composite resin with organomodified nanoclay at low filler loadings (0, 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt%). The morphology, structural features, and light transmittance of the composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The degree of conversion and polymerization shrinkage were measured with ATR–FTIR and a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT). Water sorption and solubility parameters and flexural properties were assessed gravimetrically and with a dynamometer, respectively. The composites mainly showed exfoliated structures and an improved degree of conversion. Polymerization shrinkage and solubility were lower than those of unmodified dental resin. The highest degree of conversion was observed in composites with 0.5–1 wt% nanoclay. The incorporation of 1 wt% nanoclay resulted in the lowest shrinkage and sorption, along with the highest flexural modulus and strength. Overall, the results suggest that low nanoclay concentrations can improve the physicochemical and mechanical properties of dental composites, highlighting their potential to develop advanced restorative materials that can address current clinical challenges. Full article

The utilization of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is essential in hybrid seed production; however, its operational value in eggplant is insufficiently documented under practical conditions. This study compared CMS-based and conventional (non-CMS) hybridization systems with respect to flower production, flower functionality, and hybrid seed production efficiency, quantified as seed and viable seedling output per unit time, in three eggplant cultivars (‘Emi’, ‘Langada’, and ‘Tsakoniki’) in intra- and interspecific crosses. CMS did not affect total flower production or inflorescence architecture, which were primarily genotype-dependent. However, it altered flower opening, resulting in genotype- and position-dependent proportions of semi-opened and closed flowers at anthesis. Despite this effect, sufficient flowers suitable for hybridization remained available across all genotypes. CMS substantially simplified the hybridization process by eliminating emasculation, reducing flower manipulation time by approximately 55%, and increasing crossing rate by nearly twofold. Importantly, CMS did not negatively affect female fertility, as indicated by comparable percentages of successful crosses and high seed germination rates across cytoplasmic backgrounds. Seed production per fruit was moderately but significantly increased in intraspecific crosses, while it remained comparable between CMS and non-CMS systems for the interspecific crosses. As a result, CMS significantly increased hybrid seed output and effective seedling production per unit time in intraspecific crosses, while similar trends were observed in interspecific crosses, with gains ranging from 86% to 184% depending on genotype and pollen parent. Overall, this study demonstrates, from an operational perspective, that CMS enhances the efficiency of eggplant hybrid seed production by reducing labor requirements and increasing output per unit time without compromising reproductive performance. These findings highlight the practical value of CMS as a tool for improving hybrid seed production systems, including applications in both commercial hybrid development and rootstock breeding. Full article

The present Special Issue, entitled “Electrochemical (Bio)Sensors as Promising Analytical Tools in the Analysis of Soils, Plants and Environmental Monitoring”, aims to provide an up-to-date overview of recent advances in electroanalytical techniques and electrochemical (bio)sensors, with particular emphasis on their applications in environmental systems, agriculture, and biological matrices [...] Full article

Bullying and victimization are prevalent in school and sport settings, yet they are rarely examined concurrently. This study explored the relationships between school and sport bullying among youth athletes, assessing whether demographic and sport-related factors are associated with these behaviors across contexts. Participants included 189 youth athletes (aged 8–15 years) from Central Macedonia, Northern Greece. They completed a demographic survey and the Bullying and Victimization Questionnaire twice, assessing both school and sport environments. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) evaluated the effects of gender, educational level, sport type, and contact classification, followed by regression analyses. Results showed that educational level yielded a significant multivariate effect, with secondary school students reporting higher involvement in school bullying, sport bullying, and sport victimization. Crucially, regression analyses revealed that school-context bullying and victimization were the strongest factors associated with corresponding behaviors in sports. Additionally, team sport participation was associated with sport victimization, while demographic factors were related to school bullying perpetration. These findings demonstrate the interconnected nature of bullying between school and sport environments, emphasizing the critical need for coordinated, multi-contextual prevention strategies among educators and coaches. Full article

Obesity is characterized by low-grade systemic inflammation and alterations in gut-related immune pathways that may contribute to metabolic dysfunction. Composite biomarker indices may better capture these complex processes than individual markers, although their performance may differ across biological domains. In this cross-sectional study, 88 adults without diabetes or infection were categorized as BMI < 25 kg/m² (n = 20), BMI 25–29.9 kg/m² (n = 34), or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (n = 34). Circulating biomarkers reflecting systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, ferritin, interleukin-6, presepsin) and intestinal barrier-related activity (β-defensin-2, regenerating islet-derived protein 3 alpha) were measured and subsequently combined into two composite indices: the Inflammatory Load Index, derived from inflammatory markers, and the Barrier Activation Index, derived from barrier-related markers. Group differences were assessed using analysis of variance with post hoc testing. Additional analyses included effect size estimation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and logistic regression. Individual biomarkers showed limited differences across BMI categories. The Inflammatory Load Index differed significantly across BMI categories (p = 0.040), with higher values observed in individuals with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² compared with those with BMI 25–29.9 kg/m² (p = 0.032; Cohen’s d = 0.80), while the Barrier Activation Index did not differ (p = 0.257). In ROC analysis, the Inflammatory Load Index discriminated BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² with an area under the curve of 0.720 (95% confidence interval 0.576–0.851), yielding 77.8% sensitivity and 67.7% specificity. Each one standard deviation increase in the index was associated with higher odds of obesity (odds ratio 2.34, 95% confidence interval 1.22–4.49; p = 0.011). In conclusion, a composite inflammatory biomarker index, but not a barrier-related index, differentiates degrees of BMI in individuals without diabetes. These findings support integrated biomarker approaches for reflecting obesity-related biological burden beyond single markers. However, these observations are based on cross-sectional data and do not imply causality. Full article

