Search Results (110)

Background: The relationship between testosterone and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a subject of debate. Most studies suggest an inverse association—lower testosterone, higher risk. However, data from Central European populations undergoing coronary angiography are limited. Objectives: To investigate the association between serum testosterone levels and angiographically confirmed coronary artery stenosis in a Slovak population. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 129 consecutive stable patients (84 men, 45 women; mean age 64.3 ± 9.7 years) undergoing elective coronary angiography for suspected stable coronary artery disease. Significant coronary stenosis was defined as ≥50% luminal narrowing in any major epicardial vessel. Serum testosterone, lipid profile, and traditional risk factors were assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate independent associations of coronary stenosis. Results: Coronary stenosis ≥ 50% was present in 74 patients (57.4%). Notably, patients with stenosis had significantly higher testosterone levels (6.62 ± 2.79 vs. 4.85 ± 3.50 ng/mL, p = 0.002). In univariate analysis, testosterone showed a significant association (OR 1.197 per ng/mL, OR 1.784 per SD, p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, testosterone remained independently associated (adjusted OR 2.043 per SD, 95% CI 1.221–3.420, p = 0.007), as did diabetes mellitus (OR 2.60, p = 0.032). Conclusions: Elevated serum testosterone is paradoxically associated with increased prevalence of coronary stenosis in our cohort. These findings from stable, chronic CAD patients may work fundamentally differently from what is observed in acute coronary syndromes, where stress-induced testosterone suppression may confound observed associations. Full article

The textile industries mostly rely on synthetic dyes, which contain nonbiodegradable components and high toxicity, making their use environmentally hazardous. The present research delves into the unique application of proteins extracted from the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) as a natural dye for wool fabrics. The hydrolyzates extracted from each insect material (larvae, cocoons and flies) using superheated water at 170 °C for 1 h were used as natural dyes for dyeing wool fabrics with and without mordant (ferrous sulfate, 5% o.w.f.). Fabrics treated with mordant-free hydrolyzate derived from cocoons showed the best results, with an increase in color strength (K/S value) from 0.43 to 2.78 with an increasing dye concentration from 2% to 50% o.w.f. Color fastness to washing shows that dyed fabrics undergo variable color changes (from grade 4 to grade 1) but release little dye onto other fabrics, especially wool and synthetic fibers. Dry and wet rubbing color fastness tests showed overall variable color fastness, with little color loss on the abraded reference fabric. Overall, this work emphasizes the possible use of hydrolyzate from BSFs as a natural and environmentally friendly dye, which may represent a promising alternative to synthetic dyes in the textile industry. Full article

This paper aims to analyze the biodegradation behavior of a common synthetic fiber, well-known for its environmental recalcitrance: polyamide 6.6. In particular, polyamide 6.6 fabrics finished with chitosan to impart antibacterial properties and the natural red dye carmine were studied. Fabrics of standard polyamide 6.6 served as references. Some specimens were buried in compost-enriched soil for 1, 2 and 3 months and kept in the laboratory; simultaneously, others were placed in an outdoor house garden to simulate landfill conditions. After each sample withdrawal, various characterization techniques were employed to assess the status of the fibers. The first evidence was that, in general, there were no weight changes or significant macroscopic damage within three months, except for white stains as an index of microorganism colonization, which was confirmed by microscopic analyses, where bacteria and fungi could be clearly seen. On the one hand, some effects were revealed during the burial in the house garden that impacted the fabrics’ surface characteristics in terms of interaction with soil derivatives (susceptibility to adsorption of water and soil-derived substances). On the other hand, the samples buried under laboratory conditions showed a weak antibacterial efficacy, leading to the hypothesis that more aggressive degradation may have occurred at the expense of chitosan. Still, three months of burial led to mild surface deterioration, opening possibilities for further research. Full article

The textile industry is facing increasing pressure to improve its sustainability performance across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. A substantial share of textile production relies on polymer-based fibers, such as polyester, polyamide, and acrylics, whose production, use, and end-of-life management raise significant sustainability challenges. In this context, life cycle-based assessment tools have become essential for supporting informed decision-making and guiding the transition toward more circular textile systems. This review critically examines the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) within the textile sector, with a specific focus on polymeric textile materials and circular economy strategies. The analysis highlights the strengths and limitations of each methodology, emphasizing persistent challenges related to system boundary definition, data availability and quality, methodological heterogeneity, and limited comparability across studies. Particular attention is given to how methodological choices influence the robustness and interpretability of sustainability outcomes, especially when assessing circular solutions for polymer-based textiles. The review reveals that, despite their conceptual complementarity, LCA, LCC, and S-LCA are often applied in a fragmented manner, limiting their integration into holistic sustainability assessments. Overall, this work underscores the need for greater methodological alignment and integrated frameworks to enhance the decision-making relevance of life cycle-based tools and to effectively support sustainable and circular transitions in the textile industry. Full article

