Search Results (49)

Orange allergy is estimated to account for up to 3–4% of food allergies. Major allergens identified in orange (Citrus sinensis) include Cit s 1 (germin-like protein) and Cit s 2 (profilin), while Cit s 3 (non-specific lipid transfer protein, nsLTP) and Cit s 7 (gibberellin-regulated protein) have also been described. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence and IgE-binding capacity of germin-like proteins in citrus fruits other than oranges. We describe five patients with immediate allergic reactions after orange ingestion. All patients underwent skin prick tests (SPT) to aeroallergens and common food allergens, prick-by-prick testing with orange, lemon, and mandarin (pulp, peel, seeds), total IgE, specific IgE (sIgE), anaphylaxis scoring (oFASS), and the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ-AF). Protein extracts from peel and pulp of orange, lemon, and mandarin were analyzed by Bradford assay, SDS-PAGE, and IgE immunoblotting using patient sera. Selected bands were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. A 23 kDa band was recognized by all five patients in orange (pulp and peel), lemon (peel), and mandarin (peel). This band was consistent with Cit s 1, a germin-like protein already annotated in the IUIS allergen database for orange but not for lemon or mandarin. Peptide fingerprinting confirmed the germin-like identity of the 23 kDa bands in all three citrus species. Germin-like proteins of approximately 23 kDa were identified as IgE-binding components in peel extracts of orange, lemon, and mandarin, and in orange pulp. These findings suggest a potential shared allergen across citrus species that may contribute to allergic reactions independent of LTP sensitization. Full article

Background/objectives: In some cases of concomitant use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) and certain anticancer medications, pharmacokinetic interactions are expected; however, clinical data is scarce. This report reviews the recommendations on the use of DOAC concurrently with anticancer drugs according to different clinical decision support systems and sources, with a focus on discrepancies. Methods: We reviewed the recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), summary of product characteristics (SPC) in FASS (Swedish medicine information portal), the Swedish clinical decision support system Janusmed, and information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the concomitant use of apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban (activated factor X (FXa) inhibitors) and 80 anticancer drugs from 11 categories (240 drug pairs). Results: No warnings of expected pharmacokinetic drug interactions between FXa inhibitors and anticancer drugs were found for 155 drug pairs (65%) across all sources. The remaining 35% of drug pairs were flagged as having possible interactions with FXa inhibitors according to at least one source. Discrepancies in the recommendations from the different sources were reported. The reported discrepancies were, for the most part, associated with different assessments of the mechanism and the extent of pharmacokinetic interactions of each anticancer medication. Also, knowledge sources have different approaches to reporting potential interactions, in some cases reporting clinically relevant strictly pharmacokinetic interactions, whereas others include even patient-specific factors. Conclusions: The lack of clinical data and different recommendations can make clinical decisions on the concomitant use of DOAC and anticancer drugs difficult. Our compilation is meant to assist clinicians in making decisions based on the available evidence, even if it is scarce. Full article

The emergence of generative AI has caused a major dilemma—as higher education institutions prepare students for the workforce, the development of digital skills must become a normative aim, while simultaneously preserving academic integrity and credibility. The challenge they face is not simply a matter of using AI responsibly but typically of reconciling two opposing duties: (A) preparing students for the future of work, and (B) maintaining the traditional role of developing personal academic skills, such as critical thinking, the ability to acquire knowledge, and the capacity to produce original work. Higher education institutions must typically balance these objectives while addressing financial considerations, creating value for students and employers, and meeting accreditation requirements. Against this need, this multiple-case study of fifty universities across eight countries examined institutional response to generative AI. The content analysis revealed apparent confusion and a lack of established best practices, as proposed actions varied widely, from complete bans on generated content to the development of custom AI assistants for students and faculty. Oftentimes, the onus fell on individual faculty to exercise discretion in the use of AI, suggesting an inconsistent application of academic policy. We conclude by recognizing that time and innovation will be required for the apparent confusion of higher education institutions in responding to this challenge to be resolved and suggest some possible approaches to that. Our results, however, suggest that their top concern now is the potential for irresponsible use of AI by students to cheat on assessments. We, therefore, recommend that, in the short term, and likely in the long term, the credibility of awards is urgently safeguarded and argue that this could be achieved by ensuring at least some human-proctored assessments are integrated into courses, e.g., in the form of real-location examinations and viva voces. Full article

Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) is a common inflammatory and highly pruritic skin condition. It typically manifests according to one or more of four different clinical lesion patterns: miliary dermatitis, self-induced alopecia, head and neck pruritus, and eosinophilic granuloma complex. FASS is a chronic and relapsing condition that often persists for life. Effective management can be a significant challenge for both clinicians and owners. Here, we investigated whether diet could act as an adjunct to conventional medicated therapies to improve the management of FASS. We conducted a six-month randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study on client-owned FASS cats to test a novel pet food formulation. The main variables followed were the veterinarian (FeDESI) and the owner (VAScat) assessing symptom severity, in addition to medication requirements. Compared to the control diet, the test diet not only ameliorated symptoms but also significantly reduced the dependency on medication. The VAScat metric was improved after 3 months (p = 1.6 × 10⁻⁴) and 6 months (p = 5.7 × 10⁻⁵) in the test group only, and the cats’ medication requirement significantly declined exclusively in the test group from month 2 onwards. The interpretation of the FeDESI results was hampered by high levels of variation, particularly in the control group. Nonetheless, in the test group, clinical scores showed evidence of improvement after 3 months (p = 0.037) and 6 months (p = 0.02), and no such improvement was detected in the control group. Overall, our findings suggest that tailored nutrition can significantly aid in the management of feline atopic skin syndrome. Full article

Forced displacement exacerbates health vulnerabilities, particularly regarding HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Refugees often experience heightened exposure to HIV due to precarious living conditions, sexual violence, and healthcare access barriers. Background: Structural inequalities, legal precarity, and stigma hinder HIV care for refugees, especially in resource-limited settings. Excluded from national health programs, refugees often depend on underfunded humanitarian aid. Cultural stigma, limited awareness, and mobility constraints further heighten their vulnerability. Methods: This study draws on a review of peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and case studies from refugee-hosting countries. It examines healthcare access, service provision gaps, and policy responses to HIV among displaced populations. Results: The article highlights systemic barriers to HIV services, including inadequate testing, inconsistent treatment availability, and cultural barriers to care. Policy frameworks often fail to integrate refugees into national HIV programs, exacerbating health disparities. Conclusions: The exclusion of refugees from national healthcare, compounded by stigma and mobility constraints, deepens health disparities and heightens HIV transmission risks. Without targeted interventions and inclusive health systems, refugees face disproportionate HIV-related morbidity, endangering broader public health in host communities. Full article

Sunflower Verticillium Wilt and Leaf Mottle (SVW), caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a globally prevalent disease affecting sunflower production. In this study, we identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 10 and other genomic regions associated with SVW resistance by integrating biparental and association mapping in sunflower populations from the National Institute of Agricultural Technology. Nine replicated field trials were conducted in highly infested V. dahliae reservoirs to assess disease incidence and severity. Both mapping populations were genotyped using double-digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). Association mapping with 18,161 SNPs and biparental QTL mapping with 1769 SNPs identified a major QTL on chromosome 10 explaining up to 30% of phenotypic variation for disease incidence at flowering and for the area under the disease progress curve for disease incidence, and which contributes to a lesser extent to disease severity reduction. Additional QTLs on chromosomes 17, 8, 9, 14, 13, and 11 were associated with reduced disease incidence, severity, or both. Candidate genes were identified within these associated regions, 39 of which are in the major QTL on Chromosome 10. These findings demonstrate the value of integrating complementary QTL mapping strategies for validating resistance loci and advancing sunflower breeding for SVW resistance. Full article

Fluid Antenna Systems (FASs) have recently emerged as a promising solution to address the demanding performance indicators (KPIs) and scalability challenges of future 6G mobile communications. By enabling agile control over both radiating position and antenna shape, FAS can significantly improve diversity gain and reduce outage probability through dynamic selection of the optimal radiation point, also known as port. Numerous theoretical studies have explored novel FAS concepts, often in conjunction with other wireless communication technologies such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), backscatter communication, and Semantic communication. To validate these theoretical concepts, several early-stage FAS hardware prototypes have been developed, including liquid–metal fluid antennas, mechanically movable antennas, pixel-reconfigurable antennas, and meta-fluid antennas. Initial measurements have demonstrated the potential advantages of FAS. This article provides a brief review of these early FAS hardware technologies. Furthermore, we share our vision for future hardware development and the corresponding challenges, aiming to fully release the potential of FAS and stimulate further research and development within the antenna research community. Full article