Radiopharmaceutical Theranostics defines the combination of molecularly targeted imaging and therapy in two consecutive phases. Targeted theranostic approaches are most established for the management of advanced prostate, thyroid and hepatocellular cancer, as well as neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Adrenal malignancies present a complex challenge, requiring highly specialized management. The two primary entities addressed by targeted radiotheranostics—pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) and adrenocortical cancer (ACC)—consist of fundamentally distinct molecular targets and, consequently, different radiopharmaceutical agents. While most existing literature focuses on nuclear medicine–driven perspectives, the implications of theranostic advances for surgical decision-making remain underexplored. This narrative review aims to integrate available clinical evidence with multidisciplinary practice considerations, in reshaping the role of surgery in adrenal malignancies. Full article

The limited availability of high-quality timber and the increasing demand for wood-based panels have encouraged the exploration of alternative and sustainable lignocellulosic resources. Rattan waste is abundant in Indonesia; however, its low mechanical strength and limited durability restrict its direct application in composite materials. This study investigated the effect of furfuryl alcohol (FA) modification and different adhesive systems on the performance of rattan-based particleboard. Rattan particles were immersed in FA for 24 h and used to produce particleboards (300 × 300 × 10 mm) bonded with phenol formaldehyde (PF), melamine formaldehyde (MF), and urea formaldehyde (UF) adhesives at a resin content of 12%. The boards were manufactured under controlled hot pressing conditions and conditioned for 14 days prior to testing. Furfurylation significantly improved dimensional stability by reducing moisture content, water absorption, thickness swelling, and leaching, with anti-swelling efficiency values ranging from 43.25% to 71.06%. Some selected mechanical properties, including internal bonding strength, hardness, and screw holding power, were also enhanced. However, the modification showed limited influence on the modulus of elasticity and, in some cases, reduced the modulus of rupture. Among the adhesive systems, MF-bonded boards exhibited the most balanced mechanical performance. Furfurylation also produced darker and more uniform board surfaces. These findings indicate that furfurylated rattan particleboards are suitable for non-structural and decorative applications. Full article

This study investigates the development of sustainable composite materials using recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) in an 80/20 mass ratio, incorporating kraft lignin as a bio-derived additive and polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) as a compatibilizer. Reactive melt mixing was employed to produce composites with varying lignin loadings (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%). The structural, thermal, and mechanical properties and segmental dynamics of the materials were thoroughly examined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS), tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The incorporation of lignin exhibited minimal disruption to the polymeric thermal transitions, while it boosted thermal stability, as confirmed by the TGA curves. According to the segmental dynamics findings, the glass transition temperature of the polymeric blend (−35 °C) was increased systematically with the addition of lignin by ~1–20 K. Tensile tests showed that the 1 wt% additive ratio demonstrated the optimal balance of strength and ductility. Morphological observations supported these findings, revealing uniform dispersion at low additive ratio and increased agglomeration at higher ratios. Based on its superior performance, the composite containing 1 wt% lignin was successfully extruded into filament suitable for 3D-printing. This study highlights the synergy of bio-based additives and recycled polymers in engineering high-performance materials, promoting circular economy principles and reduced environmental footprint through upcycling post-consumer waste into functional, valuable products. Full article

Background and Objectives: Children with febrile urinary tract infections (fUTIs) may be at risk for kidney scarring. Inflammatory biomarkers may predict the risk of scarring. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive role of PCT, CRP and other markers in scarring in pediatric patients with first fUTI. Materials and Methods: The study was in accordance with the institution’s ethics committee (No. 108/2023). Included patients underwent a kidney–ureter–cyst ultrasound (US). The primary outcomes of this study were the associations of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cells (WBC) with kidney scarring. The secondary outcomes were the associations of PCT, CRP, and WBC with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Sixty-five pediatric patients (1–16 years of age) with a first fUTI, from February 2023 to January 2025, were included. Sixteen patients had VUR, and thirteen patients developed kidney scarring. C-reactive protein was significantly elevated in the VUR group (p = 0.026). In a series of logistic regression analyses, abnormal US findings and severe VUR were associated with scarring (p = 0.009 and p = 0.016, accordingly). The optimal cut-off value for PCT in predicting scarring was calculated as 6.05 ng/mL (sensitivity: 36% and specificity: 97%), and for CRP as 3.62 mg/dL (sensitivity: 63.6% and specificity: 62.1%). Conclusions: This study showed a significant difference in CRP levels between the groups with and without VUR. Abnormal US findings and severe VUR were the most significant predictors of kidney scarring. Significant difference was not reached in PCT and WBC levels between the groups with and without VUR or with and without kidney scarring. The small sample size may have influenced the study’s outcomes. Full article