Microplastics spread through the environment in various ways. Inland waters are an ideal medium for their dispersal, as they collect pollutants from various sources and transport them over long distances. From there, microplastics can enter the marine environment, break down into smaller particles or end up in drinking water treatment plants. However, the fate, transport and potential health effects of microplastics after ingestion of drinking water and water in food are not yet fully understood. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the quantification and identification of microplastics in drinking water by analysing real samples in order to assess the potential impact on human health. To this end, microplastic contamination in 32 treated drinking water samples from a surface water treatment plant in north-eastern Italy were analysed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FT-IR). The results indicated low levels of contamination, with all the samples containing less than 170 microplastics per litre, which is in line with European drinking water levels. Polyolefins with size 50–500 µm, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, were the predominant polymers detected (50.2%), while surprisingly polyethylene terephthalate was scarcely present (0.1%, size range 10–50 µm). Statistical analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between microplastic concentration and sampling volume, with larger volumes yielding fewer particles. This inconsistency likely results from the lack of bottle rinsing when only a fraction of the sampling volume is filtered. It was also found that rinsing the sampling bottles with ethanol alone prior to analysis was sufficient to ensure accurate quantification. These results highlight the challenges in standardising the detection of microplastics in drinking water and underline the need for optimised sampling protocols. Full article

This study explores the development potential of thematic tourism in the Municipality of Pella, Northern Greece. It examines local residents’ perceptions regarding tourism as a growth strategy, evaluates current informational and promotional efforts by the local government, and assesses the public’s willingness to participate in tourism activities. A structured questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of residents that was given both in person and via the internet. Quantitative analysis revealed that while respondents generally support the idea of tourism development and feel moderately informed, there is a strong perception that the municipality’s efforts to promote tourism are insufficient. Key factors influencing residents’ attitudes include age, level of education, and personal involvement with tourism. The findings suggest that thematic tourism could serve as a viable development path, provided that local authorities implement targeted education, infrastructure, and promotion strategies. This study recommends enhanced cooperation between public institutions and local stakeholders to support sustainable tourism growth. It is suggested, therefore, to increase the depth of focus given in the development of an innovative agricultural area development model that will combine traditional agriculture with agritourism and the remaining types according to each place’s capabilities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular (CV) diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality across Europe. Despite substantial progress in prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics, outpatient cardiology care continues to face systemic challenges, including limited consultation time, workforce constraints, and incomplete clinical information at the point of care. The primary objective of this study is threefold. First, to evaluate whether AI-enhanced telemedicine improves clinical control of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and heart failure compared to standard ambulatory care. Second, to assess the impact on physician workflow efficiency and documentation burden through AI-assisted clinical documentation. Third, to determine patient satisfaction and safety profiles of integrated telemedicine–AI systems. Clinical control will be measured by a composite endpoint of disease-specific targets assessed at the 12-month follow-up visit. Methods: The TeleAI-CVD Concept Study aims to evaluate the integration of telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency, quality, and individualization of cardiovascular disease management in the ambulatory setting. Within this framework, AI-driven tools will be employed to collect structured clinical histories and current symptomatology from patients prior to outpatient visits using digital questionnaires and conversational interfaces. Results: Obtained data, combined with telemonitoring metrics, laboratory parameters, and existing clinical records, will be synthesized to support clinical decision-making. Conclusions: This approach is expected to streamline consultations, increase diagnostic accuracy, and enable personalized, data-driven care through continuous evaluation of patient trajectories. The anticipated outcomes of the TeleAI-CVD study include the development of optimized, AI-assisted management protocols for cardiology patients, a reduction in unnecessary in-person visits through effective telemedicine-based follow-up, and accelerated attainment of therapeutic targets. Ultimately, this concept seeks to redefine the paradigm of outpatient cardiovascular care by embedding advanced digital technologies within routine clinical workflows. Full article