The choice of health care modeling approaches is driven by trade-offs between various modeling techniques. This study evaluates cohort (CH) versus patient-level (PL) Markov modeling techniques within a cost-effectiveness analysis framework to understand the practical decisions analysts face. Both the CH and PL models were constructed using identical datasets and similar assumptions. Each model included eight health states to capture disease severity and symptom types and allowed switching from first-line to second-line treatment. We assessed model outcomes and performance using various quantitative and qualitative techniques. The CH and PL models yielded very similar base case results; only minor differences in functionality and outcome consistency were detected. The CH model offered greater stability and easier parameter testing, while the PL model provided superior flexibility for structural adjustments and detailed patient pathway and subgroup analysis. However, the PL model required substantially more computational time for sensitivity analyses and more technical skills to understand and interpret patient pathways and model results. CH modeling faced more challenges when extensive structural changes were initiated. Choosing between CH and PL modeling techniques involves the careful assessment of trade-offs between the need for a flexible and informed model and the optimization of human and computational resources. Full article

Operational modal analysis (OMA) is essential for long-term health monitoring of offshore wind turbines (OWTs), helping identifying changes in structural dynamic characteristics. OMA has been applied under parked or idle states for OWTs, assuming a linear and time-invariant dynamic system subjected to white noise excitations. The impact of complex operating environmental conditions on structural modal identification therefore requires systematic investigation. This paper studies the applicability of OMA based on covariance-driven stochastic subspace identification (SSI-COV) under various non-white noise excitations, using a DTU 10 MW jacket OWT model as a basis for a case study. Then, a scaled (1:75) 10 MW jacket OWT model test is used for the verification. For pure wave conditions, it is found that accurate identification for the first and second FA/SS modes can be achieved with significant wave energy. Under pure wind excitations, the unsteady servo control behavior leads to significant identification errors. The combined wind and wave actions further complicate the picture, leading to more scattered identification errors. The SSI-COV based modal identification method is suggested to be reliably applied for wind speeds larger than the rated speed and with sufficient wave energy. In addition, this method is found to perform better with larger misalignment of wind and wave directions. This study provides valuable insights in relation to the engineering applications of in situ modal identification techniques under operating conditions in real OWT projects. Full article

Soil contamination and the uptake of pollutants by food crops are widespread issues that vary greatly by region and are influenced by the mineral composition of the soil and local human activities. The Pannonian region, where agriculture has played a key role since Roman times, has been particularly impacted by the long-standing agricultural and industrial practices. While soil contamination with heavy metals is monitored by the Slovenian government, microplastic contamination and the uptake of pollutants into food crops have yet to become a regular component of monitoring efforts. In this study, we conducted a preliminary investigation into soil and crop contamination across the Pannonian region, focusing on identifying harmful contaminants and their potential uptake into food crops. Both soil and crop samples were analyzed for the presence of heavy metals with proven methods such as atomic absorption spectrometry (FASS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was found to be a potentially faster method of obtaining data on soil composition. Special attention was also given to the potential presence of microplastics in the region’s soils. Full article

The Roma population—with a unique history marked by migration, settlement issues, and ongoing resilience—has always faced significant social marginalization and has often been subjected to forced migration. Despite being one of the largest and most diverse ethnic groups in Europe, Roma continue to face systemic discrimination and social exclusion, leading to poor outcomes in education, employment, health, and housing. This article analyses the migration pathways, settlement experiences, and persistent obstacles faced by Roma. We argue that removing historical and systemic barriers to create a more equitable and welcoming environment for the Roma community is their right. The resilience of the Roma community in the face of adversity is a testament to their cultural strength and adaptability. This research aims to document these aspects and thus provide a basis for policies that promote social inclusion, equality, and respect for cultural diversity. Full article