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of Pilates-based exercise on mental health, psychological well-being, and quality of life (QoL) across clinical and healthy populations. Thirty-two randomized and quasi-experimental trials (total N = 1264) were included, representing adolescents, adults, and older adults across diverse clinical and non-clinical groups. Outcomes encompassed depressive symptoms, anxiety, QoL, self-esteem, and well-being. The unadjusted random-effects model indicated a suggestive but statistically inconclusive overall effect (p = 0.061). However, adjusting for outcome type via meta-regression yielded a statistically significant pooled effect (g = 0.393, p = 0.023). Substantial heterogeneity remained across studies (I² = 91.7%). Meta-regression identified outcome type as the only significant moderator, whereas age group, delivery mode, and clinical status did not significantly influence the pooled effect. Subgroup analyses suggested comparable benefits between remote and in-person delivery formats in general adult samples. Evidence from individual studies indicated that supervised, face-to-face instruction may be advantageous for older adults. Low-frequency programs, including once-weekly sessions, were also associated with improvements, although variability in intervention duration and structure limits conclusions regarding optimal dosage. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the pooled effect. Overall, the findings support Pilates as a feasible exercise modality with demonstrated benefits for positive psychosocial outcomes (QoL and self-esteem), while evidence for negative psychological indicators (e.g., depression, anxiety) remains limited or non-significant. Future research should standardize outcome measures, report training parameters consistently, and examine contextual factors contributing to heterogeneity in psychosocial responses. Full article

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of biological maturity status and training experience on motor performance in young athletes of different sport disciplines. Methods: Youth athletes (n = 84, 23 females) from five different sports (basketball, volleyball, track and field, wrestling, and badminton) participated in this study. Jump height was measured for the squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). Peak torque during maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and torque steadiness at 20% MVC were assessed during plantar flexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF). Postural control was assessed with the one-leg test for both the right and left legs. K-means clustered analysis categorized participants into groups of low and high performers. Results: High performers had greater training experience than low performers for the SJ (p < 0.05), with no difference in maturity status (p > 0.05). Similarly, high performers had greater training experience (p < 0.05) than low performers for the CMJ, with no difference in maturity status (p > 0.05). High performers were more mature than low performers for MVC torque of DF (p < 0.001) and PF (p < 0.001), with no group differences in training experience (DF: p > 0.05; PF: p > 0.05). Maturity status for torque steadiness differed only for DF (p < 0.001), whereas there was no difference for PF (p > 0.05). There were no differences in either maturity status or training experience for one-leg-stance time (p > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that maturity status and training experience are linked to performance, although their relative roles differ across tasks. These findings reflect an interaction between biological maturity, training background and sports performance in youth athletes. Full article

Conductive core–shell superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are emerging as multifunctional additives for cementitious materials, combining moisture management with electrical functionality. In cement-based systems, a swellable polymeric core enables internal curing and crack-sealing through controlled water uptake and release, while a conductive shell introduces ionic and/or electronic charge transport, addressing key limitations of conventional non-conductive SAPs. This dual functionality provides a pathway toward smart cementitious composites with enhanced durability, self-sensing capability, and moisture-responsive behavior. This review focuses on the physical chemistry mechanisms governing conductive core–shell SAPs in cementitious environments, with emphasis on swelling thermodynamics, water transport kinetics, interfacial phenomena, and charge transport mechanisms. The roles of osmotic pressure, elastic network constraints, ionic effects, and pore solution chemistry are critically discussed, together with their impact on conductivity, hydration processes, microstructure development, and long-term performance. The relative contributions of ionic and electronic conduction are examined in relation to hydration state, shell morphology, and percolation of conductive networks. In addition, the relevance of core–shell SAP architectures to sustainable packaging is briefly discussed as a secondary application, illustrating how similar physicochemical principles—such as moisture buffering and functional coatings—apply beyond construction materials. Finally, key knowledge gaps are identified, including long-term stability in highly alkaline environments, trade-offs between swelling capacity and conductivity, environmental impacts of conductive phases, and the need for integrated experimental and modeling approaches. Addressing these challenges is essential for the rational design and practical implementation of conductive core–shell SAPs in next-generation cementitious materials. Full article