Context: Efforts to understand sustainability behavior have developed significantly over the past few decades. To date, this research has primarily focused on directly observable behaviors (e.g., littering, recycling, and energy use). However, a more theoretical understanding of sustainability behavior needs to include its unobservable or latent antecedents. Problem: As a result, valid and reliable measures of these latent constructs are required to build a theoretical foundation for the development of relevant sustainability social science. We discuss the need for such a targeted, attitudinal measure, given its connection to observable behavior. Objective: We aimed to develop such a measure through a series of studies. Results: We present an 11-item measure of a general sustainability attitude that includes ecological, economic, and social elements. We conclude with a discussion of the utility of the Sustainability Attitude Scale. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity demonstrates substantial metabolic heterogeneity. We determined insulin resistance prevalence in Slovak children with obesity using multiple validated markers and identified high-risk phenotypes. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 54 obese children (BMI 29.5 ± 4.7 kg/m²) and 33 controls (BMI 20.6 ± 1.9 kg/m²). All underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis and fasting metabolic profiling, including HOMA-IR and triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio. Insulin resistance was defined as HOMA-IR > 3.42 (obese) or >1.68 (controls), and TG/HDL-C > 0.99 mmol/L. Age-matched sensitivity analysis was performed on 28 pairs. Results: Among obese children, 44.4% demonstrated HOMA-IR-defined insulin resistance versus 45.5% of controls using respective cut-offs, with significantly higher mean HOMA-IR (3.66 ± 2.09 vs. 2.53 ± 2.59, p = 0.034). Age-matched analysis (n = 28 pairs, mean age difference 0.22 years) confirmed these findings with HOMA-IR 3.46 ± 2.18 vs. 2.27 ± 2.22 (p = 0.0271). The TG/HDL-C ratio identified insulin resistance in 38.9% of obese versus 12.1% of controls. Critically, 22.2% of obese children showed concordant elevation of both markers (vs. 6.1% controls; OR 4.43); in age-matched analysis, this difference was even more pronounced (17.9% vs. 3.6%). Low skeletal muscle mass (<25th percentile for age and sex) with high body fat (>40%) characterized 22.6% of obese children, demonstrating 91.7% insulin resistance prevalence versus 31.0% without low muscle mass (p < 0.001), with HOMA-IR 1.9 points higher (95% CI: 0.31–2.73). Remarkably, 50% of children with low muscle mass showed concordant elevation of both metabolic markers versus 14.3% without (OR 6.0). Conclusions: Low skeletal muscle mass in obese Slovak children represents a very-high-risk phenotype with 91.7% insulin resistance prevalence and 6-fold increased odds of severe metabolic dysfunction. Age-matched analysis confirmed that metabolic differences are independent of age effects. Body composition-based risk stratification enables personalized interventions targeting the highest-risk children. Full article

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex, life-threatening syndrome characterized by inadequate tissue perfusion due to impaired cardiac function. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute decompensated heart failure are the leading causes, with mortality remaining high despite advances in revascularization and supportive care. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) classification allows risk stratification and guides clinical decision making by capturing the spectrum of shock severity. Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) devices, such as the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and Impella, aim to stabilize hemodynamics by augmenting cardiac output and unloading the left ventricle. However, randomized trials and meta-analyses have not demonstrated a consistent survival advantage of Impella over IABP, while reporting higher rates of bleeding and vascular complications. Landmark trials, including ECLS-SHOCK and DanGer, have provided conflicting results, likely reflecting differences in baseline severity and timing of device implantation. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (VA-ECMO) offers full cardiopulmonary support but increases left ventricular afterload, potentially worsening myocardial injury. Combined strategies such as ECPELLA (Impella + VA-ECMO) or ECMO + IABP may mitigate left ventricle (LV) overload and improve bridging to recovery or advanced therapies, although evidence remains largely observational and complication rates are considerable. In right-sided or biventricular failure, tailored options (e.g., Impella RP, Bi-Pella) guided by invasive hemodynamics may be required. Current evidence suggests that pMCS benefits are limited to carefully selected subgroups, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis, prompt referral, and individualized intervention. Robust randomized data are still needed to define the optimal role of pMCS in AMI-related CS. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between right ventricular (RV) structure and function and established markers of alcohol septal ablation (ASA) efficacy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We hypothesized that RV characteristics may serve as predictors of left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOT_G) in the early period following ASA. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 50 HCM patients who underwent ASA. Correlations between echocardiographic RV parameters and standard indicators of ASA success were assessed at 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years post-procedure. Results: Echocardiographic measurements of RV wall thickness (RVWT) at 3 months and 1 year after ASA showed significant correlations with maximum LVOT_G (p < 0.001), NYHA functional class, and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LV_D) (both p < 0.01). At 3 and 5 years, these correlations were no longer statistically significant (p = ns). No associations were observed for other parameters. Conclusions: Echocardiographic assessment of RVWT may serve as an early predictor of subsequent LVOT_G development as soon as 3 months after ASA. RVWT could therefore provide an estimate of long-term treatment effects. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. Full article