Reversible protein phosphorylation regulates various cellular mechanisms in eukaryotes by altering the conformation, activity, localization, and stability of substrate proteins. In Arabidopsis thaliana root meristems, histone post-translational modifications are crucial for proper cell division, and they are also involved in oxidative stress signaling. To investigate the link between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitosis, we treated various Arabidopsis genotypes, including wild-types and mutants showing dysfunctional PP2A, with the ROS-inducing herbicide diquat (DQ). Studying the c3c4 double catalytic subunit mutant and fass regulatory subunit mutants of PP2A provided insights into phosphorylation-dependent mitotic processes. DQ treatment reduced mitotic activity in all genotypes and caused early mitotic arrest in PP2A mutants, likely due to oxidative stress-induced damage to essential mitotic processes. DQ had a minimal effect on reversible histone H3 phosphorylation in wild-type plants but significantly decreased phospho-histone H3 levels in PP2A mutants. Following drug treatment, the phosphatase activity decreased only in the stronger phenotype mutant plants (fass-5 and c3c4). Our findings demonstrate that (i) the studied PP2A loss-of-function mutants are more sensitive to increased intracellular ROS and (ii) DQ has indirect altering effects of mitotic activities and histone H3 phosphorylation. All these findings underscore the importance of PP2A in stress responses. Full article

This article discusses fundamental issues associated with the functional reliability of selected fire alarm systems (FASs) in operation during building fires. FASs operate under diverse external or internal natural environmental conditions, and the operational process of FAS should take into account the impacts of physical phenomena that occur during fires. Their operation is associated with the constant provision of reliability. FAS designers should also consider the system’s reliability when developing fire control matrices, tables, algorithms, or scenarios. All functions arising from an FAS control matrix should be implemented with a permissible reliability level, R_DPN(t), prior to, as well as during, a fire. This should be assigned to the controls saved in the fire alarm control unit (FCP). This article presents the process by which high temperatures generated during a fire impact the reliability of FAS functioning. It was developed considering selected critical paths for a specific scenario and the control matrix for an FAS. Such assumptions make it possible to determine the impact of various temperatures generated during a fire on the reliability of an FAS. To this end, the authors reviewed that the waveform of the R(t) function changes for a given FAS over time, Δt, and then determined the fitness paths. The critical paths are located within the fire detection and suppression activation process, using FAS or fixed extinguishing devices (FEDs), and the paths were modeled with acceptable and unacceptable technical states. The last section of this article defines a model and graph for the operational process of a selected FAS, the analysis of which enables conclusions to be drawn that can be employed in the design and implementation stages. Full article

The article reviews issues associated with the operation of stationary and non-stationary electronic fire alarm systems (FASs). These systems are employed for the fire protection of selected buildings (stationary) or to monitor vast areas, e.g., forests, airports, logistics hubs, etc. (non-stationary). An FAS is operated under various environmental conditions, indoor and outdoor, favourable or unfavourable to the operation process. Therefore, an FAS has to exhibit a reliable structure in terms of power supply and operation. To this end, the paper discusses a representative FAS monitoring a facility and presents basic tactical and technical assumptions for a non-stationary system. The authors reviewed fire detection methods in terms of fire characteristic values (FCVs) impacting detector sensors. Another part of the article focuses on false alarm causes. Assumptions behind the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with visible-range cameras (e.g., Aviotec) and thermal imaging were presented for non-stationary FASs. The FAS operation process model was defined and a computer simulation related to its operation was conducted. Analysing the FAS operation process in the form of models and graphs, and the conducted computer simulation enabled conclusions to be drawn. They may be applied for the design, ongoing maintenance and operation of an FAS. As part of the paper, the authors conducted a reliability analysis of a selected FAS based on the original performance tests of an actual system in operation. They formulated basic technical and tactical requirements applicable to stationary and mobile FASs detecting the so-called vast fires. Full article

Today, rope access systems (RASs) and fall arrest systems (FASs) incorporate significant technological innovations. This research aims to determine the safest knot to be used in RASs. The most secure knots are those that leave the most resistance in the rope. Static laboratory tests, followed by an extensive statistical analysis of the obtained data, were carried out under controlled conditions. Five types of anchor knots were selected and studied using three rope models with similar diameters, and we analysed the symmetrical versions in the dextrorotational direction. Thirty break tests were performed for each rope model. The total number of breakage tests was 90. The double overhand knot proved to be the safest knot with an average efficiency of 61.82%. A better understanding of the behaviour of knots and their correct use in FASs will be key to accident prevention. Full article