Objective: This study sought to examine the relationships between right ventricular (RV) parameters and function, and body composition in adolescents and young adult individuals with overweight and obesity. We hypothesized that abnormal body composition is linked to RV dysfunction and subclinical changes in the ventricle. Methods: The study prospectively included 80 young adult individuals, with 55 being overweight or obese and 25 having a normal body weight. We examined differences in RV echocardiographic parameters between these groups and their relationship with body composition parameters. Results: Adolescents and young adults with overweight or obesity had greater RV pressure load, and larger RV diameter. Significant differences in RV size and strain were noted between groups. Across the cohort, lean body mass positively correlated with RV strain, while fat mass and total serum protein negatively correlated with RV strain (both p < 0.01 or lower). Conclusions: This study found that RV function and body composition are often linked and improving body composition could prevent RV dysfunction, while addressing wasting might enhance RV function. Overweight or obese young adults show decreased RV strain in the absolute value compared to those with normal body weight. Full article

Right heart failure (RHF) remains an under-recognized yet devastating condition in critically ill and chronic patients, frequently complicating cardiac surgery, pulmonary embolism, advanced heart failure, sepsis and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Despite growing awareness, clinical decision making is still hampered by the complex pathophysiology, limitations in diagnosis and a fragmented therapeutic landscape. In recent years, progress in hemodynamic phenotyping, advanced echocardiographic and biomarker-based assessment, and the development of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems, including percutaneous and surgical right ventricle assist devices (RVAD), veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO), Impella RP (right percutaneous) or BiPella (Impella CP/5.0/5.5 + Impella RP) has expanded the armamentarium for managing RHF. This review synthetizes current evidences on the anatomical, physiological and molecular underpinnings of RHF, delineates the distinction and continuum between acute and chronic forms and provides a comparative analysis of diagnostic tools and MCS strategies. By integrating mechanistic insights with emerging clinical frameworks, the review aims to support earlier recognition, tailored management and innovative therapeutic approaches for this high-risk population. Full article

Intra-fractional respiratory management represents one of the greatest challenges of modern cancer radiotherapy (RT), as significant breathing-induced lesion motion might affect target coverage and organs at risk (OARs) sparing, jeopardizing oncological and toxicity outcomes. The detrimental effects on dosage of uncompensated organ motion are exacerbated in RT with charged particles (e.g., protons and carbon ions), due to their higher ballistic selectivity. The simplest strategies to counteract this phenomenon are the use of larger treatment margins and reductions in or control of respiration (e.g., by means of compression belts, breath hold). Gating and tracking, which synchronize beam delivery with the respiratory signal, also represent widely adopted solutions. When tracking the tumor itself or surrogates, invasive procedures (e.g., marker implantation), an unnecessary imaging dose (e.g., in X-ray-based fluoroscopy), or expensive equipment (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) is usually required. When chest and abdomen excursions are measured to infer internal tumor displacement, the additional devices needed to perform this task, such as pressure sensors or surface cameras, present inherent limitations that can impair the procedure itself. In this context, radars have intrigued the radiation oncology community, being inexpensive, non-invasive, contactless, and insensitive to obstacles. Even if real-world clinical implementation is still lagging behind, there is a growing body of research unraveling the potential of these devices in this field. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the studies that have delved into the potential of radar-based technologies for motion-adaptive photon and particle RT applications. Full article

Facing energy and environmental issues is recognized globally as one of the major challenges for sustainable development, to which sustainable chemistry can make significant contributions. Strontium ferrate-based materials belong to a little-known class of perovskite-type compounds in which iron is primarily stabilized in the unusual 4+ oxidation state, although some Fe³⁺ is often present, depending on the synthesis and processing conditions and the type and amount of dopant. When doped with cerium at the Sr site, the SrFeO_3−δ cubic structure is stabilized, more oxygen vacancies form and the Fe⁴⁺/Fe³⁺ redox couple plays a key role in its functional properties. Alone or combined with other materials, Ce-doped strontium ferrates can be successfully applied to wastewater treatment. Specific doping at the Fe site enhances their electronic conductivity for use as electrodes in solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers. Their oxygen storage capacity and oxygen mobility are also exploited in chemical looping reactions. The main limitations of these materials are SrCO₃ formation, especially at the surface; their low surface area and porosity; and cation leaching at acidic pH values. However, these limitations can be partially addressed through careful selection of synthesis, processing and testing conditions. This review highlights the high versatility and efficiency of cerium-doped strontium ferrates for energy and environmental applications, both at low and high temperatures. The main literature on these compounds is reviewed to highlight the impact of their key properties and synthesis and processing parameters on their applicability as sustainable thermocatalysts, electrocatalysts, oxygen carriers and sensors. Full article